Contoured jug

Abstract

A contoured jug (10) incorporates ergonomic top, side, front, rear and bottom walls (12, 14, 16, 18 and 20) and an arcuate handle (32) shaped to facilitate holding with one or both hands, for better stability and control while handling or pouring.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 29/163,226 filed Jun. 28, 2002.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to fluid containers. More particularly, this invention concerns a contoured jug of improved design which is easier to grasp and better balanced for more stability while pouring.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Various containers have been available heretofore for containing and dispensing liquids. Some of the containers of the prior art have also included handles of various configurations, primarily to facilitate lifting but also to facilitate holding the container with one hand while pouring. However, even such handled containers are not always easily held and controlled by everbody, especially when it is full and has just been opended. Children typically have small hands and may not be sufficiently strong or coordinated to control pouring from a full container, such as a one gallon milk jug. Similarly, older people may not have the strength or coordination they once had, or may have arthritis in their hands, making this task even more difficult. Spilling can easily occur, requiring clean up, which in turn can be frustrating and time-consuming.

[0004] While handled containers of various configurations have been available heretofore, the containers of the prior art have not been particularly adapted for better stability and control while pouring. For example, U.S. Patent Des. 256,664 to Burrington, et al shows a jug of the familiar configuration typically used for milk containers. The bottom of this jug is generally square, but the handle is located diagonally. When this jug is resting on a table and is then tipped forward for pouring, it tends to rock about a bottom corner instead of a side, quickly becoming unstable, such that it can easily tip over sideways, usually unexpectedly. Further, the jug therein is not adapted to facilitate holding with the both hands if necessary for better control while lifting or pouring.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,979 to Athar shows another example of a fluid container or jug typical of the prior art, which has a relatively longer handle oriented generally parallel to the sides instead of diagonally. This container is not as apt to tip over sideways as Burrington's, but is not particularly adapted to facilitate holding with the both hands if necessary for better stability and control.

[0006] Heretofore, there has not been available a fluid container or jug that is particularly adapted for holding with one or both hands, with better stability and control, while lifting or pouring.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] The present invention comprises an improved jug that overcomes the foregoing and other difficulties associated with the prior art. In accordance with the invention, there is provided a a contoured jug of improved egonomics which can more esaily be held with one or both hands, and which is better balanced for more stability and control when lifting or pouring, particulary when the jug is poured by tipping forward while resting on a surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

[0008] A better understanding of the invention can be had by reference to the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing, wherein:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the contoured jug incorporating the invention, shown without a cap;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view thereof;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view thereof; and

[0014] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Referring now to the Drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding elements throughout the views, there is shown a countoured jug 10 incorporating the invention. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, the jug 10 combines various new and unique features for better ergonomics, control and stability during handling.

[0016] The jug 10 includes a top wall 12, a pair of laterally spaced-apart side walls 14, a front wall 16, a rear wall 18, and a floor bottom wall 20, all of which are smoothly joined together at their adjacent edges to form a hollow, integral container. In the preferred embodiment, jug 10 is molded from plastic, such as high density polyethylene, although other suitable plastics could also be used. Jug 10 is particularly adapted for use as a consumer milk jug, however, it could of course be used as a container for other liquids as well.

[0017] The top wall 12 of jug 10 includes a central, raised upstanding hollow boss 22 for pouring. Boss 22 includes external threads 24 for receiving an internally theaded cap (not shown) with for closure. Since jug 10 is particularly adapted for use as a milk jugs, sets of external teeth 26 are preferably provided on opposite sides, each extending over about approximately one-fourth the circumference, for engagement with a releaseable locking ring (not shown) on the closure cap. The teeth 26 are located between threads 24 and a raised circumferential reinforcing rib 28 in the lower end of boss 22. The top wall 12 slopes downwardly and away from the boss 22.

[0018] The side walls 14 and front wall 16 extend upwardly along their lower portions, inwardly along their middle portions, and then outwardly somewhat along their upper portions between the bottom wall 20 and top wall 12 to form a reduced portion 30 opposite a handle 32. This reduced portion 30, which is preferably relatively narrower than the adjacent top and bottom portions of jug 10, facilitates holding the jug by handle 32 with one hand, while also holding it with the other hand if desired, for better control while lifting or pouring. This comprises a significant feature of the invention.

[0019] The side walls 14 curve inwardly at their lower ends, as does the front wall 16, which is not planar, but vertically arcuate and generally flat from side to side. Similarly, the side walls 14 are not planar, but vertically arcuate and generally flat from front to back.

[0020] In the preferred embodiment, as best seen in FIGS. 3-5, the side walls 14 bulge outward at the lower portions adjacent to the bottom wall 20 before transitioning inward to the middle flat areas 14a along horizontal lines 34. This comprises an important feature of the invention by providing protection for any labeling (not shown) in areas 14a, which might otherwise be damaged by jugs 10 rubbing together when packed in a case during shipping.

[0021] The rear wall 18 extends upwardly along its lower portion from the bottom wall 20, and then inwardly along its middle and upper portions to upper wall 12. The lower portion 18a of rear wall 18 is generally vertical and flat from side to side. As with the side and front walls 14 and 16, the rear wall 18 curves inwardly at its lower end. The middle portion 18b of rear wall 18 is generally flat from side to side, extending first inwardly 16 and then upwardly toward the front wall 16 as shown. From there, the upper end of middle portion 18b of rear wall 18 curves rearward. The upper portion 18c extends upwardly again to top wall 12, in order to provide space between rear wall 18 and handle 32.

[0022] Handle 32 curves upwardly and inwardly between the middle and upper portions 18c and 18d of the rear wall 18, terminating at its upper end just below the inside end of boss 22. Handle 18 is arcuate, with a length nearly half of the height of jug 10 for better control and leverage. The outside surface of handle 32 is generally flat from side to side. The side surfaces of handle 32 are generally parallel and flat. The inside surface of handle 32 preferably includes four finger indentations 36 as shown to facilitate holding.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 6, the bottom wall 20 is generally flat and square, with rounded corners. The sides of bottom wall 20 curve outwardly and upwardly to the bottom edges of the front, side and rear walls 12, 14 and 16, so that the entire periphery is rounded. The corners of bottom wall 20 are also preferably rounded. This also comprises an important feature because jug 10 can be tipped for pouring by rocking about the rounded bottom front edge, instead of a corner, with more control and stability.

[0024] As shown, the central area of bottom wall 20 is recessed with a reinforcing rib 38 therein running front to back at the mold parting line. Four generally flat areas 40, which are actually slightly concave when jug 10 comes out of the mold, are preferably provided about the recessed central area in bottom wall 20.

[0025] In the preferred embodiment, jug 10 is dimensioned to have the same height and footprint as a conventional one gallon jug, so that it can be used in the same dairy assembly line filling equipment without adjustments. This also enables use of the same shipping crates. In this configuration, jug 10 would have an internal volume of about three plus quarts, of which about 2/3 rds is contained in the bottom primary cavity beneath handle 32, resulting in a lower center of gravity, for better balance and, stability.

[0026] From the foregoing, it will thus be appreciated that the present invention comprises a contoured jug having several advantages over the prior art. One advantage is improved ergonomics so that it can be more easily held by one or both hands. Another advantage is a lower center of gravity for better control and stability while handling. Other advantages will be evident to those skilled in the art.

[0027] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawing and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited only to the embodiments disclosed, but is intended to embrace any alternatives, equivalents, modifications and/or rearrangements of elements falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the following Claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid dispensing container, comprising: a pair of laterally spaced apart side walls, each having front, rear, top and bottom ends; a pair of longitudinally spaced apart front and rear walls, each having top, bottom and side ends; a generally square bottom wall secured to the bottom ends of said front, rear and side walls; a top wall secured to the top ends of said front rear and side walls; said rear wall having a generally upright lower portion, a generally forwardly inclined middle portion, and an upper portion; means defining a pouring spout in said top wall disposed substantially midway between said side wall; and means defining a handle extending in spaced apart relationship between the upper and lower portions of said rear wall, aligned with said pouring spout means; said front and side walls having arcuate middle portions to form a reduced portion to facilitate holding the container with both hands.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein said container is integrally molded from plastic.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein said container is integrally molded from high density polyethylene.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the lower ends of said front, rear and side walls curve inwardly at said bottom wall so that the entire periphery is rounded without sharp corners.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the lower ends of said side walls bulge outward, with adjacent middle portions thereof being substantially flat.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein said handle is arcuate.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein said handle includes space apart indentations opposite said rear wall.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein said top wall slopes downwardly away from said pouring spout means towards said front and side walls.

9. The container of claim 1, further including: external threads formed in said pouring spout means for receiving an internally threaded closure cap.

10. A fluid dispensing container, comprising: a pair of laterally spaced apart side walls, each having front, rear, top and bottom ends; a pair of longitudinally spaced apart front and rear walls, each having top, bottom and side ends; a generally square bottom wall joined to the bottom ends of said front, rear and side walls; the lower ends of said front, rear and side walls curving inwardly at said bottom wall so that the entire periphery is rounded without sharp corners; a top wall joined to the top ends of said front rear and side walls; said rear wall having a generally upright lower portion, a generally forwardly inclined middle portion, and an upper portion; means defining a pouring spout in said top wall disposed substantially midway between said side wall; external threads formed in said pouring spout means for receiving an internally threaded closure cap, and means defining an arcuate handle extending in spaced apart relationship between the upper and lower portions of said rear wall, aligned with said pouring spout means; said front and side walls having arcuate middle portions to form reduced front and side portions to facilitate holding the container with both hands.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein said container is integrally molded from high density polyethylene.

12. The container of claim 10, wherein said top wall slopes downwardly away from said pouring spout means towards said front and side walls.

13. The container of claim 10, wherein the lower ends of said side walls bulge outward, with adjacent middle portions thereof being substantially flat.

14. The container of claim 10, wherein said handle includes space apart indentations opposite said rear wall.