CONTAINER WITH IMPROVED STACKING ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A container is provided to be stacked within another like container for transportation, storage, or the like. Each container includes a bottom and a sidewall. The bottom includes a bottom panel portion and a downwardly folded annular skirt. The sidewall includes an upper rim and lowermost edge and forms a frustoconical shape around a central axis. An outer surface of the annular skirt is attached to an inner surface of the sidewall. A lowermost edge of the annular skirt is spaced above the lowermost edge of the sidewall to form a first gap therebetween.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cups and containers suitable for holding drink and/or food items are well known in the food and beverage packaging industry. Food and beverage providers often desire to have a variety of containers of different sizes in order to provide different quantity options and sizes to consumers. However, with containers of differing sizes, each size of container typically has a different top end diameter, thus requiring lids specifically dimensioned and matched for each size of container. One potential solution to this problem is to increase the height of larger containers so that the larger containers can hold a greater volume while maintaining the same top end diameter and lid size. One problem with this solution is that containers having an increased height, while maintaining the same top end diameter, tend to have reduced stability. This decrease in stability is a result of the combination of the containers' increased height and smaller diameter bottom ends. Stability can be improved by decreasing the taper of the sidewall angle such that the diameter of the bottom end of the container does not become undesirably small. However, a reduced sidewall taper can increase the likelihood that multiple stacked containers may inadvertently become wedged together. In other words, this reduced sidewall taper can make nested containers more susceptible to becoming frictionally stuck or vacuum locked together and, therefore, make it difficult for a user to remove only a single container from a stack of nested containers.

Accordingly, a need exists for a container design having an increased height and volume while reducing the tendency of becoming interlocked when stacked or nested with other containers. A further need exists for an efficient and economical stacking arrangement for a container design that limits the tendency of multiple stacked containers to become wedged or stuck together.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to a cup or container suitable for holding drink and/or food items, and particularly to a cup or container with an improved stacking arrangement or stacking feature to reduce the tendency of stacked or nested containers to become stuck together. The container may be configured for a variety of heights and sizes/volumes.

The container may include a bottom panel and a sidewall that define an interior volume of the container. The bottom panel may include a downwardly folded annular skirt that is fixed to the sidewall. The annular skirt may have a short length such that the formation and severity of pleats and folds in the downwardly folded annular skirt are reduced, thereby reducing the likelihood of leaks occurring between the bottom panel and sidewall. The container may be positioned or stacked within the interior of another container of like construction. The containers may be stacked such that the upper rims of the containers are spaced apart a greater distance than the length the skirts extend, the increased spacing reducing the tendency of the containers to interlock or become stuck together. The distance between the upper rims of the containers may be approximately equal to the gap or distance between the bottom panels of the container, and thereby, a larger distance can reduce vacuum formation between the containers.

According to one embodiment, the container may include a bottom and a sidewall. The bottom may include a bottom panel portion and a downwardly folded annular skirt. The sidewall may include an upper rim and a lowermost edge. An outer surface of the annular skirt may be attached to an inner surface of the sidewall. A lowermost edge of the annular skirt may be positioned above and spaced above the lowermost edge of the sidewall to form a first gap therebetween.

In some embodiments, the sidewall may include an inwardly folded hem formed from a lower portion of the sidewall being folded inwardly and against an inner surface of the sidewall. In some embodiments, an inner surface of the annular skirt opposite the outer surface may be an exposed surface and not attached to the hem. In some embodiments, the first gap may be at least 0.1 inches. In some embodiments, the container may be constructed from a paperboard material.

In some embodiments, the container may include an inwardly folded hem at a lower end of the sidewall. The hem may include an upper terminal edge positioned above and spaced above the lowermost edge of the sidewall. The lowermost edge of the annular skirt may be positioned above and spaced above the upper terminal edge of the hem to form a second gap therebetween. The second gap may have a greater distance than the vertical distance or length of the annular skirt. In some embodiments, the upper terminal edge of the hem may be positioned above the lowermost edge of the annular skirt such that a lower portion of the annular skirt is overlapped with an upper portion of the hem.

In some embodiments, a first distance may be defined by a vertical distance between the lowermost edge of the sidewall and a bottom surface of the bottom panel portion, and a second distance may be defined by a vertical distance between a lowermost edge of the annular skirt and the bottom surface of the bottom panel portion. The first distance may be at least 1.5 times the second distance.

According to another embodiment, a container may include a bottom, a sidewall, an outer sleeve, and a projection. The bottom may include a bottom panel portion and a downwardly folded annular skirt. The sidewall may include an upper rim and a lowermost edge and may form a frustoconical shape around a central axis. The outer sleeve may surround and be affixed to the sidewall. The projection may extend outwardly from the outer sleeve proximate the upper half of the outer sleeve.

In some embodiments, at least part of the projection may extend outwardly to a first distance as measured perpendicularly from the central axis that is approximately equal to a second distance as measured perpendicularly from the central axis to the upper rim of the sidewall. In some embodiments, when a first container is stacked within a second container, the projection of the first container may rest on the upper rim of the second container.

In some embodiments, the projection may include a lower seating portion that projects outwardly from the outer sleeve and an upper return portion that projects outwardly from an upper portion of the outer sleeve to connect with the lower seating portion. The lower seating portion and upper return portion may be formed as a continuous component integral to the outer sleeve.

In some embodiments, the outer sleeve may include a horizontal slit, and the projection may be formed by a portion of the outer sleeve directly above the slit. In some embodiments, the horizontal slit may be one of a plurality of horizontal slits, and the projection may be one of a plurality of projections formed by a corresponding portion of the outer sleeve directly above the plurality of slits.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a section view of a container in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 with various portions of the container cut-away;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial section view of a bottom end of a conventional container;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged partial section view of a bottom end configuration of the container of FIG. 1 as shown by line A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is an enlarged partial section view of a bottom end configuration of a container in accordance with an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 4C is an enlarged partial section view of a bottom end configuration of a container in accordance with an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 4D is an enlarged partial section view of a bottom end configuration of a container in accordance with an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial section view of a bottom end configuration of a container in accordance with an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a section view of the container of FIG. 1 arranged in a stacking arrangement with a second identical container;

FIG. 7 is a section view of a container in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 7 with various portions of the container cut-away;

FIG. 9 is a section view of the container of FIG. 7 arranged in a stacking arrangement with a second identical container;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial section view of the stacked containers of FIG. 9 as shown by line A in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a section view of a container in accordance with an alternative embodiment and arranged in a stacking arrangement with a second identical container; and

FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial section view of the of the stacked containers of FIG. 11 as shown by line A in FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures. It will be appreciated that any dimensions included in the drawing figures are simply provided as examples and dimensions other than those provided therein are also within the scope of the invention.

The following detailed description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and the description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The present invention is directed generally to a cup or container 10 with an improved stacking arrangement or stacking feature as illustrated in the several figures. It is often desirable to have containers 10 of different sizes (e.g., small, medium, large, etc.) for use in food- and drink-service applications while maintaining a common overall upper edge diameter to allow the same lid to be used with each different sized container. One common method for providing such containers 10 is to increase the height of the sidewall of the larger containers 10. However, due to the increased height of the sidewall, the containers 10 are more susceptible to becoming stuck together when nested. One solution to this problem is described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,760,529, for a “Container and Bottom End Construction Therefor,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The improved stacking arrangement of container 10 can function to limit two containers 10 from being wedged or stuck together when they are stacked or nested by forming a gap or spacing between the lower end of each container 10 as described in greater detail below. While container 10 may be adapted for holding food and drink, it will be appreciated that it can also be used in connection with the storage and transportation of other items. In addition, the improved bottom end stacking arrangement as described herein may be suitably utilized in connection with several different types and styles of containers whether or not described specifically herein.

Examples of two primary embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described herein. A first embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 1-6, and a second embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 7-12. However, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention includes other embodiments and suitable variants thereof. The primary deviation between the embodiments specifically shown and described herein relates to the improved stacking arrangement or stacking features thereof.

Turning to FIGS. 1-6, according to a first primary embodiment, container 10 may include a bottom wall 12 and a sidewall 14 that may include an upper rim 16 as illustrated in the various figures. The sidewall 14 circumferentially surrounds the bottom wall 12 and extends upwardly therefrom to the upper rim 16 to define an interior volume, void space or repository space within the interior of the sidewall 14. The bottom wall 12 may include a downwardly folded skirt or downwardly depending annular wall 18. The annular wall 18 may be generally configured to attach to an inner surface of the sidewall 14 proximate the lower end of the sidewall 14 such that an interior 20 of the container 10 is formed by the sidewall 14 and bottom wall 12. The container 10, bottom wall 12 and/or sidewall 14 may be constructed of paperboard or a similar material, such as but not limited to a coated or laminated paperboard material in order to resist migration of liquids contained within the interior volume defined by sidewall 14 and bottom wall 12. However, it will also be appreciated that container 10 may be constructed from any other suitable material or combination of materials. Other constructions for container 10 are within the scope of the present invention. In alternative embodiments (not shown), container 10 may be constructed using any other suitable method for constructing paperboard or similar containers (even plastic containers) now known or hereinafter developed.

The sidewall 14 may be tapered such that the diameter of the sidewall 14 decreases when moving downward from the upper rim 16 to a lowermost edge 22 of the sidewall 14 so that the container 10 is generally a frustoconical shape. As such, the skirt 18 of the bottom wall 12 typically has a matching taper angle.

FIG. 3 illustrates the bottom end construction of a conventional container. As shown, in conventional containers, the bottom end of the sidewall may be inwardly folded to form a hem or reverse bend configuration. The hem may be crimped or folded to seal around an inner surface of the skirt of the bottom wall. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a depth of a bottom recess (i.e., the vertical distance between the bottom wall and the lowermost edge of the sidewall or an outer sleeve (not shown)) is approximately equal to the length of the skirt. For containers that have an increased height and reduced taper angle (which can be desirable as described above), one potential solution to reduce the tendency of two or more stacked containers from becoming wedged or stuck together is to increase the depth of the bottom end recess between the bottom wall and the lowermost edge of the container. Raising the bottom wall within the container provides a higher surface for the lower edge of another container to rest on when the containers are in a stacking arrangement. However, in order to provide a deep bottom recess for a conventional bottom end construction design, the length of the downwardly depending bottom wall skirt must be substantially increased to correspond to the depth of the bottom recess and enable the bottom wall to be properly secured to the sidewall of the container. This is because the bottom end construction of conventional containers requires the skirt to extend proximate to the lower edge of the sidewall in order to be further secured by an inwardly folded lower hem of the sidewall.

One manufacturing difficulty in forming such a container is that folding the downwardly depending skirt tends to create large pleats and folds as the skirt length is increased. These pleats and folds may be caused by the increased amount of material being folded into a reduced area. For example, if the bottom wall is made of a circular panel, the outer edge of the panel forms the lower edge of the skirt once the panel is folded. However, this outer edge of the panel has a larger diameter than the diameter at which the fold is created to define a diameter of the bottom wall. Thus, the larger diameter of the outer edge of the panel may naturally become pleated or folded to accommodate the excess material associated with the skirt folding into a reduced diameter. In some instances, the decreasing taper angle of the sidewall may further exacerbate this problem. These pleats and folds can create unsealed channels between the bottom wall and sidewall such that liquids in the container can undesirably leak or otherwise escape the interior of the container.

As discussed below, container 10 can be designed to reduce the formation of pleats and folds that can lead to channels between the bottom wall 12 and sidewall 14. In other instances, as discussed below, it may be desirable to have a shorter skirt 18 while maintaining the same bottom recess 30 depth or even allowing a deeper bottom recess 30 without affecting the bottom wall 12 location or skirt 18 length.

FIGS. 1-2 and 4-6 illustrate the first primary embodiment of container 10 that includes a deep recessed bottom end stacking arrangement 11. As best shown in FIG. 6, bottom end stacking arrangement 11 of container 10 creates an increased spacing or distance between the bottom wall 12 and the lowermost edge 22 of the sidewall 14 so that when two containers 10 are stacked together, an increased distance D is formed between the upper rolled rims 16, thereby reducing the likelihood that the two containers 10 become wedged or stuck together. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, container 10 according to the first embodiment may include the bottom wall 12 and the sidewall 14 having a rolled upper rim 16 as described above. In certain embodiments, the container 10 may further include an outer sleeve 24 that wraps around or otherwise encapsulates the sidewall 14. The outer sleeve 24 may be secured to the sidewall 14 using glue bands 26 or other adhesives, which can also act as spacers to create a gap 28 between the sidewall 14 and outer sleeve 24. The outer sleeve 24 may also be attached to sidewall 14 using any other suitable means, with or without adhesives, and may optionally include a different spacer or filler material that spaces the outer sleeve 24 from the sidewall 14 and/or provides insulating properties of the container 10. Further, in certain embodiments of container 10, the outer sleeve 24 may be omitted entirely (see FIG. 4D).

FIGS. 1 and 4A-4D illustrate the bottom end stacking arrangement 11 of container 10 according to multiple embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1 as well as FIGS. 4A-4D, the bottom wall 12 may be positioned within the interior of the container 10 and upwardly spaced from the lowermost edge 22 of the sidewall 14. The bottom wall 12 may be fixed and sealed to the sidewall 14 by attaching the annular outer surface of the skirt 18 of the bottom wall 12 to an inner surface of the sidewall 14. Any suitable means and methods may be used to secure the skirt 18 to the sidewall 14, including without limitation, adhesives, primers, heat sealing, and the like. A bottom recess 30 (or “deep well”) having a depth D2 is formed below the bottom wall 12 and extending to a lowermost edge 22 of the sidewall 14 (and/or the lower edge 34 of outer sleeve 24 if outer sleeve 24 extends equal to or below sidewall 14 as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C).

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4D, the skirt 18 of the bottom wall 12 may be sealed only to the inner surface of the sidewall 14, and a hem 32 of the sidewall 14 may be completely folded or crimped onto the inner surface of the sidewall 14. As shown, bottom wall 12 may be positioned and formed so that the lower edge 19 of skirt 18 is spaced upwardly from the upper terminal edge 33 of hem 32 of sidewall 14 (or the lowermost edge 22 of sidewall 14 if no hem is provided) a distance D1. In certain non-limiting examples, the gap or distance D1 may be 0.10″, 0.15″, 0.20″, 0.5″, 1.0″ or more if desired. In certain embodiments, the distance D1 may be configured relative to the distance D3 of the bottom wall skirt 18 to provide an optimal stacking distance D between two stacked containers (see FIG. 6). In certain non-limiting examples, bottom end construction 11 may be configured so that the ratio of D1 to D3 is 1.25:1, 1.5:1, 1.75:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1 or greater. In one select non-limiting embodiment, D1 may be configured to be at least 1.25 times greater than D3. As such, the skirt 18 does not need to be sealed or sandwiched between the hem 32 and the inner surface of the sidewall 14, which allows the skirt 18 to have varying lengths and/or allows the bottom wall 12 to be positioned higher along the sidewall 14. Keeping the length or vertical distance D3 of the skirt 18 shorter may be desirable to reduce formation of pleats and folds that can lead to channels or leaks forming between the bottom wall 12 and sidewall 14 seal.

As shown, this design allows the depth of the bottom recess 30 to be substantially greater than the length of the skirt 18. In one non-limiting example, the depth D2 of the bottom recess 30 may be between 0.5″ and 2.0″ or more if desired. In certain non-limiting examples, the depth D2 may be 0.5″, 1.0″, 1.5″, 2.0″ or more if desired. More generally for varying overall container 10 sizes, the ratio of the depth D2 of the bottom recess 30 to the length or vertical distance D3 of the skirt 18 can substantially exceed 1:1 in this configuration. In one non-limiting example, the ratio (D2:D3) could be in the range of 1.5:1 to 6:1 or any other ratio as desired. This design can allow a container 10 to avoid the stacking issue associated with containers 10 becoming frictionally stuck or vacuum locked while still mitigating the formation of pleats or folds in the skirt 18. Similarly, the length of the hem 32 may vary and does not need to match the length of the skirt 18. For example, the hem 32 may be made shorter to save on material or may be omitted in its entirety.

The foregoing dimensional arrangements and ratios relating to the container 10 and bottom end construction 11 are only intended to provide exemplary embodiments and it is recognized that alternative dimensions and ratios may be suitably used in alternative embodiments. Further embodiments of the container 10 may have different dimensions and ratios relating to the bottom end construction 11 than those specified above. The present invention is by no means limited to the above-described examples and embodiments thereof.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C, the lower edge 34 of the outer sleeve 24 may be folded (FIGS. 4B and 4C) or unfolded (FIG. 4A), and the relative position between the outer sleeve lower edge 34 and the lowermost edge 22 of the sidewall 14 may vary such that the lower edge 34 is higher (FIG. 4A), lower (FIG. 4B), or the same height (FIG. 4C) in relation to the lowermost edge 22 of the sidewall 14. FIG. 4D illustrates the skirt 18 of the bottom wall 12 sealed to an inner surface of the sidewall 14 without any outer sleeve 24 included.

In an alternative embodiment of container 10 and the bottom end stacking arrangement 11 thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the hem 32 of the sidewall 14 may partially overlap the skirt 18 of the bottom wall 12. In this embodiment, the skirt 18 of bottom wall 12 may include a first portion 18A that is not overlapped with hem 32 and a second portion 18B that is overlapped with hem 32. This configuration can provide a benefit of the hem 32 further sealing the skirt 18 while still allowing the lengths of the hem 32 and skirt 18 to independently vary and allowing the depth of the bottom recess 30 to further vary in relation to either. This configuration can additionally provide a seat for the lower edge 19 of skirt 18 and bottom wall 12 to provide support and strengthen the connection of bottom wall 12 to sidewall 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, two or more containers 10 may be vertically stacked together for shipping or storage. The containers 10 are offset by a stacking distance D. In such an arrangement, the lowermost edge 22 of sidewall 14 (and/or the lower edge 34 of outer sleeve 24 if outer sleeve 24 extends equal to or below sidewall 14 as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C) of the upper container 10 may be allowed to rest on an upper surface of the bottom wall 12 of the lower container 10. This arrangement results in the stacking distance D being approximately equal to the depth D2 of the bottom recess 30. This stacking distance D creates an air space or gap between the two containers 10 and reduces the likelihood of the two containers 10 becoming wedged to stuck together when stacked.

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate a second embodiment for a container 110 with an improved stacking arrangement 111. While container 110 includes several similar components and features of container 10 described above, the stacking arrangement 111 in container 110 is included toward the upper end of the container 110. Features that are similar to the container 10 shown in FIG. 1 are identified with similar reference numbers, plus 100 (e.g., bottom wall 12 and bottom wall 112). Similar to container 10, container 110 may include a bottom wall 112 with a downwardly folded skirt 118, a sidewall 114 with an upper rim 116, and an outer sleeve 124 as illustrated in the figures. The outer sleeve 124 may be secured to sidewall 114 in a similar manner as described above with respect to container 10. Container 110 may also be constructed in any manner as described above for container 10.

The container 110 and stacking arrangement 111 thereof may include a shoulder 136 incorporated in the outer sleeve 124 toward and/or adjacent the upper end of outer sleeve 124 and spaced below upper rim 116 of sidewall 114. As further illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 and described in greater detail below, the shoulder 136 may rest upon the upper rim 116 of another container 110 when the containers 110 are placed in a vertical stacking arrangement for shipping or storage. The shoulder 136 may be embossed or otherwise formed into the outer sleeve 124. The shoulder 136 may extend around the entire circumference of the outer sleeve 124, only a portion of outer sleeve 124, or the shoulder 136 may be broken into one or more segments of the circumference of the outer sleeve 124 at a selected height or distance below the upper rim 116 on sidewall 114 (or the uppermost end of container 110).

As best illustrated in FIG. 10, shoulder 136 may include a lower seating portion 140 and an upper wall portion 142. Lower seating portion 140 forms the lower part of shoulder 136 and may extend radially outwardly from the sidewall portion of outer sleeve 124. As shown, lower seating portion 140 may extend at a slight upward angle; however, it may alternatively extend horizontally or with a slight downward angle in other embodiments. Upper wall portion 142 extends from the lower seating portion 140 at an intersecting region or stacking corner 144 and bends upward and then radially inward at an inclined angle to return to the sidewall portion of outer sleeve 124. Lower seating portion 140 may have a curved, arcuate, and/or angled shape so that the angle of inclination varies along different points of the length of lower seating portion 140. As shown in the figures, lower seating portion 140 may form a seat or ledge within shoulder 136 and outer sleeve 124 for facilitating stacking of multiple containers 110, which is described in greater detail below. Alternative configurations of shoulder 136 are also considered within the scope of the present invention.

As described above, the shoulder 136 is formed into the outer sleeve 124 rather than the sidewall 114. This arrangement avoids the need to include any type of stacking configuration or feature within the sidewall 114. Including a stacking feature in the sidewall of a container requires introducing stress, folds, or other deformations to the material that makes up the sidewall, including potentially disrupting any coatings applied thereto for moisture, gas or other barrier properties generally advantageous for food and/or beverage containers. Such deformations in the sidewall can reduce the integrity of the container such that it is not as durable for holding food or beverages. Liquids can especially exacerbate any deformations in the sidewall because liquids can penetrate any disruptions in the coating, which are often intended to prevent liquids from interacting with the main material of the sidewall, that are caused by deformations to the sidewall.

As best shown in FIGS. 7, 9 and 10, the shoulder 136 may allow shoulder 136 of a first container 110 to rest or be seated on the upper rim 116 of a second container 110 when the two containers 110 are stacked together. To achieve this arrangement, the shoulder 136 may have a diameter A1 at the outer surface of the stacking corner 144 that is equal to or slightly greater than the inner surface diameter A2 of upper rim 116. Diameter A1 may be measured as the diameter of container 110 at the outermost portion of the shoulder 136. Diameter A2 may be measured as the diameter of container 110 at the innermost portion of upper rim 116 or upper edge of the container 110. The relationship of the two diameters A1 and A2 cause the shoulder 136 (and specifically the lower seating portion 140) of a first container 110 to rest on the upper rim 116 of second container 110 when the two containers 110 are stacked and nested together. Specifically, because the diameter A1 of the stacking shoulder 136 is greater than or equal to the diameter A2 of the upper rim 116, the first container 110 is restricted from inserting further into the second container 110, which reduces the likelihood that the two stacked containers 110 will become wedged or stuck together.

As best illustrated in FIG. 9, the stacking height D can vary according to the vertical position of the shoulder 136 on the outer sleeve 124, and specifically the vertical position of the shoulder 136 relative to the upper rim 116 of the inner sidewall 114. Accordingly, the stacking height D is not necessarily dependent on the depth D2 of the bottom recess 130 of the container 110 formed between the bottom wall 112 and the lowermost edge 122 of sidewall 114, which may be formed using conventional forming techniques and arrangements. Instead, the stacking height D is based on the positioning of the shoulder 136 and the stacking height D can be independently selected to avoid wedging issues when stacking containers 110. For example, the shoulder 136 may be moved lower on the outer sleeve 124 to increase the stacking height D, which may in turn reduce any contact between the outer sleeve 124 of the upper container 110 and an inner surface of the sidewall 114 of the lower container 110 to reduce the friction between the two containers 110.

Thus, the stacking height D may be chosen at any desirable distance, particularly a distance that is greater than the depth D2 of the bottom recess 130 so that a gap is formed between two stacked or nested containers 110. Further, the length or vertical distance D3 of the skirt 118 of the bottom wall 112 may be shorter to help mitigate the formation of pleats, folds, and leaks while still allowing for a variety of sealing methods between the skirt 118 and the sidewall 114. The ratio of the stacking height D to the length or vertical distance D3 of the skirt 118 can be independently selected depending on design criteria. In one non-limiting example, the ratio of the stacking height D to the length or vertical distance D3 of the skirt 118 may be in the range of 1:1 to 6:1. However, the foregoing ratios are only intended to be exemplary of certain non-limiting embodiments and are in no way intended to be limiting on the scope of the present invention. Other ratios and dimensional arrangements may be suitably used in various other embodiments of the invention.

In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the shoulder 136 may be formed by cutting horizontal slits 146 near the top of the outer sleeve 124. The material of the outer sleeve 124 that is above the slits 146 may be formed into outward protrusions 138, which extend radially outwardly from the exterior surface of the outer sleeve 124 and have an increased or greater diameter then the adjacent exterior surface of the outer sleeve 124. The horizontal slits 146 may be formed into the outer sleeve 124 in one or more segments extending circumferentially around outer sleeve 124, thereby forming corresponding protrusions 138. The horizontal slits 146 and protrusions 138 may be equally spaced around the circumference of the outer sleeve 124 and the number of slits 146 and protrusions 138, and the length of the slits 146 and protrusions 138 may vary. According to certain embodiments, three to twelve slits 146 and protrusions 138 may be formed into the outer sleeve 124, and in other embodiments, three to four slits 146 and protrusions 138 may be formed; however, any number of slits 146 may be formed with any suitable lengths to form corresponding projections 138.

Similar to the shoulder 136, the protrusions 138 may provide a surface or interference seating portion 148 that rests upon the upper rim 116 of the container 110 below it when placed in a vertical stacking arrangement. As such, the outer diameter the container 110 measured at the outermost surface of the protrusions 138 may be greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the container 110 measured at the innermost surface of the upper rim 116 in the same manner as diameters A1 and A2 described above. Thus, when two such containers 110 are stacked together, the protrusions 138 of the inner container 110 contact the upper rim 116 of the lower container 110 and restrict the inner container 110 from being inserted further into the lower container 110.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure and method. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.

The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A container comprising: a bottom including a bottom panel portion and a downwardly folded annular skirt; anda sidewall including an upper rim and a lowermost edge and forming a frustoconical shape around a central axis;wherein an outer surface of the annular skirt is attached to an inner surface of the sidewall;wherein a lowermost edge of the annular skirt is spaced above the lowermost edge of the sidewall to form a first gap therebetween.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall includes an inwardly folded hem formed from a lower portion of the sidewall being folded inwardly and against an inner surface of the sidewall.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein an inner surface of the annular skirt opposite the outer surface is an exposed surface and not attached to the hem.

4. The container of claim 1, further comprising an inwardly folded hem at a lower end of the sidewall, wherein the hem includes an upper terminal edge positioned above the lowermost edge of the sidewall, and wherein the lowermost edge of the annular skirt is spaced above the upper terminal edge of the hem to form a second gap therebetween.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein a first distance is defined by a vertical distance of the second gap between the lowermost edge of the annular skirt and the upper terminal edge of the hem, wherein a second distance is defined by a vertical distance between the lowermost edge of the annular skirt and a bottom surface of the bottom panel portion, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

6. The container of claim 1, further comprising an inwardly folded hem at a lower end of the sidewall, wherein the hem includes an upper terminal edge positioned above the lowermost edge of the annular skirt such that a lower portion of the annular skirt contacts and is overlapped with an upper portion of the hem.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein a first distance is defined by a vertical distance between the lowermost edge of the sidewall and a bottom surface of the bottom panel portion, wherein a second distance is defined by a vertical distance between a lowermost edge of the annular skirt and the bottom surface of the bottom panel portion, and wherein the first distance is at least 1.5 times the second distance.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the first gap is at least 0.1 inches.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is constructed from a paperboard material.

10. A container comprising: a bottom including a bottom panel portion and a downwardly folded annular skirt;a sidewall including an upper rim and a lowermost edge and forming a frustoconical shape around a central axis;an outer sleeve surrounding and affixed to the sidewall; anda projection extending outwardly from the outer sleeve proximate the upper half of the outer sleeve.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein at least part of the projection extends outwardly to a first distance as measured perpendicularly from the central axis that is approximately equal to a second distance as measured perpendicularly from the central axis to the upper rim of the sidewall.

12. The container of claim 10, wherein when a first container is stacked within a second identical container, the projection of the first container rests on the upper rim of the second identical container.

13. The container of claim 10, wherein the projection includes a lower seating portion that projects outwardly from the outer sleeve and an upper return portion that projects outwardly from an upper portion of the outer sleeve to connect with the lower seating portion, and wherein the lower seating portion and upper return portion are formed as a continuous component integral to the outer sleeve.

14. The container of claim 10, wherein the outer sleeve includes a horizontal slit, and wherein the projection is formed by a portion of the outer sleeve directly above the slit.

15. The container of claim 14, wherein the horizontal slit is one of a plurality of horizontal slits, and wherein the projection is one of a plurality of projections formed by a corresponding portion of the outer sleeve directly above the plurality of slits.

16. The container of claim 10, wherein the container is constructed from a paperboard material.

17. A stacked arrangement of containers, the stacked arrangement comprising: a first container comprising: a sidewall including an upper rim and a lowermost edge and forming a frustoconical shape around a central axis, the frustoconical shape defining an interior volume; anda bottom including a bottom panel portion and a downwardly folded annular skirt, the downwardly folded annular skirt extending a first vertical distance below the bottom panel portion, an outer surface of the annular skirt attached to an inner surface of the sidewall; anda second container comprising: a sidewall including an upper rim and a lowermost edge and forming a frustoconical shape around a central axis, the frustoconical shape defining an interior volume; anda bottom including a bottom panel portion and a downwardly folded annular skirt, an outer surface of the annular skirt attached to an inner surface of the sidewall, an outer surface of the annular skirt attached to an inner surface of the sidewall;wherein the first container is positioned within the interior volume of the second container and the lowermost edge of the sidewall of the first container contacts the bottom panel portion of the second container such that the second container supports the first container;wherein the upper rim of the first container is positioned a second vertical distance above the upper rim of the second container, wherein the second vertical distance is greater than the first vertical distance.

18. The stacked arrangement of claim 17, wherein the second vertical distance is at least 1.5 times the first vertical distance.

19. The stacked arrangement of claim 17, wherein the first container includes an outer sleeve surrounding and affixed to the sidewall of the first container, wherein an exterior of the outer sleeve of the first container contacts an interior of the sidewall of the second container.

20. The stacked arrangement of claim 17, wherein an exterior of the sidewall of the first container contacts an interior of the sidewall of the second container.