U.S. patent application number 13/473443 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-25 for container with alignment feature and carry tray transport system therefore.
This patent application is currently assigned to MYERS INDUSTRIES, INC. The applicant listed for this patent is Beck Charles, Pettigrew Douglas. Invention is credited to Beck Charles, Pettigrew Douglas.
Application Number | 20130098916 13/473443 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48135131 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130098916 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Charles; Beck ; et
al. |
April 25, 2013 |
CONTAINER WITH ALIGNMENT FEATURE AND CARRY TRAY TRANSPORT SYSTEM
THEREFORE
Abstract
A container with an alignment feature and a carry tray
disclosed. The container has an upper edge and a lower edge and a
rim at the upper edge of the container, a bottom collar including a
container base at the lower edge of body, and a container alignment
feature with a central hub and two or more arms extending outwardly
with a decreasing cross sectional area. An optional drainage cross
in the container base and one or more tag insertion locators may
also be included. Generally, the container alignment feature
includes two arms and the central hub has a height greater than the
arm height and an arm width that decreases as each arm approaches
the periphery of the container. Also included is a carry tray with
pockets including a rear wall, a base, a base alignment feature
having a central hub and arms extending outwardly.
Inventors: |
Charles; Beck; (Chagrin
Falls, OH) ; Douglas; Pettigrew; (Wilsonville,
CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Charles; Beck
Douglas; Pettigrew |
Chagrin Falls
Wilsonville |
OH |
US
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
MYERS INDUSTRIES, INC
Akron
OH
|
Family ID: |
48135131 |
Appl. No.: |
13/473443 |
Filed: |
May 16, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61519118 |
May 17, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/507 ;
220/660 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 71/70 20130101;
A01G 9/021 20130101; B65D 1/26 20130101; B65D 25/04 20130101; B65D
25/00 20130101; B65D 21/0213 20130101; B65D 85/52 20130101; B65D
2303/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/507 ;
220/660 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/00 20060101
B65D025/00; B65D 25/04 20060101 B65D025/04 |
Claims
1. A container, comprising: a container body having an upper edge
and a lower edge; a container rim at the upper edge of the
container; a bottom collar having a container base at the lower
edge of body; and a container alignment feature having a central
hub as well as at least two arms extending outwardly from the
central hub, each arm and having a cross sectional area that
decreases toward the periphery of the base.
2. The container of claim 1, further comprising: a drainage cross
formed in the container base.
3. The container of claim 1, further comprising: at least one tag
insertion locators formed in the container rim.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the container alignment
feature includes two arms.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the central hub has a hub
height and each arm having an arm height, the hub height being
greater than the arm height.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein each arm has a first width at
the hub and a second width at bottom collar, the first width being
greater than the second width.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein each arm has a first
cross-sectional area at the hub and a second cross-sectional area
at bottom collar, the first cross-sectional area being greater than
the second cross-sectional area.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein each arm has a first height at
the hub and a second height at bottom collar, the first height
being greater than the second height.
9. The container of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of
drainage holes.
10. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is formed by a
method selected from the group consisting of thermoforming,
injection molding, blow molding and rotational molding.
11. A container system, comprising: a container having: a container
body having an upper edge and a lower edge; a container rim at the
upper edge of the container; a bottom collar having a container
base at the lower edge of body; and a container alignment feature
indented into the container and having a central hub as well as at
least two arms extending outwardly from the hub, each arm and
having a cross sectional area that decreases toward the periphery
of the base, and a carry tray having: a plurality of pocket, each
including a rear wall and a base; a base alignment feature raised
from the base and having a central hub as well as at least two arms
extending outwardly from each arm and having a cross sectional area
that decreases toward the periphery of the base.
12. The container system of claim 11, wherein the central hub of
the container alignment feature is indented further into the
container body than each arm.
13. The container system of claim 11, wherein the central hub of
the base alignment feature is raised further than each arm.
14. The container system of claim 11, wherein the container
alignment feature is substantially identical to the base alignment
feature.
15. The container system of claim 11, further comprising: a
drainage cross formed in the container base.
16. The container system of claim 11, further comprising: at least
one tag insertion locators formed in the container rim.
17. The container system of claim 11, wherein each arm has a first
width at the hub and a second width at bottom collar, the first
width being greater than the second width.
18. The container system of claim 11, wherein each arm has a first
cross-sectional area at the hub and a second cross-sectional area
at bottom collar, the first cross-sectional area being greater than
the second cross-sectional area.
19. The container system of claim 11, wherein each arm has a first
height at the hub and a second height at bottom collar, the first
height being greater than the second height.
20. The container system of claim 11, wherein the container and
carry tray are formed by a method selected from the group
consisting of thermoforming, injection molding, blow molding and
rotational molding.
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. (canceled)
Description
REFERENCE AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a CONTINUATION-IN-PART OF U.S.
Provisional Patent Application U.S. 61/519,118, entitled "ALIGNABLE
POT AND RACK SYSTEM" filed May 17, 2011. All aspects of Provisional
Application U.S. 61/519,118 are hereby incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Containers, such as planting pots and carry trays for
horticultural suppliers such as greenhouses are often used growing
and transporting plants to market. Other containers such as food
containers and dry goods containers are similarly filled and
transported. Generally, these systems do not provide any alignment
for the containers in the trays and any such systems have not
provided ease of insertion of the container in an aligned position
or the ability to maintain the container in the aligned position
during transport. As labeling and printing on containers has
improved an unmet need for such alignment and retention has
arisen.
SUMMARY
[0003] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a
container with an alignment feature and a carry tray for such a
container is disclosed. The container in accordance with the
present invention has an upper edge and a lower edge and a rim at
the upper edge of the container, a bottom collar including a
container base at the lower edge of body; and a container alignment
feature with a central hub and two or more arms extending outwardly
the hub where each arm has a cross sectional area that decreases
toward the periphery of the base. The container of the present
invention may also optionally include a drainage cross in the
container base, and one or more tag insertion locators formed in
the container rim. Generally, the container alignment feature
includes two arms and the central hub has a height greater than the
arm height and an arm width that decreases as each arm approaches
the periphery of the container. The container may be formed of any
suitable method including, but not limited to thermoforming,
injection molding, blow molding and rotational molding. The
container may preferably be a frustoconical planting pot; however
any fillable container may be useful.
[0004] A system in which the alignable container may be used is
also provided including a carry tray with a plurality of pockets,
each including a rear wall and a base and a base alignment feature
raised from the base and having a central hub as well as at least
two arms extending outwardly from each arm and having a cross
sectional area that decreases toward the periphery of the base. A
carry tray is also disclosed
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] A more complete appreciation of the invention and the many
embodiments thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes
better understood by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in connection with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of the container of the
present invention;
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates a first bottom, plan view of the
container of the present invention with additional base and cap
assemblies included;
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a first side, plan view of the container
of the present invention with additional base and cap assemblies
included;
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a second side, plan view of the container
of the present invention with additional base and cap assemblies
included;
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates a lower isometric view of the container
of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view (partially cut away) of
a carry tray in accordance with the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 7 illustrates a top plan view of a carry tray in
accordance with the present invention; and
[0013] FIG. 8 illustrates a side plan view (partially cut away) of
a carry tray in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The present invention will now be described with occasional
reference to the specific embodiments of the invention. This
invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should
not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.
Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will
be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art.
[0015] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The
terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for
describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be
limiting of the invention. As used in the description of the
invention and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an,"
and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise.
[0016] The containers and carry trays of the present invention are
typically manufactured by the thermoforming. Thermoforming provides
cost-effect thinwall nursery products that are highly uniform,
provide improved durability and stackability. Generally, an
extruder melts and extrudes polymer pellets into a rough sheet form
and a chill roll stand cools the sheet and creates a sheet having
the desired width and a uniform thickness across the sheet. The
sheet is then cooled to allow the molecular structure of the
polymer to realign. The thermoforming process heats the plastic
sheet in an oven to a forming temperature at which the sheet is
pliable. The sheet is formed to a specific shape in a mold, and
trimmed to create the final containers or carry trays of the
present invention. The sheet may be vacuum formed to a mold;
however more typically in large production runs the sheets are
heated, formed, allowed to cool then and trimmed in a continuous
high-speed process. Preferably, the plastic sheet is fed from a
roll or extruder to indexing chains that pierce the sheet to
provide motion through the machine. The sheet is carried by the
chain to an oven, heated to the forming temperature of the plastic
and then to a form station where a mold and vacuum box close on the
sheet. The vacuum removes air and pulls the sheet into the mold.
Additionally, a plug may be used to assist in formation of the
product in deep areas of the mold and pressurized air may be used
to force the sheet into detailed shapes of the mold. After forming
reverse air pressure (air-eject) may be used to break the vacuum
and force the finished parts out of the mold. The parts are allowed
to cool on the sheet until entering a trim station, typically a
piercing die that cuts the parts from the sheet. A second type of
machine used in this process has the ability to trim while the
product is in the mould station.
[0017] While thermoforming is generally preferred for high volume
runs, the present invention may be produced by injection molding,
blow molding, rotational molding, and other forms of processing
plastics.
[0018] As seen in FIG. 1, the present invention provides a
container 10 including a container body 12 which forms the bulk of
the container structure which will contain substantially all of the
fill. At the top of body 12 is the collar diameter 14 with upper
stacking feature 16 (seen in FIG. 3). Container rim 18 is
positioned above upper stacking feature 16. Upper container rim 18
is formed outwardly to improve the strength of the container as it
is positioned in the carry tray (as seen in FIGS. 7-9). One or more
tag insertion locators 20 are molded and slit via trim station, as
surface features on upper container rim 18. The tag insertion
locators 20 are positioned at a predetermined angle to the
container alignment features 22 on upper rim 18 such that the
orientation of the container alignment feature 22 is known when
inserting container 10 into carry tray 50. At the bottom edge of
body 12, a bottom collar 26 and container base 28 are formed. In
the bottom collar 26 and container base 28 there is additional
forming of the drainage cross 24 and a container alignment feature
22.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows the container base 28 in detail, in which
drainage cross 24 and container alignment feature 22 are formed.
The alignment feature 22 includes a central hub 22a and two arms.
The central hub 22a has a first diameter and depth while each arm
has a first width at the intersection with the hub 22a and a second
width, at the intersection with bottom collar 26. The first width
of arms 22b is less than the diameter of the hub 22a. The second
width of arm 22b is less than the first width of arm 22b, the width
generally tapering from the hub 22a to the bottom collars 26. Also
included in base 28 are a number of feet 30 as well as drainage
cross 24 and drainage holes 32. The narrowing of arms 22b toward
bottom collar 26 improves the seating of the container in automated
machinery as the narrowed tip allows the container to self align
when container base 28 is seated. The weight of the fill within
container 10 provides the force to drive the pot to self correct
and align to tray 50 such that any labeling on container 10 is
properly oriented and visible.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows container 10 in accordance with the present
invention including a container body 12, collar diameter 14 and
upper stacking feature 16. Container rim 18 is positioned on top of
upper stacking feature 16. Optionally, upper container rim 18 is
molded such that the rim 18 is formed to improve strength. At the
bottom edge of body 12, a bottom collar 26 and container base 28
are formed. In the bottom collar 26 and container base 28 is formed
a drainage cross 24 and a container alignment feature 22 and feet
30. The bottom collar 26 is typically in the shape of a conical
frustum, which serves as a stacking feature to raise base 28 of
container 10 above the base of a second container when stacked. The
stacking feature breaks any vacuum/friction/sidewall contact
interference and reduces the effort required to separate stacked
containers.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows container 10 from the rear, a container body
12, collar diameter 14 and upper stacking feature 16. Container rim
18 is positioned on top of upper stacking feature 16. The bottom
collar 26 and container base 28 are formed at the bottom of body
12. In the bottom collar 26 and container base 28 is formed a
drainage cross 24 and a container alignment feature 22 and feet 30.
The bottom collar 26 is typically in the shape of a conical
frustum, which serves as a stacking feature.
[0022] FIG. 5 shows the lower end of container 10 in accordance
with the present invention including a container body 12, collar
diameter 14 and upper stacking feature 16. Container rim 18 is
positioned on top of upper stacking feature 16. Optionally, upper
container rim 18 is molded such that the rim 18 is formed to
improve strength. At the bottom edge of body 12, a bottom collar 26
and container base 28 are formed. In the bottom collar 26 and
container base 28 is formed a drainage cross 24 and a female
container alignment feature 22 and feet 30. When inserting the
container 10 into carry tray 50 (as shown in FIG. 6) the container
body 12 provides concentric alignment of the container body, needed
for initial line up allowing the alignment feature 22a/b to engage
on feature 52. The tag insertion locators 20 (as seen in FIG. 1)
provide basic visual guidance for rough orientation of the female
container alignment feature 22 onto the male alignment feature 52a,
52b (shown in FIG. 7).
[0023] FIG. 6 shows a carry tray 50 including container receiving
pockets 54. Typically carry tray 50 includes between two and twenty
four pockets 54 positioned in pairs down the long axis 56 of tray
50. Each pocket includes a rear wall 54a and a base 58. On the base
58 is a male alignment feature 52, raised from the base to interact
with the female alignment feature 22 (as shown in FIG. 2). The
container 10 is inserted into pocket 54 and aligned such that the
female alignment feature 22 mates with male alignment feature 52.
Hub 52a is generally formed such that it is higher than the
associated arms 52b. The alignment of the container body 12 into
pocket 54, forces features 22a, 22b of container 10 to contact and
align with alignment features 52a, 52b in carry tray 50. This
action properly orientates the tag locators 20 and proper
printed/labeled face of container 12 into final position inside the
carry tray 50. Male hub 52a is inserted into female hub 22a and
then container 10 may be rotated so that male arms 52b mate with
female arms 22b. The carry tray includes opposed sidewalls
including an angled lower face 60, transition angle step 62 and
upper wall 64 and transition 66 from the side wall to top surface
68.
[0024] FIG. 7 shows a carry tray 50 including container receiving
pockets 54. Carry tray 50 typically includes between two and twenty
four pockets 54 positioned in pairs. Each pocket includes a rear
wall 54a and a base 58. Male alignment feature 52 is raised from
base 54 to interact with the female alignment feature 22. Hub 52a
is generally formed such that it is higher than the associated arms
52b. Male hub 52a is inserted into female hub 22a and then
container 10 may be rotated so that male arms 52b mate with female
arms 22b. The carry tray includes opposed sidewalls including an
angled lower face 60, transition angle step 62 and upper wall 64
and transition 66 from the side wall to top surface 68.
[0025] FIG. 8 shows a carry tray 50 including container receiving
pockets 54 including a rear wall 54a and a base 58. Male alignment
feature 52 is raised from base 58 to interact with the female
alignment feature 22. The carry tray includes opposed sidewalls
including an angled lower face 60, transition angle step section 62
and upper wall 64 and transition 66 from the side wall to top
surface 68.
EXAMPLES
[0026] The containers and carry trays of the present invention may
be produced in any number of sizes; a number of examples are shown
in TABLE 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Volume Top O.D. Top I.D. Bottom I.D. Height
US/Metric 1 4.625 4.25 3.625 4.625 31 oz/91 mL 2 6.5 5.875 5 6.5
2.6 qt/2.5 L 3 6.5 5.875 5 7 2.8 qt/2.7 L 4 6.5 5.875 5 7 2.8
qt/2.7 L 5 8.875 8.25 7.25 8.5 1.7 gal/6.5 L 6 10.25 9.5 8.75 9.125
2.5 gal/9.7 L 7 11 10 8.75 12 3.5 gal/13.5 L 8 12 10.75 9.625 10.5
3.5 gal/13.5 L
[0027] While the container 10 and carry tray 50 are currently
thermoformed and injection molded other production methods such as
blow molding, rotational molding, and other forms of processing
plastics are useful in forming the present invention.
[0028] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing
quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight,
reaction conditions, and so forth as used in the specification and
claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by
the term "about." Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the
numerical properties set forth in the specification and claims are
approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties
sought to be obtained in embodiments of the present invention.
Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting
forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the
numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as
precisely as possible. Any numerical values, however, inherently
contain certain errors necessarily resulting from error found in
their respective measurements.
[0029] The present invention should not be considered limited to
the specific examples described herein, but rather should be
understood to cover all aspects of the invention. Various
modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures
and devices to which the present invention may be applicable will
be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Those skilled in
the art will understand that various changes may be made without
departing from the scope of the invention, which is not to be
considered limited to what is described in the specification.
* * * * *