U.S. patent application number 12/291786 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-29 for container having recessed tilting handle and method for stacking same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Advantus, Corp.. Invention is credited to Bryan P. Dunford, Steve M. Rindlisbacher.
Application Number | 20090266738 12/291786 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41213944 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090266738 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dunford; Bryan P. ; et
al. |
October 29, 2009 |
Container having recessed tilting handle and method for stacking
same
Abstract
A stackable container for carrying and scooping material has a
body, a lower handle mounted in a recess in the lower portion of
the container body, and an optional upper handle attached to the
upper portion of the container body. The lower handle is an
elongated continuous member, like a stiff metal rod, shaped into a
handle. When not in use, the lower handle can be stowed in the
recess beneath an optional retainer flange. To use the lower
handle, the handle can be urged from beneath the optional flange to
extend outwardly from the container body. The optional upper handle
is an elongated member with a grip mounted in the center. A total
of three recesses in the exterior of the container body and three
corresponding protuberances in the interior are used to stack
multiple containers together.
Inventors: |
Dunford; Bryan P.; (Pleasant
Grove, UT) ; Rindlisbacher; Steve M.; (Lehi,
UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARTHUR G. YEAGER, Esq.
1301 Riverplace Boulevard, Suite 1916
JACKSONVILLE
FL
32207
US
|
Assignee: |
Advantus, Corp.
|
Family ID: |
41213944 |
Appl. No.: |
12/291786 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61047353 |
Apr 23, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/515 ;
220/761 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2525/288 20130101;
B65D 25/2835 20130101; B65D 25/32 20130101; B65D 21/0233
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/515 ;
220/761 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/00 20060101
B65D021/00; B65D 25/00 20060101 B65D025/00 |
Claims
1. Apparatus for carrying and scooping material, comprising: a
container member having an open top, an enclosed bottom and an
enclosing side wall extending from said top to said bottom; a
handle attached to said container adjacent said top; and a handle
assembly fitted with said container member adjacent said bottom,
said handle assembly including a lower handle member and mounting
means permitting said lower handle member to extend outwardly from
said side wall to facilitate filling, carrying or emptying of said
container member, said mounting means permitting said lower handle
member to be stored along said side wall of said container
member.
2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 further comprising a recess in
said side wall of said container member for receiving said lower
handle member when stored.
3. The apparatus recited in claim 2 wherein said lower handle
member has a proximal end pivotally attached in said side wall
forming said recess adjacent said bottom, said lower handle member
being rotatable about said proximal end for storage within said
recess.
4. The apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein said recess extends
laterally from generally said bottom and along said side wall.
5. The apparatus recited in claim 4 wherein said recess extends
inwardly from said side wall and forms a protuberance inwardly of
said container member.
6. The apparatus recited in claim 5 wherein said lower handle
member includes an elongated portion extending from said proximal
end toward a distal end of said lower handle member, and a handle
element at said distal end extending laterally from said elongated
portion at said distal end.
7. The apparatus recited in claim 5 further comprising spaced
supplementary recesses in said side wall of said container member,
each supplementary recess extending laterally from generally said
bottom and along said side wall and extending inwardly from said
side wall and forming an additional spaced protuberance inwardly of
said container member; and each supplementary recess of a
substantially identical apparatus nested within said apparatus
dimensioned and singularly positioned to be aligned with one said
protuberance of said apparatus dimensioned and singularly
positioned to mate with respective said supplementary recess of
said substantially identical apparatus.
8. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said upper handle
member is generally U-shaped with each leg thereof pivotally
attached at opposing locations along said side wall adjacent said
top, each location being substantially equidistant from said lower
handle member.
9. A container apparatus comprising: a plurality of nestable
container members, each said container member having an open top,
an enclosing bottom, an enclosing side wall extending between said
top and said bottom, a first recess extending from generally said
bottom along said side wall and forming a corresponding
protuberance inwardly of said container member, and spaced
supplementary recesses extending from generally said bottom along
said side wall, each said supplementary recess forming a
corresponding protuberance inwardly of said container member; an
upper handle attached to each said container member adjacent said
top; a lower handle assembly fitted within said first recess of
each said container member; and said nestable container members
nested such that each supplementary recess of a subsequent
container member nested within a previous container member is
dimensioned and singularly positioned to be aligned with one
protuberance of said previous container member, said one
protuberance dimensioned and singularly positioned to mate with
respective said supplementary recess of said subsequent container
member.
10. The container apparatus recited in claim 9 wherein each said
nestable container member further comprises a stacking stop
extending outwardly and about said side wall below said open
top.
11. A container comprising: a body having an enclosed bottom, an
open top, an interior surface and an exterior surface, said body
being wider at said top and narrower at said bottom, a lower
portion of said exterior surface containing a plurality of recesses
for stacking multiple containers such that each said recess
produces a corresponding protuberance in a lower portion of said
interior surface of said body; an elongated upper handle attached
to an upper portion of said body; and a lower handle assembly
generally contained within a first recess of said plurality of
recesses in said exterior surface of said body for assisting in use
of said container, said lower handle assembly including a lower
handle and mounting means permitting said lower handle to
selectively extend outwardly from said first recess and retract
back therein.
12. The container recited in claim 11, wherein said first recess
has a top end and a bottom end, said lower handle assembly further
including a pair of opposing, spaced, parallel support ribs
attached longitudinally along a center portion of said first recess
and extending from generally said top end of said first recess to
proximate said bottom end of said first recess, said support ribs
substantially equal in length, each said support rib having a pivot
hole extending through a lower portion thereof; and said lower
handle being formed from an elongated member with a pair of legs
substantially equal in length, a lower end of each said leg splayed
outwardly substantially laterally such that each said leg fits
within said pivot hole of an adjacent one of said support ribs, and
said lower handle having at an upper end thereof a handle element
to permit grasping and holding of said lower handle.
13. The container recited in claim 11, further comprising a flange
attached to said body within said first recess for selectively
securing said lower handle retracted in said first recess.
14. The container recited in claim 11, wherein said first recess
forms a corresponding first protuberance within said container, a
second recess being formed of a corresponding second protuberance,
a third recess being formed of a corresponding third protuberance
with said first, second, and third protuberances spaced about said
interior surface and of approximately equal width.
15. The container recited in claim 14 wherein said first recess has
a height extending above said bottom greater than a corresponding
height of said second recess, and said second recess has a height
extending above said bottom greater than a corresponding height of
said third recess.
16. A container apparatus comprising: three nestable container
members, each said container member having an open top, an enclosed
bottom, an enclosed side wall extending between said top and said
bottom, and three spaced recesses extending laterally from
generally said bottom and along said side wall and extending
inwardly from said side wall and forming corresponding spaced
protuberances inwardly of said container member, each said
protuberance substantially equal in height and width to a
corresponding said recess; a first recess taller than a second
recess, and said second recess taller than a third recess, and said
first, second, and third recesses substantially equal in width; a
vertical centerline of said first recess being angularly disposed
by approximately sixty degrees from a vertical centerline of said
second recess, and said vertical centerline of said second recess
being angularly disposed by approximately sixty degrees from a
vertical centerline of said third recess, and said vertical
centerline of said third recess being angularly disposed by
approximately one-hundred-twenty degrees from said vertical
centerline of said first recess; an upper portion of a first
protuberance of a first container member dimensioned to be fitted
substantially within a second recess of a second container member,
said second container member nested within said first container
member, and an upper portion of a second protuberance of said first
container member dimensioned to be fitted substantially within a
third recess of said second container member; and an upper portion
of a first protuberance of said second container member dimensioned
to be fitted substantially within a second recess of a third
container member, said third container member nested within said
second container member, and an upper portion of a second
protuberance of said second container member dimensioned to be
fitted substantially within a third recess of said third container
member; such that said second container member nested within said
first container member is angularly disposed by approximately sixty
degrees with respect to said first container member, and said third
container member nested within said second container member is
angularly disposed by approximately sixty degrees with respect to
said second container member and angularly disposed by
approximately one-hundred-twenty degrees with respect to said first
container member.
17. A method for stacking nestable containers, each container
having a plurality of recesses and corresponding protuberances
formed of the recesses, said method comprising the steps of:
aligning recesses of a subsequent container with protuberances of a
previous container; stacking the subsequent container within the
previous container such that each aligned recess of the subsequent
container fits over a portion of a respective protuberance of the
previous container; repeating said aligning and stacking steps in
sequence until a last container has been stacked.
18. The method for stacking nestable containers as recited in claim
17, wherein the plurality of recesses are a first recess, a second
recess, and a third recess, and the corresponding protuberances are
a first protuberance, a second protuberance, and a third
protuberance.
19. The method for stacking nestable containers as recited in claim
18, wherein said aligning step includes aligning a second recess of
the subsequent container with a first protuberance of the previous
container, and aligning a third recess of the subsequent container
with a second protuberance of the previous container; and said
stacking step includes fitting the second recess of the subsequent
container over an upper portion of the first protuberance of the
previous container, and fitting the third recess of the subsequent
container over an upper portion of the second protuberance of the
previous container.
20. The method for stacking nestable containers as recited in claim
19, wherein a vertical centerline of a first recess is angularly
disposed by approximately sixty degrees from a vertical centerline
of a second recess, and the vertical centerline of the second
recess is angularly disposed by approximately sixty degrees from a
vertical centerline of a third recess, and the vertical centerline
of the third recess is angularly disposed by approximately
one-hundred-twenty degrees from the vertical centerline of the
first recess; such that the subsequent container nested within the
previous container is angularly disposed by approximately sixty
degrees with respect to the previous container, and another
subsequent container nested within the subsequent container is
angularly disposed by approximately one-hundred-twenty degrees with
respect to the previous container.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional application
61/047,353, filed Apr. 23, 2008.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to containers for carrying and
scooping material.
[0006] 2. Relevant Art
[0007] One type of container having a handle is a bucket made up of
a cylindrical body with a closed bottom end, an open top end, and a
handle mounted in the upper portion of the bucket so that the
handle swivels. Such a bucket can be filled with material, carried,
and emptied of its contents. One way to fill the bucket is to pour
material into it while it is standing upright. Another way to fill
the bucket is to use it as a scoop.
[0008] One method for using the bucket as a scoop involves grasping
the bucket's handle in one hand and swiveling it toward oneself
while tipping up the bottom of the bucket with the other hand. This
motion places the open mouth of the bucket either roughly parallel
with the material to be scooped or facing downward toward the
material, depending upon the height at which the bottom of the
bucket is lifted. The bucket is then dragged through the material
by pulling on the handle and pushing on the bottom of the bucket,
or by simply pushing on the bottom of the bucket alone. At the end
of the scooping action, the bottom of the bucket is dropped and the
bucket is lifted by the handle. This causes the material captured
by the scooping action to settle within the bucket.
[0009] Scooping material in this way can involve bending over at
the waist so as to reach the material with the bucket. The lower
the material to be scooped, the further one will likely need to
bend to get at the material.
[0010] A bucket can be carried by a handle mounted near the top of
the bucket. For heavier loads, one might be required to use two
hands on the handle to carry the bucket. This generally calls for
each hand to be placed side by side on the handle and the bucket to
be held out in front of one as one walks. Because of the relatively
great weight of the bucket's contents, the bucket typically needs
to be carried close to the body. The position of the bucket held
out in front of one and held close to the body makes a normal gait
difficult, resulting in one taking smaller steps as the load is
carried.
[0011] A handle of a bucket can also be useful in emptying contents
from the bucket. One way to empty a bucket is to grasp the handle
in one hand to stabilize the bucket and to grab the bottom of the
bucket in the other hand. The bottom of the bucket is then tipped
up. The lifting motion provided by the hand on the bottom of the
bucket controls the rate at which the contents of the bucket are
emptied.
[0012] When emptying a heavy bucket of material, the weight of the
contents is lifted as the bottom of the bucket is initially tipped
up. As the contents of the bucket pours out, the weight of the
material remaining in the bucket naturally decreases, thereby
requiring less effort to lift the remaining contents of the bucket.
If the bucket of material is relatively heavy, initially tipping up
the bottom of the bucket can make it difficult to control the speed
at which the material is emptied from the bucket.
[0013] What is needed is a container that decreases the amount of
bending required to scoop material into the container, that allows
one to more conveniently carry heavy containers of material, and
that provides more control when emptying material from a
container.
SUMMARY
[0014] In accordance with the present invention, a container is
provided that employs a lower handle and that allows for the
stacking of multiple containers. With the present invention, the
amount of bending required to scoop material into a container is
decreased, carrying heavy containers of material is made more
convenient, and more control is provided when emptying material
from a container. A container embodying features of the present
invention comprises a body having a sidewall and a lower handle
assembly mounted in a recess in the lower portion of the body.
[0015] The body of the container has an enclosing bottom and an
open top. The body also has multiple recesses in a lower portion of
its exterior surface. The formation of each recess in the exterior
surface produces a corresponding protuberance in the interior
surface of the body. The recesses and protuberances together allow
for the stacking of multiple containers.
[0016] The lower handle assembly is housed within one of the
recesses in the lower portion of the exterior surface of the body
of the container. Generally, the entire assembly is contained
within the recess. The lower handle assembly contains a lower
handle that is capable of extending outwardly from the recess and
retracting back within the recess.
[0017] In some embodiments, an upper handle is attached to the
upper portion of the container body. The upper handle is an
elongated member that attaches loosely to the body. This loose
attachment allows the upper handle to swivel in relation to the
body of the container. In some of these embodiments, a grip is
mounted over the center portion of the upper handle to afford more
comfort in carrying the container.
[0018] In some embodiments, a retainer flange is attached to the
top of the recess that houses the lower handle assembly. The
retainer flange secures the handle portion of the lower handle
assembly within the recess. The retainer flange is attached so as
to be generally flush with the exterior surface of the body of the
container. To use the lower handle, the handle is removed from the
retainer flange and extended outwardly from the recess.
[0019] The lower handle is used in a variety of ways. One way is to
help in scooping material into the container. Extending and
grasping the lower handle allows one to stand more upright when
getting at the material, as opposed to grabbing the bottom of the
container and bending, or bending further, to reach the
material.
[0020] The lower handle is also used in conjunction with an upper
handle to carry a heavy container of material. By grasping the
upper handle in one hand and the lower handle in the other, one is
able to hold the container more to one side as one walks, allowing
one generally to take fuller strides. By and large this would be
preferable to carrying the container by two hands on the upper
handle. Carrying the container in this manner can lead to the
container being carried out in front of oneself close to the body,
resulting in the likely need to take smaller steps.
[0021] Another way the lower handle is used is in emptying material
from a container. By pulling up on the lower handle, rather than
tipping up the bottom of the container, one generally has more
control over the speed at which the material is emptied from the
container, particularly when dealing with a heavy container of
material. Pulling up on the lower handle, rather than tipping up
the bottom of the container, can also make it easier to empty the
container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The novel features believed to be characteristic of this
invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.
The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and to
its method of operation, together with further objects and
advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the
following description taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a container with a lower
handle fully extended, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the container in FIG.
1;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the container in FIG. 1
with a lower handle stowed;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the opposite side of
the container in FIG. 3;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the container in FIG. 3;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the container in FIG. 3
with a lower handle partially extended;
[0029] FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 6, focusing on
the partially extended lower handle;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the container in FIG.
6;
[0031] FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 8, focusing on
the partially extended lower handle;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of four containers stacked one
within the other, in accordance with the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a cutaway side elevational view of the container
shown in FIG. 10, taken along line X-Y;
[0034] FIG. 12 is a cutaway side elevational view of two stacked
containers similar to FIG. 11;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a cutaway side elevational view of three stacked
containers similar to FIGS. 11 and 12;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a cutaway side elevational view of four stacked
containers similar to FIGS. 11-13; and
[0037] FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of four containers
stacked together from a different angle than shown in FIGS.
11-14.
DESCRIPTION
[0038] Embodying the principles of the present invention is a
container depicted in FIGS. 1-9 that is capable of being stacked
within other containers, as depicted in FIGS. 10-15.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a container 30 comprises an open
top 34, a closed bottom 36, a body 40 forming an enclosing sidewall
extending from the top 34 to the bottom 36, an upper handle 100,
and a lower handle assembly 190. The body 40 is in the general
shape of a gradually tapering cylinder, with an upper portion of
the body 40 that is adjacent to the top 34 of the container 30
being wider and a lower portion of the body 40 that is adjacent to
the bottom 36 of the container 30 being narrower. The upper handle
100 is mounted to the body 40 near the top 34 of the container 30,
as described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The lower
handle assembly 190 is mounted to the body 40 near the bottom 36 of
the container 30, as described below with reference to FIGS.
6-9.
[0040] Continuing with FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper handle 100
comprises a handle member 103 and a grip 105. The handle member 103
is a length of curved, elongated material, such as a length of
stiff metal rod. Each end of the handle member 103 attaches to the
body 40 of the container 30 allowing the upper handle 100 to pivot
or swivel in relation to the body 40, as described below with
reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The curvature of the handle member 103
is sufficient to allow the handle member 103 to swivel easily on
the body 40. The grip 105 of the upper handle 100 is substantially
a plastic cylinder open at both ends. The grip 105 is normally
rotatable on the upper handle 100 or may be fitted securely over
the center portion of the handle member 103 so that approximately
an equal length of the handle member 103 appears on either side of
the grip 105.
[0041] Regarding FIGS. 1 and 2, in the current embodiment, the
upper handle 100 pivots easily back and forth over the body 40 of
the container 30. In some alternate embodiments, however, an upper
handle 100 can be configured to be stationary. In other alternate
embodiments, an upper handle 100 can be configured so as to allow
the handle 100 to be positioned within a range of possible
positions and to remain stationary in the given position until
repositioned. In addition, in alternate embodiments the handle
member 103 of the upper handle 100 can be constructed of another
material, such as rope, cord, or a metal or plastic band. Also in
alternate embodiments, the grip 105 can be made of other materials,
such as rubber, wood, or metal.
[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, the body 40 of the container 30
comprises a pair of opposing ends 48 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), an
interior wall surface 50 (see FIG. 5), a bottom 90 (see FIG. 5), an
exterior wall surface 110 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), a lip 200, a mount
ridge 210 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), a pair of upper handle mounts 220
(one shown in FIG. 3 and another shown in FIG. 4), and a
circumferential stacking stop 230 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The bottom
90 of the body 40 is formed with or attached to a bottom end 48 of
the body 40. In this way, the container 30 is closed at the bottom
end 48 so as to hold material disposable into the container 30. The
container 30 is open at the opposing top end 48 so as to accept
material placed into the container 30.
[0043] Regarding FIGS. 3-5, in the current embodiment, the body 40
of the container 30 is made of plastic. In alternate embodiments, a
body 40 can be constructed of a different material, such as metal,
fabric, woven material, or wood.
[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lip 200 is located on
the exterior wall surface 110 of the body 40 of the container 30 at
the top end 48 of the body 40. The lip 200 is a narrow projection
that encompasses the circumference of the body 40. The mount ridge
210 is a narrow projection that encompasses the circumference of
the body 40. The mount ridge 210 is formed with the exterior wall
surface 110 of the body 40 and is oriented generally parallel to
the lip 200. The mount ridge 210 also projects approximately the
same distance from the exterior wall surface 110 as does the lip
200. A portion of the mount ridge 210 is generally adjacent to each
of the upper handle mounts 220.
[0045] Continuing with FIGS. 3 and 4, the pair of upper handle
mounts 220 (one shown in FIG. 3 and another shown in FIG. 4) are
attached to the exterior wall surface 110 of the body 40, between
the mount ridge 210 and the stacking stop 230. The upper handle
mounts 220 are attached to opposing ends of a diameter drawn across
the top end 48 of the body 40. The opposing upper handle mounts 220
are aligned generally along the same horizontal axis. An eye 223 is
located in the approximate center of each mount 220. Opposing ends
of the handle member 103 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the upper handle
100 are inserted into each eye 223 to attach the upper handle 100
to the body 40. The upper handle 100 attaches loosely to the pair
of upper handle mounts 220, allowing the upper handle 100 to pivot
or swivel in relation to the body 40 of the container 30.
[0046] Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the stacking stop 230 is a
broad projection that encompasses the circumference of the body 40.
The stacking stop 230 is formed with or attached to the exterior
wall surface 110 of the body 40 and is oriented generally parallel
to both the mount ridge 210 and the lip 200. The stacking stop 230
also projects approximately the same distance from the exterior
wall surface 110 as does the mount ridge 210 and the lip 200. A
portion of the stacking stop 230 is generally adjacent to each of
the upper handle mounts 220. When stacking a second container 30
within a like first container 30, a stacking stop 230 on the second
container 30 provides a broad projection that catches on the lip
200 of the first container 30 to help prevent the second container
30 from being lowered further into the first container 30.
[0047] Regarding FIGS. 3 and 4, the lip 200, the mount ridge 210,
the pair of upper handle mounts 220, and the stacking stop 230 are
all molded portions of the body 40 of the container 30. In
alternate embodiments, each of these elements can attach to the
body 40 in some other way rather than being molded into the body
40. Also in alternate embodiments, an upper handle 100 can attach
to the body 40 in a different manner known in the art.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 3, the exterior wall surface 110 of
the body 40 of the container 30 comprises a lower handle recess
160, an intermediate recess 170, and a short recess 180. As the
designations imply, the three recesses 160, 170, 180 are recesses
in the exterior wall surface 110. The three recesses 160, 170, 180
are slightly spaced horizontally from each other. The recesses 160,
170, 180 come into their function when stacking containers 30
within one another, as described below with reference to FIGS.
10-15. In addition, the lower handle recess 160 is also used to
hold the lower handle assembly 190, as described below with
reference to FIGS. 6-9.
[0049] Continuing with FIG. 3, the lower handle recess 160
comprises a pair of opposing ends 168 and is taller than it is wide
(see FIGS. 6 and 7). A bottom end 168 of the lower handle recess
160 is located generally at the bottom end 48 of the body 40 of the
container 30. A top end 168 of the lower handle recess 160 is
located approximately halfway up the exterior wall surface 110 of
the body 40, making the recess 160 approximately half the height of
the body 40 of the container 30. The lower handle recess 160 is
positioned so that the center of the upper handle 100 is generally
aligned with the longitudinal axis of the recess 160. The
intermediate recess 170 comprises a pair of opposing ends 178. A
bottom end 178 of the intermediate recess 170 is located generally
at the bottom end 48 of the body 40. The intermediate recess 170 is
approximately the same width as the lower handle recess 160 and
approximately half the height of the lower handle recess 160. The
intermediate recess 170 is positioned between the lower handle
recess 160 and the short recess 180. The short recess 180 comprises
a pair of opposing ends 188. A bottom end 188 of the short recess
180 is located generally at the bottom end 48 of the body 40. The
short recess 180 is approximately the same width as both the lower
handle recess 160 and the intermediate recess 170. The short recess
180 is approximately half the height of the intermediate recess
170.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 5, the interior wall surface 50
comprises a lower handle protuberance 60, an intermediate
protuberance 70, and a short protuberance 80. As their names imply,
the three protuberances 60, 70, 80 are protuberances in the
interior wall surface 50. The three protuberances 60, 70, 80 are
complementary structures to the three recesses 160, 170, 180 (see
FIG. 3) in the exterior wall surface 110 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). In
other words, each protuberance 60, 70, 80 projecting from the
interior wall surface 50 is the result of an indentation formed by
a corresponding recess 160, 170, 180 in the exterior wall surface
110. As a result, each protuberance 60, 70, 80 has approximately
the same height and width as its counterpart. The lower handle
protuberance 60 corresponds to the lower handle recess 160, the
intermediate protuberance 170 corresponds to the intermediate
recess 170, and the short protuberance 80 corresponds to the short
recess 180. As with the three recesses 160, 170, 180, the three
protuberances 60, 70, 80 are also employed when stacking containers
30 within one another, as described below with reference to FIGS.
10-15.
[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, a lower handle assembly 190
comprises a pair of opposing, spaced support ribs 192, a retainer
flange 195, and a lower handle 196. The support ribs 192 and
retainer flange 195 reside within the lower handle recess 160. When
the lower handle 196 is deployed for use, the lower handle 196
extends outside of the lower handle recess 160, as shown in FIGS.
6-9. When the lower handle 196 is stowed within the recess 160,
however, generally no portion of the lower handle 196 extends
beyond the plane of the exterior wall surface 110 (see FIGS. 3, 4,
and 11-15).
[0052] Continuing with FIGS. 6-9, the pair of opposing, spaced
support ribs 192 are molded into the lower handle recess 160
longitudinally along a center portion of the lower handle recess
160. The pair of support ribs 192 are generally parallel to each
other, and both support ribs 192 are approximately of the same
length. The support ribs 192 extend from generally the top end 168
of the lower handle recess 160 to proximate the bottom end 168 of
the recess 160. Each support rib 192 includes an eye or pivot hole
193 that extends through a lower portion of each support rib 192.
The eyes 193 of the support ribs 192 attach the lower handle 196 to
the support ribs 192, as described below with reference to FIGS.
6-9.
[0053] Still referring to FIGS. 6-9, the lower handle 196 comprises
a handle element 197 and a pair of opposing, spaced legs 198. The
handle element 197 and pair of opposing legs 198 are both part of
the same continuous, elongated body of material, such as a length
of thick-gauge wire or a thin rod. The handle element 197 is formed
from the center portion of the material, while each leg 198 is
formed from an end of the material. The handle element 197 is
elongated to allow for easy grasping and holding of the handle 196.
The pair of opposing legs 198 are generally parallel to each other
and approximately of the same length. A lower portion of each leg
198 is splayed outwardly from a space between the opposing legs 198
at approximately a ninety-degree angle. An end of the lower portion
of each leg 198 fits into a respective eye 193 of the corresponding
proximate support rib 192, thereby attaching the lower handle 196
to the two support ribs 192. The lower handle 196 pivots easily
within the eyes 193 of the support ribs 192, allowing the handle
196 to extend outside of the lower handle recess 160 and to
withdraw back within the recess 160.
[0054] Continuing with FIGS. 6-9, the retainer flange 195 is molded
into the lower handle recess 160, generally in the center of the
top end 168 of the lower handle recess 160. The retainer flange 195
maintains the lower handle 196 within the lower handle recess 160
when the lower handle 196 is in the stowed position within the
recess 160. To stow the lower handle 196, the handle element 197 of
the lower handle 196 is pressed against the retainer flange 195
until the upper portion of the handle element 197 snaps into place
beneath the flange 195. To extend the lower handle 196 for use, the
handle element 197 of the handle 196 is pulled out from beneath, or
unsnapped from, the retainer flange 195.
[0055] Regarding FIGS. 6-9, in alternate embodiments, a lower
handle assembly 190, including a lower handle 196, can be
configured differently. For example, the lower handle 196 can be
configured to allow the handle 196 to be positioned within a range
of possible positions and to remain stationary in the given
position until repositioned. Also in alternate embodiments, the
lower handle 196 can be constructed of another material, and a
lower handle 196 can be constructed in a different shape.
[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 10-15, to stack containers 30
together, the three recesses 160, 170, 180 (see particularly FIG.
15) in the exterior wall surface 110 (see FIG. 15) of the body 40
of the container 30 and the corresponding three protuberances 60,
70, 80 (see particularly FIGS. 13 and 14) in the interior wall
surface 50 (see FIGS. 11-14) of the body 40 of the container 30 are
aligned in a specific configuration relative to the other container
30 or containers 30 in the stack. To help illustrate this, FIG. 10
depicts a top view of four containers 30 stacked together. FIGS.
11-14 are cutaway side views of the containers 30 shown in FIG. 10,
all taken along line X-Y. FIG. 11 shows the bottom container 30,
FIG. 12 shows the bottom two containers 30a, 30b, FIG. 13 shows the
bottom three containers 30a, 30b, 30c, and FIG. 14 shows all four
containers 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d. FIG. 15 depicts a side view of the
four containers 30 stacked together from an angle that differs from
that shown in FIGS. 11-14.
[0057] Regarding FIGS. 10-15, the three inwardly directed
protuberances 60, 70, 80 (see particularly FIGS. 13 and 14) in the
interior wall surface 50 (see FIGS. 11-14) of the body 40 of the
container 30 are complementary structures to the three outer
recesses 160, 170, 180 (see particularly FIG. 15) in the exterior
wall surface 110 (see FIG. 15), such that each protuberance 60, 70,
80 projecting from the interior wall surface 50 is the result of an
indentation formed by a corresponding recess 160, 170, 180 in the
exterior wall surface 110, as described above with reference to
FIG. 5. In describing FIGS. 12-14, the position of a recess 160,
170, 180 not shown in a drawing can be ascertained from referring
to the position of a corresponding protuberance 60, 70, 80 that is
shown.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 12, as a second container 30b is slid
down within a first container 30a, a stacking stop 230b of the
second container 30b comes into contact with a lip 200a of the
first container 30a. This prevents the second container 30b from
being slid further into the first container 30a. The second
container 30b fits within the first container 30a, such that an
intermediate recess 170b of the second container 30b slides over an
upper portion of a lower handle protuberance 60a of the first
container 30a, and a short recess 180b (not shown) of the second
container 30b slides over an upper portion of an intermediate
protuberance 70a (not shown) of the first container 30a.
[0059] Referring now to FIG. 13, as a third container 30c is slid
down within the second container 30b, a stacking stop 230c of the
third container 30c comes into contact with a lip 200b of the
second container 30b. This prevents the third container 30c from
being slid further into the second container 30b. The third
container 30c fits within the second container 30b, such that an
intermediate recess 170c (not shown, but identical to the
intermediate recess 170b shown in FIG. 12) of the third container
30c slides over an upper portion of a lower handle protuberance 60b
of the second container 30b, and a short recess 180c of the third
container 30c slides over an upper portion of an intermediate
protuberance 70b of the second container 30b.
[0060] Referring now to FIG. 14, as a fourth container 30d is slid
down within the third container 30c, a stacking stop 230d of the
fourth container 30d comes into contact with a lip 200c of the
third container 30c. This prevents the fourth container 30d from
being slid further into the third container 30c. The fourth
container 30d fits within the third container 30c, such that an
intermediate recess 170d (not shown, but identical to the
intermediate recess 170b shown in FIG. 12) of the fourth container
30d slides over an upper portion of a lower handle protuberance 60c
of the third container 30c, and a short recess 180d (not shown, but
identical to the short recess 180c shown in FIG. 13) of the fourth
container 30d slides over an upper portion of an intermediate
protuberance 70c of the third container 30c.
[0061] Regarding FIGS. 10-15, note that when the fourth container
30d is stacked within the third container 30c, a recursive nesting
structure is initiated, in which the recesses 160, 170, 180 and
protuberances 60, 70, 80 of the second 30b, third 30c, and fourth
containers 30d are aligned in a manner similar to those of the
first 30a, second 30b, and third containers 30c. In other words, a
short recess 180d of the fourth container 30d slides over an upper
portion of an intermediate protuberance 70c of the third container
30c, while the corresponding intermediate recess 170c of the third
container 30c slides over the upper portion of the lower handle
protuberance 60b of the second container 30b. An intermediate
recess 170d of the fourth container 30d, then, slides over an upper
portion of a lower handle protuberance 60c of the third container
30c. A lower handle recess 160d of the fourth container 30d does
not slide over any of the protuberances 60c, 70c, 80c of the third
container 30c. When a fifth container 30e (not shown) is stacked
within the fourth container 30d, the recursive nesting structure
continues with the recesses 160, 170, 180 and protuberances 60, 70,
80 of the third 30c, fourth 30d, and fifth containers 30e aligned
in a manner similar to those of the second 30b, third 30c, and
fourth containers 30d. Also note that the stacking of containers 30
is not limited to stacking only four or five containers 30. In
theory, any number of containers 30 could be stacked together.
[0062] Although the present invention has been described in detail
herein with reference to a certain preferred embodiment, other
embodiments are possible. For example, in an alternate embodiment,
either an upper handle 100, a lower handle 196, or both handles
100, 196 can be fitted with a protective sleeve or grip or the like
to protect one from injury or discomfort while using a container
30. In another alternate embodiment, an upper handle 100, a lower
handle 196, or both handles 100, 196 can be removable. In yet
another alternate embodiment, an upper handle 100 can be formed as
part of a body 40 of a container 30. Another alternate embodiment
can include a spout for pouring from a container 30. Yet another
alternate embodiment can include a container 30 with a lid for
protecting material stored in the container 30. Therefore, the
spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to
the description of the preferred embodiment contained herein.
* * * * *