Liquid container for mass storage, transport, and display

Abstract

A thin-walled plastic container for storing liquids having a pour spout on a top and a handle disposed at a point near the pour spout to a point on a front of the container. In preferred embodiments, ridges are formed into portions of the corners and edges of the container and container body to add structural support. The characteristics of the present invention allow for enhanced storage and display capability, easier product transport, and increased durability.

Claims

1. A self-supporting container for storing liquids comprising: a) a top, said top having a wall with an integrally formed pour spout; b) a body comprising a front, a back, a first side, and a second side, each of said front, back, first side, and second side having a wall, wherein said front wall and said back wall are each perpendicular to said first side wall and said second side wall; c) a handle medially disposed on said front of said container between said top wall and said front wall, wherein a width of said handle increases near said top wall and said front wall; d) a bottom having a substantially rectangular perimeter and comprising a first leg and a second leg extending from a bottom wall; e) a plurality of rounded vertical edges, wherein a first, second, third, and fourth of said vertical edges are defined at an intersection between said front wall and said first side wall, said front wall and said second side wall, said back wall and said first side wall, and said back end and said second side, respectively; f) a plurality of rounded horizontal bottom edges, wherein a first, second, third, and fourth of said bottom edges are defined at an intersection between said bottom wall and said first side wall, said front wall, said second side wall, and said back wall, respectively; g) a lip extending along a perimeter of said container, wherein on at least one of the group consisting of said front wall, said back wall, said first side wall, and said second side wall, said lip forms an arch and wherein a distance from said lip to said bottom edge at each vertical edge of said wall is less than a distance from said lip to said bottom edge at a midpoint of said wall; h) at least one recess formed in said top wall between said pour spout and at least one of the group consisting of said front wall, said back wall, said first side wall, and said second side wall; and i) a collar formed in said top wall between said at least one recess said pour spout, wherein said collar comprises at least one lip encircling said pour spout; wherein at least one of said bottom edges comprises at least one integrally formed ridge disposed between said bottom wall and said lip extending along said perimeter of said container, wherein at least one of said bottom edges comprises at least one chamfered corner, and wherein at least one of said vertical edges comprises at least one integrally formed ridge.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein said at least one chamfered comer of said at least one of said bottom edges further comprises at least one integrally formed ridge.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein said bottom comprises a cavity extending from a midpoint of said first side to a midpoint of said second side and along a centerline of said bottom.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein a cavity is formed between said first leg and said second leg of said bottom.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein said bottom comprises an arch extending from a midpoint of said front to a midpoint of said back and along a centerline of said bottom.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein said handle further comprises a recess.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein said lip extending along said perimeter of said container forms a first arch, a second arch, and a third arch, wherein said first arch is disposed at said first side of said body, wherein said second arch is disposed at said second side of said body, and wherein said third arch is disposed at said back of said body.

8. The container of claim 1, further comprising a cut-out portion in said front wall, said cut-out portion forming an upper wall and a step.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein said upper wall comprises at least one integrally formed ridge.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein said at least one integrally formed ridge is disposed above said step.

11. The container of claim 8, wherein said step comprises at least one chamfered corner.

12. A container for liquid adapted to be displayed on a shelf, said container comprising: a) a top wall with an integrally formed pour spout; b) a bottom wall comprising a first leg and a second leg extending therefrom; c) a front wall and a back wall between said top wall and said bottom wall; d) a first side wall and a second side wall, each between said top wall and said bottom wall, wherein said first side wall and said second side wall are each perpendicular to said front wall; e) a lip extending along a perimeter of said container, wherein on each of said first side wall, said second side wall, and said back wall, said lip forms an arch and wherein a distance from said lip to said bottom wall at a vertical edge of said wall is less than at a midpoint of said wall; f) a handle having a top portion integrally formed with said top wall near said pour spout and a bottom portion integrally formed with said front wall; g) at least one integrally formed ridge; h) at least one recess formed in said top wall between said pour spout and at least one of said front wall, said back wall, said first side wall, and said second side wall; and i) a collar formed in said top wall between said at least one recess and said pour spout, wherein said collar comprises at least one lip encircling said pour spout; wherein said handle extends perpendicular to said front wall and said bottom portion of said handle is about equidistant from said first side wall and said second side wall, wherein said bottom wall comprises at least one integrally formed ridge disposed below said lip extending along said perimeter of said container, wherein said bottom wall comprises at least one chamfered corner.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein said at least one chamfered corner of said bottom wall further comprises at least one integrally formed ridge.

14. The container of claim 12, wherein said bottom wall comprises a cavity extending from said midpoint of said first side wall to said midpoint of said second side wall and along a centerline of said bottom wall.

15. The container of claim 12, wherein a cavity is formed between said first leg and said second leg of said bottom wall.

16. The container of claim 12, wherein said bottom wall comprises an arch extending from a midpoint of said front wall to said midpoint of said back wall and along a centerline of said bottom wall.

17. The container of claim 12, further comprising a cut-out portion, said cut-out portion forming an upper wall and a step, wherein said upper wall is between said top wall and said step.

18. The container of claim 17, wherein said upper wall comprises at least one integrally formed ridge.

19. The container of claim 18, wherein said at least one integrally formed ridge is disposed above said step.

20. The container of claim 17, wherein said step comprises at least one chamfered corner.

21. A liquid container having a top wall with an integrally formed pour spout, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall, and comprising a plurality of rounded vertical edges and a plurality of rounded horizontal bottom edges, wherein a first, second, third, and fourth of said vertical edges are defined at an intersection between said front wall and said first side wall, said front wall and said second side wall, said back wall and said first side wall, and said back end and said second side, respectively, wherein a first, second, third, and fourth of said bottom edges are defined at an intersection between said bottom wall and said first side wall, said front wall, said second side wall, and said back wall, respectively, and wherein said container is adapted to be displayed on a shelf, said container comprising: a) a lip extending along a perimeter of said container, said lip forming at least one arch, wherein said at least one arch is on at least one of the group consisting of said front wall, said back wall, said first side wall, and said second side wall and wherein a distance from said lip extending along said perimeter of said container to said bottom edge at each vertical edge of said wall is less than a distance from said lip to said bottom edge at a midpoint of said wall; b) at least one recess formed in said top wall of said container between said pour spout and at least one of the group consisting of said front wall, said back wall, said first side wall, and said second side wall; c) a collar formed in said top wall between said at least one recess and said pour spout, wherein said collar comprises at least one lip encircling said pour spout; and d) a cut-out portion in said front wall, said cut-out portion forming a handle, an upper wall, and a step, wherein said upper wall comprises at least one integrally formed ridge disposed above said step and near a lateral edge of said upper wall and wherein said step comprises at least one chamfered corner disposed near an intersection between said step and at least one of the group consisting of said first side wall and said second side wall.

22. The container of claim 21, wherein at least one of said bottom edges comprises at least one integrally formed ridge disposed between said bottom wall of said container and said lip extending along said perimeter of said container.

23. The container of claim 21, wherein said at least one arch comprises a first arch on said first side wall of said container.

24. The container of claim 23, wherein said at least one arch further comprises a second arch on said second side wall of said container.

25. The container of claim 24, wherein said at least one arch further comprises a third arch on said back wall of said container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a side view diagram illustrating an exemplary liquid container in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a front view diagram of the liquid container illustrated in FIG. 1

(3) FIG. 3 is a partial top view diagram of the liquid container illustrated in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 is a partial bottom view diagram of the liquid container illustrated in FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5 is a side view diagram illustrating an exemplary liquid container in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 6 is a side view diagram illustrating an exemplary liquid container in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the liquid container illustrated in FIG. 6.

(8) FIG. 8 is a front view diagram illustrating an exemplary liquid container in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 9 is a side view diagram illustrating the liquid container of FIG. 8.

(10) FIG. 10 is a side perspective view diagram illustrating an exemplary liquid container in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

(11) FIG. 11 is a front perspective view diagram illustrating an exemplary liquid container in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view diagram illustrating an exemplary liquid container in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

(13) FIG. 13 is a top perspective view diagram illustrating an exemplary liquid container in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

(14) FIG. 14 is a side perspective view diagram illustrating an exemplary liquid container in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

(15) FIG. 15 is a side perspective view diagram illustrating an exemplary liquid container in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

(16) FIG. 16 is a side perspective view diagram illustrating an exemplary liquid container in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

(17) FIG. 17 is a side perspective view diagram illustrating an exemplary liquid container in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(18) The invention, in its various aspects, will be explained in greater detail below. While the invention will be described in conjunction with several exemplary embodiments, the exemplary embodiments themselves do not limit the scope of the invention. Similarly, the exemplary illustrations in the accompanying drawings, where like elements have like numerals, do no limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments and/or invention, including any length, angles, or other measurements provided. Rather the invention, as defined by the claims, may cover alternatives, modifications, and/or equivalents of the exemplary embodiments.

(19) According to some embodiments of the present invention, a liquid container may have a generally rectangular body, a pour spout at a top, and a handle at a front. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, a liquid container 10 may comprise a body with a front, back, first side, and second side having a front wall 12, back wall 14, first side wall 16, and second side wall 18 (on the other side of first side wall 16), respectively. In preferred embodiments, a pour spout 20, having a neck 22, may be disposed near a center of a top of container 10. In certain embodiments, a neck of a pour spout may be threaded for the attachment and securing of a removable cap or lid. Container 10 may also have a handle 24, which may be formed by a cut-out portion 26 of container 10.

(20) In some embodiments, a container may have a handle formed along, or near, a vertical centerline of a side, front, or back of the container. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, handle 24 may extend from a point near neck 22 to a point approximately defining a horizontal midpoint of a step 28. Handle 24 may be rounded at a top portion thereof, thereby forming an inverted “J” shape (as best shown in FIG. 1). In some embodiments, a distal surface of a handle (i.e., the surface facing away from the center of a container) may have a recess for the placement of one or more fingers. By having handle 24 disposed on the front, container 10 can have a label (not shown) and handle 24 oriented in the same direction. Advantageously, by having a label and handle oriented in the same direction, a container can be placed on a display shelf with the label and handle facing toward the view of a passing consumer. Furthermore, it is to be appreciated that, advantageously, by having the handle and label oriented in the same direction, the need may be eliminated for a container to be rotated when being placed on, or removed from, a shelf or display.

(21) In preferred embodiments, step 28, which may be formed by the cut-out portion 26, may be located along a plane approximately defining a vertical midpoint of the front of the container. However, it is to be appreciated that a step may be disposed above or below a vertical midpoint of the front of a container. As best seen in FIG. 2, step 28 may be slightly upwardly bowed, that is, the height of the top surface of step 28 may slightly decrease in a distal direction (i.e., away from handle 24). In some embodiments, a step may have corners which may be beveled or chamfered. However, it is to be appreciated that a step may be substantially horizontal, downwardly bowed, rounded, or any other shape.

(22) In preferred embodiments, a handle may be integrally formed with a container body and the width of the handle may vary along a portion thereof. For example, as best viewed in FIG. 3, the width of handle 24 may increase as it approaches neck 22 of container 10. Handle 24 may also be integrally formed with container 10, such that the gradual change in width forms smooth curves 25 which extend along the sides of the top portion of handle 24 into the surface of the cut-out portion 26 and along the edges between cut-out portion 26 and the top of container 10.

(23) In preferred embodiments, a liquid container may be formed from plastic material, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), or the like. A typical volume of a container may be about one gallon (128 fl oz). However, it is to be appreciated that the size of a container may be adapted to store other volumes such as quart (32 fl oz) or half-gallon (64 fl oz) sizes.

(24) In some embodiments of the present invention, the top of a container may have a wall which may be curved or rounded toward the neck of the pour spout and, in preferred embodiments, the surfaces of the front wall, back wall, and sides of the container may be planar. For example, a lower boundary of a top wall 23 of container 10 may extend from neck 22 to handle 24 and to front wall 12, back wall 14, first side wall 16, and second side wall 18, where the intersections of top wall 23 with each of the front wall 12, back wall 14, first side wall 16, and second side wall 18 may be defined by the transitions from a curved, or rounded, surface to a planar surface. In preferred embodiments, a distal surface of a container handle may have both planar and rounded portions which may be continuous with the surfaces of a front wall and a top wall, respectively, of the container.

(25) In some embodiments, a front wall and back wall of a container may be perpendicular to each of the sides of a container. That is, the surfaces of the front wall and back wall may be parallel to each other. Similarly, the surfaces of each side wall of a container may be parallel to each other.

(26) In some embodiments of the present invention, a liquid container may include one or more integrally formed lips or recesses, which may provide structural support to a container when pouring a liquid or when other containers and items are stacked on top of the container. In certain embodiments, a liquid container may have a collar comprising one or more lips encircling a pour spout at a top of the container. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a first lip 30 may be disposed below neck 22 of container 10, forming a thin protruding surface, relative to the surface of a second lip 32. Second lip 32, which may be irregularly shaped, may also form a thin protruding surface, relative to the remaining surface of top wall 23. It is to be appreciated that a container may have a plurality of lips which may be regularly or irregularly shaped and may form protruding surfaces of various thicknesses. Adjacent to first lip 30 and second lip 32, in the direction of first side wall 16 and second side wall 18, may be a pair of recesses 34A and 34B, respectively. As shown best in the illustration of FIG. 3, recesses 34A and 34B may be, generally, comma shaped and may be very shallow (<1 mm). However, it is to be appreciated that a container may include recesses of various shapes and depths, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a liquid container 100 may have a tear drop shaped recess 162 formed at a top of container 100.

(27) In some embodiments of the present invention, a volumetric plug may be formed in the body of a liquid container, which may be provided in order to compensate for variations in weight between filled containers. In some embodiments, the weights between filled containers may range from about 10 to 50 grams. For example, as further illustrated in FIG. 5, a circular volumetric plug 164 may be integrally formed into a side of container 100. It is to be appreciated, however, that a volumetric plug may be any shape and may be concave or recessed. For example, a volumetric plug may be circular and recessed, tear drop shaped and concave, or circular and concave, as illustrated in FIGS. 12-14, respectively.

(28) According to some embodiments of the present invention, the rear corner edges of a container (i.e., the transitions between side walls and a back wall) may be rounded. Similarly, the front corner edges of a container (i.e., the transitions between side walls and a front wall), which may extend below a step at a front of the container, may also be rounded. In some embodiments, one or more ridges may be formed along a portion of a corner edge, which may provide durability and strength to a container by preventing bumps, dents, or any other kind of structural damage. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the corner edges of container 10 may comprise one or more elongated ridges 38 along a portion of a corner edge.

(29) Referring, generally, to FIGS. 1 and 2, container 10 may include a first horizontal bottom edge 40, a second horizontal bottom edge (on the other side of first horizontal bottom edge 40; not illustrated), a third horizontal bottom edge 46, and a fourth horizontal bottom edge (on the other side of third horizontal bottom edge 46; not illustrated), each of which may be disposed below a lower lip 50, whereat the width of container 10 may decrease slightly. In preferred embodiments, one or more horizontal bottom edges may be rounded.

(30) In some embodiments, a horizontal bottom edge may also have one or more ridges formed therein. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of ridges 43 may be formed into first horizontal bottom edge 40. In preferred embodiments, a horizontal bottom edge may have one or more corners which may be chamfered and may have one or more ridges formed therein. For example, a corner ridge 45 may be formed into a chamfered corner of first horizontal bottom edge 40. In preferred embodiments, a corner ridge may extend along a longitudinal centerline of a chamfered corner. Corner ridges may help prevent bumps or dents from forming in a corner of a container. To further increase structural integrity, in some embodiments, a container may also comprise one or more protrusions. For example, a protrusion 49 may be formed between a chamfered corner of a horizontal bottom edge and lip 50 (see, e.g., FIG. 2)

(31) Referring, generally, to FIG. 4, a bottom of container 10 may have a first leg 58 and a second leg 59 extending from a bottom wall and divided by a cavity 54. In some embodiments, a cavity may be formed along the entire length or width of a container such that the cavity may be visible from a side of the container (see, e.g., FIG. 1). A cavity may have rounded or planar surfaces which may be continuous or discontinuous (e.g., sharp or jagged topographical changes, transitions from a rounded to a planar surface, changes in thickness, etc.). In preferred embodiments, a cavity may decrease in both width and height from a point near a midpoint of the horizontal bottom edges to a point near the center of the bottom of the container. Near this center may exist a tab which may be formed within a cavity of a container. For example, a tab 56 may be disposed near the center of the bottom of the container, between first leg 58 and second leg 59, and oriented approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of cavity 54.

(32) In some embodiments, the bottom of a container may be arched or bowed. For example, first leg 58 and second leg 59 may include arch 60 which may be visible from the front or back of container 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In preferred embodiments, an arch may have a centerline which may pass through the center of the bottom of a container, extending from front to back. Arch 60 may also be substantially perpendicular to cavity 54 and may be broadly and slightly arched, so that only portions of first leg 58 and second leg 59 are in contact with a surface when container 10 is standing upright (as best seen in FIG. 2). It is to be appreciated that the presence of an arch and/or cavity may provide structural support to a container.

(33) Referring now to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, another exemplary liquid container 200 is illustrated having a lower lip 250 and a plurality of ridges 243. Lower lip 250 may extend around the perimeter of container 200, forming an arch at the sides and back thereof. It is to be appreciated, however, that a lip may extend around, or may be arched along, only a portion of a container. For example, a lip may be disposed (and arched) only at the sides of a container, the sides and back, the back and front, or the back wall, and other variations thereof. In some embodiments, a lip may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. For example, a lip may be relatively lower (i.e., closer to the bottom of a container) near a corner edge of a container and relatively higher near an adjacent corner edge.

(34) In contrast with FIGS. 1 and 5, in some embodiments a container may have a plurality of ridges which may be non-uniform (i.e., varying in length and/or width). For example, as further illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a horizontal bottom edge 240 (which may be defined as being between lower lip 250 and the bottom of container 200), may have a plurality of ridges 243 of various lengths which may generally form the shape of an arch. It is to be appreciated, however, that a container may have any number, shapes, and sizes of ridges, lips, recesses, protrusions, or the like.

(35) According to some embodiments of the present invention, one or more ridges may be integrally formed with a wall of a cut-out portion. For example, referring, generally, to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, a container 300 may have ridges 325 formed in an upper wall 323 formed by a cut-out portion 326. In preferred embodiments, a ridge may be formed along, or near, a vertical edge of the upper wall of the cut-out portion (above the step), as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 8. A ridge may be straight or curved, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a width which may increase or decrease toward a distal end of a ridge. For example, as best illustrated in FIG. 8, a lower portion of ridges 325 may be generally straight (i.e., the portion closest to step 328), transitioning to a curved shape near approximately a vertical midpoint, with an upper portion of ridges 325 (i.e., the portion closest to the top of container 300) being curved and having a smaller width relative to the lower portion of ridges 325. In preferred embodiments, the curvature of a ridge may generally follow the curvature of an adjacent surface or edge of the container. For example, as further illustrated in FIG. 8, the curvature of ridge 325 may approximately follow the curvature of the top of container 300 such that ridge 325 is about parallel to the lateral surface of the top of container 300.

(36) In some embodiments, one or more chamfered or beveled edges and/or corners may be formed on a step of a container. For example, as further illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, step 328 of container 300 may have chamfered corners 329, one at each intersection between step 328 and the vertical edges of front wall 312. Container 300 may also have an elongated ridges 338 which may extend from just below chamfered corners 329 to just above a lip 350. In comparison to, for example, FIG. 2, elongated ridges 338 may extend across a greater length of front wall 312 relative to elongated ridges 38 of front wall 12 of container 10.

(37) It is to be understood that variations, modifications, and permutations of embodiments of the present invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof. It is also to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments, descriptions, or illustrations or combinations of either components or steps disclosed herein. Thus, although reference has been made to the accompanying figures, it is to be appreciated that these figures are exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention.