EP2794410B1 - Stack canister - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a stackable canister for the storage and transport of flowable material according to claim 1.

From the NL 6 707 947 A1 A canister is known, which has a lower side, an upper side and at least one side wall connecting the underside and the upper side and defining the canister circumference, and a pouring opening which can be closed by a cap (5), the underside having spaced-apart base sections and the upper side receiving surfaces from the pouring opening (6) are spaced.

The top of this canister has a local maximum, which is followed by a pouring opening, wherein the underside has a pointing in the direction of the canister interior and spaced from the base sections depression, of which the receiving surfaces of the top and closed with the cap pouring a second identical canister at least partially receivable, wherein on the upper side on opposite sides of the pouring opening at least two boundary surfaces are provided which have a positive slope in the direction of the pouring opening, wherein the upper side between the boundary surfaces and a side wall portion extending approximately perpendicular to this side wall portion edge portion as a receiving surface wherein the receiving surfaces comprise at least 10% of the cross-sectional area of the canister

Such canisters are used for example for the transport and storage of chemicals, pesticides and / or fertilizers. In order to make these canisters more easily stackable, they often have on their upper side laterally arranged beads which project upwards beyond a pour spout and form a receiving surface or base for a canister to be stacked above it. However, this entails the drawback that the liquid contained in such a canister, even if the canister is turned upside down, partially collects in the depressions formed by the beads in this position. The canister is therefore not completely emptied and there is always a residue of the contents in the canister. If the canister content is an environmentally harmful and / or hazardous product, the disposal of the product is not completely emptied Kanisters associated with a considerable effort and costs. In addition, the consumer can not use a part of his purchased product, as this remains in conventional canisters in the canister. Particularly with comparatively expensive products, noticeable losses occur.

As far as can be described in the prior art fully emptying canisters, they have a pouring opening with an upwardly projecting edge or spout or pour spout, which in turn has the disadvantage that the canisters are not stacked, because the upwardly projecting spout one secure state of a further can be arranged to prevent it. In order for such canisters to be arranged one above the other, for example, between each two groups of canisters to be stacked, a plate is arranged which rests on the caps of the lower group closing off the pouring openings and provides a stable, flat surface on which the respective upper canisters are placed can. The need for additional plates, however, increases the transport and storage costs and makes handling difficult. Also, the arranged on the plate canisters are only expensive to secure against accidental slipping. A possible cost advantage through the use of these conventional, completely emptying canisters is at least largely nullified by the lack of stackability.

The above NL 6 707 947 provides a depression at the bottom of the canister. She is silent about whether the depression takes up the collection of an underneath canister with little play or not. Such a game can add up to a larger number of stacked canisters and lead to a tilting of the stack.

Against the background of this prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a well and stably stackable but completely emptied canister.

According to the invention, the present object is achieved by a canister having the features of claim 1

In this canister, in particular, the recess (9) of the underside corresponding to first receiving surfaces (8) (hereinafter referred to only as "receiving surfaces (8)", without "first") of the top (3) designed so that two identical canisters ( 1) equal to a key-lock principle, that is complementary and fit, are engageable with each other.

The custom-fit formation of the boundary surfaces of the depression that come into engagement with each other during stacking with the complementary receiving surfaces of the elevation of a canister arranged underneath prevents the canisters stacked one above the other from slipping against each other.

If the pouring opening is arranged at a local maximum of the upper side, this local maximum during a pouring process corresponds to a local minimum on the inner surface of the upper side, in which the canister content collects or in whose direction the canister contents flow. This allows complete emptying of the canister contents. Not necessarily, the local maximum of the top must also be the absolute maximum or the only local maximum of the top, although this is generally advantageous. Another, far away from the pouring spout maximum will not prevent complete emptying when the container is tilted over one side and largely emptied and placed only shortly before the complete emptying upside down.

For the purposes of the present invention, it is therefore sufficient if the local maximum is arranged and configured such that, in the case of a pouring operation, ie with a corresponding inclined position of the canister, the entire canister contents are directed in the direction of the pouring opening is movable. This avoids that a portion of the canister contents during pouring in other possibly existing local maxima of the top collects, as long as they are in the region of the relatively tilted when tilting the canister area of the top. If necessary, the transfer and discharge of a portion of the canister contents which has accumulated in a further local maximum of the top of the upside-down canister can also be achieved by tilting the canister back and forth.

A "local maximum of the top" refers to an orientation of the canisters with its footprint on flat, horizontal ground. Specifically, the local maximum refers to the inner surface of the top of the canister, located within the canister interior. If the upper side has a constant wall thickness, then a local maximum of the inner surface of the upper side simultaneously corresponds to a local maximum of the outer surface of the upper side. A local maximum within the meaning of the invention also includes a saddle point, in which part of the canister contents can collect during a pouring operation.

Characterized in that the underside of the canister has a pointing in the direction of the canister interior and spaced from the base portions recess from which the local maximum of the top and the cap-closed pour opening of a second identical canister are receivable, a plurality of identically constructed canisters are stacked. The multiple identical canisters can be arranged so space-saving and safe one above the other for transport and / or storage. A plate for stacking, as in conventional canisters, is therefore not necessary in the canisters according to the invention.

If two canisters according to the invention are stacked on top of each other, then the receiving surfaces of the upper side of the lower canister engage with corresponding surfaces of the underside at least in sections. The receiving surfaces of the lower canister engage with the base surfaces and with the surfaces of the upper canister delimiting the underside of the underside. The weight of the upper canister is thus distributed over the corresponding receiving surfaces on the lower canister.

For the purposes of the present invention, a cap means any device with which the pouring opening of the canister can be closed in such a way that the canister contents can not escape through the closed pouring opening. In particular, a cap can be a screw cap, a stopper or a seal, the latter also being able to be glued onto the pouring opening. Often under a (screw) cap additionally provided a closure seal.

In a further embodiment, the canister may have a rectangular or other polygonal or even a circular cross section in a plan view of the upper side. Canisters with a rectangular cross-section can be particularly space-saving next to each other and arranged one above the other, so that a high packing density can be achieved.

According to the invention, at least two receiving surfaces, which have a positive gradient in the direction of the pouring opening, are provided on the upper side on opposite sides next to the pouring opening. The receiving surfaces interact with corresponding surfaces on the underside of a similar canister, so that the two canisters are stacked securely on top of each other. If the receiving surfaces have a positive slope in the direction of the pouring opening, the contents of the canister can only be moved along the inner surface of the receiving surfaces during a pouring process Flow direction of the pouring opening. If the receiving surfaces are arranged on at least two opposite sides of the pouring opening, this causes a symmetrical load distribution when stacking canisters of identical construction. In connection with the engagement between areas of the local maximum of the lower canister and the recess of the upper canister can also be effected a centering of the canisters. In addition, during a pouring operation, the canister contents may flow from each of these sides toward the pouring spout.

So that the canister contents can be poured out more easily, an embodiment is provided in which the pouring opening is offset on one side from the side wall of the canister in the plan view from above, between the pouring opening and the nearest side wall section and the adjoining sections of the side wall and in the immediate vicinity the pouring opening no further local maximum is present at the top. For the purposes of the present invention, the "vicinity" of the pouring opening is the environment which is in a plan view of the top within a concentrically arranged around the pouring hole circle whose radius is at most twice as large as the smallest distance between the center of the pouring and the nearest side wall of the canister.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the canister has a substantially rectangular cross section in plan view from above and the pouring opening is offset toward one of the four side walls of the canister, between the pouring opening and the nearest Side wall and the adjoining sections of the adjacent side walls no further local maximum of the top is present. During pouring, such a canister is usually tilted over the pouring opening at the nearest side wall, so that without the presence of further local maxima between the pouring opening and the nearest side wall of the canister is completely emptied.

In a further embodiment, the upper side between the pouring opening and the nearest side wall section has an edge section extending approximately perpendicular to the side wall section as a further receiving surface. This edge portion can be brought into engagement with corresponding surface portions of the bottom of a similar canister, so that they can be stably stacked.

In particular, when the peripheral edge portion extends circumferentially along part of the circumference, preferably along more than one third of the circumference, a canister having the same configuration and footprint portions appropriately formed on the bottom surface can be securely placed on the peripheral portion of a canister disposed thereunder. Conveniently, the edge portions may comprise a plurality of spaced-apart portions, but preferably extend in their entirety along more than one-third of the circumference.

It has proven to be expedient in one embodiment that the edge section comprises at least two sections arranged on opposite sides of the pouring opening, since in this way the edge sections can be brought into engagement particularly well with corresponding base sections of the underside.

In order for the weight of a canister to be distributed to the top of a canister disposed thereunder, the receiving surfaces comprise at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, of the cross-sectional area of the canister.

In addition, such sized receiving surfaces provide sufficient space to engage with boundary surfaces of existing on the underside of a similar canister recess. The proportion of the receiving surface related to the cross-section is at most 80%, preferably at most 60%, and preferably less than 50%.

In one embodiment, a step is provided between a side wall portion and the receiving surface. The step prevents, if it is taken up by the recess of the underside of a similar canister, that two superimposed canisters can slip against each other.

Moreover, in a further embodiment it is provided that the canister has a handle connected to the upper side, which can form an additional receiving surface, which is provided for engagement with a complementary surface in a recess on the underside of another, similar to be stacked canister is. An additional receiving surface causes the weight force acting on the top of a canister to be distributed more evenly. The top of the cap, with which the pouring spout is closed, may be part of the additional receiving surface in one embodiment. The entire receiving surface is enlarged in this way, so that the weight is distributed more evenly on the top of each canister. In this case, the handle may be hollow or made of solid material, the former does not necessarily mean that the volume of the hollow handle is part of the canister volume. For example, the cavity of a handle may be separated from the interior volume of the canister by squeezing the neck at the top.

According to the invention, it is provided that the recess of the underside is designed to be complementary to the receiving surfaces of the upper side. Thus, the recess of the bottom and the receiving surfaces of the top of two identical canisters are brought equal to a key-lock principle engaged with each other. The key-lock principle ensures a precise alignment of containers stacked on top of one another and prevents slippage of several identically arranged canisters arranged one above the other.

In a further embodiment, the recess of the underside extends in a side view over the entire diameter of the canister. In this case, however, the recess does not have a uniform depth, but is advantageously the variation of the height of components, such as the pouring opening with cap and a handle adjusted.

In particular, the bottom of the recess may have an outwardly projecting portion provided for engagement between a pour spout and a handle portion of a canister located thereunder.

For improved stability of the canister, in one embodiment, the sidewall and / or corner regions of the canister have a plurality of narrow, flat grooves extending vertically from the top to the bottom.

Furthermore, holding means, such as ropes, cords or straps, can be introduced into the grooves with which canisters stacked one above the other can be fixed in their respective position. The grooves or beads extending vertically from the upper side to the lower side prevent the fastening means arranged in the grooves from slipping.

If a canister according to the invention has, for example, a circular cross-section in a plan view of the top, it is particularly expedient if the vertical grooves extending from the top to the bottom of the canister are provided diametrically opposite one another and preferably along the entire circumference. In the event that the canister has a rectangular cross section, the vertical grooves extending from the top to the bottom are expediently arranged at the opposite corner regions of the canister.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that the circumferential side wall has at least two recessed grips arranged at a distance or opposite one another. It can be z. B a smaller canister with the recessed grips are held better in a pouring process.

Figuren 1a bis 1d:

eine Seitenansicht (1a), eine Draufsicht auf die Frontseite (1b), eine Draufsicht auf die Unterseite (1c) und eine Draufsicht auf die Oberseite (1d) eines erfindungsgemäßen Kanisters;

Figuren 2a bis 2d:

eine Seitenansicht (2a), eine Draufsicht auf die Frontseite (2b), eine Draufsicht auf die Unterseite (2c) und eine Draufsicht auf die Oberseite (2d) einer weiteren Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Figuren 3a bis 3d:

eine Seitenansicht (3a), eine Draufsicht auf die Frontseite (3b), eine Draufsicht auf die Unterseite (3c) und eine Draufsicht auf die Oberseite (3d) eines Kanisters gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Figuren 4a bis 4d:

eine Seitenansicht (4a), eine Draufsicht auf die Frontseite (4b), eine Draufsicht auf die Unterseite (4c) und eine Draufsicht auf die Oberseite (4d) eines Kanisters gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Figur 5:

eine perspektivische Teilschnittansicht zweier übereinander gestapelter, erfindungsgemäßer Kanister;

Figuren 6a und 6b:

perspektivische Ansichten auf einen erfindungsgemäßen Kanister von schräg oben (6a) und schräg unten (6b) gemäß der in Figur 5 dargestellten Ausführungsform.

Further advantages, features and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and the associated figures. Show it:

FIGS. 1a to 1d:

a side view (1a), a plan view of the front side (1b), a plan view of the bottom (1c) and a plan view of the top (1d) of a canister according to the invention;

FIGS. 2a to 2d:

a side view (2a), a top view on the front side (2b), a bottom view (2c) and a top view (2d) of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3a to 3d:

a side view (3a), a front view on the front side (3b), a bottom view (3c) and a top view (3d) of a canister according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4a to 4d:

a side view (4a), a plan view of the front side (4b), a plan view of the bottom (4c) and a top view on the top (4d) a canister according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5:

a partial perspective sectional view of two stacked, according to the invention canisters;

FIGS. 6a and 6b:

perspective views of a can according to the invention obliquely from above (6a) and obliquely down (6b) according to the in FIG. 5 illustrated embodiment.

In FIG. 1 an embodiment of the present invention is shown wherein FIG. 1 a is a side view, FIG. 1b a top view on the front, Figure 1c a top view on the bottom and Figure 1d is a plan view of the top of a canister 1 according to the invention. The canister 1 for the storage and transport of flowable material has a bottom 2, a top 3 and at least one of the bottom 2 and the top 3 connecting and the canister circumference defining side wall 4 and a closable with a cap 5 pouring opening 6. The underside 2 of the canister 1 comprises spaced-apart base sections 7 and the upper side 3 receiving surfaces 8. The receiving surfaces 8 are spaced from the pouring opening 6 and are arranged on two opposite sides of the pouring opening 6. In this embodiment, the receiving surfaces 8 in the direction of the pouring opening 6 on a positive slope. The receiving surfaces 8 are recognizable substantially triangular surfaces which can be brought into engagement with corresponding boundary surfaces of the recess 9 of the underside 2 of a further identical canister 1. In addition, a plurality of stacked canisters 1 through the receiving surfaces 8 and the corresponding boundary surfaces of the recess 9 of the bottom 2 are arranged one above the other centered.

Top 3 has in all the canisters of the present an elevation, which is here precisely referred to as a local maximum, on which the pouring opening 6 is arranged, wherein the underside 2 has a pointing in the direction of the canister interior and spaced from the base sections 7 recess 9 of which the receiving surfaces 8 of the upper side 3 and closed with the cap 5 pouring opening 6 of a second identical canister 1 are at least largely absorbable, as in FIG. 1 a is indicated.

The canister 1 has in a plan view from above a substantially rectangular cross-section, wherein the pouring opening 6 is offset to one of the four side walls 4, wherein between the pouring opening 6 and the nearest side wall 4 and the adjoining sections of the adjacent side walls 4 no further local maximum Top 3 is present. That is, in particular, the inner sides of the receiving surfaces 8, when the canister is placed by 180 ° on the head, no depressions or depressions, in which any befindlichem in the canister 1 flowable material could accumulate during a pouring process.

As in the Figures 1b and 1d is particularly well visible, the upper side 3 between the arranged on opposite sides of the pouring opening 6 receiving surfaces 8 and the side wall 4 two approximately perpendicular to the side wall 4 extending edge portions 10 which as a further receiving surface over a total of more than a third along the Extending extent, namely along three sides of the approximately rectangular Kanisterquerschnittes.

The receiving surfaces 8 and the associated edge portions 10, on which stand surfaces on the bottom of a canister stacked above, comprise more than 20% of the cross-sectional area of the upper side 3 of the canister 1, so that on the one hand there is sufficient space for arranging a container 1 of the same design on the upper side 3 on the other hand, the weight of the upper canister 1 is well distributed on the top 3 of the canister 1 arranged underneath.

In addition, a step 15 is formed between the receiving surfaces 8 and the edge portions 10, which prevents accidental slipping stacked canisters 1 when the step 15 is engaged with a portion of the complementarily shaped recess 9 of another identically constructed canister 1.

Like in the FIG. 1a 1, the handle 11 connected to the canister 1 and the pouring opening 6 closed by a cap 5 form a common further receiving surface, which runs essentially perpendicular to the side wall 4. When the bottom of a canister rests on this additional receiving surface, this serves for a better distribution of the weight which a second upper canister 1 exerts on a first canister 1 arranged thereunder.

According to the invention, the recess 9 of the underside 2 is configured in a manner corresponding to the receiving surfaces 8 of the upper side 3, so that two identical canisters 1 can be arranged one above the other such that the receiving surfaces 8 of the first canister 1 with the recess 9 of the second canister equal a key lock Principle, that is complementary and fit exactly in each other.

In all FIGS. 1a to 1d but especially in the Figures 1c and 1d , a plurality of narrow, flat grooves or beads 13 can be seen, which extend vertically for stabilization from the upper side 3 to the lower side 2 and are arranged in the corner regions 12 of the canister 1.

Another embodiment of the invention is in the FIGS. 2a to 2d shown. It shows the FIG. 2a a side view, the FIG. 2b a top view on the front, Figure 2c a plan view of the bottom 2 and Figure 2d a top view of the top 3 of the canister 1. The canister 1 for the storage and transport of flowable material has a bottom 2, a top 3 and at least one of the bottom 2 and top 3 and the canister periphery defining side wall 4 and a pouring opening 6 on. The pouring opening 6 is closable with a cap 5 and arranged at a local maximum of the top 3, as it is both in FIG. 2a is shown.

Thus, a plurality of identical canisters 1 of this type are stackable, also here the bottom 2 has a recessed in the direction of the canister interior recess 9, from which the receiving surfaces 8 of the top 3 and closed with the cap 5 pouring 6 of a similar canister 1 in sections receivable are, as it is also in the FIG. 2a is indicated by way of example. The receiving surfaces 8 are arranged on opposite sides of the pouring opening 6 on the upper side 3, wherein the receiving surfaces 8 from the side walls to the pouring opening and in the direction of the pouring opening 6 have a uniform positive slope. A flowable material located in the canister can therefore flow in the direction of the pouring opening 6 along the interior surfaces of the receiving surfaces 8 arranged inside the canister during a pouring operation. In this embodiment, the receiving surfaces 8 are essentially triangular surfaces which, in this case, can be brought into engagement only with the corresponding, inclined surfaces of the recess 9 of the underside 2 of an identically constructed canister 1. The standing surfaces 7, with which the canister 1 rests on a level floor, do not come in the stacking of such canisters 1 with the receiving surfaces into engagement. Due to the adapted inclination of the receiving surfaces 8 and the oblique boundary surfaces 16 of the recess 9 a plurality of identical canisters 1 can be arranged one above the other centered. The oblique surfaces 8 and 16 also prevent the superimposed canisters 1 from slipping against one another.

The pouring opening 6 in a plan view from above on one side to the side wall 4 of the canister 1 is added. In addition, between the pouring opening 6 and the nearest side wall portion 4 and the adjoining portions of the side wall 4 and in the vicinity of the pouring opening 6 no further local maximum at the top 3 available. During a pouring operation, in which the canister 1 is first tilted and then held "overhead", the pouring opening 6 is at a local minimum so that the canister contents can flow completely out of the canister 1 through the pouring opening 6.

A connected to the canister 1 handle 11 is so squeezed that although he is hollow, it can not fill with flowable material from the canister interior. In this case, the upper side of the handle 11 forms a substantially perpendicular to the side wall 4 extending further receiving surface, which can be brought into engagement with the recess 9 of a further identical canister 1 in engagement. In a state in which a plurality of identical canisters 1 are arranged one above the other, the further receiving surfaces formed by the handle 11 and the cap 5 with the cap 5 causes a uniform distribution of the identical canister arranged on the upper side 3 of another canister 1 1 acting weight.

The recess 9, which is arranged in the underside 2 of the canister 1, extends in a side view over the entire diameter of the canister 1. The underside 2 has two spaced-apart base sections 7, with which the canister 1 on the ground or, im Case of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3 , can be placed on another canister 1.

For stabilization, the canister 1 has a plurality of oppositely disposed grooves 13 which extend vertically from the top 3 to the bottom 2 of the canister 1. In this case, the grooves 13 in the canister 1 with a rectangular cross section, as in the Figures 2c and 2d recognizable, arranged in the corner regions 12 of the canister 1.

In the FIGS. 3a to 3d different views of another canister 1 according to the present invention are shown. That's how it shows FIG. 3a a side view, FIG. 3b a front view, Figure 3c a plan view of the bottom 2 and 3d figure a top view of the top 3 of the canister 1. The canister 1 has a bottom 2, a top 3 and at least one of the bottom 2 and the top 3 and connecting the canister circumference defining side wall 4 and a pouring opening 6 has. The pouring opening 6 is as in the FIG. 3a indicated with a cap 5 closed.

In addition, the canister 1 comprises on its top 3 a local maximum at which the pouring opening 6 is arranged. As in 3d figure shown top 3 also has two arranged on opposite sides of the pouring opening 6 receiving surfaces 8, which are designed triangular, each at a corner of the receiving surfaces 8, the pouring opening 6 adjacent. It is in the FIGS. 3a and 3b to recognize that the receiving surfaces 8 have a pointing in the direction of the pouring opening 6, positive slope. Due to the positive slope of the canister contents in a pouring process flows in the direction of the pouring opening 6, so that the canister 1 is completely emptied and no remainder of the canister contents in the canister 1 remains.

The canister 1 has in a plan view from above in approximately a rectangular cross section, wherein the pouring opening 6 is arranged on one side to one of the four side walls 4 offset. Between the pouring opening 6 and the nearest side wall 4 and the adjoining portions of the adjacent side walls 4 no further local maximum of the top 3 is present.

The top 3 further comprises a rim portion 10 which extends as a further receiving surface in the circumferential direction along three sides of the canister 1, as shown in FIG 3d figure is shown. In this case, the edge portion 10 comprises two portions which are arranged on opposite sides of the pouring opening 6 and which can be brought into engagement with the base portions 7 of another identical canister 1 when stacked (as, for example, in a schematic partial sectional view of FIG. 5 in connection with another embodiment).

The underside 2 of the canister 1 has a pointing in the direction of the canister interior recess 9, from which the receiving surfaces 8 of the top 3 and sealed with a cap 5 pouring opening 6 of a second identical canister 1 are partially receivable.

Furthermore, a handle 11 is connected to the upper side 3 of the canister 1, which forms a further receiving surface 6 closed with the cap 5, which is arranged at a common height and perpendicular to the peripheral side wall 4. By engaging this further receiving surface with a corresponding surface of the recess 9 of the bottom 2 of another identical canister 1, the weight of the upper canister 1 can be distributed to the top 3 of the further identical canister 1.

The canister 1 further has two recessed grips 14 circumferentially disposed on opposite sides of the rectangular canister 1 in the side walls 4, so that the canister 1 is inter alia. can be kept well in a pouring.

In order to increase the stability of the canister 1, this has in its corner regions perpendicular to the top 3 to the bottom 2 extending beads 13.

The canister 1 of this embodiment differs from the previously described embodiments only by the shape of the recess on the bottom 2 and the elevation and the local maximum on the top 3, which are again formed substantially complementary to each other, but not the inclined receiving surfaces 8 or oblique boundary surfaces 16 of the recess which receive in the case of the other two embodiments described embodiments when stacking supporting loads. In the present case, such support loads are transmitted only by the edge portions 10 and the base surfaces 7. Common to all embodiments shown that the pouring opening 6 is formed by an upwardly projecting, approximately cylindrical spout.

In the side view of all variants shown and in particular in the Figures 5 and 6b it can be seen that the bottom of the recess 9 has an outwardly projecting portion 17 which is provided for engagement between a pouring opening 6 and a handle portion 11 of an underlying canister 1.

Another embodiment is in the FIGS. 4a to 4d shown, wherein the FIG. 4a a side view, FIG. 4b a top view on the front, Figure 4c a plan view of the bottom 2 and FIG. 4d a top view of the top 3 of a canister 1 shows. The canister 1 has a lower side 2, an upper side 3 and at least one side wall 4 connecting the underside 2 and the upper side 3 and defining the canister circumference. Furthermore, the canister 1 has a pouring opening 6, which can be closed with a screw cap 5. The underside 2 of the canister 1 comprises a recess 9 which points in the direction of the canister interior and two stand surface sections 7 which are arranged on opposite sides of the recess 9 and are spaced apart from one another.

With the base sections 7, a first canister 1 can be placed on the top 3 of a second, identical canister 1. Conveniently, the upper side 3 of the second canister 1 for this purpose has an edge portion 10, with which the stand surface portions 7 of the first Canister 1 are engageable, wherein the edge portion 10 extends in the circumferential direction along more than one third of the circumference. In the plan view of the top 3 of the canister 1 ( FIG. 4d ) it is clear that the canister 1 has an approximately rectangular cross-section and the edge portion 10 extends along three sides of the canister. In addition, it can be seen that the upper side 3 comprises, in addition to the edge section 10, two receiving surfaces 8 arranged on opposite sides of the pouring opening 6, the edge sections 10 being arranged between the receiving surfaces 8 and the side wall sections 4. The edge sections 10 extend approximately perpendicular to the side wall sections 4.

The depression 9 in the underside 2 of the canister 1 is configured such that the pouring opening 6, which is arranged in the local maximum of the upper side 3 and closed by a cap 5, can be received therein by the depression 9. In this case, the receiving surfaces 8 of the upper side 3 are complementary to the receiving surfaces 8 formed boundary surfaces 16 of the recess 9 at.

Like from the FIGS. 4a and 4b it can be seen, the receiving surfaces 8 have a pointing in the direction of the pouring opening 6 positive slope. Also, the receiving surfaces 8 comprise more than 10% of the cross-sectional area of the canister 1.

Essentially, the difference in the FIGS. 4a to 4d shown embodiment of the in the FIGS. 3a to 3d shown embodiment in that in the embodiment according to the FIGS. 4a to 4d the canister 1 in the side wall 4 has two oppositely arranged recessed grips 14, which, as in the side view of FIG. 4a shown are arranged in the lower third of the side wall 4 and not as in the embodiment of FIG. 3 which has on opposite sides each a recessed grip in the lower and in the upper third.

In addition, the over the entire length of the canister 1 extending recess 9, a plurality also extending over the entire length of the canister 1 reinforcements 18.

A state in which two identical, inventive canisters 1 according to the in FIGS. 4a to 4d is shown stacked one above the other, is shown as a partial perspective sectional view in the FIG. 5 shown.

Perspective views of a canister 1 according to the embodiment of the FIGS. 4a to 4d are in the Figures 6a and 6b displayed. In particular in FIG. 6b is the outwardly projecting portion 17 can be seen, which has the bottom of the recess 9 and is provided for engagement between a pour spout and a handle portion 11 of an underlying canister 1.

For purposes of the original disclosure, it is to be understood that all such features as will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the present description, drawings, and claims, even if concretely described only in connection with certain other features, both individually and separately any combination with other of the features or feature groups disclosed herein are combinable, unless this has been expressly excluded or technical conditions make such combinations impossible or pointless. On the comprehensive, explicit representation of all conceivable combinations of features is omitted here only for the sake of brevity and readability of the description.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

canister

2

bottom

3

top

4

Side wall

5

cap

6

pouring

7

Stand surface sections

8th

receiving surfaces

9

deepening

10

edge section

11

Handle

12

corner

13

groove

14

grip

15

step

16

Boundary surface of the recess 9

17

projecting section

18

reinforcement

Claims (11)

1. Stackable canister (1) for storing and transporting flowable material, comprising a bottom side (2), a top side (3) and at least one side wall (4) which connects the bottom side (2) and the top side (3) with each other and which defines the circumference of the canister, as well as a pour opening (6) which can be plugged with a cap (5), wherein the bottom side (2) comprises base surface sections (7) being spaced from one another and the top side (3) comprises first support surfaces (8), which are spaced from the pour opening (6), wherein the top side (3) comprises a local maximum, at which the pour opening (6) is located, wherein the bottom side (2) comprises a recess (9) in a direction towards the inside of the canister and which recess is spaced from the base surface sections (7), the recess being capable to receive at least partially the support surfaces (8) of the top side (3) and the pour opening (6) plugged by the cap (5) of a second canister (1) which is identical in construction as the first one, wherein at least two first support surfaces (8) are provided on the top side (3) at opposite sides of the pour opening (6) and comprise a positive gradient in the direction of the pour opening (6), wherein the top side (3) comprises a margin portion (10) as a further support surface between the first support surfaces (8) and a side wall portion (4), which is approximately perpendicular to said side all portion (4), wherein the first and further support surfaces cover at least 10% of the cross-sectional surface of the canister (1) and wherein the recess (9) of the bottom side is designed in correspondence to the first support surfaces (8) on the top side (3), such that two canisters which are identical in construction can be brought into engagement according to a lock-and-key principle, i.e. complementary and custom-fit.
2. Canister (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that in a top view the pour opening (6) is offset towards the side wall (4) of the canister (1), wherein no further local maximum at the top side (3) exists between the pour opening (6) and the nearest side wall portion as well as between the portions of the side wall (4) adjacent thereto and in the near vicinity of the pour opening (6).
3. Canister (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in a top view the canister (1) has a substantially rectangular cross-section and the pour opening (6) is offset towards one of the four side walls (4) of the canister (1), wherein no further local maximum of the top side (3) exists between the pour opening (6) and the nearest side wall (4) as well as between the portions of the side walls (4) adjacent thereto.
4. Canister (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the margin portion (10) extends in the circumferential direction along a part of the circumference, preferably along more than one third of the circumference.
5. Canister (1) according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that the margin portion (10) comprises at least two portions located on two opposite sides of the pour opening (6).
6. Canister (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first and further support surfaces (8, 10) cover at least 20% of the cross-sectional surface of the canister (1).
7. Canister (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the canister (1) comprises a handle (11) connected to the top side (3), which forms an additional support surface, which is intended for engagement with a complementary surface in a recess (9) on the bottom side (2) of a further canister (1) identical in construction to be stacked there above.
8. Canister (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the recess (9) on the bottom side (2) extends in a side view over the entire diameter of the canister (1).
9. Canister (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the bottom of the recess comprises a portion (17) which projects outwardly, which is intended for engagement between a pouring spout and a handle portion (11) of a canister located there below.
10. Canister (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the side walls (4) and/or the corner areas (12) of the canister (1) comprise a plurality of narrow, shallow grooves (13), which extend vertically from the top side (3) to the bottom side (2).
11. Canister (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the local maximum comprising the pour opening (6) is the only local maximum of the top side (3).

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