Patent Application
20210047079
The present disclosure relates to containers, and more particularly, to a handle used to facilitate nesting and de-nesting of cans.
Pails used for industrial and household products such as paint are typically nestable one within another when they are empty. Nesting the pails facilitates stacking, storage, and transport.
One configuration for nestable pails includes a stacking bead that projects outwards from a sidewall of the pail. When the pail is nested into another pail positioned below, the stacking bead contacts an upper surface of the lower pail, which controls how far each pail nests into a corresponding pail. The stacking bead helps minimize space requirements of nested pails and helps reduce the likelihood of pails being stuck together. However, forming the stacking bead requires an extra forming operation which cannot be formed during an expansion process. Also, the contact between the bead and the upper surface of the lower pail can cause scuffing on the bead which can lead to corrosion, and the outer appearance of the pail can be spoiled, such as the brand logo on the front of the pail, because the bead is typically positioned in a center of the sidewall of the pail.
Another configuration for nestable pails includes stacking a pail into another pail positioned below such that a handle ear on the outer surface of the sidewall of the upper pail contacts an upper surface of the lower pail. Typically, the handle ears are cylindrical so the axial load from the nested pails damages the upper surface of the lower pail, such as the lacquer, and can cause two or more dents to be formed on the upper surface. This can lead to corrosion due to the breakdown of the coating and can cause a loss of seal due to the profile of the dented upper surface not matching a corresponding lid.
A handle for coupling to a pail to improve nesting and de-nesting of one pail into another pail is described. The handle includes boss components on both ends that are configured to couple to corresponding handle ears of a pail. Each boss component includes at least one substantially flat ledge that is configured to lie on top of a curl of the pail receiving the nested pail. To de-nest the nested pail, the handle is configured to rotate about the handle ears causing the nested pail to lift out of the receiving pail due to a force applied by the boss components onto the top of the curl of the receiving pail (e.g. positive de-nesting). Positive de-nesting is useful because pails are often wedged together either due to an excessive axial load during transit, or dents in the body wall. The handle provides a leverage mechanism; the distance from the lifting point on the handle to the axis is approximately 140 mm, and the distance from a cam point of the boss to the axis is approximately 10 mm, which produces a leverage ratio of approximately 14:1, making it much easier to de-stack the pails. Another benefit of positive de-nesting is that a nesting/stacking bead is not required on the sidewall of the pail.
Disclosed herein is a handle for coupling to a pail. The handle includes a strap, a first boss component, and a second boss component. The strap has a first end and an opposing second end. The first boss component is positioned at the first end of the strap, and has a first ledge that extends in a first ledge direction. The second boss component is positioned at the second end of the strap, and has a second ledge that extends in a second ledge direction. The first boss component and the second boss component are configured to couple to a first can such that when the first can is nested within a second can the first ledge and the second ledge are configured to lie on top of an upper contact surface of the second can such that the first ledge direction and the second ledge direction are substantially parallel to the upper contact surface.
Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for nesting a first can into a second can. The method comprises: positioning the first can within the second can, the first can including a handle that has a first boss component and a second boss component, the first boss component having a first ledge that extends in a first ledge direction, the second boss component having a second ledge that extends in a second ledge direction; and aligning the first ledge and the second ledge with an upper contact surface of the second can such that the first ledge direction and the second ledge direction are substantially parallel to the upper contact surface.
Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for de-nesting a first can from a second can. The method comprises: rotating a handle coupled to the first can from a first position to a second position. The first can includes a handle that has a first boss component and a second boss component. The first boss component has a first ledge that extends in a first ledge direction, and the second boss component has a second ledge that extends in a second ledge direction. In the first position of the handle, the first ledge and the second ledge lie on top of an upper contact surface of the second can such that the first ledge direction and the second ledge direction are substantially parallel to the upper contact surface, and the first can is positioned within the second can by a first depth. In the second position of the handle, the first ledge and the second ledge contact the upper contact surface of the second can such that the first ledge direction and the second ledge direction are angularly offset from the upper contact surface, and the first can is positioned within the second can by a second depth. The first depth is greater than the second depth.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not constrained to limitations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.
A more detailed understanding may be had from the following description, given by way of example in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Certain terminology is used in the description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “axial,” “longitudinal,” “left,” “right,” “upward,” “downward,” “back,” “front,” “top,” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The term “substantially” is intended to mean considerable in extent or largely but not necessarily wholly that which is specified. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
The handle 200 is configured to couple to the first and the second handle ears 108 and 110 of the pail 100, as described in more detail below. The sidewall 102, the base 104, the curl 106, and the lid 112 may comprise metal. The handle 200 may comprise a plastic, such as a polypropylene copolymer, a high density polyethylene, or other suitable rugged, typically hard and flexible plastic. Alternatively, the handle 200 may comprise metal to improve sustainability.
The first boss component 204 includes an inner surface 212 and an outer surface 214. The inner surface 212 defines a cavity 216 that opens to the outer surface 214. The cavity 216 has a substantially cylindrical shape and extends in a cavity direction C. The cavity 216 is adapted to receive the first handle ear 108 of the pail 100 therein. In an aspect, the cavity direction C is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction A. The outer surface 214 defines a first ledge 218 and an additional ledge 220. Preferably, the first ledge 218 and the additional ledge 220 are substantially planer and extend along an outer perimeter of the first boss component 204 and form an oblique angle therebetween. It will be appreciated that the first boss component may include fewer or more ledges positioned on its outer perimeter.
With reference to
The first ledge 218 extends linearly along the ledge direction L from a trailing end 222 to a leading end 224. The first ledge 218 includes a first trailing portion 226 and a first leading portion 228. The first leading portion 228 extends from the leading end 224 of the first ledge 218 to a point P located between the leading end 224 and the trailing end 222 on the first ledge 218. The first trailing portion 226 extends from the point P to the trailing end 222. The point P is at a location on the first ledge 218 that is closest to a center Ce of the cavity 216. In an aspect, the point P is spaced from the center of the strap 202 by a distance that is shorter than a distance from the center Ce of the cavity 216 to the center of the strap 202. In an aspect, the first leading portion 228 is located closer to the strap 202 than the first trailing portion 226.
The first ledge 218 has a length that extends from the trailing end 222 to the leading end 224 of between approximately 10 mm and 50 mm. In an aspect, the length of the first ledge 218 is approximately 25 mm. A length of the first trailing portion 226 may be less than approximately 15 mm. In an aspect, the length of the first trailing portion 226 may be less than approximately 10 mm. The first leading portion 228 may have a length that is different from the length of the first trailing portion 226. In an aspect, the length of the first leading portion 226 is greater than the length of the first trailing portion 226. It will be appreciated that the additional ledge 220 may be configured substantially similarly as the first ledge 218.
The outer surface 214 of the first boss component 204 further includes a rear ledge 230, a first de-nesting ledge 232, and an additional de-nesting ledge 234. The rear ledge 230 is positioned on a top of the first boss component 204 and extends between the first de-nesting ledge 232 and the additional de-nesting ledge 234. The rear ledge 230 may have a non-linear or curvilinear shape. The first de-nesting ledge 232 is positioned adjacent to the first trailing portion 226 of the first ledge 218, and the additional de-nesting ledge 234 is positioned adjacent to a trailing portion (not labeled) of the additional ledge 220. Both of the first de-nesting ledge 232 and the additional de-nesting ledge 234 may have a non-linear or curvilinear shape. It will be appreciated that the additional de-nesting ledge 234 may be configured substantially similarly as the first de-nesting ledge 232.
The method of using the handle 200 commences by coupling the handle 200 to the pail 100. The first boss component 218 is coupled to the first handle ear 108, such that the first handle ear 108 is positioned within the cavity 216. The second boss component 220 is coupled to the second handle ear 110, such that the second handle ear 110 is positioned within a cavity of the second boss component 220. The first boss component 218 and the second boss component 220 are secured to the first and second handle ears 108 and 110 such that the handle 200 is rotatable about an axis that extends between the first and second handle ears 108 and 110. The first boss component 218 and the second boss component 220 may be secured to the first and second handle ears 108 and 110 by, for example, deforming the first and second boss components 218 and 220 to fit onto (e.g. snap over) the first and second handle ears 108 and 110 to secure the parts together. Alternatively, the first boss component 218 and the second boss component 220 may be secured to the first and second handle ears 108 and 110 by, for example, an integral clip, a rivet component, a bolt or other pinned type connection that allows for rotation between the boss components 218 and 220 and the handle ears 108 and 110.
After the handle 200 is coupled to the pail 100, the pail 100 may be nested into a second pail 100′.
The pail 100 is nested inside of the second pail 100′ such that the first ledge 218 of the first boss component 204 and a second ledge 219 of the second boss component 206 lie on top of an upper contact surface 106′ of the second pail 100′. When the pails 100 are stacked, the load may cause the handle 200 to rotate such that the ledge direction L of the first ledge 218 and the ledge direction (not labeled) of the second ledge 219 are substantially parallel to the upper contact surface 106′. Stated another way, both the first ledge 218 and the second ledge 219 sit flush against the rim of the second pail 100′. The second ledge 219 may be configured substantially similarly as the first ledge 218. The upper contact surface 106′ may define, for example, a curl. The linear shape of the first and second ledges 218 and 219 prevent damage to the upper contact surface 106′ by spreading the weight of the pail 100 more evenly across the upper contact surface 106′. The linear shape substantially prevents an excessive load to a small area of the upper contact surface 106′ from causing damage to the upper contact surface 106′.
The length of the first and second ledges 218 and 219 may be selected, for example, based on the weight and/or number of pails 100 being nested. For example, if several pails 100 are nested one on top of the other, a longer length of the first and second ledges 218 and 219 may be selected to spread the weight across a larger area of the upper contact surface 106′. Conversely, if a small number of pails 100 are nested on top of one another, a shorter length of the first and second ledges 218 and 219 may be selected, according to the acceptable stress values of the pails, overall weight, and like mechanical parameters.
In an alternative aspect, the first boss component 204 and the second boss component 206 include only a single first ledge 218 and a second ledge 219, respectively. In this aspect, the handle 200 must be oriented prior to coupling to the pail 100 to ensure that the first ledge 218 and the second ledge 219 face the upper contact surface 106′ of the lower pail 100′. A benefit of this configuration (e.g. asymmetric shape) is to save material and produce a smaller and more aesthetic product.
After the pail 100 is nested inside the second pail 100′, the second pail 100′ may be nested inside a subsequent pail in a substantially similar manner as pail 100 is nested into the second pail 100′. As illustrated in
Each pail 100 may be removed from the nested pails one at a time by rotating the handle 200 coupled to each respective pail 100.
The rotation of the handle 200 from the first position to the second position applies a force from both the first boss component 204 and the second boss component 206 to the upper contact surface 106′ of the second pail 100′ that lifts the pail 100 in a direction out of the second pail 100′ from the first depth to the second depth. The first depth is greater than the second depth such that the pail 100 is at least partially removed from the second pail 100′ upon rotation of the handle 200. In an aspect, rotation of the handle 200 from the first position to the second position about the axis that extends between the first handle ear 108 and the second handle ear 110 is less than 90°.
The transition from the first position of the handle 200 to the second position of the handle 200 (e.g. de-nesting stroke) may be adjusted by varying the length of the first trailing portion 226 of the first ledge 218 of the first boss component 204 and/or by varying a length of a second trailing portion (not labeled) of the second ledge 219 of the second boss component 206. A de-nesting stroke distance (e.g. a difference between the first depth and the second depth) is approximately between 2 mm and 10 mm. In an aspect, the de-nesting stroke distance is approximately 6 mm.
As the handle 200 transitions from the first position to the second position, the contact of the first ledge 218 with the upper contact surface 106′ transitions to a contact of the first de-nesting ledge 232 with the upper contact surface 106′. Similarly, the contact of the second ledge 219 of the second boss component 206 with the upper contact surface 106′ transitions to a contact of a second de-nesting ledge (not labeled) of the second boss component 206 with the upper contact surface 106′.
After the handle 200 is rotated to the second position, the pail 100 is de-nested from the second pail 100′, and the pail 100 may be removed from the second pail 100′.
These specific embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure as otherwise described and claimed herein. The particular dimensions and materials explained herein are not intended to limit the scope. Rather, a person familiar with nested containers will understand that modification and variations from the described embodiments exist.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2018/016834 | 2/5/2018 | WO | 00 |
