GB2091693A - Containers Which may be Screwed Together - Google Patents

Abstract

A container comprises a wall having a cylindrical upper and lower edge portions with a base portion 15 located adjacent said lower edge portion, each such edge portion being provided with a screw thread 16, 18 and the screw threads 16, 18 being so dimensioned that the upper edge portion of one container will mate with the lower edge portion of another container. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Containers The present invention relates to containers and more particularly to stackable containers. The term "stackable containers" is used herein to define containers which may be assembled in superposed array or stack with no general limitations as to the number of containers or the order thereof in the stack.

The object of the present invention is to provide stackable containers which, when assembled into a stack, are securely held together.

According to the present invention a stackable container comprises cylindrical upper and lower edge portions, each provided with a screw thread, so dimensioned that the upper edge portion of one container will mate with the lower edge portion of another container, and a base portion located adjacent said lower edge portion.

In the preferred arrangement, the container is generally cylindrical, being closed at its lower part by the said base portion. A screw thread is formed in the material of the wall of the container adjacent the top, forming the said upper edge portion. Below the base portion is the lower edge portion defined by a skirt having a screw thread dimensioned to mate with the screw thread of an upper edge portion. Preferably the screw thread of the upper edge portion is an external or male thread whilst that of the skirt is an internal or female thread.

Any form of screw thread can be employed, for example single start thread, multiple start thread or interrupted thread. The shape of the screw thread is not important but will be the same for all containers.

The separation between the upper and lower edge portions or height of the container is clearly optional and in a preferred arrangement a plurality of containers are provided of different heights, whereby a user may select containers of appropriate volume.

In or for a stack as aforesaid, it may be convenient to provide top and bottom members.

The top member may comprise, in the preferred arrangement, merely the skirt and base portion of a normal container, such base portion functioning as a lid. If considered desirable, the top member may be provided with a handle, for example formed in or on the lid. Alternatively the lid may be adapted to receive a separate handle.

The bottom member may comprise, in the preferred arrangement, a normal container without its skirt.

A complete stack will therefore comprise a bottom member, at least one container and a top member, affording at least two separate storage compartments.

Any suitable material or combination of materials can be used for forming the containers, but it is preferred to use a rigid plastics material.

The containers can be formed by any suitable process, but preferably by a moulding technique, such techniques and the materials suitable therefor being well known.

In order that the present invention may more readily be understood, one embodiment of the same will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the single figure is a part sectional elevation of a stack of containers.

Referring now to the drawing, the stack of containers shown comprises two identical - containers 10, 1 1, a top member 12 and a bottom member 13.

Each of the containers 10, 1 1 comprises a cylindrical wall 14 closed by a base portion 15.

The upper edge portion of the cylindrical wall 14 is provided with an external thread 16. A cylindrical skirt 17 is provided below the base portion 15 and has an internal thread 18, shown mating with the thread 16.

The top member 12 is in the form of a substantially flat disc 19, having a central handle knob 20 and a skirt 21 substantially identical to the skirt 17 so as to mate the upper edge portion of the container 10.

The bottom member 13 comprises merely a wall portion having an external thread 22 at its upper edge portion and a base portion 23, the depth of the bottom member 13, being less than the containers 10, 11.

Claims

1. A stackable container comprising a wall having cylindrical upper and lower edge portions with a base portion located adjacent said lower edge portion, each such edge portion being provided with a screw thread and the screw threads being so dimensioned that the upper edge portion of one container will mate with the lower edge portion of another container.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the lower edge portion is in the form of a skirt having an internal diameter substantially the same as the external diameter of the upper edge portion.

3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper edge portion carries a male thread and the lower edge portion a female thread.

4. A container according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the screw thread is a multiple start, interrupted thread.

5. A container according to any of claims 1-4 made of a moulded rigid plastics material.

6. A container stack comprising at least one container in accordance with any of the preceding claims, a top member and a bottom member.

7. A stack according to claim 6, wherein the top member is in the form of a skirt portion and a base portion.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Containers The present invention relates to containers and more particularly to stackable containers. The term "stackable containers" is used herein to define containers which may be assembled in superposed array or stack with no general limitations as to the number of containers or the order thereof in the stack. The object of the present invention is to provide stackable containers which, when assembled into a stack, are securely held together. According to the present invention a stackable container comprises cylindrical upper and lower edge portions, each provided with a screw thread, so dimensioned that the upper edge portion of one container will mate with the lower edge portion of another container, and a base portion located adjacent said lower edge portion. In the preferred arrangement, the container is generally cylindrical, being closed at its lower part by the said base portion. A screw thread is formed in the material of the wall of the container adjacent the top, forming the said upper edge portion. Below the base portion is the lower edge portion defined by a skirt having a screw thread dimensioned to mate with the screw thread of an upper edge portion. Preferably the screw thread of the upper edge portion is an external or male thread whilst that of the skirt is an internal or female thread. Any form of screw thread can be employed, for example single start thread, multiple start thread or interrupted thread. The shape of the screw thread is not important but will be the same for all containers. The separation between the upper and lower edge portions or height of the container is clearly optional and in a preferred arrangement a plurality of containers are provided of different heights, whereby a user may select containers of appropriate volume. In or for a stack as aforesaid, it may be convenient to provide top and bottom members. The top member may comprise, in the preferred arrangement, merely the skirt and base portion of a normal container, such base portion functioning as a lid. If considered desirable, the top member may be provided with a handle, for example formed in or on the lid. Alternatively the lid may be adapted to receive a separate handle. The bottom member may comprise, in the preferred arrangement, a normal container without its skirt. A complete stack will therefore comprise a bottom member, at least one container and a top member, affording at least two separate storage compartments. Any suitable material or combination of materials can be used for forming the containers, but it is preferred to use a rigid plastics material. The containers can be formed by any suitable process, but preferably by a moulding technique, such techniques and the materials suitable therefor being well known. In order that the present invention may more readily be understood, one embodiment of the same will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the single figure is a part sectional elevation of a stack of containers. Referring now to the drawing, the stack of containers shown comprises two identical - containers 10, 1 1, a top member 12 and a bottom member 13. Each of the containers 10, 1 1 comprises a cylindrical wall 14 closed by a base portion 15. The upper edge portion of the cylindrical wall 14 is provided with an external thread 16. A cylindrical skirt 17 is provided below the base portion 15 and has an internal thread 18, shown mating with the thread 16. The top member 12 is in the form of a substantially flat disc 19, having a central handle knob 20 and a skirt 21 substantially identical to the skirt 17 so as to mate the upper edge portion of the container 10. The bottom member 13 comprises merely a wall portion having an external thread 22 at its upper edge portion and a base portion 23, the depth of the bottom member 13, being less than the containers 10, 11. Claims

1. A stackable container comprising a wall having cylindrical upper and lower edge portions with a base portion located adjacent said lower edge portion, each such edge portion being provided with a screw thread and the screw threads being so dimensioned that the upper edge portion of one container will mate with the lower edge portion of another container.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the lower edge portion is in the form of a skirt having an internal diameter substantially the same as the external diameter of the upper edge portion.

3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper edge portion carries a male thread and the lower edge portion a female thread.

4. A container according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the screw thread is a multiple start, interrupted thread.

5. A container according to any of claims 1-4 made of a moulded rigid plastics material.

6. A container stack comprising at least one container in accordance with any of the preceding claims, a top member and a bottom member.

7. A stack according to claim 6, wherein the top member is in the form of a skirt portion and a base portion.

8. A stack according to claim 7, wherein the base portion of a top member is provided with a handle.

9. A stack according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the bottom member is in the form of a container having no lower edge portion.