NL1038054C2

NL1038054C2 - Container and system.

Info

Publication number: NL1038054C2
Application number: NL1038054A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Thijs Elferink; Sjoerd Frederick Bokma
Original assignee: Thijs Elferink; Sjoerd Frederick Bokma
Priority date: 2010-06-18
Filing date: 2010-06-18
Publication date: 2011-12-20
Also published as: WO2011157851A1

Description

Container and system

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of containers, in particular couplable containers and more in particular to couplable beverage containers.

5

BACKGROUND

Containers for holding one or more objects or substances, e.g. liquids, are known. Carrying plural open containers by hand is burdensome, in particular when the con-10 tainers are at least partly filled, in particular when filled with a liquid and/or with one or more objects protruding from the container such as a stirring tool, a drinking straw or the like. For transportation of a plurality of containers a tray or other carrying equipment may be used, but this requires a fur-15 ther object which must be disposed of.

Container systems comprising couplable containers addressing such condition are known in the art, e.g. from DE 20 2008 001 979 and US 5,024,067 which disclose containers comprising joints for interconnecting plural containers. The joints 20 comprise dovetail tongues fitting blind dovetail grooves for coupling. A plurality of containers thus coupled may be picked up and carried without using a tray by lifting one container such that the dovetail tongues abut the blind ends of the dovetail grooves. When lifting another container of the plurality of 25 coupled containers, the dovetail joint tongue may be slid out of the dovetail grooves and the containers become separated again. Although this allows dividing and/or individual use of the separated container(s) it may lead to spilling and damage of contents of the containers and/or the containers themselves when 30 the plurality of coupled containers is inadvertently picked up or held by the wrong container.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an 35 improved container system.

1 03 8054 2

To that end a container system is provided which comprises a first container and a second, possibly substantially similar, container. The first container comprises an upright orientation in which it extends generally along a first axis, 5 and the second container comprises an upright orientation in which it extends generally along a second axis. The first container comprises a first coupling means and the second container comprises a mated second coupling means. The first and second containers comprise cooperating coupling means for detachably 10 coupling the first and second containers and when coupled blocking relative displacement of the first and second containers in a radial direction with respect to at least one of the first and second axes. The first and second containers are detachably cou-plable together to a first coupled condition, such that, in the 15 first coupled condition, the first and second containers are oriented substantially parallel and the first and second coupling means block relative displacement of the first and second containers in a first direction substantially along the first and second axes and in a second direction substantially along 20 the first and second axes substantially opposite the first direction.

Thus, the first and second containers can be carried together substantially in their upright orientations for holding one or more objects or substances by holding either one of the 25 first and second containers.

It should be noted that within the present text, unless clearly otherwise specified, the word "orientation" refers to the relation between the first and/or second container and an exterior reference system, in particular a reference system 30 based on gravity, whereas the words "position" and "direction" relate to reference systems associated with the first and/or second containers themselves. The axis of the container is introduced for reference purposes; inclining a container with respect to an exterior reference system, e.g. for (partly) emp-35 tying the container corresponds to inclining the axis with respect to the exterior reference system.

The first and second containers may comprise cooperating coupling means, possibly comprising the first and second coupling means, for detachably coupling the first and second 3 containers in at least the first coupled condition also in at least one direction substantially tangential to the first and/or second axes, to further facilitate holding and/or carrying coupled containers .

5 The first and second coupling means may be configured to substantially fix the first and second containers with respect to each other in the first coupled condition. This ensures a stable relative position of the first and second containers, which reduces chances of spilling contents of the containers and 10 improves user comfort.

In an embodiment, the first coupling means comprises a first coupling portion and the second coupling means comprises a second coupling portion forming a first set of cooperating coupling features, which is configured to block relative 15 displacement of the first and second containers in one direction along the first and second axes, and the first coupling means comprises a third coupling portion and the second coupling means comprises a fourth coupling portion forming a second set of cooperating coupling features, which is configured to block 20 relative displacement of the first and second containers substantially in the opposite direction along the first and second axes .

The first and second sets of cooperating coupling features may be individually optimised and may be configured 25 differently, requiring different forces and/or relative movements for (de)coupling, so that reliable (de)coupling of the first and second sets may be individually established and/or ascertained.

In an embodiment, the first and second coupling means 30 may be (de)couplable into and/or out of, respectively, the first coupled condition by a first relative movement of the first and second containers comprising at least one change of the separation and/or inclination of the first and second containers with respect to each other. Such change in separation or relative po-35 sition and direction of the first and second containers amounts to a relative movement other than a relative translation substantially parallel to the first or second axis, which would be similar to DE 20 2008 001 979 and US 5,024,067. Such change may comprise, e.g., a relative movement in a radial direction, a 4 relative movement in a tangential direction and/or a change in relative axial inclination. In this way, chances of tossing and/or spilling contents of the first and/or second containers are reduced, in particular for open containers, since the appli-5 cation of force to (de)couple the containers along a direction parallel to the upright orientation is prevented or at least the amount of force required therefor is reduced.

In particular, the first set of cooperating coupling features defined above may be detachably couplable together to a 10 second coupled condition, wherein in the second coupled condition the first set of cooperating coupling features is pivotably coupled together, such that in the second coupled condition the first and second containers are pivotable with respect to each other for (de)coupling the second set of cooperating coupling 15 features and (de)coupling the first and second coupling means into or out of, respectively, the first coupled condition. In this way, a two-step coupling may be achieved by first providing the second coupled condition, which may be termed an initial or intermediate coupling condition, in which the first set of coop-20 erating coupling features facilitates the second step of obtaining or completing the first coupled condition.

The first and second coupling means may be (de)couplable into or out of, respectively, the second coupled condition by a relative movement of the first and second con-25 tainers in a direction at least generally parallel to the first and second axes. In such way, coupling of the first and second containers may be performed in a smooth movement which generally resembles hooking the first and second containers together. This also facilitates coupling one of the first and second containers 30 to the other one while one of the two is standing on a surface.

In the latter embodiment, the first and second coupling means may be configured such that the first relative movement, to provide the first coupled condition, comprises pivoting the first and second containers with respect to each other in a 35 plane spanned by the first and second axes, so that the first and second containers may be arranged adjacent each other in a row and generally in parallel, e.g. substantially in upright orientation, and the direction of pivoting is in a direction 5 along the row. This provides a natural reference direction for (performing) the pivoting, improving user comfort.

The first and second containers may comprise cooperating latching structures for latching the first and second 5 coupling means together in the first coupled condition. The latching structures may be comprised in the first and/or second coupling means. The first and second coupling means may comprise cooperating snapping structures for snapping the first and second coupling means together in or into the first coupled 10 condition.

Latching structures and/or snapping structures provide a barrier for accidental decoupling the containers from the first coupled condition. A clearly detectable snap, e.g. tactile and/or audible, also can signify a user that the first coupled 15 condition has been achieved and may improve user comfort. In an embodiment having a first set and a second set of cooperating coupling features as defined above, snapping and/or latching may be associated with coupling together one or both sets. Latching structures and snapping structures may be combined and/or inte-20 grated.

In an embodiment, the first coupling means comprises a portion extending from a side wall portion of the first container having a relatively wide portion remote from the side wall portion and a relatively narrow waist close to the side 25 wall portion, inbetween the side wall and the relatively wide portion, and the second coupling means comprises a receptacle portion for receiving and retaining at least the relatively wide portion of the first coupling means in at least the first coupled condition. Thus, in a coupled condition, separation of the 30 containers perpendicular to the side wall portion is prevented. In the embodiment a general dovetail joint may be provided. The relatively wide portion seen with respect to the direction of extension from the wall portion, may have one or more be polygonal and/or rounded portions and need not be symmetric.

35 Preferably, the first and second coupling means each extend along a side wall portion of the first and second containers, respectively, substantially along the first and second axis, respectively. In such way, maintaining generally parallel orientation of the containers is facilitated. The first and/or 6 second coupling means may extend along a fraction, e.g. approx, one half, one third, one quarter, one fifth etc. of the height of the container and/or comprise plural portions, e.g. comprising a row of protrusions, recesses etc. This may reduce material 5 use and weight of the container.

At least one of the first and second containers, preferably both, may comprise at least one first coupling means and at least one mated second coupling means for contemporary coupling to plural containers of the container system in a first 10 coupled condition as defined herein. Thus, a series of more than two containers coupled together may be formed.

The first and second containers may be stackable at least partially into each other, for saving storage space. Stackable containers may comprise a relatively narrow stem por-15 tion and a relatively wide collar portion. The first and second coupling means preferably are integrated in the collar portion.

Advantageously, the container system comprises plural substantially identical containers, which contain at least one first coupling means and at least one mated second coupling 20 means as described herein.

A suitable container may comprise an upright orientation in which it extends generally along an axis and may comprise a substantially rotationally symmetric outer circumference about the axis. At least one coupling means of the 25 container, preferably all coupling means when more than one is present, is (are) integrated in a side wall portion of the container so as to be arranged substantially within the outer circumference. Thus, the coupling portions do not extend beyond the basic shape of the container, facilitating storing and han-30 dling the containers in both coupled and uncoupled conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-described aspects will hereafter be more explained with further details and benefits with reference to the 35 drawings showing embodiments of the invention by way of example. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of coupled containers forming part of a container system; 7

Figs 2 and 3 each are a perspective view of one container of the system of Fig 1, from different angles;

Fig. 4 is a plan side view of two partly coupled containers; 5 Fig. 5 is a bottom perspective view of two containers, coupled as in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a plurality of coupled containers forming part of a container system; 10 Figs 7 and 8 each are a perspective view of one con tainer of the system of Fig 6, from different angles.

Fig. 9 is a plan side view of another embodiment of couplable containers forming part of a container system;

Figs 10-11 are different views of details showing cou-15 pling means of the containers of Fig. 9;

Fig 12 is a plan side view of another embodiment of couplable containers forming part of a container system;

Figs 13-14 are different views of details showing coupling means of the containers of Fig. 12; 20 Fig. 15 is a plan side view of two containers of the containers of Fig. 12, facing each other;

Fig. 16 indicates coupling two containers of Figs. 12- 15;

Fig 17 is a plan side view of another embodiment of 25 couplable containers forming part of a container system;

Figs 18-19 are different views of details showing coupling means of the containers of Fig. 12;

Fig. 20 indicates coupling two containers of the embodiment of Figs. 17-19; 30 Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a further embodiment a container forming part of a container system,-

Fig. 22 is a top view of coupling means of two containers of the embodiment of Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 is a top view of the coupling means of Fig.22 35 in coupled condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It is noted that the drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale and that details that are not required for understanding the present invention may have been omitted. The 8 terms "upward", "downward", "below", "above", and the like relate to the embodiments as oriented in the drawings, unless otherwise specified. Further, elements that are at least substantially identical or that perform an at least substantially 5 identical function are denoted by the same numeral, where useful individually identified with an alphabetic suffix.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of coupled containers 1 forming a part of a container system 3. Each container 1 comprises an upright orientation in which it extends 10 generally along an axis A. The containers 1 are mutually substantially identical having an interior void 2 for containing an object or a liquid, here in the form of beverage containers in particular stackable drinking glasses 1 comprising a widened collar portion 4 at the open top side rim of the container 1 and 15 a narrower, generally tapered or conical portion towards a bottom side of the container 1. Figs 2 and 3 each are a perspective view of one container 1 of the system 3, from different angles. Fig. 4 is a plan side view of two partly coupled containers 1, Fig. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the two containers 1A and 20 IB, coupled as in Fig. 1.

In the system 3, each container 1A comprises a first coupling means 5 and a mated second coupling means 7. The first and second coupling means 5, 7, are arranged on the relatively wide collar portion 4. In the shown embodiment, the first cou-25 pling means 5 comprises a generally rib-shaped portion extending from a side wall portion 6 and the second coupling means comprises a recess 8, which both extend generally along the container 1 in a direction substantially parallel to the axis A of the container 1. The (collar portion 4 of the) con-30 tainer 1 comprises a substantially round outer circumference about its axis A. The first and second coupling means 5, 7 are integrated in associated side wall portions of the container 1, with the side wall portion 6 being recessed into the void 2, so as to conform substantially to the circumference of the gener-35 ally tubular outer shape of the container 1.

As best visible in Figs. 2 and 3 the first coupling means 5 comprises a first coupling portion 9 and the second coupling means 7 comprises a second coupling portion 11. Further, the first coupling means 5 comprises a third coupling portion 13 9 and the second coupling means 7 comprises a fourth coupling portion 15.

In the shown embodiment, the first coupling means 5 comprises a generally rib-shaped portion 16 extending along the 5 container 1 in a direction substantially parallel to the axis A.

The first coupling portion 9 of the first coupling means 5 (best seen in Fig. 2) extends from the side wall portion 6 of the container 1 in substantially radial direction with respect to the axis A. The first coupling portion 9 has 10 protrusions such as ribs 17 providing a relatively wide portion 19 remote from the side wall portion 6 and a relatively narrow waist 21 inbetween the side wall portion 6 and the relatively wide portion 19. Thus a dovetail profile is formed which here extends along the container side wall portion 6 in a direction 15 substantially parallel to the axis A. In the shown embodiment, the first coupling means 5, including the waist 21, is hollow and in communication with the interior void 2 of the container 1. This facilitates manufacturing of the container 1 and reduces material consumption, while providing a robust first coupling 20 means 5.

The third coupling portion 13 of the first coupling means 5 comprises a protruding portion 23. The third coupling portion 13 comprises ribs 25 with edges that optionally provide the third coupling portion 13 with a dovetail profile in paral-25 lei to the axis A.

The second coupling portion 11 of the second coupling means 7 (best seen in Fig. 3) comprises a generally C-shaped portion 27 with arms 28 providing an opening in a substantially radial direction with respect to the axis A. The C-shaped por-30 tion 27 is formed to matingly accommodate the first coupling portion 9 as a dovetail groove and it comprises stops or blind ends in the form of bottom walls 29.

The fourth coupling portion 15 of the second coupling means 7 comprises a recess 31 into the container wall, having 35 upper wall 33 and side walls 35. The recess 31 is formed to matingly accommodate (the protruding portion 23 of) the third coupling portion 13. Optionally, the side walls 35 are formed to clamp onto one or more ribs 25 of the protruding portion 23.

10

The coupling of two adjacent containers 1 will be explained with reference to Figs. 4 and 5, with two containers which are for explanatory purposes identified as first container 1A and second container IB and having axes AA and AB, respec-5 tively. Features of the respective containers IA, IB will be identified with the reference signs defined above (Figs. 1-3) and with appropriate suffices A or B.

To couple two adjacent containers 1A and IB, the first coupling portion 9A of the first container 1A is introduced into 10 the second coupling portion 11B of the second container IB to provide an initial coupled condition I (see wide arrow I in Fig 4). In the condition of Fig. 4, the second container IB may be stationary, e.g. standing on a surface (not shown), and (the first coupling portion 9A of) the first container 1A is hooked 15 or slid substantially parallel to the axis AA into (the second coupling portion 11B of) the second container IB. In the initial coupled condition I the mated dovetail profiles of the first and second coupling portions 9A, 11B, block separation of the containers IA, IB in directions perpendicular to either axis AA and 20 AB and the ribs 17A may abut the bottom walls 29B to define a maximum insertion depth blocking further relative movement and/or separation in the direction of the wide arrow I. Thus, in the initial coupled condition I, the second container IB may be lifted to also lift the first container 1A, but not the other 25 way around.

In the initial coupled condition I, due to the protrusion 13A of the first coupling means 5A the containers 1A and IB may be somewhat inclined with respect to each other. Here, the inclination is over an angle O in a plane comprising both axes 30 AA, AB, indicated exaggerated in Fig. 4. In the initial coupled condition, the first set of cooperating coupling features formed by first and second coupling portions 9A, 11B, in particular the ribs 17A abutting the bottom walls 29B, provide a fulcrum for pivoting the first and second containers 1A and IB with respect 35 to each other, here at least over the angle ¢. By pivoting the first and second containers 1A and IB over the angle ¢, see wide arrow II in Fig. 4, the second set of cooperating coupling means formed by the third and fourth coupling portions 13A, 15B may be coupled, which in the shown embodiment may comprise snapping 11 (the ribs 25A of) the third coupling portion 13A to (the side walls 35B of) the fourth coupling portion 15B. The resultant coupled condition II is shown in Figs 1 and 5. The protruding portion 23A in cooperation with the upper wall 33B biock further 5 relative movement and/or separation of the containers parallel to the axes AA, AB and in particular against the direction of the wide arrow I, such that in the resultant coupled condition II, the second container IB may be lifted to also lift the first container 1A, but also the other way around. Such resultant cou-10 pled condition II is considered comprised in the term "first coupled condition" in the appended claims, the "initial coupled condition I" referred to above is considered comprised in the term "second coupled condition" in the appended claims.

In this embodiment, the protruding portion 23A pro-15 trudes further from the side wall portion 6A of the container 1 in substantially radial direction with respect to the axis A than the remaining portions of the first coupling means 5A. However, the extent of protrusion of the protruding portion 23A in radial direction depends at least in part on the shape and di-20 mensions of corresponding portions of the fourth coupling portion 15B, here in particular the recess 31B. Different shapes and dimensions of these portions 23A, 3IB, may therefore be contemplated, including providing the upper wall 33B of the recess 3IB with a downward latch portion and the protrusion 23A with a 25 matching upward hook portion gripping the latch portion.

Although the shown first and second coupling means 5, 7, are formed to snap together and substantially fix the first and second containers IA, IB to each other, the first and second coupling means 5A, 7B, may also be configured such that the cou-30 pled condition between the first and second coupling means 5A, 7B is secured by the weight of the containers IA, IB, when either one of the containers IA, IB is held upright, e.g. by allowing further pivoting of the containers IA, IB with respect to each other.

35 For separating the containers IA, IB, the containers IA, IB are pivoted with respect to each other to decouple the second set of cooperating coupling features 13, 15, first returning to the coupled condition I and subsequently translated with respect to each other to decouple the first set of cooper- 12 ating coupling features and free the containers 1A and IB from each other.

In the above-described manner a series of substantially similar containers 1 may be coupled in a row, see in Fig. 1. De-5 pending on the dimensions of the first and second coupling means 5, 7, the entire row may be lifted and carried by holding any one or more containers 1.

Another embodiment of a container system 3 comprising substantially identical stackable containers 1 is shown in Figs. 10 6-8. In this embodiment the first and second coupling means 5, 7, are generally similar to the embodiment of Figs 1-5. The first coupling means 5 is a protrusion extending from the container wall and being generally elongated in a direction along the axis A with a relatively wide portion 19 remote from the 15 container wall and a relatively narrow waist 21 inbetween. The relatively wide portion 19 comprises a first coupling portion 9 comprising upper ribs 17 and a third coupling portion 13 comprising lower ribs 37, the upper and lower ribs 17, 37 being separated by a relatively narrow section 39.

20 The second coupling means 7 comprises a second coupling portion 11 comprising an upper generally C-shaped portion 27 with upper arms 28 and a fourth coupling portion 15 comprising a lower generally C-shaped recessed portion 31 comprising lower arms 41. The upper and lower arms 28, 41 are separated by an in-25 termediate portion 43 which provides blind ends to both C-shaped portions 27, 31.

The upper ribs 17 and the upper C-shaped portion 27 form a first set of cooperating coupling features and the lower ribs 37 and lower C-shaped portion 31 form a second set of coop-30 erating coupling features. Similar to the embodiment of Figs 1-5, for coupling a first container 1A and a second container IB, the upper ribs 17A of the first container IB are introduced into the upper C-shaped portion 27B of the second container IB by translating the containers IA, IB. Cooperation between the first 35 and second coupling portions, here in particular the upper ribs 17 and the intermediate portion 43 limit the translation distance, such that an initial coupled condition I is achieved. In this initial coupled condition I the containers IA, IB are pivotable with respect to each other. Next, the lower ribs 37 are 13 introduced into the lower C-shaped portion 31 by pivoting the containers with respect to each other (cf. arrow II in Fig. 4), with the lower arms 41 snapping onto the lower ribs 37. In this condition translation along the axes AA, AB is blocked by the 5 blind ends of the C-shaped portions 27, 31 provided by the intermediate portion 43.

Thus, subject to the dimensions and strengths of (the coupling portions 5, 7 of) the containers 1, two or more coupled containers 1 (see Fig. 6) may be carried by holding any one of 10 the coupled containers 1.

Be reversing the movements for coupling two containers I, containers 1 may be decoupled and separated.

Another embodiment is shown in Fig. 9 (front view) with details in Fig. 10 (perspective view) and Fig. 11 (top view).

15 The first container 1A comprises first coupling means 5A in the form of a button comprising a relatively wide discoid portion 19A connected with a relatively narrow waist 21A to a container side wall portion 6A, here again arranged on a container collar portion 4A. The second container IB comprises a second coupling 20 means 7B in the form of a groove in a container side wall portion having , when viewed along the container axis AB a general C-shape (Fig. 11) and in front view a general J-shape or field hockey stick shape (Figs 9, 10) with a stem portion 45 and a tip portion 47.

25 For coupling the first and second containers IA, IB,

the button-shaped first coupling portion 5A is introduced into the stem portion 45 of the groove-shaped second coupling means 7B and arranged into the tip portion 47 thereof, or in the bend portion between the stem and tip portions 45, 47 so that upon 30 lifting the first container 1A the first coupling means 5A

slides into the tip portion 47. Thus coupled, the first and second coupling means 5A, 7B interengage and both containers IA, IB may be lifted together by holding either one of them. Further containers 1 may be coupled in like manner and lifted together.

35 Figs. 12-14 shows, in views similar to Figs 9-11, an other embodiment, partially similar to the embodiment of Figs 9- II. Fig. 15 is a side view of the containers IA, IB of Figs. 12-14, with the first and second coupling portions 5A, 7B facing each other.

14

In this embodiment, the first container 1A comprises a first coupling means 5A in turn comprising a first coupling portion 9A in the form of a button as in Figs. 9-11, and a third coupling portion 13A in the form of a hook portion upwardly ex-5 tending from the container side wall. The second container IB

comprises a second coupling means 7B in turn comprising a second coupling portion 11B in the form of a groove as in Figs. 9-11, which here is substantially straight or I-shaped. The second coupling means 7B further comprise a fourth coupling portion 15B 10 in the form of a hook portion 51 downwardly extending from the container side wall.

For coupling the first and second containers IA, IB, the button-shaped first coupling portion 5A is introduced into the groove-shaped second coupling means 7B, to provide an ini-15 tial coupled condition I (see Fig. 16). As discussed before with reference to Fig. 4, in an initial coupled condition I, the containers 1A and IB may be somewhat inclined with respect to each other over an angle $ in a plane comprising both axes AA, AB.

The fulcrum of such inclination and the maximum pivoting angle 20 depend on the shapes of the first and second coupling portions 9A, 11B.

As indicated in Fig. 16, in the initial coupled condition I, the first set of cooperating coupling means formed by the first and second coupling portions 9A, 11B also provide a 25 fulcrum for a relative rotation of the first and second containers IA, IB about an angle 0 in a generally tangential direction with respect to both axes AA, AB, or a direction at least generally parallel to the first and second axes AA, AB, and generally perpendicular to the angle ¢. In such rotation the containers 30 IA, IB move in a direction generally past each other rather than towards each other (as in the case for the angle ¢) .

By pivoting the first and second containers 1A and IB over the angles <I> (cf. Fig. 4) or 0 (Fig. 16), the second set of cooperating coupling means formed by the third and fourth cou-35 pling portions 13A, 15B may be coupled to a resultant coupled condition II. Which coupling action may comprise snapping of the third and fourth coupling portions 13A, 15B behind each other and in the case of pivoting over the angle $ generally will com 15 prise snapping. A combined relative movement in <I> and 0 may also be allowed.

In a variant, shown in Figs 17-20, the second set of cooperating coupling means 13A, 15B is formed in particular for 5 pivoting over an angle 0 in a direction at least generally parallel to the first and second axes AA, AB, and to block rotation when the containers IA, IB are substantially parallel. The second set of cooperating coupling means 13A, 15B are formed to provide snapping engagement and block displacement and radial 10 separation of the containers IA, IB with respect to the axes AA, AB as well as relative rotation in both angles O and 0 about the fulcrum of the first set of cooperating coupling means 9A, 11B.

Yet another embodiment is shown in Figs. 21-23. Here, the containers IA, IB are substantially identical and comprise 15 substantially identical hermaphroditic coupling means 51, which may be seen as first coupling means 5 as well as second coupling means 7. The hermaphroditic coupling means 51 comprise an upper hook portion 53 and a lower hook portion 55, which both are open in a substantially tangential direction with respect to the axes 20 AA, AB. The upper and lower hook portions 53, 55 are separated by a slot 57. Further, an obstruction portion is provided, here in the form of a rib portion 59, which provides a closure to open volume 61, 63 defined between the upper and lower hook portions 53, 55, respectively, on one side and the container wall 25 portion or a similar portion of the coupling means 51 on an opposite side.

For coupling two such containers IA, IB, (Figs. 22, 23, showing only the coupling means 51A, 51B of the considered containers IA, IB) the coupling means 51A, 51B are hooked into each 30 other (see wide arrow in Fig. 22), wherein the obstruction portion 59A, 59B of each coupling means 51A, 51B is received in the slot 57B, 57A of the other coupling means 51B, 51A. Such hooking comprises a substantially tangential movement of the containers with respect to each other relative to the axes AA, AB of the 35 containers IA, IB resembling the containers IA, IB moving in a direction generally past each other rather than towards each other. Best visible in Figs 22-23, the hook portions 53A, 53B and 55A, 55B, flare towards their tips to provide a clamping and fixing force onto each other (53A, 53B; 55A, 55B) in the coupled 16 condition (Fig. 23). In the first coupled condition shown in Fig. 23, the upper and lower hook portions 53A, 55A / 53B, 55B hold the containers IA, IB together. The obstruction portions 59A, 59B interfering with the hook portions 53B, 53A; 55B, 55A 5 of the other coupling portion block relative displacement of the containers IA, IB in both upward and downward direction substantially along the first and second axes AA, AB. Thus, two coupled containers IA, IB may be lifted by holding either one of the containers IA, IB. Additional coupled containers may be lifted 10 as well.

As a further embodiment, the embodiment shown in Figs. 17-20 may be modified by using coupling means 51 shown in Figs. 21-23 as second set of cooperating coupling features 13, 15. By pivoting two such containers IA, IB that are initially coupled 15 in a coupled condition I over an angle 0 in tangential direction with respect to the axes AA, AB, and fitting the hook portions 53a, 53B; 55A, 55B into each other the second set of cooperating coupling features 13, 15 (51A, 51B) may be coupled.

The shape of the shown containers and features thereof 20 may be smoothly rounded off without compromising their coupling and/or displacement-blocking functionality. This facilitates cleaning the containers and hygienic reuse. Suitable materials are glass, metals and/or plastic materials e.g. acrylate or polycarbonate, which may facilitate latching and/or snapping 25 structures. Polylactic acid-based or corn starch-based plastic material are also suitable and provide a biodegradable container .

The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiments which can be varied in a number of ways within the 30 scope of the claims. For instance a container may comprise more and/or different coupling means, including more than one coupling means of a given type, to allow coupling in plural directions and/or to more than two other containers. Forcing coupling in a particular shape, e.g. along a curve, may provide 35 a natural limit to the number of interconnectable containers, preventing accidental overloading of the coupling and possible spilling or damage.

The containers need not be identical and need not be stackable.

17

One or more containers may comprise a closure, e.g. a lid. One or more containers may comprise one or more handles or grips.

The containers may be formed as holder for a further 5 container, e.g. a disposable drinking cup. Such container need not comprise a bottom wall but may be a generally ring-shaped container, not necessarily annularly shaped.

Elements and aspects discussed for or in relation with a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements 10 and aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise .

1Ü3 8 0 6 4

Claims

A container system (3) comprising a first container (IA) and a second container (1B), wherein the first container has an erected orientation in which it generally extends along a first axis (AA), the second container has an erected orientation in which it generally extends along a second axis (AB), the first and second containers (1A; 1B) comprising cooperating coupling means (5; 7) for releasably coupling the first and second containers and when coupled blocking relative movement of the first and second containers in a radial direction relative to the first and / or second axis (AA; AB); wherein the first container comprises a first coupling means (5A) and the second container comprises a matching second coupling means (7B), wherein the first and second containers are releasably coupled to a first coupled state (II) such that, in the first coupled condition, the first and second containers are oriented substantially parallel and the first and second coupling means block relative movement of the first and second containers in a first direction substantially along the first and second axes and in a second direction mainly along the first and second axes essentially opposite to the first direction.

The container system (3) according to claim 1, wherein the first and second containers (1A; 1B) comprise cooperating coupling means (5; 7) for releasably coupling the first and second containers in at least the first coupled state (II ) in at least one direction substantially tangential to the first and / or second axis (AA; AB).

The container system (3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second coupling means (5A, 7B) are formed for substantially fixing the first and second containers (IA, 1B) in relation to each other in the first coupled state (II).

The container system (3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first coupling means (5A) comprises a first coupling part (9A) and the second coupling means (7B) comprises a second coupling part (11B), which comprises a first set of cooperating coupling parts and the first coupling means (5A) comprises a third coupling part (13A) and the second coupling means (7B) comprises a fourth coupling part (15B), which forms a second set of cooperating coupling parts, the first set of cooperating coupling parts being formed to at least in the first coupled state (II), to block relative displacement of the first and second containers in a direction along the first and second axes 15 (AA; AB), and the second set of cooperating coupling members is formed to at least in the first coupled state (II), block relative displacement of the first and second containers in a substantially opposite direction along the first and second axes (AA; AB).

The container system (3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second coupling means (5A; 7B) are at least connectable to and / or can be disconnected from the first coupled state (II) by a first relative movement of the first and second containers comprising at least one change in the mutual distance and / or the slope of the first and second containers (IA; 1B) relative to each other.

The container system (3) according to claims 4 and 5, wherein the first and second coupling means (5A; 7B) are releasably coupled together to a second coupled state (I), wherein in the second coupled state the first set of cooperating coupling members (9A) 11B) is rotatably coupled together such that in the second coupled state the first and second containers (IA; 1B) are rotatable relative to each other for coupling and / or uncoupling the second set of cooperating coupling parts and coupling to uncoupling respectively from the first coupled state (II) of the first and second coupling means (5A, 7B).

The container system (3) according to claim 6, wherein the first and second coupling means (5A, 7B) are connectable to and / or disconnectable from the second coupled state (I) by a second relative movement of the first and second containers ( IA; 1B) in a direction that is at least substantially parallel to the first and second axes (AA; AB).

The container system (3) according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the first and second coupling means (5A, - 7B) are formed such that the first relative movement rotates the first and second containers (IA; 1B) relative to from each other in a plane that is clamped by the first and second axes (AA; AB).

The container system (3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second containers (IA; 1B) comprise cooperating locking structures for locking the first and second coupling means 20 (5A; 7B) together in the first coupled state (II).

10. The container system (3) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the first and second coupling means (5A; 7B) comprise cooperating snap structures (23A; 35B) for snapping the first and second coupling means into or into the first coupled state (II).

11. The container system (3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first coupling means (5A) comprises a part that extends from a side wall part (6A) of the first container (IA) that has a relatively wide part (19A) far from the side wall part and has a relatively narrow waist (21A) near the side wall part, and wherein the second coupling means (7B) comprises a receiving part (27) for receiving and retaining at least the relatively wide part of the first coupling means in at least the first coupled state (II).

The container system (3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and / or second container (IA; 1B) comprises at least a first coupling means (5) and at least a second matching coupling means (7) for simultaneously coupling with more than one container of the container system in a first coupled state (II) as defined in any one of the preceding claims.

The container system (3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second containers (IA; 1B) can be stacked at least partially in each other.

A container (1) comprising a first coupling means (5) and / or a second coupling means (7) as defined in one of the preceding claims for use in a container system (3) according to one of the preceding claims.

The container (1) according to claim 14, which has an erect orientation in which it generally extends along an axis 15 (A), and which has an outer circumference that is substantially rotationally symmetrical about the axis, and wherein at least one coupling means (5, 7) of the container is integrated in a side wall portion of the container such that it lies substantially within the outer circumference. 1 03 8 0 54