CA2509993A1 - Container with corner grips - Google Patents

Container with corner grips Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2509993A1
CA2509993A1 CA002509993A CA2509993A CA2509993A1 CA 2509993 A1 CA2509993 A1 CA 2509993A1 CA 002509993 A CA002509993 A CA 002509993A CA 2509993 A CA2509993 A CA 2509993A CA 2509993 A1 CA2509993 A1 CA 2509993A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
container
container body
grip portion
grip
wall
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002509993A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jorge Robles
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Clorox Co
Original Assignee
Clorox Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Clorox Co filed Critical Clorox Co
Publication of CA2509993A1 publication Critical patent/CA2509993A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D25/00Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D25/28Handles
    • B65D25/2882Integral handles
    • B65D25/2897Integral handles formed in the wall(s), e.g. roughenings, cavities or projections
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D25/00Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D25/28Handles
    • B65D25/32Bail handles, i.e. pivoted rigid handles of generally semi-circular shape with pivot points on two opposed sides or wall parts of the conainter

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)

Abstract

The invention provides a container for containing pourable materials, said container including a container body having at least one wall, the wall extending from an end panel; the container body having an at least partially engirdling portion, and the engirdling portion forms at least one grip.

Description

PATENT
430.192 TITLE: CONTAINER WITH CORNER GRIPS
INVENTOR: JORGE ROBLES
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001 ]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
10 [0002] The present invention relates to consumer-convenient containers for containing pourable materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There are many examples of molded or extruded containers with lids. The molding or extruding processes are well known in the art. The containers made by these processes include buckets, pool chemical containers, and other types of containers.
BRIEF STATEMENT ON THE RELATED ART
[0004] Recently, some containers have been patented in which containers with lids focus principally on the engagement, or locking, of the lids to the containers; or, emphasizing the nesting or stackability of such containers. Examples of these types of containers include Dubois et al., U.S. Pat. 5,964,372, Nask et al., U.S. Pat. 5,896,993, Morris, Sr., U.S. Pat. 5,377,858, Andress et al., U.S. Pat. 5,356,026, Jochem et al., U.S. Pat. 5,310,074, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0005] However, none of these prior references addresses the need for consumer-convenient containers which guide the consumer for the most effective ways to urge these containers from a display, storage, 30 or point-of-sale location. The containers preferably contain particulate materials, such as animal litters, or other sorbent materials, although liquids, and other pourable materials are within this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTS
(0006] The present invention provides:
A container for containing pourable materials, said container comprising:
A container body having at least one wall, said wall extending from an end panel;
said container body having an at least partially girdling portion, said girdling portion forming at least one grip.
In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a container for pourable materials, preferable, particulate animal litter, although other pourable materials, including liquids, semi-solids, and unitary materials, are very appropriately contained by the invention.
In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a container for containing pourable materials, wherein a container body having at least one wall depending from an end panel, and an exterior, encircling portion attached to said container body, said exterior portion having an upper edge and a lower edge, said upper edge being attached to said container body, said lower edge being recessed from said container body and said lower edge forming at least one hand grip.
In a further embodiment, the invention is directed to a consumer-convenient container for containing pourable materials, said container comprising:
(a) A container body having at least one wall, said wall depending from an end panel; and (b) A depending grip portion extending from said container body, said grip portion being positioned such that a consumer is guided to urge said container from a display, storage, or point-of-sale location, by manipulating said grip portion.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a consumer convenient container for containing pourable materials.
It is another object of this invention to provide a container with convenient gripping surfaces.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a container in which a purchaser, consumer, store employee, stocker, or common S carrier, is guided by the location of the gripping surfaces on the container to most conveniently pull, push, or otherwise urge, the container in a manner or direction desirable to such person or persons.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
10 [0007] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a series of the inventive containers displayed in rows of commercial store shelves.
[0008] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one inventive container with a mating lid.
[0009] Fig. 3 is a front, elevational view of the inventive container 15 of Fig. 2, the side opposite thereof being a mirror image, and the bail being swung to the left.
[0010] Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the inventive container of Fig. 3, with the bail rotated to the side opposite.
[0011] Fig. 5 is a view partially in section of the inventive 20 container with a mating lid.
[0012] Fig. 6 is a view partially in section of another inventive container with similarly mating lid.
[0013] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the inventive container of Fig. 6.
25 [0014] Fig. 8 is a bottom elevational view of the inventive container of Fig. 5.
[0015] Fig. 9 is a bottom elevational view of the inventive container of Fig. 6.
[0016] Fig. 10 depicts a sequence in which a container is swung 30 about an arc whose midpoint is from the aperture into which the lower ends of a bail are slotted.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
While there are many examples of containers in the related art, such containers fail to provide convenience to the purchaser, consumer, store employee, stocker, or common carrier (by which term is meant a shipper, mailer, driver, or other person or persons who deliver or transport these types of containers). Such convenience is manifested in the design of the inventive containers, which have a gripping surface, preferably, a hand grip, located in an area or a position on such containers such that the gripping surface actually guides the consumer, 10 store employee, stocker or common carrier (referred to hereinafter, for convenience, as "person" or "persons") to urge or move the containers in a direction most desirable to such persons. For example, if the container is displayed in a commercial setting, such as those containers depicted in Fig. 1, in the ordinary course of purchasing, the purchaser 15 will grasp the gripping surface and pull, push, or otherwise urge the container 10 from the shelves A, B or C. The containers are of varying polygonal dimensions, various capacities or volumes, and carry various weights of pourable materials. By "pourable" is meant particulate materials, such as sorbent animal litters (for example, clay particles, 20 vermiculite, cement, vegetative materials, and the like, such as described in Jenkins, U.S. Pat. 5,992,351, Maxwell et al., U.S. Pat.
5,860,391, Tucker, U.S. Pat. 5,647,800, Jenkins et al., U.S. Pat.
5,176,108, Stanislowski et al., U.S. Pat. 5,183,655, Ratcliff et al., U.S.
Pat. 5,094,190, and Colborn et al., U.S. Pat. 4,407,231, each of which is 25 commonly assigned hereto and the disclosures of each being incorporated herein by reference), although these containers can contain liquids, semi-solids and other materials not thought of as being particulate solids. By varying polyhedral dimensions is meant to include, but not be limited to, cylindrical, rounded, oval, ovoid, triangular, 30 quadrilateral (including parallelogram, trapezoidal, rectangular, squared, or other shapes with four sides), quintihedral, hexahedral, heptahedral, octahedral, etc., with limitations on dimensions premised primarily on how the container is manufactured. The volume or capacity of the container is a function of how large it is, the wall thickness of the container, and the material intended to be contained therein. The weight of the material is a function of how much material is contained, its density, and other, physical properties. In general, English weights and measures are referred to herein, for example, one embodiment refers to about under 10 to about 30 pounds (most preferably, about 28 pounds, and another embodiment refers to about greater than 30 pounds to 100 pounds (most preferably, about 35 or 40 pounds). While even greater weight-carrying capacity is possible, the physical strength of the average 10 person or persons may be exceeded, mitigating the advantages conferred by the containers. Naturally, the invention is not limited to English weights and measures, but those dimensions are referred to herein for convenience purposes.
Turning now to Fig. 2, one of the preferred embodiments discloses one of the inventive containers 10. The container 10 is composed of container body 18, a lid 12, and, encircling the container body 12 is an edge 24, which will hereinafter be described in greater detail. A bail or wire (or material other than metal) handle 16 is provided for ease of carrying the container by a person. The container is 20 generally composed of a thermoplastic, and produced by injection-molding, extrusion, or other ways known to those skilled in the art. The thermoplastic may be high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, or any other plastic material known to the art. Other materials, such as plaster of paris, ceramic, metal, metal alloys, composite materials, are also possible. A design, such as a logo, shield or other device, may be added by the insertion of mold tools during the manufacturing process, and labels or other thin, identifying materials (such as card stock, stock-keeping units, "SKU's", bar codes, trademarks, etc.) can either be co-molded, or post-added. Additionally, for ease of shipping, transporting or stocking, a thin film overlay or overwrap or stretch wrap(not shown) may be used for a plurality of these containers 10, which are commonly shipped on wooden or other type pallets.
Figs. 3 and 4 depict side and front views of the inventive container 10. The bail 16 articulates or is fitted into slot or aperture 20, the bail 16 being post-added after the container is manufactured. The fit into slot 20 is such as to allow about greater than 180° of movement for the bail 16.
The bail 16 includes a preferably centered handle 22 which is preferably made of another, non-metal material which is selected for compression and weigh-bearing to afford comfort and further convenience to the person carrying the container 10. The edge 24 is now described in greater detail. As best depicted in Figs. 5 and 6, the edge 24 (124 in Fig. 6, which is another embodiment of the container, referred to as 110; generally speaking, the counterpart of the reference 15 numerals used to describe portions of Fig. 5 add the digit "1" or "2" or "3", but otherwise are not limiting of the invention. Thus, if a portion of Fig. 5 is described, for example, lid 12, the counterpart feature on Fig. 6 is, of course, 112). Edge 24 can be an integral molded portion of the container body 18. This can be effected by the configuration of the mold 20 cavity or the addition of mold tools (neither of which is depicted herein) Edge 24 can be thought of as an engirdling, encircling or annular portion having an upper edge 28 and a lower edge 30. The upper edge 28 is attached to the container body 18, while lower edge 30 is attached to upper edge 28, but, because of void or open space 32, forms a gripping 25 surface 14. Preferably, this gripping surface 14 is on a corner of the engirdling portion 24, but the configuration of the gripping surtace 14 is designed to maximize the areas in which the user can grip, preferably, with both hands. This gripping surface 14 naturally guides the user to pull, push or otherwise urge the container 10 towards him or her, sliding 30 the container in a natural motion from its storage, display or point-of-sale location. Further, edge 24 can be considered a substantially full bumper grip which wraps around the full perimeter of container body 18. Such a grip allows the user to comfortably wrap her or his fingers under and around substantially any portion of lower edge 30. In addition, instructions in the form of arrows, signs ("grab here") or other devices can easily help the user in how best to transport or carry the container 10, and how best to use the container and its pourable contents. Upper 5 edge 28 and lower edge 30 can be buttressed by small bridging pieces 34, 34, which help strengthen this gripping surface 14 and prevent edge 24 from bowing or otherwise deforming. It is clear that edge 24, and, especially lower edge 30, should be separated from container body 18 in most places (excepting, of course, points of attachment) such that the 10 user can conveniently grip edge 24 at just about any point along lower edge 30 in order to slide the container 10 from the display shelves A, B
and/or C and towards him- or herself.
Fig. 7 is another embodiment of the invention, showing a more "rounded" appearance. This thus illustrates that the inventive 15 container is not limited to a particular configuration. In fact, in this type of configuration, different post-added, or simultaneous manufacture, of labels and other directional or instructional films or webs may be possible.
Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate the bottom, or end panels, 60 and 20 160, respectively. Fig. 2 best depicts the depending wall 50. More than one wall is provided, although, in the case of a cylinder, one continuous wall depends from the bottom panel. Turning now to Fig. 10, handholds 26, 26, are further convenience devices. They are centered so that, in the ordinary course of use, the user removes the lid (12, which could be, 25 but does not need to be, connected via a tear strip, not shown), and, grasping the bail 16 by the centered handle 22 with one hand, then using the other hand - likely by using the fingers thereof - to swing the container 10 in an arc such that the bottom of the container is upended, the top opening of the container is urged downward, and the pourable 30 contents are at least partially poured into another receptacle, such as animal litter into a litter containment box, or pool chemicals into a swimming pool.

The invention is further illustrated by the claims which follow hereto, although variations which are within the scope of, or equivalents to, this invention, are also included.
_g_

Claims (18)

1. A container for containing pourable materials, said container comprising:
A container body having at least one wall, said wall extending from an end panel, said container body having an at least partially girdling portion, said girdling portion forming at least one grip.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein the container body is polyhedral.
3. The container of claim 2 wherein the container body has at least four sides.
4. The container of claim 2 wherein the container body has eight sides.
5. The container of claim 4 wherein there are four major sides and four minor sides.
6. The container of claim 5 wherein said minor sides form the corners of said container body.
7. The container of claim 1 further comprising a lid.
8. A container for containing pourable materials, wherein a container body having at least one wall depending from an end panel, and an exterior, encircling portion attached to said container body, said exterior, encircling portion having an upper edge and a lower edge, said upper edge being attached to said container body, said lower edge being recessed from said container body and said lower edge forming at least one hand grip.
9. The container of claim 8 wherein said pourable materials are solid or liquid.
10. The container of claim 9 wherein said solid materials include particulate, sorbent materials.
11. The container of claim 10 wherein said particulate, sorbent materials include animal litters.
12. The container of claim 8 wherein said hand grip is reinforced in at least one location of said exterior, encircling portion.
13. A consumer-convenient container for containing pourable materials, said container comprising:
(a) A container body having at least one wall, said wall depending from an end panel; and (b) At least one depending grip portion extending from said container body, said grip portion being positioned such that a consumer is guided to urge said container from a display, storage, or point-of-sale location, by manipulating said grip portion.
14. The container of claim 13 wherein said grip portion comprises an upper edge and a lower edge.
15. The container of claim 14 wherein the upper edge of said grip portion depends from said container body, while the lower edge is substantially free therefrom.
16. The container of claim 14 wherein said grip portion is a hand grip.
17. A kit for containing and using pourable materials, said kit comprising:
(a) A container body having at least one wall, said wall depending from an end panel;
(b) At least one depending grip portion extending from said container body, said grip portion being positioned such that a consumer is guided to urge said container from a display, storage, or point-of-sale location, by manipulating said grip portion; and (c) Instructions in how to achieve at least one of the following actions: (i) optimal pouring angle; (ii) moving said container from said location; or (iii) storage or stacking arrays.
18. The kit of claim 17 wherein in (c), the action of (i) is achieved by means of a handhold in said end panel combined with a handle fitted into a slot in said grip portion.
CA002509993A 2004-06-16 2005-06-15 Container with corner grips Abandoned CA2509993A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/870,239 US20050279654A1 (en) 2004-06-16 2004-06-16 Container with corner grips
US10/870239 2004-06-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2509993A1 true CA2509993A1 (en) 2005-12-16

Family

ID=35479472

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002509993A Abandoned CA2509993A1 (en) 2004-06-16 2005-06-15 Container with corner grips

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20050279654A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2509993A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7938286B2 (en) 2007-02-13 2011-05-10 Gateway Plastics, Inc. Container system
WO2011131701A1 (en) * 2010-04-22 2011-10-27 Superfos A/S Package container with gripping portion located under the periferal skirt
EP2560891B1 (en) * 2010-04-22 2016-10-19 Superfos A/S Stackable package container with ribbed lid for easy sliding off from a stack
US8739735B2 (en) 2012-01-16 2014-06-03 Nestec S.A. Compositions useful as animal litter
USD815787S1 (en) 2017-02-27 2018-04-17 Yeti Coolers, Llc Bucket
USD816285S1 (en) 2017-02-27 2018-04-24 Yeti Coolers, Llc Lid
USD815786S1 (en) 2017-02-27 2018-04-17 Yeti Coolers, Llc Bucket
USD815788S1 (en) 2017-02-27 2018-04-17 Yeti Coolers, Llc Bucket
USD824674S1 (en) 2017-02-27 2018-08-07 Yeti Coolers, Llc Tray
US10597191B2 (en) 2017-02-28 2020-03-24 Yeti Coolers, Llc Portable container and container assembly
USD818660S1 (en) 2017-03-23 2018-05-22 Yeti Coolers, Llc Utility wrap
USD820542S1 (en) 2017-03-23 2018-06-12 Yeti Coolers, Llc Utility wrap
USD817575S1 (en) 2017-03-23 2018-05-08 Yeti Coolers, Llc Utility wrap
USD819288S1 (en) 2017-03-23 2018-05-29 Yeti Coolers, Llc Utility wrap
USD819910S1 (en) 2017-03-23 2018-06-05 Yeti Coolers, Llc Utility wrap
USD818661S1 (en) 2017-03-23 2018-05-22 Yeti Coolers, Llc Utility wrap
USD878695S1 (en) * 2018-09-28 2020-03-17 Creative Plastic Concepts, Llc Bucket
US11584566B2 (en) 2020-08-07 2023-02-21 Yeti Coolers, Llc Portable container, container assembly, and accessories

Family Cites Families (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4293073A (en) * 1976-01-16 1981-10-06 Growth International Industries Corp. Container with collar
JPH0516114Y2 (en) * 1987-11-13 1993-04-27
US4998662A (en) * 1989-03-31 1991-03-12 Illinois Tool Works, Inc. Fastener-driving and batten-positioning machine
US5027973A (en) * 1989-08-03 1991-07-02 The Valspar Corporation Container having integrally formed bail hinge and reinforcing ring
US5046636A (en) * 1989-09-28 1991-09-10 Busch-Coskery Of Canada Inc. Refuse recycling box
US5143219A (en) * 1991-04-08 1992-09-01 Yates Jr George Stackable container with protected lid seal
US5215210A (en) * 1992-04-16 1993-06-01 Liberty Diversified Industries Molded plastic pail with integrally formed bail
SK30795A3 (en) * 1992-09-15 1995-09-13 Jokey Plastik Wipperfuerth Injection molded plastic bucket
US5337910A (en) * 1992-12-01 1994-08-16 Dart Industries Inc. Food processing container
US5377858A (en) * 1993-01-21 1995-01-03 Morris, Sr.; Glenn H. Space-saving rectangular container having child resistant lid assembly
US5356026A (en) * 1993-03-22 1994-10-18 Plastics, Inc. Double seal container
US5310074A (en) * 1993-06-25 1994-05-10 Berry Plastics Corporation Canister with lid-release control mechanism
US5913446A (en) * 1994-06-21 1999-06-22 Von Holdt, Sr.; John W. Plastic bucket and lid
US5862935A (en) * 1995-02-28 1999-01-26 Georg Utz Holding Ag Plastic container
GB9604808D0 (en) * 1996-03-07 1996-05-08 Ind Containers Ltd Pail and plastic lid
US5896993A (en) * 1997-09-04 1999-04-27 Olin Corporation Stackable receptacle assembly for pourable products
US5875913A (en) * 1997-09-25 1999-03-02 Letica Corporation Tamper evident pail and closure
US6336255B1 (en) * 2000-08-11 2002-01-08 Eric M. Gallup Removable grip for a bucket
US20030116577A1 (en) * 2001-12-20 2003-06-26 David Slongo Container having upper and lower grips for use when pouring material from the container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20050279654A1 (en) 2005-12-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2509993A1 (en) Container with corner grips
US6588612B1 (en) Plastic container with stacking recesses
US7726503B2 (en) Ergonomic plastic container and package system
US6932228B1 (en) Stackable plastic container
EP1578673B1 (en) Collapse container for transport and storage of goods
US20060207963A1 (en) Plastic container
US20080179277A1 (en) Grip for beverage container
US20060283756A1 (en) Container
RU92004535A (en) CAPACITY FOR LIQUIDS
EP2750984B1 (en) Flexible package container
IL110426A (en) Pallet container
US5823550A (en) Portable case for trade show materials
US20070045213A1 (en) Stackable plastic container
JP2533161Y2 (en) Storage case
US20130341324A1 (en) Multi-Compartment Receptacle
MXPA02006901A (en) Plastic container.
JPH0728089U (en) Food container
JP2508320Y2 (en) Housing case
JP3078001U (en) Japanese painting tool storage case
JPH0327955Y2 (en)
KR20230001187U (en) The packaging box of the product to be packaged
EP1555215A1 (en) Stackable container
JP3037685U (en) Telescopic fish box
JPH04109039U (en) packaging bag
EP1740473A1 (en) Stackable plastic container

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Discontinued