U.S. patent application number 11/837439 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-14 for reusable container.
Invention is credited to Frederick F. Abler.
Application Number | 20080035715 11/837439 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39083010 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080035715 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abler; Frederick F. |
February 14, 2008 |
Reusable Container
Abstract
A collapsible container for stackable items can comprise a
hollow cylinder of a resilient material. The cylinder can be open
at both ends and can include a retainer at each end. The cylinder
can have a plurality of lines of weakness extending along at least
a portion of the length of the cylinder such that the container can
be collapsed by application of a nominal force.
Inventors: |
Abler; Frederick F.;
(Atascadero, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
39083010 |
Appl. No.: |
11/837439 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60822170 |
Aug 11, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/93 ;
229/117.01; 229/87.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02W 30/80 20150501;
Y02W 30/807 20150501; B65D 59/04 20130101; G07D 9/006 20130101;
B65D 1/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/093 ;
229/117.01; 229/087.2 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/06 20060101
B65D075/06; B65D 5/36 20060101 B65D005/36 |
Claims
1. A collapsible container for stackable items, comprising: a
hollow cylinder of a resilient material, open at both ends,
including at each end a retainer, the cylinder having a plurality
of lines of weakness extending along at least a portion of the
length of the cylinder such that the container is collapsible by
application of a nominal force.
2. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein at least one of
the retainers is a toggle retainer connected to the cylinder by
first and second hinges.
3. The collapsible container of claim 2, wherein at least one
toggle retainer is comprised of at least two marginal portions
interconnected by at least a third hinge.
4. The collapsible container of claim 3, further comprising jambs
adjacent the first, second and third hinges that are angled such
that the marginal portions come to rest against the jambs
simultaneously when the toggle retainers is moved into the closed
position.
5. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the retainer
comprises a textured outer surface.
6. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the resilient
material is injection moldable.
7. The collapsible container of claim 6, wherein the resilient
material is a polypropylene.
8. The collapsible container of claim 7, wherein the resilient
material is a co-polymer polypropylene.
9. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the lines of
weakness extend the entire length of the cylinder.
10. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the lines of
weakness are longitudinal portions of the cylinder having a lesser
thickness compared to cylinder portions adjacent to the lines of
weakness.
11. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the cylinder
comprises a window.
12. The collapsible container of claim 11, wherein the window is an
opening in the cylinder between the open ends.
13. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the nominal force
is less than 12 ounces.
14. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the cylinder
comprises at least four said lines of weakness.
15. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the cylinder
comprises at least one offset portion to provide an internal
channel and an external protrusion.
16. The collapsible container of claim 15, wherein the offset
portion extends substantially the entire length of the
cylinder.
17. A collapsible container for storage of one or more objects,
comprising: a plurality of longitudinal segments interconnected by
compliant hinges, the longitudinal segments and compliant hinges
forming a loop; the loop having a passage extending between first
and second openings, the loop having a first configuration
permitting storage of objects within the passage and a second
configuration wherein the cross-sectional area of the passage is
reduced; and a retainer near each of the first and second openings,
each retainer having an open position to allow objects to pass
through one of the first and second opening into the passage and a
closed position to inhibit movement of objects within the passage
from moving out of the passage.
18. The collapsible container of claim 17, wherein at least one of
the retainers is a toggle retainer connected to the cylinder by
first and second hinges, the at least one toggle retainer being
comprised of at least two marginal portions interconnected by at
least a third hinge, the container further comprising jambs
adjacent the first, second and third hinges that are angled such
that the marginal portions come to rest against the jambs
simultaneously when the toggle retainers is moved into the closed
position.
19. The collapsible container of claim 17, wherein the retainer
comprises a textured outer surface.
20. The collapsible container of claim 17, wherein at least one of
the longitudinal segments comprises a window.
21. The collapsible container of claim 17, wherein the collapsible
container comprises at least four longitudinal segments.
22. The collapsible container of claim 17, wherein at least one of
the longitudinal segments if offset from the adjacent longitudinal
segments at the compliant hinges to provide an internal channel and
an external protrusion.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is related to, and claims benefit under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/822,170, filed on Aug. 11, 2006, the entirety of which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein and made a part of the present
disclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to collapsible containers, and
more particularly to reusable collapsible containers.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Commercial coin containers are used by banks and stores for
storing and transporting coins. These institutions mainly rely on
disposable coin containers such as paper wrappers that are wrapped
around the coin stack several times and which have wide end margins
that can be subsequently crimped. Other institutions use
"shrink-wrap" plastic wrappings that are thermally compounded to
shrink tightly about the coins when heated.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,338 entitled "Reusable Container For A
Stack Of Coins," which is hereby incorporated by reference herein
in its entirety, discloses a reusable collapsible coin containers
that is formed from flexible plastic lay-flat tubing. While the
container of the '338 patent represents a significant advancement
in the art, there remains a general desire to improve the
manufacturability and usability of such a reusable container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, an aspect of at least one of the embodiments
disclosed herein includes the realization that the production of
collapsible containers from lay-flat tubing requires multiple
steps, namely, blowing thin-walled tubing, running the narrow-gauge
tubing through pinch rollers at high speed, and subsequently
winding the material onto cores for storage and later secondary
processing via narrow web rotary press. The winding of the material
onto cores for storage awaiting subsequent operations is due to the
internal economics of plastic extruders who use their equipment 24
hours a day, seven days a week for the manufacture of many types of
tubing for many different customers, and generally sell their
services on the basis of machine hours. Aside from the additional
cost of handling and warehousing lay-flat tubing, an unacceptable
consequence of wound storage can be that the lay-flat tubing
develops a permanent "core-set," which greatly complicates
secondary manufacturing operations. Once the container has been
singulated from the narrow web of lay-flat tubing, the eccentric
wall thickness of blown film and core-set from storage may inhibit
or complicate one or more subsequent operations, such as flattening
of the tube, opening of the tube, and/or proper operation of
toggles. Additionally, the use of recyclates, i.e., post-consumer
or post-industrial plastic, is not viable in thin-wall extrusions.
The impurities of recyclates, combined with their unknown and
variable heat history, do not support blown-film extrusion of
lay-flat tubing.
[0008] Thus, in accordance with at least one of the embodiments
disclosed herein, a collapsible container for stackable items
comprises a hollow cylinder of a resilient material, open at both
ends, including at each end a retainer. The cylinder has a
plurality of lines of weakness extending along at least a portion
of the length of the cylinder such that the container is
collapsible by application of a nominal force.
[0009] In accordance with at least one of the embodiments disclosed
herein a collapsible container for storage of one or more objects
comprises a plurality of longitudinal segments interconnected by
compliant hinges. The longitudinal segments and compliant hinges
form a loop. The loop has a passage extending between first and
second openings. The loop has a first configuration permitting
storage of objects within the passage and a second configuration
wherein the cross-sectional area of the passage is reduced. The
collapsible container further comprises a retainer near each of the
first and second openings. Each retainer has an open position to
allow objects to pass through one of the first and second openings
into the passage and a closed position to inhibit movement of
objects within the passage from moving out of the passage.
[0010] All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope
of the present invention herein disclosed. These and other
embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent
to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description
of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached
figures, the invention not being limited to any particular
preferred embodiment(s) disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The above-mentioned and other features of the invention
disclosed herein are described below with reference to the drawings
of the preferred embodiments. The illustrated embodiments are
intended to illustrate, but not limit, the invention. The drawings
contain the following figures:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
collapsible container in an expanded configuration.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the collapsible container of
FIG. 1 in a collapsed configuration.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
collapsible container in a collapsed configuration.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
collapsible container in a collapsed configuration.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a top view of the collapsible container of FIGS. 1
and 2.
[0017] FIG. 6 is an end view of the collapsible container of FIGS.
1, 2, and 5 with the toggles in an open position.
[0018] FIG. 7 is an end view of the collapsible container of FIGS.
1, 2, 5, and 6 with the toggles in a closed position.
[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates an arrangement of mechanical actuators to
open and close a pair of toggles according to one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a collapsible container
100 that can be used in a variety of applications, including, for
example, handling, storage, and/or transportation of coins by banks
and stores. The collapsible container 100 of FIG. 1 and other
embodiments described herein can also be used for handling,
storage, and/or transportation of other types of currency, such as
transit tokens or casino chips. Other similarly-shaped items,
including industrial components such as RFID tags and ceramic
pills, may also be handled, stored, and/or transported in
collapsible containers of the type disclosed herein. Additionally,
collapsible containers may be useful for the temporary packaging of
other small stackable goods, including throat lozenges, candy
wafers, washers, soap disks, etc. Although the collapsible
containers can have particularly utility in conjunction with items
that are either cylindrical and/or stackable, the collapsible
containers of the type disclosed herein can also be used in
conjunction with items that are neither stackable nor
cylindrical.
[0021] With reference to FIG. 1, the container 100 can include a
plurality of longitudinal segments 102 connected by hinges 104 to
create a cylinder 106. The cylinder 106 has an interior surface 110
and exterior surface 112. The interior surface 110 defines a
passage 116 extending between the openings 108 at each of the ends
114. The container 100 can further comprise one or more retainers
118 at or near either one or both of the ends 114 of the cylinder
106.
[0022] The illustrated embodiment of the container 100 comprises
six longitudinal segments 102 connected by six longitudinal hinges
104. However, it is anticipated that the number of longitudinal
segments 102 and hinges 104 can be greater than six or can comprise
as few as two. For example, a container 200, illustrated in FIG. 3,
comprises four longitudinal segments 202 connected by four hinges
204. FIG. 4 illustrates a container 300 that comprises eight
longitudinal segments 302 connected by eight hinges 304. As noted
above, additional embodiments can comprise other numbers of
longitudinal segments and hinges. For example, a container can
comprise 10, 12, 14, 16 or more longitudinal segments. Although the
illustrated embodiments comprise an even number of longitudinal
segments, some embodiments comprise an odd number of longitudinal
segments, such as 3, 5, 7 or more segments.
[0023] The longitudinal segments and hinges illustrated in FIGS.
1-8 form a closed loop. Alternatively, the longitudinal segments
and hinges can form an open loop having a fastener disposed on one
or both free ends of the loop such that the free ends can be
connected to form a cylinder similar to the cylinders 106, 206, and
306 illustrated in FIGS. 1-8. It should also be appreciated that
although the longitudinal segments 102 are illustrated has having
an arc-like or semi-circular shape, in modified embodiments, the
longitudinal segments can have a flat or different shape such that
the container 100 does not have a substantially circular
cross-section.
[0024] The hinges 104 can be compliant or "living" hinges that are
integrally formed with the longitudinal segments 106. In some
embodiments, the compliant hinges may be integrally formed portions
of the cylinder 106 having a reduced thickness compared to adjacent
longitudinal sections, thereby forming lines of weakness or
increased or preferentially flexibility between adjacent
longitudinal segments. Alternatively, lines of weakness or
increased/preferential flexibility may be formed using perforations
or by other techniques or arrangements known to those of skill in
the art.
[0025] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hinges 104 can extend
the substantially length of the cylinder 106. Alternatively, the
hinges can extend less than substantially the entire length of the
cylinder.
[0026] The inclusion of hinges 104 between longitudinal segments
102 advantageously facilitates collapsing or compression of the
container 100. Preferably, the container 100 can be substantially
flattened by a nominal applied force, such as finger pressure or
the self-weight of containers 100 packaged in bulk. The nominal
applied force can be 12 ounces or less, or alternatively equal to
or more than 12 ounces. Flattening the container advantageously
minimizes the space required during shipping and storage, and while
containers are empty between reuses.
[0027] In one embodiment, the container 100 can be collapsed by
application of a force in the general direction of arrows A, shown
in FIG. 6, to place the container 100 in the collapsed or flattened
configuration, shown in FIG. 2, thereby reducing or eliminating the
cross-sectional of the passage 116. Additionally applied force,
either momentary or prolonged, may substantially flatten the
container 100 beyond the state shown in FIG. 2. Embodiments
including longitudinal segments 102 that have an arcuate
cross-section, as shown in FIG. 2 or other non-flat cross-sections,
may be compressed into a flatter state by application of additional
compressive force.
[0028] The container 100 can be expanded from the collapsed
configuration, illustrated in FIG. 2, to the expanded
configuration, illustrated in FIG. 1, by application of a force in
the general direction of arrows B, shown in FIG. 2.
[0029] As noted above, the container 100 preferably comprises one
or more retainers 118 at each of the openings 108. The retainers
118 can flip-top caps, bistable movable element or elements, or
other retaining devices known to those of skill in the art, or a
combination thereof.
[0030] In some embodiments, one or more of the retainers can
comprise a bistable element or elements, such as a toggle, in which
the mechanism has at least two stable equilibrium states within
their range of motion and require no power input to remain stable
at each equilibrium state. FIGS. 1-2 and 5-7 illustrate an
embodiment including toggle-type retainers 118. The toggles 118 can
comprise one or more arms 124 connected to the cylinder 106 by
hinges 126. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 5-7,
each toggle 118 comprises two arms 124. However, the toggles can
comprise other numbers of arms, for example, one arm or three arms.
The arms 124 can also be connected by one or more intermediate
hinges 128.
[0031] In some embodiments, the arms 124 can be marginal portions
of the cylinder 106 and can have a cross-sectional shape similar to
the longitudinal segments 102 to facilitate manufacture of the
container 100. However, the shape retainers 118 need not
approximate the cross-sectional shape of the longitudinal segments,
nor must the retainers 118 be at the ends 114 of the cylinder 106.
For example, the retainers 118 can be spaced inwardly from the ends
114 and/or have a shape different than the longitudinal segments
102. One such retainer may have one or more retainers between the
ends 114 to retain contents in a container that is less than
completely full.
[0032] The toggles 118 can be moved into a closed position, shown
in FIG. 7, by applying a force generally along the arrows C, shown
in FIGS. 5 and 6, to translate arms 124 via an over-the-center
motion past the inflection point of the bistable mechanism and
"snap" the toggle 118 closed in the opening 108 of the cylinder
106. By pinching the toggle arms 124 together at one end 114 of the
container 100, the toggle arms 124 can provide a temporary retainer
at one end 114 of the cylinder 106. This activation of the toggle
arms 124 can also hold the cylinder 106 in the expanded
configuration to prepare the container 100 for ingress of coins or
other items from the opposing open end 114.
[0033] Once the contents are placed within the container 100, and
optionally dimensionally counted, the toggle arms 124 at the
opposing end can be closed to secure the contents within the
container 100. Because the toggles 118 are bistable, translating
through an over-the-center motion, they will not spring open until
a counter-veiling force is applied.
[0034] While filled, the container can be stored or transported in
vertical and/or horizontal positions. To release the contents, a
force is applied between the toggles 118 generally along the arrows
D, shown in FIG. 7, to translate the arms past their inflection
point into the open configuration. To empty the contents of the
container 100, the open end 114 of the container 100 can be aimed
into a receptacle, such as a change drawer, and the contents may be
rapidly expelled by gravity and/or a gentle shake of the container
100.
[0035] By opening all of the remaining closed toggles 118 in a
similar fashion, the container can again assume a collapsed profile
for storage, such as in a cash register. In the illustrated
embodiments, the toggles 118 are preferably moved to their open
position before the container 100 is collapsed to avoid damaging of
the hinges 128.
[0036] The toggle arms 124 can be provided with textured areas 138,
such as one or more ridges or grooves, to visually and/or tactilely
aid manual users in locating the toggles 118 and/or developing
muscle and sense memory. The textured areas 138 may facilitate
proficient use in low light, or by the site impaired.
[0037] In some embodiments, the hinges 126 and/or 128 of the
toggles 118 may be configured to prevent over-rotation of the
hinges 126 and/or 128. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the
hinges 126 and 28 comprise stops or jambs 136 near to the hinges
126 and 128. The stops 136 can comprise angled surfaces located
adjacent to or near the hinge's point of flexure or, alternatively
or additionally, the stops 136 can be protrusions spaced apart from
the point of flexure such that the hinges 126 and/or 128 come to
rest against the stops simultaneously, thereby creating a
"soft-stop" to prevent or reduce the likelihood of over-rotation of
the hinges 126 and/or 128, which may lead to breakage of the hinges
126 and/or 128.
[0038] In some embodiments, adjacent longitudinal segments 102 can
be offset from one another at or near one or more intervening
hinges 104 of the container 100. For example, as illustrated in
FIG. 6, the longitudinal segments 102a can be offset from the
longitudinal segments 102b at hinges 104. The longitudinal segments
102a and the longitudinal segments 102b can be offset by
approximately the thickness of one of the longitudinal segments
102, as illustrated in FIG. 6. In other embodiments, the offset
between longitudinal segments 102 can be less than or greater than
the thickness of one or more of the longitudinal segments 102.
[0039] The offset between the longitudinal segments 102 need not
extend the entire length of the cylinder. Rather, in some
embodiments the offset can extend only a portion of the length or
the width of the cylinder 106 or of one or more of the longitudinal
segments 102. Offsetting one or more longitudinal segments 102 can
create a cam 120, a channel 122, or both (FIG. 6) that can extend
all or a portion of the entire length of the container 100.
[0040] Offsetting the longitudinal segments 102 can provide one or
more benefits, including allowing the toggle arms 124, which upon
repeated use may relax slightly in the open position, to rest in
the open position and not impede egress of the contents.
Additionally, the channel 122 created by offsetting longitudinal
segments 102 can reduce or eliminate suction lock of a stack of
coins or other contents of the container 100. Also, the cam 120
created by offsetting longitudinal segments 102 can inhibit
undesired rolling of the container 100 while in a horizontal
orientation, such as when the container 100 is placed horizontally
on a table.
[0041] The cam 120 can also facilitate rapid manipulation by
mechanical means, such as suction devices for extending the
cylinder 106 and mechanical actuators to move the retainers 118, to
mechanically fill and/or empty the container 100 rapidly and
effectively. Manipulability by mechanical means permits the
collapsible containers to readily function as a cartridge for
automated coin handling, such as is used in various casinos, banks,
and coin centers.
[0042] For example, an orientation plate 130, shown in FIG. 8, can
be used to orient the container 100 within an apparatus for
mechanically filling and/or emptying the container 100. The
orienting plate 130 can include an edge 132 that can abut the cam
120 of the container 100 to orient the container 100 within the
mechanical apparatus.
[0043] Mechanical actuators 134 can also be used to move the
toggles 118 between their open and closed positions. FIG. 8
illustrates an arrangement of a plurality of mechanical actuators
134 that can be used to move the toggles 118 between open and
closed positions.
[0044] To close the container, the actuators 134a, illustrated in
an advanced position in FIG. 8, apply a force generally radially
inwardly to close the toggle arms to thereby retain the contents of
the container 100 therein. The actuators 134b, illustrated in a
retracted position in FIG. 8, can apply a force generally outwardly
on the respective toggles 118, thereby moving the toggles 118
through an over-the-center motion to springing the toggles 118
clear of the opening releasing the contents.
[0045] The full throw of the actuators 134 needs only be sufficient
to translate the toggle 118 over-the-center, or past the inflection
point of the bistable mechanism. The resiliency of the plastic
material will then translate the toggle arms 124 through their
remaining range of motion when either opening or closing the
toggles 118.
[0046] The container 100 may be made of any resilient material,
such as thermoplastic resins or other resilient materials known to
those of skill in the art, including other plastics and metals.
Preferably, the container 100 is made of an injection-moldable
material. For example, readily-available inexpensive grades of
polypropylene resins can be used. Some embodiments employ compliant
hinges and exploit the innate spring constant of thermoplastic
materials.
[0047] The translucency of some plastic materials can also be
exploited to give visual verification of the contents, which is
especially important in money handling applications. In such
embodiments, mono- or copolymer polypropylenes may be used because
of their excellent hinge properties and translucency. Nonetheless,
injection molding allows for use of a plurality of materials, some
of which may be appropriate to special packaging applications. For
example, anti-static plastic compounds may be desired for retaining
electronic components, such as RFID tags, or high-density
polyethylene for static control of ceramic pills.
[0048] Alternate resins may also be used to enhance the
environmental benefits of reusable packaging. For example,
post-industrial recyclates, post-consumer recyclates, and/or
biodegradable organic plastics may be used. Hybrid materials, such
as plastic and wood-flour compounds, may also be injection molded.
These hybrid organic materials may be suitable for certain
specialty packaging applications, such as "plantable" containers
made from organic plastics and fertilizer compounds that
self-compost to fertilize the small plants and seedlings as they
decay underground.
[0049] In some embodiments, the container can be formed from a
plurality of materials. For example, the container can be formed
from first material that is opaque or translucent and from a second
material that is transparent to allow the contents of the container
to be viewed along the part or all of the length of the container.
In other embodiments, one or more longitudinal segments 102 may be
formed with one or more slots or other apertures to allow viewing
of the contents of the container.
[0050] Embodiments of the collapsible container can be manufactured
in a range of sizes relating, for example, to the dimensions of the
world's coinage and the standard roll sizes used in international
banking industries. Containers can also be made in sizes
corresponding to other forms of currency, such as transit tokens
and casino chips. Additionally, containers can be sized and shaped
to accommodate industrial components, such as RFID tags and ceramic
pills.
[0051] The thickness of the longitudinal segments 102 and the
hinges 104 will vary proportionally with the size of the objects to
be accommodated within the container 100 to and the desired
mechanical action and operation of the retainers 118.
[0052] While various embodiments have been illustrated in having
longitudinal segments having arcuate cross-sectional shapes,
alternate embodiments can comprise longitudinal segments having
other cross-sectional shapes, such as flat, faceted, parabolic or
cross-sectional geometries. These alternate embodiments may yield a
variety of cylindrical shapes, including triangular, hexagonal,
octagonal, and other cylindrical shapes. These various shapes may
be used for packaging small stackable goods, such as throat
lozenges, candy wafers, washers, and soap disks.
[0053] In some embodiments, the collapsible containers may be
manufactured by injection molding. Injection molding can
advantageously allow commercially available resin pellets to be
formed into a single finished product in a single step.
[0054] Injection-molded containers may benefit from priming the
toggles 118 by moving them between their open and closed positions
just after molding to better align the plastic molecules at the
hinges and, thereby, increase the life cycle of the toggles. Such
priming could be performed by the injection-mold-press operator
between mold cycles, or by custom in-mold tooling, such as
ejector/priming pins.
[0055] By altering the injection press's operating parameters, such
as pressure, dwell, and temperature, the same tooling can be used
with the plurality of thermoplastic resin as may be desired for
alternate embodiments intended for monetary, industrial, and/or
retail packaging. Post-consumer and post-industrial recyclates can
also be injection molded, enabling greater environmental benefits
and marketing advantages.
[0056] Additionally, some embodiments are reusable containers that
do not require a formal reuse infrastructure, making it a rare
example of a "waste source reduction" packaging. To further
maximize the environmental benefits of the reusable container and
gain additional marketing advantage, it is desirable to manufacture
the container from recycled plastic, i.e. recyclates.
[0057] Some embodiments may include features that are attractive to
consumers, such as longitudinal segments having engineered
profiles, integral product markings, and/or indicia to encourage
consumers to reuse the container and recycle the container along
with other household plastics at the end of the container's life
cycle.
[0058] In some embodiments, the indicia can include as logos,
trademarks, advertising, instructions, directions, icons, symbols,
or other markings. The indicia may be molded directly onto one or
more of the longitudinal segments in relief to eliminate the need
for printing and/or special treatments while increasing the
durability of the container.
[0059] Although the invention has been disclosed in the context of
certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood
by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends
beyond the specifically disclosed embodiment to alternative
embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications
and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several variations of
the invention have been shown and described in detail, other
modifications, which are within the scope of the invention, will be
readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this
disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or
sub-combinations of this specific features and aspects of the
embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the
invention. It should be understood that various features and
aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or
substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the
disclosed invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at
least some of the embodiments of the present invention herein
described should not be limited by the particular disclosed
embodiments described above.
* * * * *