HK1234021B - Pillar-shaped container - Google Patents

Description

cylindrical container

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to cylindrical containers for holding granular products or powders, such as infant formula. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to containers having a sidewall with a substantially circular cross-section, a cylindrical upper portion, a continuously concavely curved middle portion, and a cylindrical lower portion.

Background Art

There are many products in granular or powdered form that are currently stored and sold in containers. These products include infant formula, flour, coffee, sugar, and nutritional supplements such as protein or dietary supplements. Because many of these items are stored, shipped, and ultimately distributed in the same container, the container must be strong enough to withstand the conditions to which it may be exposed.

Additionally, the container should be user-friendly for the end consumer.A user-friendly container is one that is convenient for the end user to store, use and scoop, measure and dispense the product contained therein.

Containers made of plastic and/or metal are commonly used to store and sell various granular products, particularly in the industrial, food, and pharmaceutical sectors. A common problem associated with such containers is damage during transport due to stresses acting on the container. Stronger and more structurally rigid containers are less susceptible to damage during transport. Furthermore, structurally compromised containers do not provide adequate protection for their contents against contaminants, allowing them to be introduced more easily, leading to spoilage or other harmful effects. Thus, there is a need for improved containers that reduce structural damage.

Therefore, there is a need for a container that is easy to use. Additionally, there is a need for a container that has enhanced structural rigidity.

Summary of the Invention

In one embodiment, the container may include a sidewall and a bottom portion enclosing a cylindrical lower portion. The sidewall may have a substantially circular cross-section and a container height. The sidewall may have a cylindrical upper portion having an upper height and defining a circular top. The sidewall may have a continuously concavely curved middle portion extending downward from the upper portion. The sidewall may have a cylindrical lower portion having a lower height, wherein the cylindrical lower portion may extend downward from the middle portion. The upper height and the lower height combined may be in the range of approximately 15% to approximately 35% of the container height.

In another embodiment, the cylindrical metal can may include a circular bottom having a diameter in the range of from 100 mm to 150 mm. The cylindrical metal can may have a sidewall having a lower portion extending from the circular bottom and having a lower height. The cylindrical metal can may have a continuously curved recessed portion extending upward from the lower portion, and an upper portion extending upward from the recessed portion opposite the circular bottom. The upper portion may have an upper height and a circular opening. The lower height and the upper height combined may be in the range of approximately 20% to approximately 50% of the recessed portion. The continuously curved recessed portion may have a narrowest cross-sectional area about which the container is vertically symmetrical. The narrowest cross-sectional area may have a diameter in the range of approximately 80% to approximately 98% of the diameter of the circular bottom. The circular top may have a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the circular bottom.

In another embodiment, the top may be open.

In some embodiments, the container may be metal.

In further embodiments, the upper portion of the container may have an upper height, and the lower portion may have a lower height that is substantially equal to the upper height.

In an embodiment, the container may have an upper height and a lower height that are each at least 10% of the height of the container.

In an embodiment, the container may have an upper portion associated with a lid. The container may have a lower portion with a base configured to receive a raised circumferential lid portion in the lid of another identical container so that multiple assembled containers can be stacked on top of each other.

In an embodiment, the container may have a container height in the range of about 50 mm to about 300 mm. In a further embodiment, the container height may be in the range of about 75 mm to about 250 mm.

In an embodiment, the container may have a bottom having a bottom diameter from about 50 mm to 200 mm. In a further embodiment, the bottom diameter may be from about 75 mm to about 175 mm.

In another embodiment, the container may have a mid-portion having a narrowest cross-sectional area having a diameter that is about 80% to about 98% of the diameter of the bottom of the container.

In an embodiment, the tank may have a tank height in the range of about 50 mm to about 300 mm. In a further embodiment, the tank height may be in the range of about 75 mm to about 250 mm. In a further embodiment, the tank height may be in the range of about 90 mm to about 175 mm.

In an embodiment, the canister may have a lid mounted on the upper portion, and the lower portion may have a base configured to receive a raised circumferential lid portion in the lid of another identical container so that multiple assembled containers can be stacked on top of each other.

In some embodiments, the can may have a narrowest cross-sectional area having a diameter in the range of 2 mm to 20 mm less than the diameter of the circular base. In further embodiments, the can may have a narrowest cross-sectional area having a diameter in the range of about 4 mm to about 14 mm less than the diameter of the circular base.

In an embodiment, the tank may have a lower height and an upper height each within a range of about 10% to about 20% of the tank height.

In an embodiment, the tank may have a lower height that is substantially equal to the upper height.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG1 is a front view of the container.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view in cross section of a container and associated measuring device.

FIG3 is a top view of the measuring device.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the measuring device of FIG. 3 .

5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a measurement device.

6 is a side view of another alternative embodiment of a measurement device.

7 is a perspective view of the lid of the container of FIG. 1 .

8 is a bottom view of the cover of FIG. 7 with the measuring device of FIG. 3 engaged with the cover via a retaining mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, features shown or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to produce further embodiments.

Therefore, the present disclosure intends to cover such modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features and aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in or are obvious from the following detailed description. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is only a description of exemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

For the sake of clarity, not all reference numerals are necessarily present in every drawing. In addition, positional terms such as "upper," "lower," "side," "top," "bottom," "vertical," "horizontal," etc., refer to the container when in the orientation shown in the drawings. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the container can be in different orientations when in use.

FIG1 shows a front view of a container 10. The container 10 can be described as cylindrical. The container 10 is intended for storing granular products. The container 10 includes a sidewall 12 having a substantially circular cross-section. The container 10 has a container height 16. The sidewall 12 includes a cylindrical upper portion 18 having an upper height 20, which defines a circular top 22. The sidewall 12 includes a continuously concavely curved middle portion 24 extending downwardly from the cylindrical upper portion 18 and having a concave portion height 46. The sidewall 12 includes a cylindrical lower portion 26 having a lower height 28 and extending downwardly from the continuously concavely curved middle portion 24. In FIG1 , a bottom 30 encloses the cylindrical lower portion 26.

The circular top portion 22 has a diameter 32 , which may be substantially equal to a diameter 34 of the circular bottom portion 30 .

The lower height 28 and the upper height 20 combined may be in the range of about 20% to about 50% of the recessed portion height 46. The upper height 20 and the lower height 28 may each be at least 10% of the container height 16. The lower height 28 and the upper height 20 may each be in the range of about 10% to about 20% of the container height 16. The lower height 28 may be substantially equal to the upper height 20.

The container 10 can be vertically symmetrical about a narrowest cross-sectional area 42. The narrowest cross-sectional area has a diameter 44 that can be in the range of about 80% to about 98% of the diameter 34 of the circular bottom 30. The upper height 20 and the lower height 28 combined are in the range of about 15% to about 35% of the container height 16.

The dome 22 can be open so that the end user can access the product held by the container 10 through the dome 22. In addition, the product can be added to the container through the dome 22 during manufacturing, and the dome 22 can then be sealed before use by the end user. The product can be similarly added through the bottom end of the container before the bottom 30 is attached to the sidewall 12 during manufacturing. The end user can then remove the sealing mechanism and access the product through the dome 22.

The container 10 may be metal. The metal container 10 may be constructed of, for example, aluminum, steel, or tin.

The upper portion 18 can be associated with a lid 36, see Figure 7. The lower portion 26 has a base 38, which is configured to receive a complementary raised circumferential portion 40 of the lid 36 so that a plurality of containers 10 can be stacked on top of each other. The lid 36 can be installed on the upper portion 18. The container 10 can be configured to be stackable. Stackable container 10 can increase delivery efficiency by allowing more containers to be transported in the cargo space per cubic volume, and can bring less damage during transportation, because stackable container is not easy to move freely during transportation. In addition, stackable container 10 can be useful because it can allow middlemen to stack container 10 on a shelf. In addition, stackable container 10 can be desired by end users because it allows end users to store a plurality of containers 10 more efficiently and more conveniently.

The container height 16 can be in the range of about 50 mm to about 300 mm, more preferably in the range of about 75 mm to about 250 mm, and most preferably in the range of about 90 mm to about 175 mm. The container height 16 can be correlated to the maximum length 108 of the measuring device 50 so that the measuring device is long enough to easily reach the bottom of the container 10.

The bottom diameter 34 may be from about 50 mm to about 200 mm, more preferably, from about 75 mm to 175 mm, and most preferably, from about 90 to about 160 mm.

The narrowest cross-sectional area 42 may have a diameter 44 that is about 90% to about 98% of the base diameter 34. The narrowest cross-sectional area 42 may also be described as having a diameter 44 that is within a range of about 2 mm to about 20 mm less than the diameter 34 of the base 30.

The structural rigidity of the container 10 may be increased by features such as a cylindrical container, a metal container, substantially equal top and bottom diameters, lower height 28 and upper height 20 each being within a range of about 10% to about 20% of the container height 16, vertical symmetry of the container 10, lower height 28 being substantially equal to upper height 20, and diameter 44 being about 90% to about 98% of bottom diameter 34. Increased container structural integrity can be advantageous, for example, because it allows for the use of less material in the manufacture of the container 10 because the sidewall 12 and bottom 30 can be thinner. A container 10 having increased structural integrity can better withstand stresses during its shipment, thereby increasing the likelihood that the container 10 will not be damaged before it reaches the end user.

In FIG2 , the container 10 is associated with a measuring device 50, shown in FIG3-6 . The measuring device 50 can be used by an end user to measure, scoop, and dispense the product held in the container 10. The measuring device 50 has a tapered tip 52, which is intended to increase the efficiency, convenience, and accuracy of scooping, measuring, and dispensing the granular product held by the container 10. The lower portion 26 of the container 10 is joined to the bottom 30 at a bead 48. The bead 48 is a closure member and is integrally formed with the sidewall 12 and bottom 30. The bead 48 can also be formed as a standard double-seamed metal can bottom seam. Such a seam can provide a substantially 90° connection between the bottom 30 and the sidewall 12. The end user can use the measuring device 50 with the tapered tip 52 in conjunction with the associated container 10 to scoop the granular product held in the container 10, particularly along the bead 12 on the interior of the container 10.

FIG3 shows a top view of the measuring device 50. The measuring device 50 includes a bucket 54. After the end user has scooped the granular product from the container 10, the bucket 54 holds the granular product. The bucket 54 includes a substantially circular top cross-sectional area 56 with an outer diameter 58. The bucket has a depth 90 ranging from approximately 75% to approximately 250% of the diameter of the bucket 54. The outer diameter 58 and the depth 90 are related to the amount of granular product that the bucket 54 can hold and can be adjusted according to the amount of granular product to be dispensed. The bucket 54 has a handle side 62 and an opposite distal side 64. The measuring device 50 has a handle 66 connected to the handle side 62 of the bucket 54. The handle 66 may be integrally formed on the bucket at a connection point 120 below the substantially circular top cross-sectional area 56. The measuring device 50 is operable with a feeding bottle. The feeding bottle may have a mouth that is larger than the bucket diameter 58. The positioning of the connection point relative to the top of the bucket allows the user to place the top end of the bucket 54 inside the bottle. The engaged bucket 54 and bottle allow the bucket 54 to resist lateral sliding forces that would otherwise cause product to spill when the user dispenses product from the measuring device 50 into the bottle.

The measuring device 50 includes a tapered tip 52 formed on a distal side 64 of the bucket, the tapered tip 52 being longitudinally aligned with the handle 66. The tapered tip 52 has a tip radius 68 that is preferably no greater than 10 millimeters.

The longitudinal alignment of the tip 52 with the handle 66 enhances ergonomics and makes the measuring, dispensing, and scooping actions of the measuring device 50 more convenient, efficient, and effective. The handle has a tapered base portion 70 and a substantially straight arm portion 72, which enhance the ergonomics of the handle 66. The straight arm portion has a rounded end 74 opposite the tapered arm portion 70, which further enhances ergonomics. The base portion 70 is integrally formed on the handle side 62 of the bucket 54.

The bucket 54 has a cylindrical outer surface 76. The tapered tip 52 may extend outwardly from the outer surface 76 by a range of about 10% to about 30% of the bucket diameter. Extending the tapered tip 52 outwardly by about 10% to about 30% of the diameter of the bucket 78 increases the convenience, efficiency, and effectiveness with which an end user can scoop, measure, and dispense granular product held by the container 10.

The bucket 54 has a central vertical axis 80, as shown in Figures 4-6. The measuring device 50 has a longitudinal axis 82 that intersects the central vertical axis 80 to define an intersection angle 84 ranging from about 75 degrees to about 90 degrees, as shown in Figure 5. The intersection angle 84 can make the measuring device 50 more effective, efficient, and ergonomic in scooping, measuring, and dispensing granular product held by the container 10.

The bucket 54 can have an interior 86 having a capacity of from about 5 cubic centimeters to about 30 cubic centimeters, preferably from about 10 cubic centimeters to about 25 cubic centimeters. A range of bucket capacities is shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6 by varying the depth 90 of the bucket 54. The bucket capacity and depth can be varied depending on the amount of granular product to be dispensed.

The bucket 54 has a perimeter 92 that extends 360 degrees around the bucket 54. The handle 66 may define an angle 126 of the bucket perimeter 92 ranging from approximately 10 degrees to approximately 60 degrees, and the tapered tip 52 may define an angle 128 of the bucket perimeter 92 ranging from approximately 50 degrees to approximately 90 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the handle 66 may define an angle 126 of the bucket perimeter 92 ranging from approximately 10 degrees to approximately 30 degrees, and the tapered tip may define an angle 128 of the bucket perimeter 92 ranging from approximately 60 degrees to approximately 80 degrees. In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the handle 66 defines the bucket perimeter 92 at an angle 126 of 21 degrees, and the tapered tip 52 defines the bucket perimeter 92 at an angle 128 of 70 degrees. The number of degrees defined by the tapered tip 52 and handle 66 around the bucket increases the structural integrity of the measuring device 10 while increasing the effectiveness with which an end user can scoop, measure, and dispense granular product from the container 10.

The substantially straight arm portion 72 may have surface indentations 94. The surface indentations 94 enhance the ergonomics of the measurement device 50 because they provide indentations for the user's fingers to use for an enhanced grip when using the measurement device 10. Additionally, the surface indentations can increase the structural integrity of the handle 66.

The handle 66 has a longitudinal central axis 96 and a ridge 98 formed along the longitudinal central axis 96 of the handle 66. The ridge 98 protrudes from the substantially straight arm portion 72 by about 1 mm to about 10 mm. The ridge 98 may also increase the structural rigidity of the handle 66.

The container 10 also includes a lid 36 having a bottom side 102 and a retaining element 104 configured to hold the measuring device 50 proximate the bottom side 102 of the lid 36. The retaining element 104 can extend from an interior periphery 122 of the lid 36 or from a bottom side 124 of the lid 36. One advantage of the retaining element 104 is that it can hold the measuring device 50 out of the product so that the user does not need to insert a hand or finger into the product to retrieve the measuring device 50. This avoids inconvenience to the user and can help prevent contaminants from being introduced into the product and prevent the user's hand or finger from coming into contact with the powder.

The container 10 has a height 16, and the measuring device 50 has a maximum length 108 that is approximately 50% to approximately 110% of the height 16 of the container 10. The maximum length 108 can be varied depending on the height of the container 10 so that the measuring device 50 can be used efficiently, effectively, and ergonomically by the end user to scoop, measure, and dispense granular product from the container 10. The maximum length can be varied so that it is easy for the end user to scoop from the bottom of the container. Furthermore, the maximum length 108 can be varied so that the measuring device 50 can be used in conjunction with the retaining element 104.

The tapered tip 52 can be described as having an outline 116 defined by a circle 118 having a diameter within a range of 60% to 80% of the bucket diameter 58. The tapered tip 52 can curve outward from the bucket 54 such that the curve is defined by the outline of circle 118. Circle 118 can be centered about the central axis 80 of the bucket 54 or variably offset therefrom. Furthermore, the more circle 118 is offset from the central axis 80, the more the tapered tip continuously protrudes and curves outward relative to the central axis 80 of the bucket 54. Circle 118 can pass through the central axis 80 of the bucket 54. The diameter of circle 80 can vary within a range of 60% to 80% of the bucket diameter to change the relative shape and size of the tapered tip relative to the bucket 54.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described using specific terms, devices, and methods, such description is for illustrative purposes only. The terms used are descriptive and not restrictive. It should be understood that modifications and variations may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the following claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that the various embodiments may be interchangeable in whole or in part. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the versions contained herein.

Thus, while specific embodiments of the novel and useful containers and associated measuring devices of the present invention have been described, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention except as set forth in the following claims.

Claims (21)

1. A container comprising: The sidewalls, having a substantially circular cross-section and container height, include: The upper cylindrical portion has an upper height and defines a circular top; A continuously concave, curved middle portion that extends downward from the upper portion; and A cylindrical lower portion having a lower height and extending downward from the middle portion, wherein the sum of the upper height and the lower height is in the range of 15% to 35% of the container height; and The bottom, which closes the lower part, The outer contours of the upper cylindrical portion and the lower cylindrical portion extend vertically, and the upper cylindrical portion and the lower cylindrical portion are aligned with the top and bottom of the circle, respectively. 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the top is open. 3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container is made of metal. 4. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top has a top diameter; and The bottom has a bottom diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of the top. 5. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper portion has an upper height; and The lower portion has a lower height that is substantially equal to the height of the upper portion. 6. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the upper height and the lower height is at least 10% of the height of the container. 7. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper portion is associated with the cover; The lower portion has a base configured to receive a raised circumferential cover portion in the lid of another identical container, allowing multiple assembled containers to be stacked on top of each other. 8. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The container has a height ranging from 50 mm to 300 mm. 9. The container according to claim 8, wherein the height of the container is in the range of 75 mm to 250 mm. 10. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom has a bottom diameter ranging from 50 mm to 200 mm. 11. The container according to claim 10, wherein the bottom diameter is from 75 mm to 175 mm. 12. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle portion has the narrowest cross-sectional area; and The container is vertically symmetrical about the narrowest cross-sectional region. 13. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle portion has the narrowest cross-sectional area; and The narrowest cross-sectional region of the container has a diameter that is 80% to 98% of the diameter of the bottom. 14. A cylindrical metal can, comprising: The bottom is round, with a diameter ranging from 100 mm to 150 mm; The sidewalls have: The lower portion extends from the circular bottom and has a lower height; A continuously curved recessed portion extending upward from the lower portion and having a recessed portion height; and The upper portion, which extends upward from the recessed portion opposite to the circular bottom, has an upper height and a circular opening, wherein the sum of the lower height and the upper height is in the range of 20% to 50% of the height of the recessed portion. The continuously curved recessed portion has a narrowest cross-sectional area, and the can is vertically symmetrical about the narrowest cross-sectional area, wherein the narrowest cross-sectional area has a diameter in the range of 80% to 98% of the diameter of the circular bottom, and wherein the circular opening has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the circular bottom. The outer contours of the upper portion and the lower portion extend vertically, and the upper portion and the lower portion are aligned with the circular opening and the circular bottom, respectively. 15. The tank according to claim 14, characterized in that: The can has a height ranging from 125 mm to 200 mm. 16. The tank according to claim 15, characterized in that: The height of the tank is in the range of 145 mm to 170 mm. 17. The tank according to claim 14, characterized in that it further comprises: The cover installed on the upper part, and The lower portion has a base configured to receive a raised circumferential cap portion in the cap of another identical container, allowing multiple assembled cans to be stacked on top of each other. 18. The tank according to claim 14, characterized in that: The narrowest cross-sectional region has a diameter ranging from 2 mm to 20 mm smaller than the diameter of the circular bottom. 19. The can according to claim 14, characterized in that: The narrowest cross-sectional region has a diameter ranging from 4 mm to 14 mm smaller than the diameter of the circular bottom. 20. The tank according to claim 14, characterized in that: The tank has a tank height; and Both the lower and upper heights are within the range of 10% to 20% of the tank height. 21. The tank according to claim 14, characterized in that: The lower part height is substantially equal to the upper part height.