Patent Application
20170253377
N/A
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to containers, and more particularly stackable containers.
2. Description of Related Art
In the art of stackable containers, such as buckets, there are many disadvantages. Currently, after stacking or nesting multiple containers in a stack, it is very difficult to remove each container from the stack, as often the containers get stuck together. Another disadvantage is that the height of the stack is often higher than necessary due to surface ridges found below the top of the bucket. This configuration only allows a partial nest between buckets. Consequently, there is a need for a stackable container configuration that prevents containers from getting stuck together while allowing a full nested position lowering the stack height relative to the number of containers.
In one embodiment of the present invention a stackable container is provided, comprising a bottom surface; a top ridge; a continuous tapered side wall extending upwardly from the bottom surface to the top ridge, wherein the continuous tapered side wall has an inner surface and an outer surface; and a number of wedged elements positioned on the tapered side wall, each of the number of wedged elements positionally spaced equidistant around the outer surface of the tapered side wall.
In one embodiment, the number of wedged each comprise a front surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, a back surface, and a pair of tapered side surfaces. In one embodiment, the top surface is flush with the top ridge and the back surface is flush with the outer surface. In another embodiment, the stackable container further comprises a stacking ridge located below the top ridge, wherein the stacking ridge includes a flanged surface. In one embodiment, the top surface is flush with the flanged surface and the back surface is flush with the outer surface. In yet another embodiment, the number of wedged elements is between four and six.
In one embodiment, the pair tapering side surfaces has a first thickness between 1/16″ and ⅛″, wherein the first thickness is defined where the top surface meets the pair of tapering side surfaces. In one embodiment, the pair tapering side surfaces has a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is defined where the bottom surface meets the pair of tapering side surfaces such that the front surface is flush with the outer surface of the container at the second thickness. In another embodiment, the front surface has a length and a width, wherein the length is between 1½″ and 2″, and the width is 1″. In yet another embodiment, the number of wedged elements prevents the stackable container from becoming stuck inside a second stackable container when the stackable container is nested inside the second stackable container, such that the number of wedged elements breaks the seal between the nested stackable container and second stackable container, allowing the stackable container and the second stackable container to be separated easily without the use of a tool.
In one embodiment, the stackable container is a cylindrical bucket. In one embodiment, the cylindrical bucket is a 5 gallon plastic bucket, constructed from a high-density polyethylene (HDPE). In another embodiment, the number of wedged elements are provided into a manufacturing mold for the stackable container, creating one integral unit. In yet another embodiment, the stackable container is constructed from a shape selected from the group of a cylinder, a square, a rectangular, an oval, or combination thereof.
In another aspect to the invention, a method is providing comprising steps: (a) providing a first container comprising a first bottom surface, a first top ridge, a first continuous tapered side wall extending upwardly from the first bottom surface to the first top ridge, wherein the first continuous tapered side wall has a first inner surface and a first outer surface, and a first number of wedged elements positioned on the first tapered side wall, each of the first number of wedged elements positionally spaced equidistant around the first outer surface of the first tapered side wall; (b) providing a second container comprising a second bottom surface, a second top ridge, a second continuous tapered side wall extending upwardly from the second bottom surface to the second top ridge, wherein the second continuous tapered side wall has a second inner surface and a second outer surface, and a second number of wedged elements positioned on the second tapered side wall, each of the second number of wedged elements positionally spaced equidistant around the second outer surface of the second tapered side wall; and (c) nesting the second container inside the first container such that the first number of wedged elements are engaged with the second outer surface.
In one embodiment, in step (c), the first number of wedged elements breaks the seal between the nested first and second, allowing the first and second containers to be separated easily without the use of a tool.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein to specifically provide a stackable container.
It is a particular advantage of the present invention to provide a number of wedged elements 107 on the outer surface of the tapered side wall. The wedged elements are positioned around the tapered side wall, such that the wedged elements are equally spaced. There are preferably four to six wedged elements, although it is understood that the number of wedged elements may vary without departing from the spirit of the invention. The wedged elements are an improvement to existing containers and buckets, and prevent nesting buckets from becoming stuck together, and more specifically the wedged elements break the seal between nested buckets, allowing them to be separated easily without the use of tools, or other methods.
In some embodiments, the size of the number of wedged elements are relative to the container size and capacity. In other embodiments, the shape of the number of wedged elements may vary. For instance, although the number of wedged elements are illustrated as generally rectangular with two parallel tapering side surfaces, it is understood that the two tapering side surfaces may come to a point at the bottom surface forming a triangle shape. In a similar sense, the shape of the wedged element may vary without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features and or method acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, although cylindrical containers are illustrated it is understood that the inventive concept may be applied to a containers of any shape including but not limited to square, rectangular, oval, or combination thereof.
It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object.
In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) are not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead are used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.
