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Stackable containersStackable containers description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080000795, Stackable containers. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001]The present invention relates generally to containers and, more particularly, to stackable containers for storing food items and the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0002]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a small dish container in an embodiment of the stackable containers of the present invention; [0003]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tub container in an embodiment of the stackable containers of the present invention; [0004]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a large dish container in an embodiment of the stackable containers of the present invention; [0005]FIG. 4 is a top side perspective exploded view illustrating the stacking of the containers of FIGS. 1-3 and the installation of their lids; [0006]FIG. 5 is a side elevational exploded view illustrating the stacking of the containers of FIGS. 1-3 and the installation of their lids; [0007]FIGS. 6 is a bottom side perspective exploded view illustrating the stacking of the containers of FIGS. 1-3 and the installation of their lids. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0008]Stackable containers featuring a generally oval shape and constructed in accordance with the present invention are indicated in general at 10, 12 and 14 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, respectively. More specifically, a small dish container is indicated in general at 10 in FIG. 1, a tub container is indicated in general at 12 in FIG. 2 and a large dish container is indicated in general at 14 in FIG. 3. While the invention is described below in terms of these three container sizes and shapes, it will be understood that containers incorporating the invention and featuring alternative sizes and shapes may be constructed. [0009]Containers 10, 12 and 14 are preferably constructed from a plastic, such as polypropylene, so as to be lightweight yet strong and durable. Furthermore, the containers are preferably constructed by molding the components described below. In addition, the containers are preferably transparent or clear so that the contents may be viewed without opening the containers. While the containers are particularly well-suited for storing food products, they could alternatively be used to store other items. [0010]As illustrated in FIG. 1, small dish container 10 features a body 16 having an open top and a lid 18. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate that tub container 12 similarly features a body 20 having an open top and lid 22 while large dish container 14 includes body 24 having an open top and lid 26. As illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, the lids 18, 22 and 26 cover and are removable from the open tops of bodies 16, 20 and 24. More specifically, with reference to the small dish container and FIG. 4, the body 16 of the small dish container features a circumferential rim portion 30 that surrounds its open top and generally lies in a horizontal plane. The outer edge of the rim features a slight downturn, illustrated at 32 in FIGS. 4-6. The lid 18 of the small dish container features a downward-extending circumferential rim 34 that terminates at in a circumferential lip 36. The lid rim 34 and lip 36 are sized so that the lip engages the downturned outer edge of the body rim when the lid 18 is placed on the body 16, as illustrated in FIG. 1. As a result, the lid 18 is secured to the body 16, preferably in a sealing fashion. [0011]Container bodies 20 and 24 and lids 22, 26 and 28 feature the same rim construction as the small dish container 10 and may be closed, and preferably sealed, in the same fashion. [0012]The body 16 of small dish container 10 also features a base 42 formed by a downward-protruding annular wall. The body 20 of tub container 12 similarly features base 44 while the body 24 of large dish container 14 similarly features base 46. Bases 42 and 44 are preferably the same size to permit interchangeable stacking, as described below. As is clear from the figures, base 46 is wider and deeper so as to require a larger supporting surface (as compared to bases 42 and 44). [0013]The top surfaces of the lid 16 of small dish container 10 and lid 22 of tub container 12 each features a recess 52 and 54, respectively. Recesses 52 and 54 are preferably the same size and are sized to receive the bases 42 and 44 of the bodies of the small dish and tub containers. As a result, the small dish and tub containers may be stacked on top of each other, as illustrated in FIGS. 4-6. While FIGS. 4-6 show the small dish container stacked on top of the tub container, the tub container may alternatively stacked on top of the small dish container. [0014]The lid 26 of the large dish container 14 has a top surface that features an annular ridge 62 with an inner edge that defines center recess 64 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Lid 28 of FIGS. 4-6 similarly features annular ridge 66 which defines center recess 68 (FIG. 4). Annular ridges 62 and 64 also feature outer edges. This allows lids 26 and 28 to support the small dish, tub or large dish containers. [0015]More specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, center recess 64 of lid 26 (and center recess 68 of lid 28) is sized to receive bases 42 or 44 of the small dish and tub containers (10 and 12, respectively, of FIGS. 1 and 2). In addition, the outer edges of the annular ridges 62 and 66 of lids 26 and 28 are sized to fit within the base 46 of large dish container 24. As a result, the large dish containers (14 in FIG. 3) may be stacked on top of one another and/or the small dish and tub containers may be stacked on top of the large dish containers or each other. This provides the stackable containers of the present invention with flexibility in terms of stacking configurations. [0016]The large dish containers, however, may not be stacked on top of either the small dish container or the tub container. This is because the recesses 52 and 54 of the small dish and tub containers are too small to receive the base 46 of the large dish container. Stacking the large dish container on top of either the small dish or tub containers could create a top heavy or otherwise unstable condition which would be undesirable as the stacked containers could easily topple. As a result, the present invention minimizes the chances of this condition occurring. [0017]The present invention therefore provides containers that are easy to stack for storage, display or carrying. The present invention also minimizes the chances that the containers will be stacked in a top heavy or otherwise unstable fashion. [0018]While embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Continue reading about Stackable containers... Full patent description for Stackable containers Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Stackable containers patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Stackable containers or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Reclosable blister package assembly Next Patent Application: Shock-absorbing packaging device Industry Class: Special receptacle or package ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Stackable containers patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.61301 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf 174 |
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