Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SEALING CONTAINER WITH STACKABLE TOPS AND BOTTOMS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention pertains to containers with stackable tops and
bottoms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Sealing containers are well known in the art. They are used to
organize
and store items, such as perishable foods. The sealing capabilities of these
containers
help to protect the contents of the container from exposure to elements of the
environment surrounding the container including dust, for example. Sealable
containers may be made of various materials and formed at various thicknesses
to
meet a user's needs. For example, some sealable containers are durable and
meant for
repeated usage, but can be expensive. Other sealable containers are extremely
thin
and inexpensive such that they are both affordable and disposable, but not
durable.
Finally, some plastic sealable containers are designed such that they are a
suitable
thickness to provide durability and yet are inexpensive enough for a consumer
to
dispose after limited or extended use, if desired. Additionally, organized
storage of
empty sealable containers as they exist in the art can be problematic because
the
container tops do not securely stack within each other.
[0003] The invention provides a container with functionality that is
lacking in the
art. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional
inventive
features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided
herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention provides a container comprising a container
bottom and a
container top. The container bottom defines a cavity and includes a container
bottom
closure portion. The container top defines a cavity and includes a container
top
closure portion, a first nesting portion disposed along the perimeter of the
container
top cavity, and a second nesting portion disposed along the perimeter of the
container
top cavity. When the container top is in an upright position, the container
bottom
closure portion may be connected to the container top closure portion to seal
the
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plastic container. When the container top is inverted and inserted into the
container
bottom cavity, the first nesting portion and the second nesting portion make
contact
with the container bottom at two different portions of the container bottom.
[0005] The invention also provides a container top defining a cavity. The
container top comprises a locking portion disposed along the perimeter of the
cavity
for engaging an adjacent plastic container top and a receiving portion
disposed along
the perimeter of the cavity for receiving a locking portion of an adjacent
plastic
container top. If a first adjacent container top is inserted into the cavity,
the locking
portion engages a receiving portion of the adjacent container top to form a
stack of
container tops. If the container top is inserted into the cavity of a second
adjacent
container top, the receiving portion of the container top is engaged by a
locking
portion of the second adjacent container top to form a stack of container
tops.
[0006] The invention further provides a container top defining a cavity,
which
comprises an inward curved portion disposed along the perimeter of the cavity,
an
outward curved portion disposed along the perimeter of the cavity, and a
nesting
portion disposed along the perimeter of the cavity. If a first adjacent
container top is
inserted into the cavity, the inward curved portion is in contact with an
outward curved
portion of the first adjacent container top and the nesting portion is in
contact with a
nesting portion of the first adjacent container top to form a stack of
container tops. If
the container top is inserted into the cavity of a second adjacent container
top, the
outward curved portion of the container top is in contact with an inward
curved
portion of the second adjacent container top and the nesting portion is in
contact with a
nesting portion of the second adjacent container top to form a stack of
container tops.
[0006a] The invention further provides a container comprising a container
bottom and a container top, the container bottom defining a cavity and
including a
container bottom closure portion, the container top defining a cavity and
including a
container top closure portion, a first nesting portion disposed along the
perimeter of the
container top cavity, and a second nesting portion disposed along the
perimeter of the
container top cavity, wherein when the container top is in an upright
position, the
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container bottom closure portion may be connected to the container top closure
portion
to seal the plastic container, and wherein when the container top is inverted
and
inserted into the container bottom cavity, the first nesting portion and the
second
nesting portion make contact with the container bottom at two different
portions of the
container bottom; and wherein the container top further comprises an inward
curved
portion, an outward curved portion, and a third nesting portion to accommodate
stacking of a plurality of container tops.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a container.
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[0008] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the container bottom in FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the container bottom in FIG. 2.
[0010] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the container top in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the container top in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the container top in FIG. 1
shown in an
inverted position.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in FIG.
1.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the
container in FIG.
1.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in FIG.
1 stacked on
another container.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in FIG.
1 with the
container top inverted as shown in FIG. 6.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the
container in FIG.
1 with the container top inverted as shown in FIG. 6.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in FIG.
1 stacked on
another container with the container tops inverted as shown in FIG. 6.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the
container top in
FIG. 1 inverted as shown in Figure 6.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the
container top in
FIG. 1 inverted as shown in Figure 6 stacked with two other inverted container
tops.
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[0021] FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in FIG. 1
stacked
with another container, wherein the container tops are inverted and stacked on
each
other and on a stack of container bottoms.
[0022] FIG. 16 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the container
in
FIG. 1 stacked with another container, wherein the container tops are inverted
and
stacked on each other and on a stack of container bottoms.
[0023] FIG. 17 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a container.
[0024] FIG. 18 is an isometric view of the container bottom in FIG. 17.
[0025] FIG. 19 is a plan view of the container bottom in FIG. 17.
[0026] FIG. 20 is an isometric view of the container top in FIG. 17.
[0027] FIG. 21 is a plan view of the container top in FIG. 17.
[0028] FIG. 22 is an isometric view of the container top in FIG. 17 shown
in an
inverted position.
[0029] FIG. 23 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in FIG. 17.
[0030] FIG. 24 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the container
in FIG.
17.
[0031] FIG. 25 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in FIG. 17
stacked
on another container.
[0032] FIG. 26 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in FIG. 17
with the
container top inverted as shown in FIG. 22.
[0033] FIG. 27 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the container
in FIG.
1 with the container top inverted as shown in FIG. 22.
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[0034] FIG. 28 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in FIG. 17
stacked
on another container with the container tops inverted as shown in FIG. 22.
[0035] FIG. 29 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the container
top in
FIG. 17 inverted as shown in Figure 22.
[0036] FIG. 30 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the container
top in
FIG. 17 inverted as shown in Figure 22 stacked with two other inverted
container
tops.
[0037] FIG. 31 is a side cross-sectional view of the container in FIG. 17
stacked
with another container, wherein the container tops are inverted and stacked on
each
other and on a stack of container bottoms.
[0038] FIG. 32 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the container
in FIG.
17 stacked with another container, wherein the container tops are inverted and
stacked
on each other and on a stack of container bottoms.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, the container 100 comprises a container top 102
and a
container bottom 104. The container top 102 and container bottom 104 may be
connected to one another forming a seal. The container is preferably made of a
plastic
material, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that other
materials
may be used. Referring to FIG. 2, the container bottom has a bottom surface
106, a
sidewall 108, and a closure portion 110. The sidewall 108 extends upward from
the
bottom surface 106 to define a cavity for storage. The closure portion 110
extends
outward and above the sidewall 108. The bottom surface 106 may have a recessed
portion 112. Referring to Figure 4, the container top 102 may include a
decorative
portion 114 on a top surface 116. The recessed portion 112 shown in Figure 2
may be
used, by way of example and not limitation, for accommodating a decorative
portion
114 on a top surface 116 of a container top 102 when stacked on another
container
100. As shown in FIG. 3, the container bottom 104 may be approximately
quadrilateral in shape. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize,
however, that
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the invention is applicable to other container shapes as well, including but
not limited
to circular, for example.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 4, the container top 102 has a top surface 116, a
sidewall
118, and a closure portion 120. The sidewall 118 extends downward from the top
surface 116 to define a cavity. The closure portion 120 extends outward and
below
the sidewall 118. The container 100 may be sealed by disposing the container
top 102
near the container bottom 104 and applying a force. To separate the container
top 102
from the container bottom 104, a release tab 122 may be provided such that a
user has
a surface to grasp when exerting force to separate the respective closure
portions 120,
110 of the container top 102 and container bottom 104. The top surface 116 may
have a recessed portion 124 surrounded by a stabilizing rim 126 for
stabilizing a
container 100 stacked above the container top 102. The container top 102 may
also
have some form of decorative portion 114. As shown in FIG. 5, the container
top 102
may be approximately quadrilateral in shape. One of ordinary skill in the art
would
recognize, however, that the invention is applicable to other container shapes
as well,
including but not limited to circular, for example. FIG. 6 shows the container
top 102
in an inverted position. When inverted, the cavity defined by the top surface
116 and
sidewall 118 now faces upward instead of downward. In the inverted position,
the
container top 102 may be used as a plate or bowl.
[0041] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a container top 102 attached to a container
bottom
104. The container top 102 has a container top closure portion 120. The
container
top closure portion 120 comprises an outward extending portion 128, an outward
curved portion 130, an inward curved portion 132, and an upturned graspable
portion
134. The container bottom 104 has a container bottom closure portion 110. The
container bottom closure portion 110 comprises an outward extending portion
136, an
outward curved portion 138, an inward curved portion 140, and a downward
turned
graspable portion 142. When the container top 102 is disposed adjacent to the
container bottom 104, the inward curved portion 132 of the container top
closure
portion 120 is in contact with the outward curved portion 138 of the container
bottom
closure portion 110. As pressure is applied, the respective closure portions
120, 110
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flex slightly enough for the inward curved portion 132 of the container top
closure
portion 120 to slide past the outward curved portion 138 of the container
bottom
closure portion 110 to seal the container 100. When the container 100 is
sealed, the
outward extending portion 128, the outward curved portion 130, and the inward
curved portion 132 of the container top closure portion 120 is disposed
adjacent to the
outward extending portion 136, the outward curved portion 138, and the inward
curved portion 140 of the container bottom closure portion 110, respectively.
The
cavity defined by the top surface 116 and sidewall 118 of the container top
102
accommodates overstuffing the container 100 by providing extra storing room
for
materials stacked above the sidewall 108 of the container bottom 104. The
respective
graspable portions 134, 142 may be used to grab or hold the container 100, and
may
also be used to help pull the container top 102 away from the container bottom
104.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 9,
a plurality of containers 100a, 100b may be stacked
on top of one another to form a container stack 170. When on top of another
container 100, the bottom surface 106a of the container bottom 104a of the
superjacent container 100a rests within the recessed portion 124b of the top
surface
116b of the container top 102b of the subjacent container 100b. The
stabilizing rim
126b on the top surface 116b of the subjacent container 100b helps to limit
lateral
movement of the superjacent container 100a, thereby helping to stabilize the
stack.
The stabilizing rim 126b also helps to center the container stack 170 such
that the
center of gravity of the container stack 170 remains relatively centered to
prevent
tipping. As a container 100a is placed superjacent another container 100b, a
user will
know when the container stack is not centered properly because the bottom
surface
106a of the superjacent container 100a will extend beyond the outside of the
stabilizing rim 126b of the subjacent container 100b, or the stabilizing rim
106a of
the subjacent container 100b will cause the superjacent container 100a to rest
at an
angle.
[0043] Referring to FIG.
10, in accordance with the invention, the container top
102 may be inverted and placed within the cavity of the container bottom 104
to
accommodate under stuffing the container bottom 104. The cavity defined by the
top
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surface 116 and the sidewall 118 of the container top 102 accommodates the
storage
of materials within this cavity. Thus, with the container top 102 in the
inverted
position, the container 100 has two areas for storage. For example, the
container top
102 may be used to store potato chips and the container bottom 104 may be used
to
store dip. When not being used, the dip is protected by the container top 102.
When
a user wants to access to the dip, she can simply remove the container top
102.
[0044] The inverted container top 102 and container bottom 104 are in
contact at
a plurality of portions. Having a plurality of portions of contact enhances
the stability
and sealing capability of the container top 102 in the inverted position. As
seen in
FIG. 11, by way of example and not limitation, when the container top 102 is
in the
inverted position, the container top 102 makes contact with the container
bottom 104
at two portions 148, 150 to help keep dust and other objects out and preserve
the
contents stored in the container bottom 104. A first portion of contact 148
occurs
between a first nesting portion 172 disposed along the perimeter of the
container top
102 and the sidewall 108 of the container bottom 104. A second portion of
contact
150 occurs between a second nesting portion 174 disposed along the perimeter
of the
container top 102 and approximately near the intersection of the outward
extending
portion 136 of the closure portion 110 of the container bottom 104 and the
sidewall
108 of the container bottom 104. One of ordinary skill in the art, however,
would
recognize that the relative position of the portions of contact could occur at
different
portions of the container top 102 and container bottom 104 than those depicted
in the
figures, and the number of portions of contact need not be restricted to two.
[0045] The ability to invert the container top 102 also provides the
additional
functionality of being able to stack containers at two different heights. For
example,
as shown in FIG. 12, a superjacent container 100c rests within the cavity of
the
container top 102d of the subjacent container 100d reducing the effective
stacking
height. This stacking arrangement may be desirable if the user wants to reduce
the
stacking height, and the user does not need the extra storage space provided
by the
container top 102d in the upright position.
=
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[00461 As shown
in FIG. 13, the container top 102, shown inverted, has a locking
portion 158 disposed along the perimeter of the cavity and a receiving portion
160
disposed along the perimeter of the cavity. As shown in FIG. 14, a plurality
of
container tops 102a, 102b, 102c, shown inverted, may be stacked on top of one
another to form a container top stack 156. In accordance with the invention,
if a first
container top 102a is inserted into the cavity of a second container top 102b,
the
locking portion 158b of the second container top 102b engages a receiving
portion
160a of the first container top 102a to form a container top stack 156. As
shown in
FIG 13, the locking portion 158 comprises a protruding rib and the receiving
portion
160 comprises a recessed groove. In other embodiments, the locking portion 158
may
include one or more of the following features to enable engagement; convex
portions
or ribs, concave portions or ribs, linear or curvilinear undercuts, linear or
curvilinear
cross-sections, discreet snap elements or buttons, interference fits, textured
surfaces,
or elements that modify surface friction or tackiness at or around the point
of
engagement. The engaging areas that create a locking condition may be
continuous
about the perimeter of the cavity or discreetly segmented about the perimeter
of the
cavity. It may be beneficial to design the locking portion 158 of the top 102
so as to
have tactile and audible feedback upon engagement of the locking portion 158.
Additional container tops 102 may be added to the stack 156. For example, if
the
second container top 102b is inserted into the cavity of a third container top
102c, the
receiving portion 160b of the second container top 102b is engaged by a
locking
portion 158c of the third container top 102c to expand the number of container
tops
102 in the container top stack 156. By the locking portion 158 of a container
top 102
engaging the receiving portion 160 of an adjacent container top 102, the
container
tops 102 become securely attached to one another such that a user does not
have to
worry about the container tops 102 sliding off of each other while storing
them. The
stack of tops 156 will resist jarring and dropping and still remain locked
together
without vertical or horizontal displacement of an individual top 102 within
the stack
156 such that stack integrity is not compromised. An inward curved portion 132
and
outward curved portion 130 may be disposed along the perimeter of the
container top
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102 to provide a second portion of contact with an adjacently disposed
container top
102 to further enhance stability of the container top stack 156.
[0047] Turning to FIGS. 15 and 16, for efficient storing and stacking, a
plurality
of container bottoms 104d, 104e may be stacked with a plurality of container
tops
102d, 102e placed above. With the locking portion 158e and receiving portion
160d
keeping the container tops 102d, 102e together and with the capability of the
container tops 102d, 102e to fit within the cavity of the uppermost container
bottom
104d with at least two portions of contact 148, 150, a large number of
container tops
102 and container bottoms 104 may be stored securely in a single container top
and
container bottom stack 162. Several stacks of containers may also be disposed
discretely adjacent to one another because the invention maintains the stacks
vertically disposed in a relatively organized and centered position without
leaning.
This ability to discretely stack applies to the containers 100 regardless of
whether the
stack comprises a plurality of container bottoms 104 stacked within each other
with
container tops 102 disposed above, a plurality of containers 100 stacked with
the
container tops 102 in the upright position, or a plurality of containers 100
stacked
with the container tops 102 in the inverted position.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 17, the container 200 comprises a container top
202 and
a container bottom 204. The container 200 is similar to the container 100 in
FIG. 1,
however, the container top 202 does not lock together with an adjacent
container top
when stacked together. The container top 202 and container bottom 204 may be
connected to one another forming a seal. The container is preferably made of a
plastic
material, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that other
materials
may be used. Referring to FIG. 18, the container bottom 204 has a bottom
surface
206, a sidewall 208, and a closure portion 210. The sidewall 208 extends
upward
from the bottom surface 206 to define a cavity for storage. The closure
portion 210
extends outward and above the sidewall 208. The bottom surface 206 may have a
recessed portion 212. The recessed portion 212 may be used, by way of example
and
not limitation, for accommodating a decorative portion 214 on a top surface of
a
container top 202 as shown in Figure 20 when stacked on top of another
container
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200. As shown in FIG. 19, the container bottom 204 may be approximately
quadrilateral in shape. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize,
however, that
the invention is applicable to other container shapes as well, including but
not limited
to circular, for example.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 20, the container top 202 has a top surface 216, a
sidewall 218, and a closure portion 220. The sidewall 218 extends downward
from
the top surface 216 to define a cavity. The closure portion 220 extends
outward and
below the sidewall 218. The container 200 may be sealed by disposing the
container
top 202 on the container bottom 204 and applying a force. To separate the
container
top 202 from the container bottom 204, the user may grasp the respective
closure
portions 220, 210 of the container top 202 and container bottom 204. In
another
embodiment, a release tab, such as 122 shown in FIG. 4, may be provided such
that a
user has a surface to grasp when exerting force to separate the respective
closure
portions 220, 210 of the container top 202 and container bottom 204. The top
surface
216 may have a recessed portion 224 surrounded by a stabilizing rim 226 for
stabilizing a container 200 stacked above the container top 202. The container
top
202 may also have some form of decorative portion 214. As shown in FIG. 21,
the
container top 202 may be approximately quadrilateral in shape. One of ordinary
skill
in the art would recognize, however, that the invention is applicable to other
container
shapes as well, including but not limited to circular, for example. FIG. 22
shows the
container top 202 in an inverted position. When inverted, the cavity defined
by the
top surface 216 and sidewall 218 now faces upward instead of downward. In the
inverted position, the container top 202 may be used as a plate or bowl.
[0050] FIGs. 23 and 24 show a container top 202 attached to a container
bottom
204. The container top 202 has a container top closure portion 220. The
container
top closure portion 220 comprises an outward extending portion 228, an outward
curved portion 230, an inward curved portion 232, and an upturned graspable
portion
234. The container bottom 204 has a container bottom closure portion 210. The
container bottom closure portion 210 comprises an outward extending portion
236, an
outward curved portion 238, an inward curved portion 240, and a downward
turned
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graspable portion 242. When the container top 202 is disposed adjacent to the
container bottom 204, the inward curved portion 232 of the container top
closure
portion 220 is in contact with the outward curved portion 238 of the container
bottom
closure portion 210. As pressure is applied, the respective closure portions
220, 210
flex slightly enough for the inward curved portion 232 of the container top
closure
portion 210 to slide past the outward curved portion 238 of the container
bottom
closure portion 210 to seal the container 200. When the container 200 is
sealed, the
outward extending portion 228, the outward curved portion 230, and the inward
curved portion 232 of the container top closure portion 220 are disposed
adjacent to
the outward extending portion 236, the outward curved portion 238, and the
inward
curved portion 240 of the container bottom closure portion 210, respectively.
The
cavity defined by the top surface 216 and sidewall 218 of the container top
202
accommodates overstuffing the container 200 by providing extra storage room
for
materials stacked above the sidewall 208 of the container bottom 204. The
respective
graspable portions 234, 242 may be used to grab or hold the container 200, and
may
also be used to help pull the container top 202 away from the container bottom
204.
[0051] As shown
in FIG. 25, a plurality of containers 200a, 200b may be stacked
on top of one another to form a container stack 270. When on top of another
container 200, the bottom surface 206a of the container bottom 204a of the
superjacent container 200a rests within the recessed portion 224b of the top
surface
216b of the container top 202b of the subjacent container 200b. The
stabilizing rim
226b on the top surface 216b of the subjacent container 200b helps to limit
lateral
movement of the superjacent container 200a, thereby helping to stabilize the
stack.
The stabilizing rim 226b also helps to center container stack 270 such that
the center
of gravity of the container stack 270 remains relatively centered to prevent
tipping.
As a container 200a is placed superjacent another container 200b, a user will
know
when the container stack 270 is not centered properly because the bottom
surface
206a of the superjacent container 200a will extend beyond the outside of the
stabilizing rim 226b of the subjacent container 200b, or the stabilizing rim
226b of
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the subjacent container 200b will cause the superjacent container 200a to rest
at an
angle.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 26, in accordance with the invention, the
container top
202 may be inverted and placed within the cavity of the container bottom 204
to
accommodate under stuffing the container bottom 204. The cavity defined by the
top
surface 216 and the sidewall 218 of the container top 202 accommodates the
storage
of materials within this cavity. Thus, with the container top 202 in the
inverted
position, the container 200 has two areas for storage. For example, the
container top
202 may be used to store potato chips and the container bottom 204 may be used
to
store dip. When not being used, the dip is protected by the container top 202.
When
a user wants access to the dip, she can simply remove the container top 202.
[0053] The inverted container top 202 and container bottom 204 are in
contact at
a plurality of portions. Having a plurality of portions of contact enhances
the stability
and sealing capability of the container top 202 in the inverted position. As
seen in
FIG. 27, by way of example and not limitation, when the container top 202 is
in the
inverted position, the container top 202 makes contact with the container
bottom 204
at two portions 248, 250 to help keep dust and other objects out and preserve
the
contents stored in the container bottom 204. A first portion of contact 248
occurs
between a first nesting portion 272 disposed along the perimeter of the
container top
202 and the sidewall 208 of the container bottom 204. A second portion of
contact
250 occurs between a second nesting portion 274 disposed along the perimeter
of the
container top 202 and approximately near the intersection of the outward
extending
portion 236 of the closure portion 210 of the container bottom 204 and the
sidewall
208 of the container bottom 204. One of ordinary skill in the art, however,
would
recognize that the relative position of the two portions of contact could
occur at
different portions of the container top 202 and container bottom 204 than
those
depicted in the figures, and the number of portions of contact need not be
restricted to
two.
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[0054] The ability to invert the container top 202 also provides the
additional
functionality of being able to stack containers at two different heights. For
example,
as shown in FIG. 28, the superjacent container 200c rests within the cavity of
the
container top 202d of the subjacent container 200d reducing the effective
stacking
height. This stacking arrangement may be desirable if the user wants to reduce
the
stacking height, and the user does not need the extra storage space provided
by the
container top 202d in the upright position.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 29, the container top 202, shown inverted, has
an inward
curved portion 232, an outward curved portion 230, and a nesting portion 264
disposed along the perimeter of the cavity. As shown in FIG. 30, a plurality
of tops,
shown inverted, may be stacked on top of one another to form a container top
stack
256. In accordance with the invention, if a first container top 202a is
inserted into the
cavity of a second container top 202b, the outward curved portion 230a of the
first
container top 202a is in contact with the inward curved portion 232b of the
second
container top 202b and the nesting portions 264a, 264b of the first and second
container tops 202a, 202b are in contact with one another. In other
embodiments, the
contacting portions may include one or more of the following features to
enable
engagement; interference fits, linear cross-sections, curvilinear cross-
sections,
textured surfaces, or elements that modify surface friction or tackiness at or
around
the point of engagement. The engaging areas that create a contacting condition
may
be continuous about the nesting portion or discreetly segmented about the
nesting
portion. Additional container tops 202 may be added to the stack 256. For
example,
if the second container top 202b is inserted into the cavity of a third
container top
202c, the outward curved portion 230b of the second container top 202b is in
contact
with the inward curved portion 232c of the third container top 202c and the
respective
nesting portions 264b, 264c of the second and third container tops 202b, 202c
are in
contact with one another. These two portions of contact 266, 268 between
adjacent
container tops 202a, 202b, 202c allow the container tops 202a, 202b, 202c to
be
securely disposed within one another such that a user does not have to worry
about
the container tops 202a, 202b, 202c sliding off of each other while storing
them.
CA 02596243 2007-07-27
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[0056] Turning to FIGS. 31 and 32, for efficient storing and stacking, a
plurality
of container bottoms 204e, 204d may be stacked with a plurality of container
tops
202d, 202e placed above. With the container tops 202d, 202e together and with
the
capability of the container tops 202d, 202e to fit within the cavity of the
uppermost
container bottom 204d with at least two portions of contact 248, 250, a large
number
of container tops 202 and container bottoms 204 may be stored securely in a
single
container top and container bottom stack 262. Several stacks of containers may
also
be disposed discretely adjacent to one another because the invention maintains
the
stacks vertically disposed in a relatively organized and centered position
without
leaning. This ability to discretely stack applies to the containers 200
regardless of
whether the stack comprises a plurality of container bottoms 204 stacked
within each
other with container tops 202 disposed above, a plurality of containers 200
stacked
with the container tops 202 in the upright position, or a plurality of
containers 200
stacked with the container tops 202 in the inverted position.
[0057] One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the invention
may be
applicable to thin disposable containers, inexpensive durable disposable
containers,
and non-disposable reusable containers. One of ordinary skill in the art would
also
recognize that the invention could be utilized with a variety of other
container types.
By way of example and not limitation, the invention could be utilized with
such
containers as storage crates, pots and pans, and beverage containers.
[0058] Any letters used following a number to describe an element in the
drawings is merely to reference the same element on different containers.
Therefore,
any statements made regarding an element in a drawing referred to by a number
or a
number followed by a letter may apply to any or all of the other containers,
regardless
of whether or not that numbered element is shown or described with a letter.
[0059] All references, including publications, patent applications, and
patents,
cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if
each
reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by
reference
and were set forth in its entirety herein.
CA 02596243 2007-07-27
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16
[0060] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in
the
context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the
following claims)
are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless
otherwise
indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising,"
"having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended
terms (i.e.,
meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. Recitation
of ranges
of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of
referring
individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise
indicated
herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if
it were
individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any
suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly
contradicted by
context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such
as")
provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and
does not
pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No
language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-
claimed
element as essential to the practice of the invention.
[0061] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein,
including
the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.
Variations of
those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art
upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans
to
employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the
invention to be
practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this
invention
includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in
the claims
appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of
the
above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by
the
invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted
by
context.
