Stackable, thin-walled containers having a structural load distributing feature permitting caseless shipping
AssigneeCreative Edge Design Group, Ltd.
InventorsGregory M. Soehnlen, Dale Panasewicz, Lawrence A. Becks
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A liquid container for a comestible product such as milk or juice includes a base having a substantially planar region, a top surface having a substantially planar region parallel to the substantially planar region of the base and having a pour spout. A sidewall is integrally formed with and extends between the base and top surface, and includes a structural load distributing feature that transfers loads from the top surface to the base. A handle is interposed between the base and top surface and integrally formed with the base, top surface, and sidewall. The containers can be arrayed into units and stacked on top of one another.
Claims28
A molded plastic container used in caseless shipping of a product, such as milk or juice, the plastic container comprising:
- a base having a substantially planar region;
- a top surface having a substantially planar load bearing region parallel to the substantially planar region of the base;
- a sidewall integrally formed with and extending between the base and top surface generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container, the sidewall enclosing an internal cavity;
- a pour spout disposed in the top surface offset from the longitudinal axis of the container;
- a handle extending from the sidewall and defining a finger receiving region, the handle interposed between the base and top surface and integrally formed with the base, top surface, and sidewall;
- and
- a structural load distributing feature formed therein for conveying bearing loads from the top surface to the base.
A blow-molded plastic dairy container comprising:
- a base having a substantially planar load bearing region;
- a top surface having a substantially planar load bearing region parallel to the substantially planar region of the base and having a pour spout spaced from the substantially planar region of the top surface and disposed adjacent an edge of the top surface;
- a sidewall extending between the base and top surface, the sidewall enclosing an internal cavity in fluid communication with the pour spout;
- a handle interposed between the base and top surface;
- and
- a structural load distributing feature formed in at least the sidewall for conveying bearing loads from the top surface to the base.
A molded plastic comestible fluid container designed for stacking one filled container on top of another filled container and transferring both hydrostatic forces to prevent bulging and vertical forces to prevent buckling/crimping, the container comprising:
- a base having a substantially planar load bearing region;
- a top surface having a substantially planar load bearing region parallel to the substantially planar region of the base and having a pour spout disposed adjacent an edge of the top surface;
- a sidewall extending between the base and top surface, the sidewall enclosing an internal cavity in fluid communication with the pour spout;
- a handle interposed between the base and top surface;
- and
- a structural load distributing feature formed in at least the sidewall for conveying bearing loads from an adjacent container stacked on the top surface to the base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.