The present invention relates to stacking cylindrical containers and in particular to a stacking ring.
One gallon cans, for example paint cans, are sold and shipped in huge numbers. The cans are generally stacked several cans high in several rows and columns. Stacking rings are commonly attached to the tops of the cans to stabilize the stacks of cans. A recess in the bottom of the cans must be manually aligned to correctly engage the stacking rings. Any irregularities in the recess may make it difficult to correctly engage the bottom recess with the alignment rings, and the stacked cans may move sufficiently to lose stability and fall, potentially damaging the cans, releasing liquid in the cans. Proper alignment of the cans may be difficult and require additional time increasing shipping costs.
The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a self aligning stacking ring guides stacked cans into alignment. The self aligning stacking ring includes radially protruding alignment bumps angularly spaced apart at a common radius corresponding to a recess in the bottom of common cans. The self aligning stacking ring guides tend to center a can placed over the self aligning stacking ring guides to make stacking cans easier and quicker.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a self aligning stacking ring including angularly spaced part radially expending bumps to guide a can into alignment. Known alignment rings include arc segments with uniformly arced outer radii. A top can must be precisely positioned over the known alignment ring to engage the alignment ring. If the cans are not properly aligned to engage the alignment ring, the stack of cans may not be stable, and may result is the cans falling and being damaged. The bumps provide easier alignment without sacrificing a precise alignment.
The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings.
The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims.
Where the terms “about” or “generally” are associated with an element of the invention, it is intended to describe a feature's appearance to the human eye or human perception, and not a precise measurement.
Cans 10 stacked on a pallet 12 are shown in
Two of the cans 10 separated, and then stacked and aligned by the alignment ring 14, are shown in
An isometric view of the alignment ring 14 is shown in
A cross-sectional view of the alignment ring 14 taken along line 6-6 of
The alignment ring is preferably made from plastic, and more preferably from High Density Polyethylene (HDPE).
While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1696240 | Kircher | Dec 1928 | A |
2899096 | Henchert et al. | Aug 1959 | A |
3173574 | Goldsmith | Mar 1965 | A |
3180537 | Collins | Apr 1965 | A |
3228857 | McCormick | Jan 1966 | A |
3273746 | Andrews, Jr. | Sep 1966 | A |
3354515 | Robinson | Nov 1967 | A |
3463366 | Spencer | Aug 1969 | A |
3469735 | Burt | Sep 1969 | A |
3744671 | Saunders, Jr. | Jul 1973 | A |
3811606 | Higgins | May 1974 | A |
4111330 | Jordan | Sep 1978 | A |
4728003 | Davey | Mar 1988 | A |
4932554 | Smith et al. | Jun 1990 | A |
5160067 | Luber | Nov 1992 | A |
5161689 | Balson | Nov 1992 | A |
5174464 | Watt | Dec 1992 | A |
5193705 | McCallum et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5261551 | Watt | Nov 1993 | A |
5568879 | Kovathana | Oct 1996 | A |
5636753 | Wilkinson et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
5779093 | Poole | Jul 1998 | A |
5803298 | Hausmann | Sep 1998 | A |
5915557 | Levine | Jun 1999 | A |
5967363 | Allen | Oct 1999 | A |
6142330 | Sacks | Nov 2000 | A |
6189725 | Monico | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6612439 | Levine | Sep 2003 | B1 |
6688487 | Oakes | Feb 2004 | B2 |
7617946 | Loerop et al. | Nov 2009 | B2 |
8286820 | Williams | Oct 2012 | B2 |
20040232150 | John P. et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20190210766 A1 | Jul 2019 | US |