Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1
PLASTIC BUCKET AND LID STACKING CONSTRUCTION
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This Canadian application claims priority to U.S. patent application No.
10/717,321
filed on November 19, 2003; which is a continuation-in-part application of
Serial No.
10/404,792 filed on April 1, 2003 entitled "Plastic Bucket and Lid Stacking
Construction"
which is incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a molded plastic bucket
and lid
construction wherein the bucket and lid are configured in a manner which
promotes effective
stacking of buckets with lids for shipment or storage.
Various types of molded plastic buckets or containers are known. For example,
molded
plastic buckets are disclosed in the following patents of John W. von Holdt
Sr.: U.S. Patents
No. 4,275,948; No. 4,574,974; No. 4,512,494; No. 4;512,49; No. 4,452,383; No.
4;380,305;
No. 4;308,970; and No. 4,210,258. Buckets or containers disclosed in the
aforesaid patents are
useful for storage of powder or liquid materials including; paint, solvents
and chemicals. The
disclosed molded plastic buckets are typically manufactured using injection
molding techniques
by an entity skilled in the practice of such techniques. The containers or
buckets and
compatible molded plastic lids are then shipped to entities, which desire to
fill the containers
with a product. Filled containers with: attached lids are hen shipped to
wholesale distributors
and otherwise dispersed throughout various channels of commerce. Typically,
the lidded
containers are shipped in large or bulk quantities on shipping pallets. When
shipped in this
manner it is necessary to stack the buckets or containers one upon the other
to provide an
efficient and economically sized package for transport by pallet.
An objective associated with such stacking is to provide a means by which the
stacked
buckets with lids will remain appropriately oriented and stacked one upon the
other during
shipment. Thus, there has developed a need to provide means by which filled,
stacked buckets
may be appropriately positioned one on top of another in a stacked condition
without tilting,
falling or slipping. Further, it is desirable o have such capability for
purposes of display of
stacked buckets on display counters in retail stores and retail outlets. Thus;
the idea of stacking
multiple containers or buckets one upon the other for purposes of
transportation, shipment or
display is a characteristic feature or objective that is much desired.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention comprises a molded plastic bucket or container
and a
compatible lid combination wherein, the bucket and lid are configured in a
manner which
facilitates the stacking of buckets with lids one upon the other. More
particularly the bottom of
each bucket is formed with a circumferential or annular groove about its outer
periphery. The
lid for the container or bucket is provided with a circumferential or annular
rim configured and
dimensioned in a manner to be received and nested within the groove of the
bottom of a bucket
stacked thereon. Various dimensional and structural details are associated
with the shape,
location and dimensions of groove in the bottom of the bucket and the
peripheral rim of the lid,
which is placed on the top of the bucket, to enable or ensure that stacked
buckets will not slip
and that the buckets can be effectively and efficiently displayed or stored or
packed for
shipping:
Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved combir~atiort
rnoided
plastic bucket and lid construction which is especially useful for stacking
offilled buckets.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved plastic bucket
and lid
combination useful for stacking of buckets one upon the other without
intervening layers of
material to ensure that the stack of containers or buckets will remain in an
interlocked
relationship for shipment or display:
A further object of the invention is to provide an economical and efficient
design useful
for the stacking of a bucket upon a lid of a container of a vertically
adjacent bucket and lid
combination.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set
forth in the
detailed description which follows:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the detailed description,, which follows, reference will be made to the
drawing
comprised of the following figures:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combination bucket and lid made in accord
with the
invention;
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the bucket of Figure 1 along the
vertical section
through the middle axis of the bucket;
Figure 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the combination lid and
bucl~.et with a
second bucket stacked upon the lid of the first bucket;
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Figure 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of he stacking arrangement of a
bucket
upon a lid associated with a bucket as depicted in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of two lids stacked one upon the other;
Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of a first alternate embodiment;
Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of a second alternate embodiment;
Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of a third alternate embodirnent; and
Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of a fourth alternate embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF T'HE PR FERRED EMBODIMENT
Refernng first to Figure 1, a lid 10 comprises a generally planar, molded
plastic
member having a circular shape and is generally symmetrical about a vertical
middle axis 12.
The Iid 10 is formed to be compatible with, fit upon and remain engaged with a
top rim 14 of a
bucket 16. The bucket 16 is likewise symmetrical about the vertical middle
axis 12. Note, the
descriptions herein are made with respect o generally cylindrical containers.
However, the
invention is not so limited and maybe incorporated into containers having
various shapes such
as polygonal, noncircular shapes.
Bucket 16 is formed by injection molding of a polymeric material and includes
a
generally cylindrical, circular cross section sidewall 20 and a generally
circular bottom wall l8.
The bucket 16 further includes an open top 15 with a circular, peripheral top
rim 14 that is
compatible with the lid 10. The particular configuration or attachment design
or element
incorporated in rim 14 and lid 10 for affixing the lid 10 to ri.m 14 is not a
limiting feature of the
invention. However, the rirn 14 typically includes an outwardly extending rib
19 cooperative
with inwardly extending tab or flange 17 of lid 10 so that the lid 10 is
removably affixed to the
bucket or container rim 14.
The subject matter of the invention relates, in part, to the particular
configuration of
bottom wall 18 of the bucket l6. More specifically; the bottom wall 1:8
includes an outer or
first circumferential lip 24 radially spaced a first radial distance R~ from
the middle line axis
12. A second, outer circumferential radial lip 22 is spaced a distance RZ from
the middle line
axis 12 and, in combination with the first rib 22, defines a circumferential
or annular groove 26.
The outer or first rib 24 extends slightly radially beyond the outside face 28
of the bucket
sidewall 20 adjacent bottom wall 18. The ribs 22 and 24 thus define an annular
groove or
channel 26 in the bottom wall 18. The first' and second ribs 22 and : 24 are
preferably
continuous annular rings, but may be intermittent or segmented. A second
annular groove 30 is
defined in wall 18 inwardly from the second rib 22. The second annular groove
30 contours the
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uniform thickness, bottom wall 18 thereby providing a reinforcing feature for
the bottom wall
18. Central circular recessed section or panel section 32 of the bottom wall
18 provides a
further reinforcing function for the bottom wall 18.
Lid 10 includes a circumferential, annular rib 44 projecting upwardly. Rib 44
is
configured to be compatible with the groove 26 in bottom wall 18 of the bucket
16 as defined
by the two spaced ribs 22 and 24. Thus, as depicted in Figures 3 and 4, a
bucket .16 may be
stacked upon the lid 10. That is, the groove 26, formed by the spaced ribs 22
and 24, is
dimensioned so that it will receive the rib 44 associated with the lid 10. The
cross sectional
shape of rib 44 is designed and dimensioned to fit congruently into groove 26.
Lid 10 is also
designed so that the remainder of outside surface of lid 10 will not prevent
engagement of rib
44 into groove 26.
The bottom wall 18 of bucket 16 may be designed so that annular sections 35
and 37
may rest against opposed annular seciions 39 and 41 of the lid 10. Thus, an
inner annular rib
39 may project from the top surface of lid i0 to suppott the hottotn section
35 ~f bottom panel
18 of bucket 16 by fitting against bottom wall 18. Preferably only the tongue
or rib 44 of lid 10
will fully rest or engage the bucket groove 26.
Functionally, the inside face of the first rib 24 fits against the outside
surface or edge of
lid rib 44 thereby maintaining a bucket 16 placed on a lid 10 and preventing
lateral or side to
side movement of the bucket 16 relative to lid 10.
By maintaining the outside rib 24 maximum radius within the maximum radial
dimension of the bucket 16 and attached lid 10, (hereinafter the maximum
assembly radius) the
stacking arrangement of multiple vertically stacked buckets 16 falls within a
vertical cylinder
defined by the maximum assembly radius. This insures an efficient packaging of
vertical
stacks of buckets with'lids on a pallet.
Variations of the construction may be effected with out departing from the
spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, the configuration of the bucket 16 and
lid 1 U need not be
cylindrical. Rectangular container .shapes may incorporate the stacking
feature of the
invention. Also, the first rib 24, as well as the outer edge of lid rib 44,
may be discontinuous so
long as there is maintained opposed surfaces of lid rib 44 and first bucket
rib 24.
Figures 6 - 9 illustrate vaxious alternative embodiments of the invention.
Each of the
Figures 6 - 9 comprise a cross section illustration depicting the profile of a
container and
container lid as well as a molded plastic lid support assembly associated with
the open top of
the container. The support assembly may be integrally incorporated with the
top rim or
separate from the top rim, yet acting therewith in combination. A first
alternative embodiment
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is depicted in Figure 6. The cross-sectional configuration or profile depicted
is typically
associated with a cylindrical container. However the type of container is not
limiting, for
example, it may be rectangular or some other polygonal shape or some other
configuration such
as an elliptical. Figure 6 and the remaining figures depict the cross-
sectional configuration for
the bottom of the container as well as the top or lid of the container and the
associated elements
incorporated with or in combination with the container top and lid. In Figure
6, therefore, a
container 70 includes a bottom wall 72 and a lateral side wall 74. The lateral
side wall 74
extends downwardly and includes a peripheral, bottom, outside; downwardly
depending rim
extension 76. The bottom rim extension 76 in the embodiment of Figure 6 is
desirably an
extension of the wall 74. It is noted that the extension '76 typically extends
downwardly
beyond all of the elements of the bottom wall 72. That is, if the container 70
is generally
cylindrical in shape, then the bottom lid extension 76 is substantially
cylindrical and extends
vertically downwardly to define an annular ring.
The upper end of the container vrall 74 includes an upper rim 78 having an
outwardly
projecting rib 80. A separate molded plastic lid support assembly 82 is fitted
over the top rim
78 and outwardly projecting rib 80 ofthe wall 74 of lower container 73. The
molded plastic lid
support assembly 82 includes a peripheral or circumferentialy generally
horizontal, top planar
section 84 and a depending lip 86 sitting on the outside of the rib 80 of wall
74 of the container
70 and thus against the projecting rib 80. The generally horizontal section 84
in combination
with the downwardly depending lip 86 fits against the bottom extension 76 to
thereby hold the
upper bucket or container 70 in position on the molded lid support assembly
82. In the
embodiment depicted, since all of the components are generally symmetrical
about a vertical
axis 71, the upper container ?0 is generally fixed and non-slidable with
respect to a lower
container 73.
The molded lid support assembly 82 further includes an interior, depending
skirt 88
which fits against the inside of the wall 74 and; in combination with the
downwardly projecting
lip 86, holds the plastic lid support assembly 82 in position on the wall 74.'
Positioned below
the horizontal run 84 and projecting from skirt 88 is a radially inwardly
extending, generally
horizontal run 90 which extends toward the axis 71 from the middle section of
the skirt 88.
Fillets or support ribs 92 may be provided to provide for extra rigidify to
position and maintain
the position of the horizontal run or section 9f. The horizontal run or
section 90 is connected
to a vertically upwardly extending annular run 93 which is spaced from and
generally parallel
to the skirt 88. The run 93 extends upwardly for a distance that is generally
coincident with the
upper extent of the wall 74 of container 73
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A separate lid 96, typically a molded, plastic lid, includes a peripheral rim
section
which is compatible with the lid support assembly 82: Thus the lid 96 includes
a horizontal
upper end run 98, a downwardly extending medial run 100 with a groove 102
molded in the
outer circumferential peripheral surface thereof. The groove 102 is configured
to receive the
upwardly extending rib 92 of the lid support assembly 82. The downwardly
depending run 100
then connects with a generally radially inwardly extending horizontal run 104
which, in turn,
connects with an upwardly extending generally vertical run 106 that, in turn,
connects with a
planar lid cover run or section 108 which is generally horizontal and covers
the internal
contents of a container.
The described construction thus contemplates utilization of a container 73 in
combination with a lid support assembly 82 and a separate lid 96. The lid 96
may be removed
from the combination of the container 73 and support assembly 82.
Alternatively, the support
assembly 82 and lid 96 may be removed from the container 74.
Figure 7 illustrates another embodiment similar in various -respects to the
em'oodiment
of Figure 6. That is, a lid 96 is again utilized and configured as described
with respect to
Figure 6. Additionally, the container 73 is configured and constructed as
previously described
with respect to Figure 6. However, the lid support assembly 82 is replaced by
an alternative
assembly l 82 wherein the construction of the outer peripheral engaging run
184 is connected
with a downwardly depending vertical run 186 having a gro~ve 188 and a
retention lip 190 to
more easily retain and more rigorously retain the assembly 182 on the
container or bucket 73.
This construction thus is more likely to be utilized in a manner which will
provide for removal
of the lid 96 rather than the assembly 182 from the container 73.
Figure 8 illustrates yet another'embodiment of the invention wherein lid 96 is
again of
the same construction and configuration previously discussed. Similarly the
bottom rim
extension 76 of the upper bucket or upper container 70 is the same. The top
construction or rim
of the container 70 as well as the container 73 is altered, however. That is,
a vertical outside
wall 174 extends upwardly in a fixed; straight direction so as to provide a
top edge 175 for
cooperation with the rim extension 76 to provide for stacking of the
containers 70 and 73. A
horizontal inwardly extending run 176 extends from the wall 174 and is molded
integrally
therewith. The inward radially extending horizontal wall 176 is connected to
an upwardly
extending vertical wall .177, which again cooperates with the groove 102 of
the lid 96. With
the combination of Figure 8, the lid 96 is removable from the top of the
bucket 73. However,
molding of the bucket 73 becomes a more challenging effort inasmuch as the
inwardly
extending wall 176 may necessitate the use of special mold constructions that
are not easily
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removed after the molded product has been formed. Thus, the benefits of the
embodiments of
Figures 6 and 7 may not all be available for the embodiment of Figure 8.
Figure 9 illustrates yet another embodiment which is more closely linked to
the
embodiments of Figures 1 - 5: In this embodiment, an outer rim 200 of a bucket
202 extends
radially outwardly from the outside wall 204 of the bucket 202. A second
inwardly positioned
rim member 206 facilitates the generation of a groove 208 which receives a top
horizontal run
210 of a lid 212. This provides for he stacking feature previously described.
The top rim
section of container 214 includes a construction depicted in cross-section for
the top room 216
such as shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,913,446 (incorporated herewith by
reference) by way of
example. The lid 212 then cooperates with the upper rim 218 and includes, in
addition to the
horizontal run; a depending skirt 220 with a groove 222 for receipt of a rib
224 of the top rim
portion 218. The depending sleirt 220 may include a tear away feature
permitting removal of
portions of the groove 222.
Various alternative constructions of the, invention are possible. Therefa~e
the invention
is to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
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