Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
209324~
BACKGRO~JND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a unitary plastic container for shipping and storing
various m~tPri~l~, and more specifically to a stackable plastic container for liquid m~tçri~ls,
which container has a sloping bottom with a sump so that all the liquid can be pumped out
efficiently, along with a plastic pallet coupled thereto.
Plastic containers are used frequently to ship and store various m~tPri~l~. These
types of containers are prert;lled over metal containers because they are simpler and cheaper to
make, easier to handle, and weigh less. Frequently, plastic containers are used to ship liquid
m~tPri~l~ used in agriculture, or the chemical industry which are highly concentrated and
therefore, must be diluted. Since these liquids are very expensive, it is important that all the
contents of the container be removed before the container is discarded or returned, to elimin~tP
waste. One method of emptying completely the contents of a plastic container would be to turn
the container upside down. However, this procedure is time-con~umin~ and require special
equipment. Moreover, if the container contains hazardous materials, turning the container over
may result in a spill, which is both uneconomical and undesirable.
Hence, there is a great need in the art for a plastic container which could be
emptied efficiently. In addition, it is desirable that such containers include a pallet to protect the
lower portion of the container during shipping and storage which supports the container off the
ground. It is further desirable that the design be stackable in nature for improved handling and
storage.
2093~44
-- 2
SU~IMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art, it is an objective
of the present invention to provide a plastic container which can be efficiently emptied without
turning it over and which includes a pallet coupled therewith to protect the lower design of the
container during shipping and handling.
A yet further objective is to provide such a drainable container which includes a
pallet along with interlocking members which allow for the stacking thereof.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide for an efficient and economic
production of the container pallet as for example through the process of blow molding.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a container which can be emptied
efficiently using standard equipment having the roregoillg features.
Other objectives and advantages of the invention shall become appar~nt from the
following description of the invention. Briefly, a plastic container constructed in accordance
with this invention consists of a somewhat rectangular plastic body having initially a straight,
then sloping slides, a top, a sloping bottom and at least one access hole provided on the top for
filling and emptying the container, said hole being off-center. The bottom is formed with a
sump which is vertically aligned with the access hole whereby as the container is emptied, all
the liquid collects in the sump and is easily removed. A pallet, which may be for example
manufactured by blow molding is added to lower or bottom end of the body for protection as
well as to ensure that the container stands upright or vertical when resting on a horizontal
surface. In addition, the top includes integral interlocking means which serve to interlock with
the bottom portion of the pallet of the container stacked thereon.
2093244
BRIEF DESCRIP~ION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become appalent
upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a top view of the container;
FIGURE 2 is a right side view of the container;
FIGURE 3 is a front view of the container;
FIGURE 4 is a bottom view of the container;
FIGURE 5 is a sectional view above lines 5-5 of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the container;
FIGURE 7 is a front view of the second embodiment of the container;
FIGURE 8 is a front view of the pallet;
FIGURE 9 is a side view of the pallet mounted on the bottom portion of the
container;
FIGURE 10 is a bottom view of the pallet; and
FIGURE 11 is a sectional view along lines 11-11 of FIGURE 10.
While the invention will be described in conjunction with illustrated embodiments,
it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the
contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included
within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
2093244
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the drawings, similar features have been given similar reference numerals.
Referring now to the drawings, a container 10 constructed in accordance with this
invention includes a body 12 having a rectangular sidewall 14, a top 16 and sloping bottom 18.
Body 12 is made of a plastic m~tPri~l and is formed by blow molding. Sidewall 14 is formed
having a reduced dimension at 20. Top 16 is formed with two circular access holes 22, 24
covered by suitable closures 26, 28. Holes 22, 24 are advantageously disposed away from the
longitudinal axis of the container so that it is easy to install and remove the closures, and it is
easy to fill up and empty the container.
A sloping bottom 18 is formed with a sump 30 defined by a flat area 32 joined
to the rest of the bottom by a conical wall 34. Flat area 32 is circular and has a diameter which
is slightly larger than access hole 24. Illlpo~ ly, area 32 is aligned vertically and coaxially
with hole 24 and, and shown in FIGURE 5, defines the lowest area of bottom 18. Extending
between hole 24 and sump 30 is a draining pipe 38. At its top portion, draining pipe 38 is
supported by access hole 24. Draining pipe 38 can be permanently installed within the container,
or it may be provided separately, and installed only prior to the dispensing of liquid thererlo~
As shown in detail in FIGURE 5, draining pipe 38 includes an upper section 40, a sleeve 42
coupling section 40 to closure 26, and a lower stub 44. Upper section 40, sleeve 42 and stub
44 are axially movable to adjust the overall length of pipe 38. In this matter the pipe 38 can be
adjusted so its length matches exactly the inner height of body 12. The stub 44 is tel"lin~t~d
20g324~
with a bottom end 46 which is formed at an angle. In this manner, the liquid from container 10
may be dispensed for example by applying suction to pipe 38, or by other means well known
in the art.
At, or near, the interface between sidewall 14 and bottom 18 there is provided a
circumferential reduced ~ mPter portion 20. This portion 20 is used to receive a pallet 40 as
shown in FIGURE 9 as will be discussed more fully.
At the top 16 there is provided a plurality of raised portions or ribs 43, 45 and
47 between which are located closures 26 and 28. This serves to protect the access opening and
fitting thereon. Positioned centrally with regard to the longitudinal axis of each rib are
respectively raised portions or bosses 48, 50, and 52. These bosses are axially aligned with 48
and 52 taking on a somewhat rectangular shape, with boss 50 being circular in nature. These
bosses serve to aid in the stacking of the container 10 through their engagement with respective
recesses 54, 56 and 58 located in legs or extension 60, 62 and 64 of the pallet 40. The
interlocking features of the legs of the pallet and the top of the container are such that when
stacked, the upper unit will not slide or slip off of the supporting tank below.
The pallet 40 also includes a plurality of other su~ ing legs, four legs 66 at
each corner and two oppositely disposed legs 68 on either side. Disposed ~ cetlt recess 56 is
an addition recess 70 which provides a receptacle for sump 30.
As can be seen in FIGURE 9, the internal surface 72 of pallet 40 serves to
interlock with the reduced dimension 20 of the sidewall 14 in friction or interference fit securely
coupling the pallet 40 and container 10. The sidewall of the assembled tank is therefore straight.
2093244
The container is made by first blow molding the body 12 to form a unitary
structure and blow molding the pallet 40 separately and then applying the pallet 40 thereto. The
pallet 40 may be blow molded as part of a two pallet mold and then cut in half to form two
separate pallets. Pipe 38 may be inserted into the container body either before shipping, or
before dispensing of the liquid.
The container 10 described is filled through one of the access holes, such as access
24. Although the other access hole 22 may also be used, access hole 24 is preferable because
it permits the liquid to flow in much faster, while if hole 22 is used, the liquid flow will be
impeded somewhat by pipe 38. Once the container is filled the closures are applied to seal the
container 10. The container is stored or shipped as required. The liquid is dispensed, for
example, by coupling drain pipe 38 to a suitable pump. Il~lpo~ ly, bottom 18 is sloping
toward sump 30 so that surface 32 of sump 30 is the lowest surface within the container, and
since the area of the sump 30is relatively small when compared to the total area of bottom 18,
at the end, substantially all the liquid in the container is collected in sump 30 and may be easily
removed therefrom.
With reference now to FIGURES 6 and 7, these FIGURES depict a smaller
version of the container 10' with like parts simil~rly marked however design~ted with a prime.
This embodiment illustrates for example a 100 gallon container, where as the first embodiment
might illustrate a 150 gallon container. As can be seen other than a shortening of the side walls,
the external dimensions are the same for each so that the same size pallet may be used on both.
Note, the container and pallet may be made of similar material and thus when the
use of the tank has been concluded, it can be rinsed out with the entire structure subject to
recyclmg.
20~3244
Obviously numerous modifications may be made to this invention without
departing from its scope as defined in the appended claims.
