AU2015203323B2

AU2015203323B2 - Container stacking apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2015203323B2
Application number: AU2015203323A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Papas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-06-11
Filing date: 2015-06-11
Publication date: 2020-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 2035-06-11
Also published as: AU2015203323A1

Abstract

There is provided paint tin stacking apparatus (10) including a body portion (25) formed with a peripheral resilient flange (27) clipping to a rolled base bead portion (14) of a paint tin (11) and extending to underlie the base wall (13) and support it via a bearing portion (26). The underside of the apparatus (10) includes an annular locating ridge portion (30) formed on the body portion (25) and engaging corresponding annular step (24) comprising the peripheral rolled edge (43) of a paint tin lid (22) of a second paint tin (31). 1/6 11 ~12 13 3537 26,3 27 14 36 32 34 25 30 44 34 2 24 20 16 15 23 21 1l2 31 1 FIG. 1

Description

1/6

11 ~12

13 3537

26,3 27 14 36 32 34 25 30 44 34

2 24 20 16 15

23

21 1l2

31 1

FIG. 1

CONTAINER STACKING APPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to container stacking apparatus. This invention has particular

application to container stacking apparatus for use with straight sided, metal cans of

the type used to contain paint and other liquids, and for illustrative purposes the

invention will be described with reference to this application. However, we envisage

that this invention may find use in other applications such as straight-sided containers

otherwise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an

acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the referenced prior art forms part of

the common general knowledge in Australia.

The most conventional of containers for materials such as paint are straight sided steel

cans. These cans may include a generally 4-part construction wherein a side wall is

formed into a cylinder from sheet metal, a base wall is roll-joined to one end of the

cylinder exposing a downward-depending lower peripheral bead, and a roll formed rim

portion is roll-joined to the other end of the cylinder exposing an upward-depending

peripheral flange. The rim portion is formed with an annular sealing groove to accept a

press rolled ridge formed in the fourth part, a press-fit lid, the ridge being bound by a

peripheral bead and presenting a re-entrant annular groove when the closed container

is viewed from above.

An inherent problem with the straight sided steel can is that the respective peripheral beads are of the same diameter. This means that the cans stack bead to bead. This is an unstable edge, meaning that straight sided cans cannot stack safely. This inherent disadvantage of form has been dealt with in the past by acceptance of risk, or by stacking layers with a cardboard or wood composite interlayer, the effect of which is to distribute misaligned vertical load between the layers. However, interlayers are unsightly and limit access to lower layers in a particular vertical stack.

Other technical solutions to the general problem of providing stacking containers such

as the use of tapered and necked-base containers add complexity and cost to the

manufacture of the container per se.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention resides broadly in an apparatus for use with

containers having a side wall joined to a base wall, a base bead extending below said

base wall, a peripheral upper rim extending between an inner bead defining a top

opening and a peripheral bead formed at the junction of the upper rim and the side wall,

a rolled-in groove formed between the inner and peripheral upper beads adapted to

receive a lid having a pressed annular bead adapted to sealably press-fit into the rolled

in groove and an annular step formed as the obverse of the pressed annular bead the

apparatus comprising; an annular body having a first side and a second opposite side;

a peripheral resilient flange supported on the first side of the body; an inner resilient

flange supported on the first side of the body; an annular web between the peripheral

resilient flange and the inner resilient flange so as to define a web space and an annular

ridge formed on the opposite second side of the body; wherein the apparatus is

configured to be reversable between a stacking mode and a guard mode for the top opening

of the container; wherein when in the stacking mode the first side is the upper side and the peripheral resilient flange is adapted to snap engage the base bead of a first container; the inner resilient flange provides a bearing section with a bearing surface that bears on the base wall under surface of the first container; the ridge is alocating ridge adapted to engage a corresponding annular step of a second container and when in the guard mode the second side is the upper side and the peripheral resilient flange engages the upper outer bead, the inner resilient flange engages the upper inner bead such that the web extends over and occludes the rolled in groove.

In another aspect the present invention resides broadly in container stacking apparatus

for use with containers having a side wall portion joined to a base wall portion, a base

bead portion extending below said base wall portion, a peripheral upper bead formed

at the junction of a rim portion and said side wall portion, and an annular step disposed

inward of said peripheral upper bead, and including:

a body portion supporting said base wall portion and extending to underlie said

base bead portion;

a peripheral resilient flange supported on said body portion and adapted to snap

engage said base bead portion; and

an annular locating ridge portion formed on said body portion and adapted to

engage a corresponding said annular step of a second container.

The container may comprise a straight sided paint container, wherein a sheet metal

side wall portion is joined to a base wall portion by a rolled base bead portion extending

below the base wall portion. The rim portion in this case is a component that extends

between an inner rolled bead defining a top opening and an outer bead formed by

rolling together the rim portion and the side wall portion. In this case a rolled-in groove

formed between the inner and outer beads is adapted to receive the can closure, usually in the form of alid having a pressed annular bead adapted to sealably press-fit into the groove. In this embodiment the annular step is conveniently provided by the recess formed as the obverse of the annular bead.

However, it is envisaged that a plastic facsimile of the metal paint can may include a

snap-over lid, in which case the relevant groove may comprise a form-stiffening step

formed in the lid. In addition, it is anticipated that the invention may find application in,

for example, stacking cooking oil and other non-round-section cans.

The container stacking apparatus may comprise an integral body portion, peripheral

resilient flange and annular ridge portion. For example, the container stacking apparatus

may be integrally formed of polymer material or metal.

In the case of a metal apparatus, the integral form may comprise an annular sheet metal

body having a rolled, inner, base-wall-supporting peripheral portion, and an outer rolled

flange, turning up to extend over the base bead to the side wall portion, an upper portion

of the flange being folded over to form the snap engagement over the base bead.

In the case of polymer apparatus, the integral form may comprise a moulded apparatus of

thermoplastic or thermoset resin or composites thereof. For example the apparatus may be

injection moulded in polyolefin or other thermoploymer, polymer, or fibre reinforced

thermoplastic, or may be moulded in fibre reinforced settable resin such as sheet or bulk

moulding compounds. Preferably the thermopolymer is selected from polyethylene,

polypropylene and copolymers thereof, or ABS or polystyrene copolymers.

The body portion supporting the base wall portion may take any suitable form, including

extending over substantially all of the underside of the base wall. For example, the body

portion may comprise a lattice of radial and concentric ring portions having a peripheral

flange extending under the base bead portion. However, the usual paint cans are not so

supported in normal use.

Accordingly it is preferred that the body portion comprise an at least part annular web

supporting the peripheral resilient flange and extending under the base bead portion to

terminate in a bearing portion that bears on the base wall under surface. The at least part

annular web may comprise a continuous annulus or may comprise a plurality of annular

segments interconnected by the resilient flange.

The bearing portion may include a substantially continuous or intermittent annular bearing

member of any selected section. Where the annular web is discontinuous the bearing

portion is preferably substantially continuous. The section may be selected having regard

to the crush forces anticipated and in this context may comprise a solid section. The

section may on the other hand be coupled with the material choice to provide a resilient

bearing portion. In certain embodiments the bearing portion comprises a substantially

annular ridge extending toward the underside of the base wall and having a bearing

section forming a re-entrant between the bearing section, ridge and web. Apart from

bracing the apparatus against the base wall the re-entrant provides a secondary use

by clipping over the inner rolled bead of a paint tin as described hereunder.

The peripheral resilient flange may comprise a continuous flange or a plurality of flange

portions. Where the annular web is discontinuous the peripheral resilient flange is

preferably substantially continuous. The section of the peripheral resilient flange may include a flange body extending from its attachment to the web over the base bead portion to a terminal section which is shaped to clip over the base bead portion adjacent the side wall.

The web space between the peripheral resilient flange and the bearing portion may

include one ormore additional intermediate bearing ribs, each concentric with the flange

and bearing portion. The, or each of the, intermediate bearing ribs may be continuous

or intermittent.

The shape of the terminal section may include a lower face substantially perpendicular

to the side wall in use, an inner face substantially abutting the side wall in use, an outer

surface comprising an extension of the flange body outer surface and an upper surface

connecting the inner surface and outer surface. The lower face may in the alternative

be ramped, for purposes that include tolerance, and camming the apparatus snugly

into the lower bead portion.

The upper surface may be formed with one or more recesses or lugs or a continuous

ridge or groove to form a finger pull portion, to assist in removing the apparatus from a

can base.

The annular locating ridge portion formed on the body portion may take any form

dictated by the nature of the annular step of the second container. The annular locating

ridge portion may comprise a continuous ridge or an intermittent ridge. In the case of

metal apparatus, the ridge portion is preferably a continuous press-rolled annular ridge.

In the case of polymer embodiments the annular locating ridge portion is preferably

integrally formed with the body portion.

In the case of apparatus for use with straight-sided containers of the nature of paint

containers, the locating ridge may be of a substantially square section whereby one or

both surfaces perpendicular to the body portion engage respective inner wall surfaces

of the re-entrant annular groove presented by the lid of a closed container.

However, since the re-entrant annular groove is annular, the ridge need only locate

against any one of the respective inner wall surfaces. With one ridge surface located

against a corresponding inner wall surface in use, the other opposed ridge surface may

be sloped whereby the ridge section tapers away from its base. This may be useful for

reasons that will become apparent hereinafter.

As the ridge cooperates with the step, the height of the ridge isdetermined relative to

the nature and scale of the step. In some embodiments the height may be finely

calibrated to ensure that the principle vertical load is borne by the body bearing on the

upper bead of the container below. In other embodiments the ridge may extend to the

bottom of the step or re-entrant annular groove, as the case may be, whereby the

vertical loads may be transmitted through the ridges.

In practice, metal paint cans are closed with the peripheral rolled edge of the lid sitting

slightly proud of the plane of the container top proper. The body may be relieved for a

portion of the distance between the ridge and the bearing of the upper bead of the lower

can to accommodate the lid rolled edge.

The apparatus may be configured to be reversible on, for example, a paint can to

provide for tackability when clipped onto the base of the can, and to act as a guard for the top opening when reversed and clipped on to the top of an opened can. A guard in this context serves to act as a drip guard, whereby paint is substantially excluded from the rolled-in groove formed between the inner and outer beads. This is useful when pouring from the can or brushing from the can, where paint is likely to enter the rolled in groove formed between the inner and outer beads where, upon hardening, it may prevent proper closure of the can.

In one embodiment of the invention the body portion may be inverted over the top

opening of the can, whereby the bearing portion may be adapted to clip over the inner

bead of the rim portion of a paint can, the peripheral resilient flange being adapted to

snap engage the upper bead portion. To this end the bearing portion may comprise a

substantially annular ridge extending from the body and having a bearing section

forming a re-entrant between the bearing section, ridge and body, the re-entrant being

adapted to clip over the inner rolled bead of a container.

The inner rolled bead is usually a round single rolled edge and accordingly the re

entrant may include a radiused inner corner to snug-fit the apparatus to the inner rolled

bead. The re-entrant may be sized to closely fit the inner rolled bead in the re-entrant

portion.

While the locating ridge may have a sheer locating face, the face presenting to the can

opening when used as a can guard may be sloped to form a means for controlling the

loading of paint on a brush.

In embodiments having an intermediate bearing rib deployed in a container stacking

apparatus forming a guard for the top opening when reversed, the location may be selected such that, when used in the container stacking mode, the intermediate rib provides additional support for the can base. The location may also be selected whereby the rib corresponds with the location of the annular locating ridge portion to enhance form stiffness. The location may further be selected whereby the rib is accommodated by the rolled-in groove when the apparatus is used as a can lip guard.

the location of the intermediate bearing rib may be selected to depend into the rolled

in groove formed between the inner and outer beads, which groove ordinarily engages

the can lid. Alternatively, the intermediate bearing rib may be frangibly formed with the

web, whereby it may be removed to allow the stacking apparatus to be reversed and

installed as a guard for the top opening.

In a further aspect the invention resides in a guard for the top opening of a container

having a side wall portion and a peripheral upper rim portion extending between an

inner bead defining a top opening and an outer bead formed at the connection of the

rim portion and said side wall portion, and including:

a body portion extending inward of said flange over said upper rim;

a peripheral resilient flange adapted to snap over said outer bead; and

an inner resilient flange formed on said body portion and adapted to snap

engage said inner bead.

side wall portion is joined to a rim portion that extends between an inner rolled bead

defining a top opening and an outer bead formed by rolling together the rim portion and

the side wall portion. In this case a rolled-in groove formed between the inner and outer

beads is adapted to receive the can closure in the form of alid having a pressed annular bead adapted to sealably press-fit into the groove. Removal of the lid exposes the rolled-in groove.

The guard may comprise an integral unit of plastic, polymer composite or metal, or may

comprise a fabricated or assembled unit. For example, the guard may be an integral

moulding of plastic. Preferably the guard is integrally moulded from thermopolymer

selected from polyethylene, polypropylene and copolymers thereof, or ABS or

polystyrene copolymers. Preferably, the material of the guard is selected to be resistant

to the solvent system used in the paint and/or for clean-up, whereby the guard may be

cleaned for reuse.

The body portion preferably comprises a continuous annular web to substantially

occlude the rolled-in groove formed between the inner and outer beads, in use.

The substantially continuous annular web may support a substantially continuous or

interrupted peripheral resilient flange and a substantially continuous or interrupted inner

resilient flange.

The upper surface of the body may be configured to act as a brush loading control,

whereby an overloaded brush may be wiped over the feature for paint removed from

the brush to fall back into the tin. For example, there may be provided a continuous or

partial annular ridge on the body portion upper surface, preferable disposed toward the

inner flange.

The inner resilient flange may comprise a substantially annular ridge extending over

the inner bead and having an enlarged section forming a re-entrant between the enlarged section ridge and web, clipping over the inner rolled bead of the paint tin. The inner rolled bead is usually a round single rolled edge and accordingly the re-entrant may include a radiused inner corner to snug-fit the apparatus to the inner rolled bead.

The re-entrant may be sized to closely fit the inner rolled bead in the re-entrant portion.

The peripheral resilient flange may have a section including a flange body extending

from its attachment to the web over the upper bead portion to a terminal section which

is shaped to clip over the upper bead portion adjacent the side wall. The shape of the

terminal section may include an upper face substantially perpendicular to the side wall

in use, an inner face substantially abutting the side wall in use, an outer surface

comprising an extension of the flange body outer surface and a lower surface

connecting the inner surface and outer surface. The upper face may in the alternative

be ramped, for purposes that include tolerance, and camming the apparatus snugly into

the upper bead portion.

The lower surface may be formed with one or more recesses or lugs or a continuous

can top.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the following non-limiting embodiment

of the invention as illustrated in the drawings and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of apparatus in accordance with the present invention,

in a first application as a stacking apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 1, in a second application as a guard apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a separated view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 interposed between two paint

cans in a stack;

Fig. 4 is a separated view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in its application as a guard;

Fig. 5 is a detail section of a second embodiment of stacking apparatus in

accordance with the present invention; and

Fig. 6 is a detail section of the apparatus of Fig. 5, when used as a can lip guard.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

In Fig. 1 there is provided a container stacking apparatus 10 for use with a straight

sided paint container 11, wherein a sheet metal side wall portion 12 is joined to a base

wall portion 13 by a rolled base bead portion 14 extending below the base wall portion

13. A rim portion 15 is a component that extends between an inner rolled bead 16

defining a top opening 17 and an outer bead 20 formed by rolling together the rim

portion 15 and the side wall portion 12. A rolled-in groove 21 formed between the inner

16 and outer 20 beads is adapted to receive the lid 22 having a pressed annular bead

23 adapted to sealably press-fit into the groove 21. The pressed annular bead 23 forms

an obverse recess presenting to the top of the closed container and providing an

annular step 24.

The container stacking apparatus 10 is integrally formed by injection moulding in

polyethylene copolymer (HDPE) for solvent resistance. The container stacking

apparatus 10 comprises a body portion 25 adapted in use to support the basewall

portion 13 and extending to underlie the base bead portion 14. A bearing portion 26 is

located at the inner periphery of the body portion 25 and bears on the base wall 13 in

use. A peripheral resilient flange 27 is supported on the body portion 25 and snap- engages the base bead portion 14. An annular locating ridge portion 30 formed on the body portion 25 is adapted to engage the annular step 24 presented by the re-entrant annular groove in the lid of a second container 31.

The bearing portion 26 is a substantially continuous annular ridge 32 extending toward

the underside of the base wall 13 and having a bearing section 33 forming a re-entrant

34 between the bearing section 33, ridge 32 and body portion 25.

The peripheral resilient flange 27 comprises a continuous flange of section including a

flange body 34 extending from its attachment to the body portion 25 over the base bead

portion 14 to a terminal section 35 which is shaped to clip over the base bead portion

14 adjacent the side wall 12.

The terminal section 35 includes a lower face 36 that is ramped, for purposes that

include tolerance, and camming the apparatus snugly into the lower bead portion. The

terminal section 35 includes an upper surface 37 that may be formed with a continuous

ridge 40 to form a finger pull portion, to assist in removing the apparatus from the can

base.

The annular locating ridge portion 30 formed on the body portion 25 includes a surface

41 perpendicular to the body portion 25 adapted to engage a corresponding inner wall

surface 42 of the annular step 24 presented by the re- entrant annular groove in the lid

of a second container 31. The engagement of the surfaces 41, 42 laterally locates the

respective containers.

The peripheral rolled edge 43 of the lid 22 sits slightly proud of the plane of the container top proper. The body portion 25 is relieved at 44 to accommodate the lid rolled edge. By this means the vertical load is carried principally through the abutment of the base bead portion 14, body portion 25 and outer bead 20.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the apparatus 10 can act as a guard for the top opening when

reversed and clipped on to the top of an opened can. In this usage, the bearing portion

26 is adapted to clip over the inner rolled bead 16 while the peripheral resilient flange

27 snap engages the outer bead 20. The re-entrant 34 between the bearing section 33,

ridge 32 and body portion 25 is adapted to clip over the inner rolled bead 16 by including

a radiused inner corner 45 to snug-fit the apparatus 10 to the inner rolled bead 16.

The annular locating ridge portion 30 has a face 46 presenting to the can opening 17

that is sloped to form a means for controlling the loading of paint on a brush.

In the embodiment of Figs. 5 and 6, like numerals indicate components in substance in

common with components of Figs. 1 to 4. In this embodiment, an intermediate bearing

rib 50 is formed on the body potion 25 and is located intermediate the peripheral

resilient flange 27 and the ridge 32. The location is selected such that, when used in

the container stacking mode, the intermediate rib 50 provides additional support for the

can base 13. The location is also selected whereby the rib 25 corresponds with the

location of the annular locating ridge portion 30. The location is further selected

whereby the rib 50 is accommodated by the rolled-in groove 21 when the apparatus is

used as a can lip guard.

Apparatus in accordance with the foregoing embodiment has the advantage of making

round, straight wall cans stackable. The foregoing embodiment includes the dual purpose of also acting as a drip guard. In its stacking application it is a safety feature.

The stacking feature optimises retail space. The stacking feature maximises brand

exposure at point-of-sale (POS). The embodiment is readily clipped on and off. As a

guard, there is no ring contamination. There is accordingly good reseal integrity.

Product integrity is maintained over the life of the product after opening. There is

accordingly less product wastage. There is less cleaning/maintenance. The apparatus

is reusable as required. Theproduct protects the double seam and protects the can

decoration. There is therefore a marketing advantage. The apparatus may be fitted by

the can filler for dual purpose application or be sold at retail outlets for single purpose

(guard) application. The embodiment is value adding for packaging provider, filler and

consumer. The concept is useful over a wide range of standard paint can sizes,

including 63 mm to 224 mm diameter cans.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with containers having a side wall joined to a base wall, a

base bead extending below said base wall, a peripheral upper rim extending between

an inner bead defining a top opening and a peripheral bead formed at the junction of

the upper rim and the side wall, a rolled-in groove formed between the inner and

peripheral upper beads adapted to receive a lid having a pressed annular bead adapted

to sealably press-fit into the rolled in groove and an annular step formed as the obverse

of the pressed annular bead; the apparatus comprising;

an annular body having a first side and a second opposite side;

a peripheral resilient flange supported on the first side of the body;

an inner resilient flange supported on the first side of the body;

an annular web between the peripheral resilient flange and the inner resilient

flange so as to define a web space and

an annular ridge formed on the opposite second side of the body;

wherein the apparatus is configured to be reversable between a stacking mode and

a guard mode for the top opening of the container;

wherein when in the stacking mode the first side is the upper side and the peripheral

resilient flange is adapted to snap engage the base bead of a first container;

the inner resilient flange provides a bearing section with a bearing surface that bears

on the base wall under surface of the first container;

the ridge is a locating ridge adapted to engage a corresponding annular step of a

second container and

when in the guard mode the second side is the upper side and the peripheral resilient

flange engages the upper outer bead, the inner resilient flange engages the upper inner

bead such that the web extends over and occludes the rolled in groove.

2. The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the container is a straight sided

paint container.

3. The apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the annular ridge is selected

from a continuous ridge and an intermittent ridge.

4. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein, the locating ridge is of a

section whereby when in the container stacking mode, one or both opposed ridge surfaces

are perpendicular to the body and engage respective inner wall surfaces of the pressed

annular bead presented by a lid of a closed second container.

5. The apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein one ridge surface is located

against a corresponding inner wall surface in use, and the other opposed ridge

surface is sloped whereby the ridge section tapers away from its base.

6. The apparatus according to Clam 5, wherein the ridge section tapers away from

the base in the peripheral direction so as to be configured as a brush loading control

when in the guard mode.

7. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the inner resilient

flange comprises a substantially annular ridge extending toward the underside of the base

wall and the bearing section forms a re-entrant between the bearing section, ridge and web.

8. The apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the re-entrant is sized to fit the inner

bead defining the top opening when in the guard mode.

9. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the peripheral resilient

flange is selected from a continuous flange or a plurality of flange portions.

10. The apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein the peripheral resilient flange includes

a flange body extending from an attachment to the web over the base bead to a terminal

section which is shaped to clip over the base bead portion adjacent the side wall when the

apparatus is in the container stacking mode.

11. The apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein the shape of the terminal section

includes a lower face being inclined from perpendicular to the side wall, sufficient to provide

tolerance, and camming the apparatus snugly into the lower bead

.

12. The apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein an upper surface of the terminal

section is formed with one or more recesses or lugs or a continuous ridge or groove to form

a finger pull portion, to assist in removing the apparatus from a container base.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the web between the

peripheral resilient flange and the inner resilient flange includes an intermediate bearing rib

concentric with the peripheral resilient flange and the inner resilient flange.

14. The apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein the location of the intermediate

bearing rib is selected such that, when used in the container stacking mode, the

intermediate rib provides additional support for the can base, whereby the rib corresponds

with the location of the annular locating ridge portion, and the location is further selected

whereby the rib is accommodated by the rolled-in groove.

15. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, wherein the body portion, peripheral resilient flange and annular ridge portion are formed integrally of metal or polymer materials.

16. The apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein the material is selected from

polyethylene, polypropylene and copolymers thereof, or ABS or polystyrene

copolymers.

17. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the fluid is a paint system and

he material of the apparatus is selected to be resistant to a solvent system used in

the paint and/or for clean-up, whereby the apparatus may be cleaned for reuse.

EDITORIAL NOTE

2015203323 2015203323

- There are 6 pages of Drawings - Labelling for fig 2,5 & 6 is missing