HK1182064B - Stackable plastic container - Google Patents

Description

Stackable plastic container

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority from prior application No. 12/855,902 of U.S. patent application No. 13 entitled plastic CONTAINER FOR shipping without CONTAINERs (plastic CONTAINER configuration FOR CASE-LESS SHIPPING), filed on 8/2010 and 13/2011, and priority from prior application No. 13/030,313 of U.S. patent application No. 13/030,313, filed on 18/2011, entitled "stackable plastic CONTAINER (STACKABLEPLASTIC CONTAINER)".

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to stackable plastic containers, including case-less shipping containers.

Background

Plastic containers are used to store a wide variety of contents. It is desirable that plastic containers can be made stackable and thereby increase shipping efficiency. Conventional stackable containers are often provided with side wall sections that add structural strength to prevent the container from deforming due to top loading and hydrostatic forces.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of stackable plastic containers for holding contents are disclosed. In an embodiment, the container includes a bottom portion, a sidewall portion, and an upper portion. The bottom portion is configured to support the container on a surface. The bottom portion includes an upwardly extending central bottom portion and one or more bottom reinforcing formations. The sidewall portion extends upwardly from the base portion and may include one or more sidewall reinforcement formations. The upper portion extends upwardly from the sidewall portion and includes a shoulder portion, an angled portion, a neck portion, and a dispensing opening (dispensing opening). The bottom portion may be configured to withstand hydrostatic pressure. A portion of the shoulder portion may be configured to flex downward under a top load force applied to the container. Further, the upwardly extending central bottom portion may be configured to receive an upper portion of another container. By use of an embodiment, in the stacked configuration, the neck portion of another container contacts the central bottom portion of that container.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are isometric views of embodiments of containers embodying aspects of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are front views of the container shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, respectively;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are right side elevational views of the container shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, respectively;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the container shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, respectively;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view (finish detail) of the surface structure of a container such as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a container;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of two containers in a stacked configuration;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a container including a handle;

FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of two stacked containers, wherein the lower container includes a handle;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of an enlarged portion of the container shown in FIG. 10; and

fig. 12 is a side view of an enlarged portion of the container shown in fig. 10.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Fig. 1A, 1B, and 1C generally show isometric views of an embodiment of a container 10, illustrating aspects of the teachings of the present invention. As generally shown in fig. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the container 10 shown in the figures may include a closed bottom portion 20, a sidewall portion 30, and an upper portion 40.

The bottom portion 20 may be configured to support the container on a surface, such as on a substantially flat support surface. The base portion 20 includes an upwardly extending central base portion 50 and may also include one or more base reinforcing structures. One example of a bottom portion is shown in fig. 4, but is not intended to be limited to this example. These bottom reinforcement formations may include, but are not limited to, one or more stepped portions (stepped portions) 60 (which may be annular) and/or one or more ribs (ribs) 70 (or other radially extending formations). In an embodiment, the central bottom portion 50 is configured to receive at least a portion of the upper portion 40 of another container (which may or may not include a cap or closure), such as a neck portion of a container positioned below the container (see, e.g., fig. 7 and 8). Further, in embodiments, the bottom portion 20 may be configured to withstand hydrostatic pressure, including increased hydrostatic pressure due to loading forces resulting from top loading.

As generally shown, the sidewall portion 30 extends upwardly from the bottom portion 20. In an embodiment (by way of example and not intended to be limiting), the wall thickness of the sidewall portion of the container may be about 0.020 ± 0.006 inches. In some embodiments, the sidewall portion of the container can have a generally square or rounded square cross-section, and if desired, the cross-section can extend along substantially the entire vertical length of the sidewall portion. In addition, the sidewall portion may include one or more sidewall reinforcement formations 80. These sidewall reinforcement formations may include, by way of example and not by way of limitation, a plurality of substantially horizontal reinforcement ribs/formations. The sidewall reinforcement formations 80 may be continuous, for example extending around the outer circumference of the container (circumference), or may be discontinuous in other embodiments, and may have one or more discontinuities. It is important to note that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated sidewall reinforcement configurations, but various other forms of known sidewall reinforcement configurations/features may be added and/or substituted.

For example, as generally shown in fig. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the sidewall reinforcement formations (if provided) provided may have a variety of numbers, forms, spacings, and sizes. By way of example and not limitation, in fig. 1A, 2A, 3A and 1C, 2C and 3C, the sidewall reinforcement structure 80 is illustrated in the form of generally horizontally extending corrugated ribs. The vertical height of the sidewall reinforcement structure 80 in fig. 1A, 2A, and 3A is illustrated as varying along the outer circumference of the container. By way of comparison, in fig. 1C, 2C and 3C, the vertical height of the sidewall reinforcement structure 80 is substantially uniform (although corrugated) along the outer circumference of the container. Alternatively, as shown generally in fig. 1B, 2B, and 3B, the sidewall reinforcement formations 80 may take the form of substantially straight horizontal ribs, which may have substantially similar vertical heights and radial depths.

For example, as generally shown in fig. 2A, the side wall may additionally include formations, such as projecting formations 90a, 90b and receiving formations 92A, 92b, which may be used to interconnect adjacent containers. For example, the receiving formations 92a, 92b may be configured to receive a major portion of the projecting formations 90a and 90b of one similar container when such containers are positioned adjacent to one another.

The upper portion 40 extends upwardly from the sidewall portion 30. In an embodiment, the upper portion 40 includes a shoulder portion 100, an angled portion 110, and a neck portion 120 having a liquid outlet 130. For example, the angled portion 110 may form an angle θ (relative to horizontal) of about 20 ± 5 degrees. It is often desirable to provide an angle θ such that the angled portion 110 does not significantly deform under the expected load in the container (i.e., the other portions of the upper portion 40 will bend or deform first). Further, in embodiments, the neck portion 120 may additionally include a support ring 132 and/or a closure receiving formation (e.g., threads 134). FIG. 5 depicts an enlarged surface structure detail view of an embodiment of a container, such as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C. In the detail shown, by way of example and not intended to be limiting, the vertical distance D1 from the bottom of support ring 132 to the top of the container (at the top of liquid outlet 130) may be about 0.90 ± 0.20 inches. Additionally, if desired, the outer diameter D2 of the uppermost portion of the container can be about 2.295 + -0.010 inches, while the outer diameter D3 of the outer portion of the support ring can be about 2.611 + -0.010 inches. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated surface structures, and various other neck surface structure configurations, including many conventional configurations, may also be used.

The neck portion 40 may also include a closure or overcap, such as the closure 136 shown generally in fig. 6 and 8, which closure 136 may be configured to seal the container. Further, in some embodiments, a seal (such as a conventional foil seal) may be provided over the liquid outlet 130 of the container after filling with contents (for example, but not intended to be limiting, liquid). Hermetic sealing of the contents is often required and various sealing techniques, including electromagnetic induction sealing (induction-sealing), may be applied if desired.

The shoulder portion 100 may include a rounded portion 140 and a curved portion 150. The curved portion 150 may be disposed between the rounded portion 140 and the angled portion 110. The curved portion 150 may be configured to generally curve (or deform) downward under a top load force applied to the container 10 (see, e.g., fig. 8). For example, the curved portion 150 may be configured to withstand a top loading force due to the weight of one or more containers stacked on top of one another. In embodiments such as shown in fig. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the curved portion 150 may comprise a substantially flat, generally horizontally extending section. However, the curved portion is not limited to the form shown in the exemplary figures, but other variations providing similar functionality may also be utilized.

Further, in embodiments, the vertical height H of the upper portion 40 is such that under no load (e.g., no top load is applied)₁(see, e.g., FIG. 3A) is greater than the vertical height H of the central bottom portion 50₂(see, e.g., fig. 8), the central bottom portion 50 is configured to receive such an upper portion 40. Although the cover 136 is included in the upper portion representation shown in FIG. 8, the vertical height H of the upper portion₁May or may not include a vertical height of the cover.

Fig. 6 generally illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the first container 160. The container 160 is shown to include a closure 136. For convenience of explanation of the related concepts of the present invention, the first container 160 may have the following vertical dimensions, for example:

16.900

D₄total vertical height of the container

Inch (L)

14.704

D₅Vertical height from bottommost bottom portion to top of shoulder portion

Inch (L)

2.196

D₆Vertical height from top of shoulder to top of container (including closure)

Inch (L)

2.096

D₇Vertical height from top of shoulder to top of spout (without closure)

Inch (L)

The vertical height from the support surface to the central part of the central bottom part, the central bottom 2.046

D₈

The portion is configured to engage with an upper portion of a (lower) second container

Fig. 7 generally illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of two containers, a first container 160 and a second container 170, in a stacked configuration. Similarly, for ease of describing the concepts associated with the present invention, the stacked combination of the first container 160 and the second container 170 may have the following vertical dimensions, for example:

31.604

D₉total vertical height of stacked first and second containers

Inch (L)

From the bottommost bottom portion to the top 14.704 of the shoulder portion of the second container (bottom container)

D₁₀

Vertical height inch of portion

Vertical 2.046 from the top of the shoulder of the second container to the top of the second container (with closure)

D₁₁

Height inch

The vertical height from the support surface to the central part of the central bottom part of the second container is 2.046

D₁₂

The central bottom portion is configured to engage an upper portion of another container in inches

It is important to note that the specific dimensions mentioned in the foregoing are only used to illustrate certain concepts related to the present invention, but the inventive concepts are not limited to these dimensions.

An enlarged view of a portion of fig. 7 is shown in fig. 8, illustrating the engagement between the stacked first container 160 and the second container 170. It is stated that in the stacked configuration, the neck portion of the bottom container may generally contact a portion of the central bottom portion of the top container. For example, as generally shown, an uppermost surface of the second container (bottom container) 170, i.e., an uppermost surface of the lid 136 of the second container, is in contact with the upwardly extending central bottom portion 50 of the first container (upper container), more specifically, the portion of the first container 160 is configured to receive such an uppermost surface of the second container 170. As shown generally in fig. 8, the upper portion 40 of the second container 170 is pressed downward under the top load force. As generally shown, a portion of the shoulder portion 140 of the second container 170 may contact a portion of the bottom portion 20 of the first container 160. In addition, a portion of the upper portion 40 in the second container 170 (e.g., the curved portion 150) may be bent or deformed downward to help withstand the dimension D in the second container 170₆(e.g., 2.196 inches) and the dimension D of the first container 160₁₁(e.g., 2.046 inches) between the two (otherwise known as "interference"). For example, in the illustrated example, the interference dimension would be 0.150 inches.

In this case, the upper portion 40 of the container stacked on the lower portion is moved downward, and assuming that the other dimensions of the lower container remain substantially unchanged, the volume within the lower container is reduced, and if the container is sealed, the hydrostatic pressure of the contents within the lower container will help support (and share) the weight of the container stacked on the upper portion. In one embodiment, the sidewall portion 30 may be configured to withstand internal contents pressure resulting from a top load force of at least 75 pounds. In addition, in other embodimentsThe inclusions may have a density of about 0.90g/cm³And about 0.95g/cm³In the meantime. Even if there is some unfilled "headspace" within the second container 170, the container will still gain support strength when the upper portion is compressed downward under top loading, as the hydrostatic force of the contents helps to antagonize or counteract the top loading force. That is, in addition, embodiments of the present invention can employ a degree of controllable bending/compression in desired portions/regions (e.g., upper portions, including shoulder portions) such that hydrostatic forces of contents within the container can be utilized to help counteract at least a portion of the top load force.

Furthermore, it is noted that the amount of compression involved in the aforementioned disturbances and tolerances can be adjusted. That is, the configuration of the upper portion of the container may be modified to adjust the resulting interference involved for different containers and/or contents (type and volume).

Fig. 9 generally illustrates an embodiment of a container 200 including a handle 210. The handle 210 may be formed separately and subsequently attached to the upper portion 40 of the container. By way of example and not intended to be limiting, the handle 210 may comprise a conventional handle (bag handle) commonly used in bulk plastic containers. In fig. 10, the upper container 220 is shown in a stacked arrangement with the lower container 230. For ease of illustration, the lower container 230 includes a handle 210. Fig. 11 and 12 illustrate generally isometric and side views, respectively, of an enlarged portion of the container shown in fig. 10. As best shown in fig. 12, the handle 210 attached to the lower container 230 may be configured to fit completely within the upwardly extending central bottom portion 250 of the upper container 220. Further, the handle 210 may be configured as desired such that the handle 210 experiences little or no top loading force when the containers 220 and 230 are in the stacked configuration. In other embodiments, the containers and/or the handle 210 may be configured such that a portion of the handle (e.g., the central loop portion of the handle 210) supports a portion of the top load force, wherein the engagement portion in the bottom portion of the upper container 220 applies the top load force downward.

Containers made according to the present invention can be made of the following materials: synthetic plastic materials such as polyethylene (including High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)), polypropylene, polycarbonate, or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or other plastic materials or combinations of plastic materials, including multilayer combinations. Further, embodiments of containers formed according to the teachings of the present disclosure may have a hoop blow molded stretch ratio (home blow molded stretch ratio) of greater than 5.0 (e.g., 5.48 ± 0.2), and an axial blow molded stretch ratio (axial blow molded stretch ratio) of less than about 2.5 (e.g., 2.04 ± 0.2). Further, in embodiments, the container may have a weight of about 300 ± 6 grams or more when not containing any contents, by way of example and not limitation, and the container may be configured to have a content volume of 560 fluid ounces (fluid ounces) or more. Further, in embodiments, if the container is filled with contents, the ratio of the container weight to the internal volume may be (by way of example and not intended to be limiting) less than 1.0 gram per fluid ounce of contents, and may be less than 0.6 grams per fluid ounce of contents.

A method of stacking plastic containers in a bin-free manner is also disclosed. In one embodiment, a first layer of plastic containers is provided, the plastic containers including the features generally disclosed. A second layer of plastic containers may then be placed on the first layer of plastic containers, the weight of the second layer of plastic containers creating a top load force on the first layer of plastic containers. In an embodiment, the collapsible structure (collapsible formation) in the first layer of plastic containers will then move or deform under the action of the top load force until the top load force of the top layer of containers is at least partially offset by the internal hydrostatic force of the first layer of plastic containers. The method is not limited to a particular number of container layers. In one embodiment, the stacked multi-layer containers may be palletized on pallets or optionally may be wrapped or bundled by various methods known in the art.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (21)

1. A stackable plastic container for holding contents, said container comprising:

a bottom portion configured to support the container on a surface, the bottom portion comprising an upwardly extending central bottom portion and a bottom reinforcement construction;

a sidewall portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion, the sidewall portion including a sidewall reinforcement formation;

an upper portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion, the upper portion including a shoulder portion, an angled portion, and a neck portion having a liquid outlet;

wherein the bottom portion is configured to withstand hydrostatic pressure; the shoulder portion includes a rounded portion and a curved portion; the curved portion disposed between the rounded portion and the angled portion and configured to curve downward under a top load force applied to the container; the central bottom portion is configured to receive an upper portion of another container;

wherein the central bottom portion and the upper portion container have a vertical height; and the vertical height of the upper portion of the container is greater than the vertical height of the central bottom portion configured to receive an upper portion of another container.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the neck portion of the other container contacts the central bottom portion of the container in the stacked configuration.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the neck portion comprises a closure.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall portion is configured to withstand an internal contents pressure resulting from a top load force of at least 75 pounds.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is configured such that in a stacked configuration, a portion of the bottom portion of the container contacts a shoulder portion of such other container.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the container is configured such that when the portion in the bottom portion of the container contacts a shoulder portion of such other container, the central bottom portion of the container applies a downward force to the neck portion of such other container.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall portion of the container has a wall thickness of 0.020 ± 0.006 inches.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall portion of the container has a substantially square or rounded square cross-section.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the substantially square or rounded square cross-section extends along substantially the entire vertical length of the sidewall portion.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein the container has a hoop blow stretch ratio of greater than 5.0, and an axial blow stretch ratio of less than 2.5.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall reinforcement formation comprises one or more ribs.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall reinforcing structure comprises one or more curvilinear or corrugated structures.

13. The container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall includes one or more protruding formations and one or more receiving formations.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the receiving formation is configured to interconnect or interlock with a protruding formation disposed on another similar container.

15. The container of claim 1, wherein the bottom reinforcing structure comprises a plurality of radially extending ribs.

16. The container of claim 1, wherein the bottom reinforcing formation comprises one or more annular stepped portions.

17. The container of claim 1, wherein the container comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

18. The container of claim 1, wherein the container comprises contents.

19. The container of claim 18, wherein the contents comprise a liquid.

20. The container of claim 18, wherein the contents have a density of 0.90g/cm³And 0.95g/cm³In the meantime.

21. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is filled with contents and has a container weight to volume ratio of less than 1.0 grams per fluid ounce of contents.