Stackable container

Abstract

A container for receiving foodstuff or dried beverages comprising a surrounding container wall, an upper container opening and a bottom part opposite to the container opening and connected to a lower end section of the container wall, wherein the bottom part includes an essentially flat bottom section and an abutment flange which protrudes at least in some locations from the bottom section in the direction of the container opening, and the lower end section of the container wall includes a support ring protruding radially inwards from the end section. The bottom part and the lower end section is connected between the abutment flange, an inner side of the container wall, and between the lower side of the bottom section and an upper side of the support ring.

Claims

1. A container for receiving foodstuff or dried beverages comprising: an outer container wall; an inner container wall in contact with the outer container wall; an upper container opening; a bottom part opposite to the container opening and connected to a lower end section of the outer container wall; wherein the bottom part includes an essentially flat bottom section and an abutment flange which protrudes at least in places from the bottom section in the direction of the container opening; wherein the lower end section of the outer container wall comprises a support ring protruding radially inwards from the end section, the support ring extending substantially along a radial plane; wherein a connection of the bottom part and the lower end section is effected between the flange and an inner side of the outer container wall, and between the lower side of the bottom section and an upper side of the support ring; and wherein an upper end of the flange extends parallel to the container wall in the direction of the container opening, wherein the inner container wall comprises: a bottom surface parallel to and in contact with the essentially flat bottom section of the bottom part; a support surface extending parallel to the bottom surface in a horizontal direction; and an inclined surface extending from the bottom surface to the support surface in an inward direction, and wherein the support surface is configured to abut a lower surface of a support ring of a second container provided immediately above the support surface, when said containers are stacked, such that the support surface limits insertion of the second container into the container and wherein the abutment flange and the flat bottom surface are formed from one single unitary onepiece structure, wherein the abutment flange extends directly from a perimeter portion of the flat bottom section toward the direction of the container opening.

2. The container according to claim 1 wherein the outer and inner container wall and/or the bottom part comprise paper or cardboard.

3. The container according to claim 1 which comprises a fluid impermeable coating on the inner container wall wherein the bottom part is coated with the fluid impermeable coating on both sides.

4. The container according to claim 1 wherein the supporting ring surrounds an access section of the flat bottom section.

5. The container according to claim 1 wherein the container wall comprises a rolled or folded edge at its upper end.

6. The container according to claim 1 which comprises an insert having at least an insert wall and an insert bottom part at the lower end of the insert wall, and the insert bottom wall rests on the bottom section.

7. The container according to claim 6 wherein the insert bottom part and bottom part are sealingly joined or fixed to each other.

8. The container according to claim 7 wherein the insert comprises an edge flange at its upper insert opening the edge flange protruding radially outwards the at least some locations.

9. The container according to claim 8 wherein the edge flange overlaps an upper end of the container wall affixing a lid part.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Advantageous embodiments of the invention with respect to the figures are described in the following.

(2) The following figures are illustrated:

(3) FIG. 1 is a cross-section of a container as used in the prior art;

(4) FIG. 2 is a cross-section analogue to FIG. 1 through another prior art container;

(5) FIG. 3 is a cross-section analogue to FIG. 1 through another prior art container;

(6) FIG. 4 is a first embodiment of the container of the present invention partially illustrated in a cross-section;

(7) FIG. 5 is an enlarged illustration of detail X of FIG. 4;

(8) FIG. 6 is an illustration analogue to FIG. 5 in a perspective view;

(9) FIG. 7 shows two stacked containers analogue to FIG. 4;

(10) FIG. 8 is a second embodiment of the inventive container analogue to FIG. 4;

(11) FIG. 9 is an enlarged illustration of detail Y of FIG. 8;

(12) FIG. 10 is an illustration analogue to FIG. 9 in a perspective view;

(13) FIG. 11 is an illustration analogue to FIG. 7 for the second embodiment;

(14) FIG. 12 is a third embodiment of the inventive container analogue to FIG. 4;

(15) FIG. 13 is an enlarged illustration of detail Z of FIG. 12;

(16) FIG. 14 is an illustration analogue to FIG. 13 in a perspective view; and

(17) FIG. 15 is a stacked arrangement of containers analogue to FIG. 11 for the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(18) In FIG. 4, a partially cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of the inventive container 1 is illustrated. The container 1 comprises in an upwards direction, a conically extended container wall 2 which surrounds a container opening 4. An upper edge 34 of the container wall 2 is rolled outwardly. Onto the edge 34, a container lid part 3 can be arranged and fixed along the edge. The lid part 3 closes the container opening 4.

(19) The container 1 according to FIG. 4 can be a double walled container with respect to container wall 2 as an inner wall 24 and with respect to the isolating shell 35 as an outer wall 23. The isolating shell 35 is mounted onto the container wall 2 from a downward direction and usually covers at least a part of the container wall height and occasionally reaches down to the lower end of the container 1. Between the inner wall 24 and the outer wall 23, an isolating gap 22 is formed. The gap 22 is filled with air and serves to reduce a respective heat transfer between the two walls.

(20) On an inner side 11 of the container 2, a fluid dense coating 16, for example, made of polyethylene or the like, in particular, a thermo-reactive material is applied. This is applied analogue for the lower side 12 of a bottom part 5.

(21) The bottom part 5 comprises an essentially flat bottom section 7 which is surrounded by an abutment flange 9 protruding in an inclined direction to the container opening 4. The abutment flange 9 lies against the inner side of the container wall 2. The container wall 2 comprises a lower end section 6 which ends in a radially inwards protruding support ring 10.

(22) Generally, the lower end section 6 serves for adjusting the bottom part 5 and in particular, the abutment flange 9 and with a part of the flat bottom section 7.

(23) Adjustment between the bottom part 5 and the container wall 2 is achieved between the outer side of the abutment flange 9 and the inner side 11 of the container wall 2 as well as between the lower side 12 of the flat bottom section 7 and the upper side 13 of the support ring 10. The supporting ring 10 surrounds the flat bottom section 7 and keeps an access section 33 free, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

(24) The bottom part 5 is upwardly adjustable through the container opening 4 into the container 1 and then can be connected with the support ring 10 or with another section of the lower end section 6, respectively. This connection can be achieved through cold or hot gluing. Another option for the connection is the fluid dense coating 16 which at least partially is heated up to its softening or up to its melting point and will harden after contact between the bottom part and the container wall. Through these procedures a respective connection between the parts can be achieved through the coating.

(25) In FIG. 5, a detail X of FIG. 4 is illustrated in an enlarged view.

(26) In this Figure, as in the following Figures, the same parts are identified with the same reference numerals and will be described only partially in view of the respective Figure.

(27) A connection between the bottom part 5 and the container wall 2 is achieved in the contact area 17 which essentially extends between the bottom part 5 and the support ring 10 or the lower end of the container wall 2, respectively. Through the connection within the contact area 17, compression loads onto the flat bottom section 7 in particular in the access area 33 can be absorbed, which can deform the bottom section 7 into the container inner volume 8. The respective compression load is absorbed by the connection between the abutment flange 9 and the container wall 2 and eventually, transforms into a deformation of the container in this section.

(28) According to the invention, a solid connection in the contact area 17 keeps its fluid density, even if the compression load of the flat bottom section 7 leads to a perforation of same. With the solid connection between the bottom part and the container wall, it is also guaranteed that the container can be positioned onto an uneven surface with protruding sections such as burlings or the like, wherein such protrusions could cause a deformation of the bottom section 7. Additionally, the bottom of the container 1 is only double layered by the bottom part 5 and the support ring 10, so that only a small volume in comparison to other containers with the same height is reduced and at the same time, a solid connection between the bottom part and the container wall and a good standing can be achieved.

(29) FIG. 6 is an illustration analogue to FIG. 5 in a perspective view.

(30) In this illustration it can be seen that an upper end 18 of the abutment flange 9 protrudes and runs in a circumferential direction 14 around the entire circumference of the container or the container wall 2, respectively. The upper end 18 is applied as an insertion limiting means 19 as is also illustrated by the following embodiments.

(31) In FIG. 6, a transition 15 is illustrated between the support ring 10 and the container wall 2 which is particularly rounded. The transition 15 can also be formed as an edge.

(32) FIG. 7 illustrates two stacked containers with respect to container 1 and the other container 20. In particular, it is recognizable that the upper end 18 of the formed insertion limiting means 19 lies against the container wall 2 or the bottom of the additional container 20, respectively, in order to prevent a further insertion of the container 20 into the container 1. The container 20 is only inserted so far into the container 1 that in general circumstances no contact between the container walls 2 of both containers is achieved. By this, a good disconnection of the containers 1 and 20, as well as even more stacked containers is possible.

(33) With respect to the double walled container according to FIG. 4, it is suggested for FIG. 7, as well as the further figures that such a double walled design is also possible for other embodiments according to the further figures.

(34) FIG. 8 illustrates a second embodiment of the container of the present invention. The container according to FIG. 8 only differs from the first embodiment according to FIG. 4 by employing another form of the abutment flange 9 of the bottom part 5. In FIG. 8 the abutment flange 9 comprises an upper end section 21 bended or folded radially inwards in an inclined direction to the container opening 4. Through that the upper end 18 or the insertion limiting means 19 is arranged with a clearance with respect to the container wall 2 as illustrated by FIG. 9. Other features correspond to those as illustrated by the previous FIGS. 4 to 7.

(35) In FIG. 9 a detail Y according to FIG. 8 is illustrated in an enlarged view. In particular, it is recognizable that the contact area 17 is smaller in comparison to FIG. 5, as the upper end section 21 of the abutment flange 9 no longer constitutes a part of the contact area 17. For the rest, this embodiment corresponds to the previous embodiment and it is indicated also with respect to the double walled design of the container, to the description of the first embodiment.

(36) FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view analogous to FIG. 9. It is a recognizable analogue to FIG. 6 that the upper end 18 or the insertion limitation means 19 protrudes in a circumferential direction 14, as illustrated by FIG. 11, and serves for supporting of another container 20.

(37) In this case support of the additional container 20 is essentially achieved at the end of the support ring 10 or at the beginning of the transition 15 between the support ring 10, and the upwards protruding container wall 2. For both embodiments of container 1 according to FIGS. 4 to 11, additionally an insert 25 can be arranged, which is described in the following sections with a third embodiment of the container 1 of the present invention.

(38) The respective features for the previous embodiments can be used in an analogous manner for the third embodiment.

(39) FIG. 12 partially illustrates, for example, a crossing section of the third embodiment of the container 1 analogous to FIG. 4.

(40) The container 1 according to FIG. 12 defers from the previously described containers, for example, by the upper end 31 of the container wall 2 which does not comprise an outwardly rolled section as illustrated for example as edge 34 in FIG. 7.

(41) For the rest, the container 1 is the same as the container of FIG. 4, in particular with respect to the bottom part 5, and the connection to the container wall 2 or the support ring 10 respectively.

(42) In the container 1 according to FIG. 12, an insert 25 is arranged. In a cross sectional view the insert 25 is similarly formed as the container 1 and constitutes a part of the container.

(43) The insert 25 also comprises an upper opening 29 as an insert opening, which serves as a replacement for the container opening 4, as illustrated by FIG. 4, for example for the filling and the pouring of the contents of container 1.

(44) The insert 25 comprises an insert wall 26 which inwardly contacts the container wall 2. At its upper end, the insert wall 26 comprises a radial outwardly protruding edge flange 30 which protrudes the upper end 31 of the container wall 2.

(45) Further, the insert 25 comprises an insert bottom part 28 which is integrally formed of a plastic material with the insert wall 26. The insert bottom part 28 stands on the flat bottom section 7 of the bottom part 5 in the container volume 8, and is connected with the same. However, there is also the option that the connection between the insert 25 and the container wall 2 can be achieved using friction alone, without additional connecting methods such as gluing or the like. Further, there is the option that the insert 25 is connected with the container wall 2 or respectively the insert bottom part 28 with the bottom part 5 by gluing with cold or hot glue respectively.

(46) At a lower end 27 of the insert wall 26 the insert bottom part 28 is connected to the insert wall 26 via a supporting step 32 protruding essentially radially inwards. The supporting step 32 serves during stapling of containers as a respective insert limiting means 19 as illustrated by FIG. 15. That means that the upper end 18 of the abutment flanges 9 no longer serve as a respective insert limiting means 19 as illustrated by FIG. 7.

(47) In FIG. 13, a detail Z of FIG. 12 is illustrated in an enlarged view. The bottom part 5 of the container 1 comprises the respective access area 33 which is surrounded by the support ring 10. The transition 15 of the support ring 10 is rounded with respect to the container wall 2 as it is also illustrated by FIG. 6.

(48) The supporting step 32 protrudes so far in a radially inwards direction that a border wall 36 runs upwardly in an inclined direction and inwardly in direction to the insert opening 29 as it is also illustrated by FIG. 12.

(49) The supporting step 32 forms an essentially horizontal surface for supporting another container 20 as it is also illustrated in FIG. 15. There, the supporting step 32 is upwardly arranged at the upper end 18 of the abutment flange, in the direction of the insert opening 29.

(50) With respect to the compression load from a downward direction onto the flat bottom section 7 of the bottom part 5, a respective connection between the flat bottom part 7 and the rear side of the insert bottom part 28 can be sufficient. However, in order to induce the respective compression forces further into the other parts of the container, a respective gluing between the insert wall 26 and the container wall 2 can be suitable.

(51) The embodiment according to FIGS. 12 to 15 can also comprise a respective double walled structure as it is illustrated in FIG. 4.

(52) FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view analogue to FIG. 13. The supporting step 32 protrudes in a circumferential direction 14.

(53) FIG. 15 illustrates stacked containers 1 and 20 according to the third embodiment. According to this embodiment the stacking is achieved through the insert 25 and its supporting step 32. The supporting step 32 serves as a supporting surface for the bottom part 5 of another container 20, which is inserted into the container 1.

(54) With respect to double walled formed containers the stacking is usually carried out with a bigger clearance to the flat bottom section 7 so that for such containers the respective insert limiting means 19 are further arranged in the direction of the container opening 4 or the insert opening 29, respectively.

(55) The description of the other embodiments according to FIGS. 4 to 11 is also suggested, wherein this description applies as an analogue for the third embodiment and in particular FIG. 15.

(56) The container of the present invention according to the different embodiments benefits from its special bottom structure which enables a the container to stand securely on a surface with protrusions or uneven structure, and also absorbs and effectively transmits onto the container the compression loads applied onto the flat bottom section, without any influence onto the connection between the bottom part and the container wall. This also applies if compression loads applied by a device are so large that the container and in particular its wall, bottom or lid is partly destroyed to start a working step for processing the food stuff or dried beverage. In total a simple and low cost produceable container is described which additionally can comprise an insert. The container comprising the container wall and the bottom part is made of paper, carton or the like, whereas the insert generally is made of plastic material. In particular, the container has a cup-shaped form with a round cross section. This applies in analogous fashion for the insert.

(57) With respect to a method for the production of a previously described container, in general, the following method steps are conducted: i. Production of a container wall of a two dimensional pre-cut through connecting the container wall along an overlapping section of the container wall, ii. Insertion of a particularly pre-fabricated bottom part through the container opening into the container, and iii. Connection of the support ring and the lower end section of the container wall with the abutment flange and/or bottom area of the bottom part.

(58) Optionally: a. The support ring is folded briefly before the insertion of the bottom part or if the bottom part is already inserted relatively towards the container wall; b. The abutment flange is pressed in particular wrinkle-free to the inner side of the container wall; c. The abutment flange comprises load releasing cuts for a wrinkle-free arrangement at the inner side of the container wall; d. The bottom part and/or the respective parts of the container wall are supplied with adhesives; e. From inwards and outwards a compression-/heating element compresses at least the abutment flange and the container wall for their connection through a coating; f. From upwards and downwards a compression-/heating element compresses the bottom section and the support ring for their connection through a coating; g. e. and f. are conducted by a tooling in one method step; h. Before and after insertion of the bottom part, the upper end section of the abutment flange is bent or folded; i. Support ring and/or abutment flange are folded wrinkle-free under heat impact and/or under mechanical impact; j. The insert is inserted or pushed into the already prefabricated container made of the container wall and the bottom part; or k. The insert is connected in its insert position with the container and in particular with the container wall and/or the bottom part through additional adhesives and/or coating of the container in the area of the container wall and/or the bottom part.