WO2013121376A1

WO2013121376A1 - A lidded container

Info

Publication number: WO2013121376A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/051216
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Bernard Mitchell
Original assignee: Viscount Plastics (Nz) Limited
Priority date: 2012-02-17
Filing date: 2013-02-15
Publication date: 2013-08-22
Also published as: AU2013200852A1

Abstract

A lidded container where the container has a base and at least one sidewall having an upper rim defining an open topped reservoir therebetween. The sidewall is capable of transferring a top load weight placed on top of the lidded container to the base. A lid can close the open topped reservoir and engage with the container at the upper rim. The lid is configured to be able to receive a like container in a stack formation. The lid and container are shaped and configured so that a primary zone or zones of weight transfer between the lid and the container occurs at a region or regions of the container where the sidewall is of a higher weight carrying capacity than other parts of the at least one side wall.

Description

A LIDDED CONTAINER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containers. More particularly but not exclusively it relates to a stackable/nestable container.

BACKGROUND

Stackable / nestable lidded pails or containers for containing and/or packaging and transporting products are known.

The pails are stacked one atop another for certain benefits such as transportability, space saving and ease of handling. The bottom pails must withstand the compressive forces of all the pails on top. As such, the bottom pails can be subject to failure. Failing compressively by buckling, deforming or shattering of the sidewalls of a pail can lead to the entire stack becoming unbalanced and perhaps toppling and / or the loss of goods.

Known stackable or nestable pails do have certain methods for avoidance of compressive failure. Typically more material is used to increase the side wall thickness of the containers. However these methods are often expensive to manufacture, and / or add too much weight to the design, and / or require an uneconomic amount or material and / or result in constructions that result in a loss of product volume in the pail.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lidded container which overcomes or at least partially ameliorates some of the

abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention may be said to be a lidded container comprising :

a container comprising a base upstanding from which is at least one sidewall having an upper rim defining an open topped reservoir therebetween, the at least one sidewall capable of transferring a top load weight placed ontop of the lidded container to the base,

a lid to close the open topped reservoir and engage with the container at said rim, the lid configured to be able to receive a like container in a stack formation (eg where a container is stacked directly on top of the lid), wherein the lid and container are shaped and configured so that primary zone or zones of weight transfer between the lid and the container occurs at a region or regions of the container where the at least one sidewall is of a higher weight carrying capacity than other parts of the at least one side wall.

Preferably the container is a multi sidewall container, the lid and container are shaped and configured so that primary zone or zones of weight transfer between the lid and the container occurs at each junction of adjacent sidewalls.

Preferably said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the primary zone or zones are established by virtue of direct contact of the lid with the container when in the engaged condition.

Preferably said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the primary zone or zones are established by virtue of the lid being at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported by a seat or seats of the container above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall.

Preferably said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the primary zone or zones are established by virtue of the lid being at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported by an upstand projecting upwardly from the rim so as to provide a seat above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall.

Preferably said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the primary zone or zones are established by virtue of the rim being stepped down in that region or those regions of the rim which are not above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall, such that the lid is at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported on the remaining region(s) of the rim, that or those regions providing a seat above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall.

Preferably the seat or seats comprises an upwardly presented surface of the container.

Preferably the seat or seats is located at or adjacent the upper rim.

Preferably the seat or seats is located internally of the container.

Preferably a plurality of primary zones exist.

Preferably there are discrete seats for each of said primary zones.

Preferably the lid comprises a resting region to rest on said seat or seats. Preferably the resting region is a continuous surface and the seat or seats are located to only contact the resting region at locations corresponding to where the weight bearing capacity of the container is higher.

Preferably a plurality of discrete resting regions are provided for each of said primary zones.

Preferably the seat is a continuous surface and the resting region is located to only contact the seat at locations corresponding to where the weight bearing capacity of the container is higher.

Preferably the container comprises 4 sidewalls.

Preferably the container is quadrilateral in plan view.

Preferably the container is polygonal in plan view.

Preferably each sidewall is connected to two adjacent said sidewalls at corner sections of the container.

Preferably the primary zones are at and/or adjacent said corner sections. Preferably the higher weight carrying capacity parts of the container are at the corner sections.

Preferably the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts are of a greater thickness than at least some other parts of the sidewall(s).

Preferably the higher weight carrying capacity part (herein after described as the "strengthening region") extends towards adjacent corner sections.

Preferably the extent by which the strengthening region extends towards adjacent corner sections varies along the height of the region.

Preferably the extent by which the strengthening region extends towards adjacent corner sections is the greatest at a location intermediate of the base and the rim.

Preferably the extent by which the strengthening region extends towards adjacent corner sections is the greatest midway between the base and the rim.

Preferably the extent by which the strengthening region extends towards adjacent junctions is the greatest at a location adjacent or proximate to the base.

Preferably the extent by which the strengthening region extends towards adjacent junctions is the greatest at a location adjacent or proximate to the rim.

Preferably the varying of the extent that the strengthening region extends towards adjacent corner sections along the height of the region is non-linear.

Preferably the varying of the extent that the strengthening region extends towards adjacent corner sections along the height of the region is linear.

Preferably the strengthening region is at least partially of greater thickness than the sidewall(s). Preferably the strengthening region is of constant thickness.

Preferably the strengthening region is of varying thickness.

Preferably the thickness of the strengthening region varies along the height of the region.

Preferably the thickness of the strengthening region is of greatest extent at a location intermediate of the base and the rim.

Preferably the thickness of the strengthening region is of greatest extent substantially midway between the base and the rim.

Preferably the thickness of the strengthening region is of greatest extent at a point above that which is substantially midway between the base and the rim.

Preferably the thickness of the strengthening region is of greatest extent at a point below that which is substantially midway between the base and the rim.

Preferably the corner sections are radiussed.

Preferably the corner sections are radiussed to form a ¼ circle profile when viewed in plan.

Preferably the lid can close the container in a sealed manner.

Preferably the lid can close the container in a liquid tight manner.

Preferably the stack formation is an aligned stack formation.

Alternatively the stack formation is a staggered stack formation.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a lidded container comprising

a container comprising a base upstanding from which is at least one sidewall having an upper rim defining an open topped reservoir therebetween, the at least one sidewall capable of transferring a top load weight placed on top of the lidded container to the base,

a lid to close the opening and engage with the container at said rim, the lid configured to be able to receive a like container in a stack formation,

wherein the lid and container engage with each other in a manner to isolate sidewall region or regions having lower load carrying capacity from acting to transfer topload weight to said base.

Preferably topload weight is weight of and/or transferred by the like container above..

Preferably said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of top I oad weight occurs by virtue of direct contact of the lid with the container when in the engaged condition.

Preferably said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of top load weight occurs by virtue of the lid being at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported by a seat or seats of the container above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall.

Preferably said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of top load weight occurs by virtue of the lid being at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported by an upstand projecting upwardly from the rim so as to provide a seat above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall.

Preferably said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of top load weight occurs by virtue of the rim being stepped down in that region or those regions of the rim which are not above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall, such that the lid is at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported on the remaining region(s) of the rim, that or those regions providing a seat above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a container to receive a lid, said container comprising :

a base upstanding from which is at least one sidewall having an upper rim defining an open topped reservoir therebetween, the at least one sidewall capable of transferring a top load weight placed ontop of the lidded container to the base, wherein the lid is able to close the opening and engage with the container at said rim, the lid configured to be able to receive a like container in a stack formation,

wherein the container is shaped and configured so that primary zone or zones of weight transfer between the lid and the container occurs at a region or regions of the container where the at least one sidewall is of a higher weight carrying capacity than other parts of the at least one side wall sidewall.

a quadrilateral base upstanding from which are four sidewalls each terminating at an upper rim and defining an open topped reservoir,

the rim able to receive a lid to close the open topped reservoir, the lid is able to bear weight from above, the container being shaped to transfer the weight to the base of via corner regions of the four side walls.

Preferably no weight transfer occurs by the side walls midway the corners.

Preferably at least one of the rim and lid are shaped to provide a lid seating for the lid at the rim, only at locations aligned with the corner regions. Preferably lid seating for the lid at the rim is provided only at locations aligned with the corner regions.

In another aspect the invention is a lidded, or liddable, moulded plastics container of a kind having a base and a peripheral wall upstanding from the base to define an open top, and optionally the, or a, said compatible lid;

Wherein the peripheral wall is of varied thickness about the container when considered in plan, spaced zones of greater wall thickness or greater load carrying capacity defining a load carrying column for vertical loading (e.g. as in a stack situation) from a spaced seated interaction between the lid and container (e.g. as preferably provided by a seat for the lid or a lid) down to the base periphery or adjacent thereto.

Preferably each seat is inwardly of and below a rim defined by the peripheral wall.

Preferably each seat is not part of a continuous shoulder of the peripheral wall.

Preferably each seat is provided by an upstand projecting upwardly from the upper edge of the peripheral wall above or aligned with the load carrying columns.

Preferably each seat is provided at a region of the upper edge of the peripheral wall which is above or aligned with the load carrying columns, said regions being intermediate of stepped down sections of the upper edge which correspond with those zones of the peripheral wall of lesser wall thickness or lesser load carrying capacity.

Preferably the container is combined with, or is assembled with, a said compatible lid.

Preferably such lid seals to the upper edge of the peripheral wall yet, in a stack situation in use, will transfer vertical loading into each column via the seat of each column.

Preferably the base is of a general rectangular or square plan form, albeit preferably with corner rounding,

Preferably said rounded corners each define a ^ΛΜ circle when viewed in plan.

Preferably the base is of a polygonal plan form.

Preferably said columns are each upstanding from the corners or rounded corners. Preferably the lid seals to the rim, seats to said seats and is resiliently retained under downwardly directed shoulder features, or a continuous shoulder feature, of the peripheral wall.

Preferably the columns being zones of greater thickness, each flanked by zones of lesser thickness, visually merge both externally and internally of the peripheral wall with those zones of the peripheral wall of lesser thickness.

Optionally the base and/or peripheral wall may extend downwardly below a planar or substantially planar base region into a flange locatable into a matching recess of the, or a said compatible lid.

Preferably the peripheral wall is outwardly flared.

Preferably the containers are at least in part nestable with like containers.

Preferably the container is presented as a handled pail.

Preferably the handle is a separate moulding to that moulding which is the container.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a lidded container comprising ;

wherein the lid and container are shaped and configured so that primary weight bearing of the lid by the container occurs at a region or regions of the container where the at least one sidewall is of a higher weight carrying capacity than other parts of the at least one side wall sidewall.

Preferably said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of top load weight occurs by virtue of direct contact of the lid with the container when in the engaged condition.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a container and lid combination wherein the lid can transfer weight that it may bear to the container at a region or regions of the container and/or lid that are resistant to deformation to a greater extent than other regions of the container, the lid and/or container interacting in a manner to isolate said other regions of said container from any substantial weight transfer.

Preferably said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of weight occurs by virtue of direct contact of the lid with the container when in the engaged condition.

Preferably said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of weight occurs by virtue of the lid being at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported by a seat or seats of the container above or in line with those part or parts of the container which are resistant to deformation.

Preferably said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of weight occurs by virtue of the lid being at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported by an upstand projecting upwardly from a rim of the container so as to provide a seat above or in line with those part or parts of the container which are resistant to deformation.

Preferably said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of weight occurs by virtue of the rim being stepped down in that region or those regions of the rim which are not above or in line with regions of the container which are resistant to deformation , such that the lid is at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported on the remaining region(s) of the rim, that or those regions providing a seat above or in line with the regions of the container which are resistant to deformation.

Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. As used herein the term "buckling" includes bending, deforming, shattering, slumping and other modes of failure resulting from the application of compressive force.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of". When interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited above and below, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top perspective of a pail and lid of the invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom perspective of a pail and lid of the invention;

Figure 3 is a top perspective showing the lid;

Figure 4 is a top perspective showing the pail;

Figure 5 is a perspective highlighting the shelf or seat in the corner of the pail;

Figure 6 is a top elevation highlighting the shelf in the corner of the lid of the pail;

Figure 7 is a bottom elevation highlighting the supporting rib in the corner of the lid;

Figure 8 is a top elevation showing the pail,

Figure 9 is a side elevation showing the pail;

Figure 10 is an end elevation of the pail; Figure 11 is an side elevation cross section along line A-A of the pail of Figure 10 highlighting decreasing thickness of the sidewall going towards the centre of the pail;

Figure 12 is an top elevation cross section of the pail of Fig 10 highlighting variations in the thickness of the material at the corner junction of the sidewalls at various vertical positions as denoted by lines B-B, C-C and D-D of Figure 10. ;

Figure 13 is an side elevation cross section of the nested pails highlighting the pail shelf interacting with the lid in the corner of the pail / lid;

Figurel4 is an side elevation cross section of the nested pails highlighting the lack of pail to lid interaction;

Figure 15 is an alternative embodiment, bottom elevation of the lid highlighting the lack of supports for the pail on the sidewalls of the lid;

Figure 16 is an alternative embodiment, perspective of the pail highlighting the supports for the lid on the pail;

Figure 17 is a top elevation of an alternative embodiment round pail;

Figure 18 is a side elevation of the alternative embodiment round pail;

Figure 19 is a cross section view of Fig 18 or the alternative embodiment round pail highlighting the variation in wall thickness;

Figure 20 is a bottom perspective of an alternative embodiment of the lid and pail where a wafer like insert is used for lid support,

Figure 21 is a partial view from side on of an alternative embodiment of the pail in which the seating surface is provided by upstands which project from the rim of the pail, and

Figure 22 is a cross sectional view through line A-A of Figure 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the figures the invention will now be described wherein in figure 1 there is shown a lidded container 1 that consists of a container (also herein referred to as a pail 2) and a lid 3. The lid 3 can securely engage with the container to yet be removed therefrom. The lid 3 preferably creates a sufficiently liquid tight seal with the container so as to be able to seal the container. Sealing may be achieved by virtue of the geometry of the upper rim or rim region 7, which may comprise a lip, ridge or flange for sealing engagement with corresponding sealing features around the periphery of the lid 3. In other embodiments no sealing of the container is required, and therefore the upper rim or rim region 7 of the will not comprise any sealing lips, ridges or flanges. The container 2 is preferably an open topped container as shown in figure 4. The container consists of a base 4 that is preferably of a quadrilateral plan shape. Alternatively the plan shape of the container may be circular, oval, hexagonal, or otherwise polygonal. As can be seen, the corners of that shape may be radiussed or chamfered or the like.

Upstanding from the base are a plurality of sidewalls 6. The sidewalls extend from the base to an upper rim or rim region 7. Preferably the corner junctions at which the sidewalls adjoin one another are formed with a radius or chamfer to lend strength to the container. Most preferably the corner junctions are formed with a ¹A circle radius. Preferably the corner junctions are not formed from bending of the sidewall material about the corner, as such a manufacturing process yields a container with low resistance to buckling failure under loads applied in the vertical direction (i.e. that direction normal to the plane of the base).

In an alternative form the container may have a circular or other shaped base from which a sidewall or sidewalls extend. The sidewalls may transition to a different shaped rim to the base. In a preferred form as seen in the figures the sidewalls are angled so that from the base they are angled or flared outwardly to define a perimeter that is a larger size towards the rim in comparison to the base.

The lidded container may include a handle 9 that may depend from the container 2.

The lid 3 is able to locate with the rim 7 of the container in an appropriate manner. In a preferred embodiment, as seen in a cross section in figure 13, the lid 3 can locate with the rim 7 in a manner so that an outwardly disposed flange 12 of the lid sits outwardly and/or over the rim 7. A flexible seal 13 may be provided, carried by the lid to locate with the rim 7 of the container so as to assist in establishing a liquid tight seal. Retention of the lid with the container may occur by virtue of retention features 16 that are of the lid and container that may cooperate with each other in a snap fit manner so as to assist in the retention of the lid to the container.

As can be seen a tamper evident strip or panel may be provided by the lid that needs to be at least partially removed so as to then allow for the lid to be removed from the container in a reseatable manner.

The rim region 20 of the lid may include an inner periphery 21 at where the lid transitions to its primary closure panel 22. The primary closure panel is of a large extent, and sufficiently large to together with the rim 20 of the lid, be capable of covering the opening of the container. The closure panel 22 is preferably planar.

The inner periphery 21 is preferable of a shape so as to be able to allow for the accommodation of a base 4 of a container that is to be stacked on top. The container to be stacked on top preferably contacts the primary panel 22 at a base periphery 24 as can seen on figure 13. As a result a transfer of weight of the container above occurs at or approximate to the inner periphery 21 of the rim 20. This in turn allows for transfer of this weight via the rim 20 to the container 2.

The transfer of weight of a container above via the lid to the container 2 occurs only at regions where the container 2 is of a higher strength. In particular, it is desirable that those regions of the container to which the load is transferred are resistant to buckling or failing under compressive loads, for example the weight force exerted on a lower container in a stack of containers by those containers above it in the stack. In a preferred rectangular form of the container, shown in Figures 1 to 16, it is the region of the sidewalls at the corner junction which provides most resistance to failure by buckling. This resistance is by virtue of the cross sectional shape of the corner junction along the axis of a vertically applied load.

However in an alternative form as shown in figure 17 to 19 where the container may be of a circular plan shape, certain regions of the sidewali 2 may be of greater strength compared to other regions of the sidewali. As shown in figure 19 for example certain regions of the sidewali 19 may include a greater thickness of wall and it is of these areas or zones where weight transfer to the base 4 of the container preferably occurs.

Interaction between the lid 3 and the container 2 at the higher strength regions ensures that loads applied from above the container are transferred to and borne by those regions, whilst also being configured so as to isolate weaker parts of the container from subjection to any significant load transfer.

With reference to Figure 1 for example, at the junction 29 of the sidewali to 6A and to 6B, the container is of greater strength than for example at the middle region 30 of the or each sidewali. It is therefore desirable to isolate the mid regions of each sidewali from load transfer.

As can be seen in Figure 13, which shows a cross section through a region of greater load carrying capacity at the corner junction of the sidewalls of the container, the lid and container are shaped and configured so that load bearing of a load applied to the lid 3 can occur at regions of greater load carrying capacity of the container 2. The container preferably includes a seat or plurality of seats 31 on which a support member 32 of the lid can rest. These support members and/or seats are provided substantially above the regions of greater load carrying capacity of the container. The configuration of the rim region 7 of the container and/or the rim 20 of the lid is such that load bearing interaction does not occur at weaker regions of the sidewalls. For example, in figure 14, which shows a cross section through straight side of the container (for example section AA of figure 1)0 it can be seen that there is no seat 31 presented by the container on which the support member 32 of the lid is able to sit..

In the preferred form the support member 32 is of a substantially constant cross section at any vertical cross section taken through the lid.

The container rim 7 and lid rim 20 configurations shown in Figures 13 and 14 permits sealing of the container around the periphery of its otherwise open top. An alternative embodiment of the invention able to be used in applications when such sealing is not required is shown in Figures 21 and 22. In this embodiment there are upstands 65 located at the regions of higher load carrying capacity, which project proud of the rim 7 of the container to present a seating surface 31 to engage with the lid 3 in a manner that enables load transfer from the lid. It can be seen that those regions of the rim 7 where there are no upstands 65 will not act to support the lid 3, but may have geometric features, such as rib 66, which serve to engage with and retain the lid atop the container.

An equivalent effect to that shown in Figure 21 can be achieved by providing a container wherein a seat 31 is provided at each of the corner junction regions of the rim, while those regions of the rim intermediate the corner junctions are stepped down or cut away so as not to come into contact with the supporting member or supporting region 32 of the lid.

In the preferred form the seat or seats of the container are discreet and provided only above regions of greater load carrying capacity of the container.

These discreet seats are shown as 31A - D. The seat 31 may be a surface that is at least partially presented to face upwardly. The seat may include a profile that defines a channel or recess into which the support member 32 of the lid can nest or register. As can be seen in figure 13 the seat 31 is partly trough shaped 2, such that in combination with the sealing rim portion of the container that engages with the rubber seal 13, a trough shaped profile is defined. It will be appreciated that other forms of seat 31 may be provided (for example the upper edge of upstand 65 shown in Figure 21), its function primarily to provide direct upward support to the lid 3 at the seat. It is desirable for the base periphery 24 of the container above to locate with the lid 3 at or near the rim 20 of the lid so that as a result force transfer can occur in either lid substantially directly to the support members 32. Preferably parts of the rim region 20 of the lid that provide the load transfer extend substantially in a vertical orientation aligned with the vertical direction of the load that will be applied. This reduces the degree of any load induced flex of those regions of the lid.

The support member 32 is preferably continuous as shown with reference to figure 7, although in an alternative form it may be that the support member 32 is discontinous and the seat 31 that may be continuous as for example as shown in figure 15 and 16. This provides an alternative way to isolate weaker sidewall regions of the container from directly carrying and transferring the top load of the container.

It can be seen that with the support member(s) 32 located with a trough like configuration of rim of the lid that it is to a significant extent protected from any damage such as by being knocked or otherwise impacted. In addition the seat is of a shape and configuration that presents itself to also reduce the changes of it becoming damaged and thereby compromising the functionality of these features.

In the preferred form the support member is integral with other

components of the lid. Likewise the seat is integral with the container. In the preferred form the lid is made from an injection moulded plastic and likewise the container is made from an injection plastic.

In order to establish the discreet seating configuration between the lid and the container it is also envisage that a separate item such as an insert 60 as shown in figure 20 could be used. The insert 60 can be located between the container and the lid so as to thereby establish the desired discreet seating arrangement for the lid on the container. The insert may be carried by the lid or by the container and may be appropriately affixed.

Whilst in the preferred form it is the corner regions of the container that have the strongest load carrying capacity it may also be other parts of the sidewall or walls that are configured to provide such appropriate load carrying capacity in order for the seating arrangement to be established thereabove. In a preferred form of the invention, regions of greater load carrying capacity are provided by localised increases in the thickness of the sidewall material of the container at those regions.

Preferably the lid and/or the base of the container are shaped so that primary weight transfer between containers above and/or below is aligned with the corners of the containers above/below. For example, the base of the container may have feet at the corners. Or the lid may have projections or be so shaped to take a most of the weight from a topload at the corners of the lid aligned with the corners of the container below. With reference to figures 10, 11 and 12, additional corner strengthening may be provided by virtue of the provision of a zone 61 of one or each of the sidewalls where the sidewalls are thicker compared to the zone 62 intermediate the junctions of adjacent sidewalls. As can be seen the zone 61 preferably extends between the base and the rim and projects from a corner 63 towards the zone 62. The zone 61 may have a boundary 64 that is arcuate with the zone 62 as shown in figure 11, or may alternatively have a linearly defined boundary. The boundary 64 may be a gradual reduction in the thickness of the zone 61 to transition to the thickness of the zone 62 or may instead define an abrupt or stepped change in the thickness of the wall. A person skilled in the art will appreciate the shape and location of the thickened zone 61 may vary according to the geometry of the container and the loading requirements imposed upon it.

Claims

WE CLAIM :

1. A lidded container comprising :

a lid to close the open topped reservoir and engage with the container at said upper rim, the lid configured to be able to receive a like container in a stack formation,

wherein the lid and container are shaped and configured so that primary zone or zones of weight transfer between the lid and the container occurs at a region or regions of the container where the at least one sidewall is of a higher weight carrying capacity than other parts of the at least one side wall.

2. A lidded container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the container is a multi sidewall container, the lid and container are shaped and configured so that primary zone or zones of weight transfer between the lid and the container occurs at each junction of adjacent sidewalls.

3. A lidded container as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein a plurality of primary zones exist.

4. A lidded container as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3 wherein said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the primary zone or zones are established by virtue of direct contact of the lid with the container when in the engaged condition.

5. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the primary zone or zones are established by virtue of the lid being at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported by a seat or seats of the container above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall.

6. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the primary zone or zones are established by virtue of the lid being at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported by an upstand projecting upwardly from the rim so as to provide a seat above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall.

7. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the primary zone or zones are established by virtue of the rim being stepped down in that region or those regions of the rim which are not above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall, such that the lid is at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported on the remaining region(s) of the rim, or those regions providing a seat above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall.

8. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the seat or seats comprises an upwardly presented surface of the container.

9. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the seat or seats is located at or adjacent the upper rim.

10. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein the seat or seats is located internally of the container.

11. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10 wherein there are discrete seats for each of said primary zones.

12. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 11 wherein the lid comprises a resting region to rest on said seat or seats.

13. A lidded container as claimed in claim 12 wherein the resting region is a continuous surface and the seat or seats are located to only contact the resting region at locations corresponding to where the weight bearing capacity of the container is higher.

14. A lidded container as claimed in claim 12 or 13 wherein a plurality of discrete resting regions are provided for each of said primary zones.

15. A lidded container as claimed in claim 14 wherein the seat is a continuous surface and the resting region is located to only contact the seat at locations corresponding to where the weight bearing capacity of the container is higher.

16. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the container is polygonal in plan view.

17. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the container comprises 4 sidewalls.

18. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the container is quadrilateral in plan view.

19. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein each sidewall is connected to two adjacent said sidewalls at corner sections of the container.

20. A lidded container as claimed in claim 19 wherein the primary zones are at and/or adjacent said corner sections.

21. A lidded container as claimed in claim 19 or 20 wherein the higher weight carrying capacity parts of the container are at the comer sections.

22. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 21 wherein the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts are of a greater thickness than at least some other parts of the sidewall(s).

23. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 22 wherein the higher weight carrying capacity part (herein after described as the "strengthening region") extends towards adjacent corner sections.

24. A lidded container as claimed in claim 23 wherein the extent by which the strengthening region extends towards adjacent corner sections varies along the height of the region.

25. A lidded container as claimed in claim 23 or 24 wherein the extent by which the strengthening region extends towards adjacent corner sections is the greatest at a location intermediate of the base and the rim.

26. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 25 wherein the extent by which the strengthening region extends towards adjacent corner sections is the greatest midway between the base and the rim.

27. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 26 wherein the extent by which the strengthening region extends towards adjacent junctions is the greatest at a location adjacent or proximate to the base.

28. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 26 wherein the extent by which the strengthening region extends towards adjacent junctions is the greatest at a location adjacent or proximate to the rim.

29. A lidded container as claimed in claim 24 wherein the varying of the extent that the strengthening region extends towards adjacent corner sections along the height of the region is non-linear.

30. A lidded container as claimed in claim 24 wherein the varying of the extent that the strengthening region extends towards adjacent corner sections along the height of the region is linear.

31. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 30 wherein the strengthening region is at least partially of greater thickness than the sidewall(s).

32. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 31 wherein the strengthening region is of varying thickness.

33. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 32 wherein the thickness of the strengthening region varies along the height of the strengthening region.

34. A lidded container as claimed in claim 23 wherein the thickness of the strengthening region is of greatest extent at a location intermediate of the base and the rim.

35. A lidded container as claimed in claim 23 or 34 wherein the thickness of the strengthening region is of greatest extent substantially midway between the base and the rim.

36. A lidded container as claimed in at least one of claims 23 and 34 wherein the thickness of the strengthening region is of greatest extent at a point above that which is substantially midway between the base and the rim.

37. A lidded container as claimed in at least one claims 23 and 34 wherein the thickness of the strengthening region is of greatest extent at a point below that which is substantially midway between the base and the rim.

38. A lidded container as claimed in claim 23 wherein the strengthening region is of constant thickness.

39. A lidded container as claimed in claim 19 wherein the corner sections are radiussed.

40. A lidded container as claimed in claim 19 or 39 wherein the corner sections are radiussed to form a ¹A circle profile when viewed in plan.

41. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 40 wherein the lid can close the reservoir in a sealed manner with the container.

42. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 41 wherein the lid can close the reservoir in a sealed manner with the container.

43. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 42 wherein the stack formation is an aligned stack formation.

44. A lidded container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 42 wherein the stack formation is a staggered stack formation.

45. A lidded container comprising

a lid to close the opening topped reservoir and engage with the container at said rim, the lid configured to be able to receive a like container in a stack formation,

wherein the lid and container engage with each other in a manner to isolate sidewall region or regions having lower load carrying capacity from acting to transfer top load weight to said base.

46. A lidded container as claimed in claim 45 wherein said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of top load weight occurs by virtue of direct contact of the lid with the container when in the engaged condition.

47. A lidded container as claimed in claim 45 or 46 wherein said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of top load weight occurs by virtue of the lid being at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported by a seat or seats of the container above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall.

48. A lidded container as claimed in any of claims 45 to 47 wherein said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of top load weight occurs by virtue of the lid being at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported by an upstand projecting upwardly from the rim so as to provide a seat above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall.

49. A lidded container as claimed in any of claims 45 to 48 wherein said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of top load weight occurs by virtue of the rim being stepped down in that region or those regions of the rim which are not above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall, such that the lid is at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported on the remaining region(s) of the rim, that or those regions providing a seat above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall.

50. A container to receive a lid, said container comprising :

a base upstanding from which is at least one sidewall having an upper rim defining an open topped reservoir therebetween, the at least one sidewall capable of transferring a top load weight placed ontop of the container to the base,

wherein the lid is able to close the opening and engage with the container at said rim, the lid configured to be able to receive a like container in a stack formation,

51. A container to receive a lid, said container comprising :

a base upstanding from which is at least one sidewall having an upper rim defining an open topped reservoir therebetween, wherein the lid is able to close the opening and engage with the container at said rim, the lid is able to receive a top load and the at least one sidewall capable of at least partially transferring a top load to the base,

52. A container to receive a lid, said container comprising :

53. A container as claimed in claim 52 wherein no weight transfer occurs by the side walls midway the corners.

54. A container as claimed in claim 52 or 53 wherein at least one of the rim and lid are shaped to provide a lid seating for the lid at the rim, only at locations aligned with the corner regions.

55. A container as claimed in claim 52 or 53 wherein lid seating for the lid at the rim is provided only at locations aligned with the corner regions.

56. A lidded, or liddable, moulded plastics container of a kind having a base and a peripheral wall upstanding from the base to define an open top, and optionally the, or a, said compatible lid;

57. A lidded, or liddable, mouldable plastics container as claimed in claim 56 wherein each seat is inwardly of and below a rim defined by the peripheral wall.

58. A lidded, or liddable, mouldable plastics container as claimed in claim 56 or 57 wherein each seat is not part of a continuous shoulder of the peripheral wall.

59. A lidded, or liddable, mouldable plastics container as claimed in any of claims 56 to 58 wherein each seat is provided by an upstand projecting upwardly from the upper edge of the peripheral wall above or aligned with the load carrying columns.

60. A lidded, or liddable, mouldable plastics container as claimed in any of claims 57 to 59 wherein each seat is provided at a region of the upper edge of the peripheral wall which is above or aligned with the load carrying columns, said regions being intermediate of stepped down sections of the upper edge which correspond with those zones of the peripheral wall of lesser wall thickness or lesser load carrying capacity.

61. A lidded, or liddable, mouldable plastics container as claimed in any of claims 56 to 60 wherein the container is combined with, or is assembled with, a said compatible lid.

62. A lidded, or liddable, mouldable plastics container as claimed in any of claims 56 to 61 wherein such lid seals to the upper edge of the peripheral wall yet, in a stack situation in use, will transfer vertical loading into each column via the seat of each column.

63. A lidded, or liddable, mouldable plastics container as claimed in any of claims 56 to 62 wherein the base is of a general rectangular or square plan form, albeit preferably with corner rounding,

64. A lidded, or liddable, mouldable plastics container as claimed in claim 63 wherein said rounded corners each define a ¹A circle when viewed in plan.

65. A lidded, or liddable, mouldable plastics container as claimed in any of claims 56 to 64 wherein the base is of a polygonal plan form.

66. A lidded, or liddable, mouldable plastics container as claimed in claim 63 wherein said columns are each upstanding from the corners or rounded corners.

67. A lidded, or liddable, mouldable plastics container as claimed in any of claims 56 to 66 wherein the lid seals to the rim, seats to said seats and is resiliently retained under downwardly directed shoulder features, or a continuous shoulder feature, of the peripheral wall.

68. A lidded, or liddable, mouldable plastics container as claimed in any of claims 56 to 67 wherein the columns being zones of greater thickness, each flanked by zones of lesser thickness, visually merge both externally and internally of the peripheral wall with those zones of the peripheral wall of lesser thickness.

69. A lidded, or liddable, mouldable plastics container as claimed in any of claims 56 to 68 wherein optionally the base and/or peripheral wall may extend downwardly below a planar or substantially planar base region into a flange locatable into a matching recess of the, or a said compatible lid.

70. A lidded, or liddable, mouldable plastics container as claimed in any of claims 56 to 69 wherein the peripheral wall is outwardly flared.

71. A lidded, or liddable, mouldable plastics container as claimed in any of claims 56 to 70 wherein the containers are at least in part nestable with like containers.

72. A lidded, or liddable, mouldable plastics container as claimed in any of claims 56 to 71 wherein the container is presented as a handled pail.

73. A lidded, or liddable, mouldable plastics container as claimed in claim 72 wherein the handle is a separate moulding to that moulding which is the container.

74. A lidded container comprising :

wherein the lid and container are shaped and configured so that primary weight bearing of the lid by the container occurs at a region or regions of the container where the at least one sidewall is of a higher weight carrying capacity than at least one other part(s) of the at least one side wall sidewall.

75. A lidded container as claimed in claim 74 wherein said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of top load weight occurs by virtue of direct contact of the lid with the container when in the engaged condition.

76. A lidded container as claimed in claim 74 or 75 wherein said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of top load weight occurs by virtue of the lid being at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported by a seat or seats of the container above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall.

77. A lidded container as claimed in any of claims 74 or 75 wherein said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of top load weight occurs by virtue of the lid being at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported by an upstand projecting upwardly from the rim so as to provide a seat above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall.

78. A lidded container as claimed in claim 74 or 75 wherein said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of top load weight occurs by virtue of the rim being stepped down in that region or those regions of the rim which are not above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall, such that the lid is at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported on the remaining region(s) of the rim, that or those regions providing a seat above or in line with the higher weight carrying capacity part or parts of the at least one side wall.

79. A container and lid combination wherein the lid can transfer weight that it may bear to the container at a region or regions of the container and/or lid that are resistant to deformation to a greater extent than other regions of the container, the lid and/or container interacting in a manner to isolate said other regions of said container from any substantial weight transfer.

80. A container and a lid combination as claimed in claim 79 wherein said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of weight occurs by virtue of direct contact of the lid with the container when in the engaged condition.

81. A container and a lid combination as claimed in claim 79 or 80 wherein said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of weight occurs by virtue of the lid being at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported by a seat or seats of the container above or in line with those part or parts of the container which are resistant to deformation.

82. A container and a lid combination as claimed in any of claims 79 or 80 wherein said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of weight occurs by virtue of the lid being at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported by an upstand projecting upwardly from a rim of the container so as to provide a seat above or in line with those part or parts of the container which are resistant to deformation.

83. A container and a lid combination as claimed in any of claims 79 or 80 wherein said lid and container are shaped and configured so that the transfer of weight occurs by virtue of the rim being stepped down in that region or those regions of the rim which are not above or in line with regions of the container which are resistant to deformation , such that the lid is at least primarily and preferably entirely vertically supported on the remaining region(s) of the rim, that or those regions providing a seat above or in line with the regions of the container which are resistant to deformation.