SEALANT CONTAINER WITH UPPER PARTS AND LOWER STACKED PARTS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to containers with stackable tops and bottoms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sealant containers are known in the art. They are used to organize and store items, such as perishable foods. The sealing capabilities of these containers help to protect the contents of the container from exposure to elements of the environment surrounding the container including dust, for example. Containers with sealing capability can be made of various materials and can be formed in various thicknesses to meet the needs of a user. For example, some containers with sealing capability are durable and are intended for repeated use, but can be expensive. Other containers with sealing capability are extremely thin and economical, so that they are affordable and disposable, but not durable. Finally, some plastic containers with sealing capacity are designed so that they have an adequate thickness to provide durability and that they are also the
economic enough for a consumer to dispose of after limited or extended use, if desired. Additionally, the organized storage of containers with empty sealing capabilities as they exist in the art can be problematic because the upper parts of the container are not stacked securely within one another. The invention provides a container with functionality not found in the art. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a container comprising a lower part of the container and an upper part of the container. The lower part of the container defines a cavity and includes a closing portion of the lower part of the container. The upper part of the container defines a cavity and includes a closing portion of the upper part of the container, a first nesting portion disposed along the perimeter of the upper cavity of the container, and a second nesting portion disposed along the length of the container. perimeter of the upper cavity of the container. When the upper part of the container is in an upright position, the closing portion of the lower part of the container can be connected to the closing portion of the upper part of the container for sealing the plastic container. When the
The upper part of the container is inverted and inserted into the lower cavity of the container, the first nesting portion and the second nesting portion contact the lower part of the container in two different portions of the lower part of the container. The invention also provides an upper part of the container defining a cavity. The upper part of the container comprises a blocking portion disposed along the perimeter of the cavity to engage with an upper portion of the adjacent plastic container and a receiving portion disposed along the perimeter of the cavity to receive a blocking portion. of an upper part of the adjacent plastic container. If a first upper portion of the adjacent container is inserted into the cavity, the blocking portion engages a receiving portion of the upper portion of the adjacent container to form a stack of upper portions of the container. If the upper part of the container is inserted into the cavity of a second upper part of the adjacent container, the receiving portion of the upper part of the container engages through a blocking portion of the second upper part of the adjacent container to form a Stacking of upper parts of the container. The invention further provides a container upper part defining a cavity, which comprises an inwardly curved portion disposed along the perimeter of the cavity, an outwardly curved portion disposed along the perimeter of the cavity, and a portion thereof. of nesting arranged along the perimeter of the cavity. If a first
upper part of the adjacent container is inserted into the cavity, the inwardly curved portion is in contact with a curved portion facing away from the first upper part of the adjacent container and the nesting portion is in contact with a nesting portion of the first part upper part of the adjacent container to form a stack of upper parts of the container. If the upper part of the container is inserted into the cavity of a second upper part of the adjacent container, the outwardly curved portion of the upper part of the container is in contact with a curved portion inward of the second upper part of the adjacent container and the The nesting portion is in contact with a nesting portion of the second upper portion of the adjacent container to form a stack of upper portions of the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a container; Figure 2 is an isometric view of the lower part of the container in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a horizontal projection of the lower part of the container in Figure 2; Figure 4 is an isometric view of the upper part of the container in Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a horizontal projection of the upper part of the container in Figure 1; Figure 6 is an isometric view of the upper part of the container in Figure 1 shown in an inverted position; Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in Figure 1; Figure 8 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the container in Figure 1; Figure 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in Figure 1 stacked on another container; Figure 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in Figure 1 with the upper part of the container inverted as shown in Figure 6; Figure 11 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the container in Figure 1 with the upper portion of the container inverted as shown in Figure 6; Figure 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in Figure 1 stacked on another container with the upper parts of the container inverted as shown in Figure 6; Figure 13 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the upper part of the container in Figure 1 inverted as shown in Figure 6;
Figure 14 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the upper part of the container in inverted Figure 1 as shown in Figure 6 stacked with two other inverted upper container parts; Figure 15 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in Figure 1 stacked with another container, wherein the upper portions of the container are inverted and stacked one on top of the other and on a stack of lower portions of the container; Figure 16 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the container in Figure 1 stacked with another container, wherein the upper portions of the container are inverted and stacked one on top of the other and on a stack of lower portions of the container; Figure 17 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a container; Figure 18 is an isometric view of the lower part of the container in Figure 17; Figure 19 is a horizontal projection of the lower part of the container in Figure 17; Figure 20 is an isometric view of the upper part of the container in Figure 17; Figure 21 is a horizontal projection of the upper part of the container in Figure 17; Figure 22 is an isometric view of the upper part of the container in Figure 17 shown in an inverted position;
Figure 23 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in Figure 17; Figure 24 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the container in Figure 17; Figure 25 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in Figure 17 stacked on another container; Figure 26 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in Figure 17 with the upper part of the container inverted as shown in Figure 22; Figure 27 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the container in Figure 1 with the upper part of the container inverted as shown in Figure 22; Figure 28 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in Figure 17 stacked on another container with the upper portions of the container inverted as shown in Figure 22; Figure 29 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the upper part of the container in inverted Figure 17 as shown in Figure 22; Figure 30 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the upper part of the container in inverted Figure 17 as shown in Figure 22 stacked with two other inverted upper container parts; Figure 31 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in Figure 17 stacked with another container, wherein the upper portions of the container
container are inverted and stacked one on top of the other and on a stack of bottom parts of the container; and Figure 32 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the container in Figure 17 stacked with another container, wherein the upper portions of the container are inverted and stacked one on top of the other and on a stack of lower portions of the container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to Figure 1, the container 100 comprises an upper part of the container 102 and a lower part of the container 104. The upper part of the container 102 and the lower part of the container 104 can be connected together forming a seal. Preferably, the container is made of a plastic material, however, one skilled in the art will recognize that other materials may be used. Referring to Figure 2, the lower part of the container has a lower surface 106, a side wall 108, and a closing portion 110. The side wall 108 extends upwardly from the lower surface 106 to define a cavity for storage. The closure portion 110 extends outwardly and over the side wall 108. The bottom surface 106 may have a recessed portion 112. Referring to Figure 4, the upper part of the container 102 may include a decorative portion 114 on a top surface 116. The recessed portion 112 shown in Figure 2 can be used, by way of example
and not limiting, to accommodate a decorative portion 114 on an upper surface 116 of an upper part of the container 102 when it is stacked on another container 100. As shown in Figure 3, the lower part of the container 104 may have an approximate shape quadrilateral However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can also apply to other forms of container, including without limitation, for example, the circular shape. Referring to Figure 4, the upper part of the container 102 has an upper surface 116, a side wall 118, and a closing portion 120. The side wall 118 extends downwardly from the upper surface 116 to define a cavity. The closure portion 120 extends outwardly and below the side wall 118. The container 100 can be sealed by arranging the upper part of the container 102 near the bottom of the container 104 and applying a force. To separate the upper part of the container 102 from the lower part of the container 104, a release tab 122 may be provided so that a user has a clamping surface when exerting force to separate the respective closing portions 120, 110 from the upper part of the container 102 and lower part of the container 104. The upper surface 116 may have a recessed portion 124 surrounded by a stabilizing edge 126 for stabilizing a container 100 stacked on top of the container 102. The upper part of the container 102 also may have some form of decorative portion 114. As shown in Figure 5, the upper part of the container 102 may
have an approximately quadrilateral shape. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the invention also applies to other container configurations, including without limitation, for example, the circular shape. Figure 6 shows the upper part of the container 102 in an inverted position. When reversed, the cavity defined by the upper surface 116 and the side wall 118 is now oriented upward instead of downwardly. In the inverted position, the upper part of the container 102 can be used as a plate or bowl. Figures 7 and 8 show an upper part of the container 102 fixed to a lower part of the container 104. The upper part of the container 102 has a closing portion of the upper part of the container 120. The closing portion of the upper part of the container 120 comprises an outwardly extending portion 128, an outwardly curved portion 130, an inwardly curved portion 132, and an upturned tiltable portion 134. The lower portion of the container 104 has a closure portion of the bottom portion of the container 110. The closure portion of the portion bottom of the container 110 comprises an outwardly extending portion 136, an outwardly curved portion 138, an inwardly curved portion 140, and a downwardly flippable portion 142. When the upper part of the container 102 is disposed adjacent to the portion bottom of the container 104, the inwardly curved portion 132 of the closure portion of the upper portion of the container 120 is in contact with the outwardly curved portion 138 of the closure portion of the bottom portion of the container 110. As it is apply
pressure, the respective closure portions 120, 110 are flexed slightly enough so that the inwardly curved portion 132 of the closure portion of the upper part of the container 120 slides past the outwardly curved portion 138 of the closing the bottom of the container 110 to seal the container 100. When the container 100 is sealed, the outwardly extending portion 128, the outwardly curved portion 130, and the inwardly curved portion 132 of the closure portion of the upper part of the container 120 is disposed adjacent the outwardly extending portion 136, the outwardly curved portion 138, and the curved portion inwardly 140 of the closing portion of the bottom portion of the container 110, respectively. The cavity defined by the upper surface 116 and side wall 118 of the upper part of the container 102 accommodates the saturation of the container 100 by providing additional storage space for materials stacked on the side wall 108 of the lower part of the container 104. respective fasteners 134, 142 can be used to hold or hold the container 100, and can also be used to assist in separating the upper part of the container 102 from the bottom of the container 104. As shown in Figure 9, a plurality of containers 100a, 100b can be stacked one on top of the other to form a stack of containers 170. When on top of another container 100, the lower surface 106a of the bottom of the container 104a of the overlying container 100a rests within the recessed portion 124b of the container 100a.
upper surface 116b of the upper part of the container 102b of the underlying container 100b. The stabilization edge 126b on the upper surface 116b of the underlying container 100b helps limit the lateral movement of the overlying container 100a, thereby helping to stabilize the stack. The stabilization edge 126b also helps to center the stack of containers 170 so that the center of gravity of the container stack 170 remains relatively centered to prevent overturning. As a container 100a is placed overlying another container 100b, a user will know when the container stack is not properly centered because the bottom surface 106a of the overlying container 100a will extend beyond the exterior of the stabilization edge 126b of the container. the underlying container 100b, or the stabilizing edge 106a of the underlying container 100b will cause the overlying container 100a to rest at an angle. Referring to Figure 10, according to the invention, the upper part of the container 102 can be inverted and placed within the cavity of the lower part of the container 104 to accommodate the scarcity of contents of the lower part of the container 104. cavity defined by the upper surface 116 and the side wall 118 of the upper part of the container 102 accommodates the storage of materials within this cavity. In this way, with the upper part of the container 102 in the inverted position, the container 100 has two storage areas. For example, the upper part of the container 102 can be used to
store french fries and the bottom of the container 104 can be used to store the dressing. When not being used, the dressing is protected by the upper part of the container 102. When a user desires access to the dressing, he can simply remove the upper part of the container 102. The upper part of the inverted container 102 and the lower part of the container 104 are in contact in a plurality of portions. Having a plurality of contact portions improves the stability and sealing ability of the upper part of the container 102 in the inverted position. As seen in figure 11, by way of example and not limitation, when the upper part of the container 102 is in the inverted position, the upper part of the container 102 contacts the lower part of the container 104 in two portions 148, 150 to help keep dust and other objects out and preserve the stored contents in the lower part of the container 104. A first contact portion 148 occurs between a first nesting portion 172 disposed along the perimeter of the upper part of the container 102 and the side wall 108 of the lower part of the container 104. A second contact portion 150 occurs between a second nesting portion 174 disposed along the perimeter of the upper portion of the container 102 and approximately near the intersection of the outwardly extending portion 136 of the closure portion 110 of the lower portion of the container 104 and the side wall 108 of the bottom of the container 104. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the relative position of
contact portions may occur in portions of the upper part of the container 102 and bottom of the container 104 different from those illustrated in the figures, and the number of contact portions need not be limited to two. The ability to invert the upper part of the container 102 also provides the additional functionality of being able to stack containers at two different heights. For example, as shown in Figure 12, an overlying container 100c rests within the cavity of the upper part of the container 102d of the underlying container 100d reducing the effective stacking height. This stacking arrangement may be advisable if the user wishes to reduce the stacking height, and the user does not need the additional storage space provided by the upper part of the container 102d in the upright position. As shown in Figure 13, the upper part of the container 102, shown inverted, has a locking portion 158 disposed along the perimeter of the cavity and a receiving portion 160 disposed along the perimeter of the cavity. As shown in Fig. 14, a plurality of upper portions of containers 102a, 102b, 102c, shown inverted, can be stacked one on top of the other to form a stack of container top portions 156. According to the invention, if a first upper part of the container 102a is inserted into the cavity of a second upper part of the container 102b, the blocking portion 158b of the second upper part of the container 102b engages with a portion of
receiving 160a of the first upper part of the container 102a to form a stack of container upper parts 156. As shown in Figure 13, the locking portion 158 comprises a protruding rib and the receiving portion 160 comprises a recessed groove. In other embodiments, the locking portion 158 may include one or more of the following features to allow engagement; convex portions or ribs, concave portions or ribs, linear or curvilinear lower sections, linear or curvilinear cross sections, discrete pressure elements or buttons, interference fittings, textured surfaces, or elements that modify surface friction or adhesion on or around the coupling point. The coupling areas that create a blocking condition may be continuous around the perimeter of the cavity or discretely segmented around the perimeter of the cavity. It may be beneficial to design the locking portion 158 of the upper part 102 to have tactile and audible feedback after engagement of the locking portion 158. Additional container upper parts 102 may be added to the stack 156. For example, if the second upper part of the container 102b is inserted into the cavity of a third upper part of the container 102c, the receiving portion 160b of the second upper part of the container 102b is engaged by a blocking portion 158c of the third upper part of the container 102c to expand the number of upper parts of containers 102 in the stack of container top portions 156. By engaging the locking portion 158 of a
upper part of the container 102 with the receiving portion 160 of an adjacent container upper part 102, the upper parts of the container 102 securely attach to each other so that a user does not have to worry that the upper parts of the container 102 slide one out of the other while storing them. The stack of upper parts 156 will resist vibration and fall and will remain even locked without vertical or horizontal displacement of an individual top 102 within the stack 156 so that the integrity of the stack is not compromised. An inwardly curved portion 132 and outwardly curved portion 130 may be disposed along the perimeter of the upper part of the container 102 to provide a second contact portion with an upper portion of the adjacently arranged container 102 to further improve the stability of the stacking of container upper parts 156. Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, for efficient storage and stacking, a plurality of bottom parts of containers 104d, 104e can be stacked with a plurality of upper portions of containers 102d, 102e placed on top. With the blocking portion 158e and receiving portion 160d holding together the upper portions of containers 102d, 102e and with the capacity of the upper portions of containers 102d, 102e to fit within the cavity of the lower part of the uppermost container 104d with at least two contact portions 148, 150, a large number of container upper parts 102 and lower portions of the container can be safely stored..
containers 104 in a single stack of upper parts of containers and lower parts of containers 162. Several stacks of containers can also be discreetly disposed one adjacent to the other because the invention keeps the stacks vertically arranged in a relatively organized and centered position without inclination. This ability to stack discreetly applies to the containers 100 independently if the stack comprises a plurality of bottom portions of containers 104 stacked one inside the other with upper portions of containers 102 arranged above, a plurality of containers 100 stacked with the parts upper portions of containers 102 in the upright position, or a plurality of containers 100 stacked with the upper portions of containers 102 in the inverted position. Referring to Figure 17, the container 200 comprises an upper part of the container 202 and a lower part of the container 204. The container 200 is similar to the container 100 in Figure 1, however, the upper part of the container 202 is not blocked together with an upper part of the adjacent container when they are stacked together. The upper part of the container 202 and the lower part of the container 204 can be connected to each other forming a seal. Preferably, the container is made of a plastic material, however, one skilled in the art will recognize that other materials may be used. Referring to Figure 18, the lower part of the container 204 has a lower surface 206, a side wall 208, and a closing portion 210. The side wall 208 extends upwards from the
lower surface 206 to define a storage cavity. The closure portion 210 extends outwardly and over the side wall 208. The bottom surface 206 may have a recessed portion 212. The recessed portion 212 may be used, by way of example and not limitation, to accommodate a decorative portion 214. on an upper surface of an upper part of the container 202, as shown in Figure 20, when it is stacked on top of another container 200. As shown in Figure 19, the lower part of the container 204 may have an approximately quadrilateral shape. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can also apply to other container configurations, including without limitation, for example, the circular shape. Referring to Figure 20, the upper part of the container 202 has an upper surface 216, a side wall 218, and a closing portion 220. The side wall 218 extends downwardly from the upper surface 216 to define a cavity. The closure portion 220 extends outwardly and below the side wall 218. The container 200 can be sealed by arranging the upper part of the container 202 on the bottom of the container 204 and applying a force. To separate the upper part of the container 202 from the lower part of the container 204, the user can hold the respective closing portions 220, 210 of the upper part of the container 202 and lower part of the container 204. In another embodiment, a releasing tab, such as 122 shown in Figure 4, for a user to have a surface to hold when exerting force to separate
the respective closure portions 220, 210 of the upper part of the container 202 and lower part of the container 204. The upper surface 216 may have a recessed portion 224 surrounded by a stabilizing edge 226 for stabilizing a container 200 stacked on the upper part of the container. container 202. The upper part of container 202 may also have some form of decorative portion 214. As shown in figure 21, the upper part of container 202 may have an approximately quadrilateral shape. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can also apply to other container configurations, including without limit, for example, the circular form. Figure 22 shows the upper part of the container 202 in an inverted position. When inverted, the cavity defined by the upper surface 216 and side wall 218 is now oriented upward rather than downward. In the inverted position, the upper part of the container 202 can be used as a plate or bowl. Figures 23 and 24 show an upper part of the container
202 fixed to a lower part of the container 204. The upper part of the container 202 has a closing portion of the upper part of the container 220. The closing portion of the upper part of the container 220 comprises an outwardly extending portion 228, an outwardly curved portion 230, an inwardly curved portion 232, and an upturned tiltable portion 234. The lower portion of the container 204 has a closure portion of the bottom portion of the container 210. The closing portion of the bottom portion of the container 210 comprises an outwardly extending portion 236, a
outwardly curved portion 238, an inwardly curved portion 240, and a downwardly facing attachable portion 242. When the upper portion of the container 202 is disposed adjacent the lower portion of the container 204, the inwardly curved portion 232 of the closure of the upper part of the container 220 is in contact with the outwardly curved portion 238 of the closing portion of the lower part of the container 210. As pressure is applied, the respective closure portions 220, 210 flex slightly from Sufficiently so that the inwardly curved portion 232 of the closure portion of the upper part of the container 210 slides past the outwardly curved portion 238 of the closure portion of the lower part of the container 210 to seal the container 200. When the container 200 is sealed, the outwardly extending portion 228, the outwardly curved portion 230, and the inwardly curved portion 232 of the The closure portion of the upper part of the container 220 is disposed adjacent to the outwardly extending portion 236, the outwardly curved portion 238, and the inwardly curved portion 240 of the closure portion of the lower portion of the container 210. , respectively. The cavity defined by the upper surface 216 and side wall 218 of the upper part of the container 202 accommodates the saturation of the container 200 by providing additional storage space for materials stacked on the side wall 208 of the lower part of the container 204. The mountable portions respective 234, 242 can be used to hold or hold the container 200, and can also be used
to help separate the upper part of the container 202 from the bottom of the container 204. As shown in Figure 25, a plurality of containers 200a, 200b can be stacked one on top of the other to form a stack of containers 270. When on top of another container 200, the lower surface 206a of the lower part of the container 204a of the overlying container 200a rests within the recessed portion 224b of the upper surface 216b of the upper part of the container 202b of the underlying container 200b. The stabilizing edge 226b on the upper surface 216b of the underlying container 200b helps to limit the lateral movement of the overlying container 200a, thereby helping to stabilize the stack. The stabilization edge 226b also helps to center the container piling 270 so that the center of gravity of the container stack 270 remains relatively centered to avoid tipping. As a container 200a is placed overlying another container 200b, a user will know when the container stack 270 is not properly centered because the lower surface 206a of the overlying container 200a will extend beyond the exterior of the stabilization edge 226b of the underlying container 200b, or the stabilizing edge 226b of the underlying container 200b will cause the overlying container 200a to rest at an angle. With reference to Figure 26, according to the invention, the upper part of the container 202 can be inverted and placed inside the
cavity of the lower part of the container 204 to accommodate the shortage of contents of the lower part of the container 204. The cavity defined by the upper surface 216 and the side wall 218 of the upper part of the container 202 accommodate the storage of materials within this cavity. In this way, with the upper part of the container 202 in the inverted position, the container 200 has two storage areas. For example, the upper part of the container 202 can be used to store potato chips and the lower part of the container 204 can be used to store the dressing. When not being used, the dressing is protected by the upper part of the container 202. When a user wishes to access the dressing, he can simply remove the upper part of the container 202. The upper part of the inverted container 202 and the lower part of the container 204 are in contact in a plurality of portions. Having a plurality of contact portions improves the stability and sealing ability of the upper part of the container 202 in the inverted position. As seen in Figure 27, by way of example and not limitation, when the upper part of the container 202 is in the inverted position, the upper part of the container 202 contacts the lower part of the container 204 in two portions 248, 250 to help keep dust and other objects out and keep the contents stored in the bottom of vessel 204. A first contact portion 248 occurs between a first nesting portion 272 disposed along the perimeter of the upper part of the container. 202 and the side wall 208 of the bottom of the container 204. A
second contact portion 250 occurs between a second nesting portion 274 disposed along the perimeter of the upper portion of the container 202 and approximately near the intersection of the outwardly extending portion 236 of the closure portion 210 of the portion bottom of the container 204 and the side wall 208 of the bottom of the container 204. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the relative position of the contact portions can occur in portions of the upper part of the container 202 and lower part of the container. vessel 204 different from those illustrated in the figures, and the number of contact portions need not be limited to two. The ability to invert the upper part of the container 202 also provides the additional functionality of being able to stack containers at two different heights. For example, as shown in Figure 28, an overlying container 200c rests within the cavity of the upper part of the container 202d of the underlying container 200d reducing the effective stacking height. This stacking arrangement may be advisable if the user wishes to reduce the stacking height, and the user does not need the additional storage space provided by the upper part of the container 202d in the upright position. As shown in Figure 29, the upper part of the container
202, shown inverted, has an inwardly curved portion 232, an outwardly curved portion 230, and a nesting portion 264 disposed along the perimeter of the cavity. As shown in Figure 30, a
plurality of upper parts, shown inverted, can be stacked one on top of the other to form a stack of upper portions of containers 256. According to the invention, if a first upper part of the container 202a is inserted into the cavity of a second upper part of the container 202b, the outward curved portion 230a of the first upper part of the container 202a is in contact with the curved inward portion 232b of the second upper part of the container 202b and the nesting portions 264a, 264b of the first and second parts upper containers 202a, 202b are in contact with one another. In other embodiments, the contact portions may include one or more of the following characteristics to allow coupling; interference settings, linear sections, curvilinear sections, textured surfaces, or elements that modify surface friction or adhesion at or around the coupling point. The mating areas that create a contact condition can be continuous around the nesting portion or discretely segmented around the nesting portion. Additional container upper portions 202 can be added to the stack 256. For example, if the second upper part of the container 202b is inserted into the cavity of a third upper part of the container 202c, the outwardly curved portion 230b of the second upper part of the container 202b. container 202b is in contact with the curved inward portion 232c of the upper third portion of container 202c and the respective nesting portions 264b, 264c of the second and third container upper portions 202b, 202c are in
contact with each other These two contact portions 266, 268 between upper portions of adjacent containers 202a, 202b, 202c allow the upper portions of containers 202a, 202b, 202c to be arranged securely within one another so that a user does not have to worry about them. that the upper parts of containers 202a, 202b, 202c slide out of each at the time of storage. Referring to FIGS. 31 and 32, for efficient storage and stacking, a plurality of container bottoms 204e, 204d can be stacked with a plurality of container top portions 202d, 202e placed above. With the upper portions of containers 202d, 202e together and with the ability for the upper portions of containers 202d, 202e to fit within the cavity of the lower portion of the uppermost container 204d with at least two contacting portions 248, 250, a large number of container upper parts 202 and container bottoms 204 can be safely stored in a single stack of container tops and container bottoms 262. Several stacks of containers can also be arranged discretely adjacent to each other. yes because the invention keeps the stacks vertically arranged in a relatively organized and centered position without tilting. This ability to stack discreetly applies to containers 200, regardless of whether the stack comprises a plurality of bottom portions of containers 204 stacked one inside the other with container tops 202
arranged above, a plurality of containers 202 stacked with the upper portions of containers 202 in the upright position, or a plurality of containers 200 stacked with the upper portions of container 202 in the inverted position. One skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be applied to thin disposable containers, inexpensive durable disposable containers, and non-disposable reusable containers. One skilled in the art will also recognize that the invention can be used with a variety of other types of containers. By way of example and not limitation, the invention can be used with containers such as baskets, pots and trays for storage, and beverage containers. Any letter used after a number to describe an element in the drawings is simply to refer to the same element in different containers. Therefore, any statement made with respect to an element in a referenced drawing with a number or a number followed by a letter may apply to any or all of the other containers, regardless of whether the numbered item is or is not shown or described with a letter. All references, including publications, applications, patents, and patents, cited herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and to be fully disclosed. at the moment.
The use of the terms "a", "an" and "the", "the" and similar referents in the context of the description of the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) will be interpreted to encompass both the singular form as plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or that is clearly opposed by the context. The terms "comprises", "holds", "includes" and "contains" shall be construed as open terms (ie, meaning "including, but not limited to") unless otherwise indicated. The indication of scale of values herein is simply intended to serve as an abbreviated method to refer individually to each separate value that is within the scale, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification. as if it were individually indicated in the present. All methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contrasted by the context. The use of any and all example, or exemplary language (eg, "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to further clarify the invention and does not represent a limitation on the scope of the invention, unless otherwise claimed . No language in the specification should be interpreted as an indication that any unclaimed item is essential to the practice of the invention. Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best known mode for the inventors to carry
the invention. Variations of these preferred embodiments may be apparent to those skilled in the art after having read the above description. The inventors expect those skilled in the art to employ such variations as they deem convenient, and the inventors claim that the invention is practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter indicated in the appended claims to this document, as permitted by applicable law. In addition, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention, unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contrasted by the context.