U.S. patent application number 13/385438 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-22 for modular interlocking containers.
This patent application is currently assigned to Friendship Products LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Timothy J. Carlson, A. Irene Hendrickson, B. Everett Hendrickson. Invention is credited to Timothy J. Carlson, A. Irene Hendrickson, B. Everett Hendrickson.
Application Number | 20130213846 13/385438 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48981454 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130213846 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hendrickson; B. Everett ; et
al. |
August 22, 2013 |
Modular interlocking containers
Abstract
The invention includes a scalable, modular interlocking
container with a multi-purpose use. Vertical and horizontal
interconnectivity are achieved through interlocking mechanisms. An
exemplary first use is for transporting and/or storing liquids or
solids that can be poured. An exemplary second use is for a sturdy,
low cost, easily assembled building block material of a
standardized nature. Each modular unit slide-locks with other units
to form strong wall and building structures that can be filled with
natural earth, sand or other such materials, thereby forming a
sturdy structure without the use of mortar, and can adapt to uneven
base surfaces typically found in natural terrain.
Inventors: |
Hendrickson; B. Everett;
(Los Angeles, CA) ; Carlson; Timothy J.;
(Arlington, VA) ; Hendrickson; A. Irene; (Los
Angeles, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hendrickson; B. Everett
Carlson; Timothy J.
Hendrickson; A. Irene |
Los Angeles
Arlington
Los Angeles |
CA
VA
CA |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Friendship Products LLC
Los Angeles
CA
|
Family ID: |
48981454 |
Appl. No.: |
13/385438 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/509 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2002/0234 20130101;
B65D 21/0231 20130101; B65D 81/361 20130101; B65D 21/0216 20130101;
E04B 2002/0239 20130101; B65D 21/0204 20130101; E04B 2/08
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/509 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/02 20060101
B65D021/02 |
Claims
1. A modular interlocking container, comprising: a top end section
and a bottom end section, wherein the top end surface comprises an
opening and is formed generally parallel to the bottom end surface;
at least one lateral sidewall connected to the top end and to the
bottom end thereby forming a container; a peg, formed on the top
end surface, that extends away from container; a receptor, located
on the bottom end surface, that extends into the container, and
formed to receive a second peg on a second container in a
vertically interlocking manner; a ridge, located on the top end
surface; a groove, located on the bottom end surface; and formed to
receive a second ridge located on a second container in a
vertically interlocking manner; and at least one horizontal
interlocking connection mechanism, formed on the at least one
lateral wall.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein said at least one horizontal
interlocking connection mechanism comprises a tongue laterally
connected to the sidewall of the container, and a recessed groove
formed laterally within the sidewall of the container, wherein the
groove is shaped to slidably receive a second tongue formed on a
second container in an interlocking manner.
3. The container of claim 2, wherein the recessed groove is formed
with a lateral opening continuing to a lateral indention that is
partially covered by a surface of the sidewall such that the groove
and a second handle slidably interlock in a tongue-and-groove
connection.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein said at least one horizontal
interlocking connection mechanism comprises a hermaphroditic
connector formed laterally on the at least one sidewall such that
it can slidably interconnect with a second hermaphroditic connector
on a second container in an interlocking manner.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein said at least one lateral
sidewall comprises a plurality of lateral sidewalls, wherein each
lateral edge of a sidewall connects to a lateral edge of an
adjacent sidewall, thereby forming a walled unit having a polygonal
cross-section.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein said ridge rises away from the
top end surface without subtracting from the volume of the
container, and the bottom portion groove rises into the volume of
the container in similar dimensions as the ridge.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein a first wall of the at least
one lateral wall comprises a second horizontal connection mechanism
positioned in parallel with the first horizontal connection
mechanism.
8. A plurality of containers of claim 1, each comprising a
plurality of pegs and recesses, wherein said containers are stacked
vertically on one another thereby creating an interconnected
structure, wherein removing, in a vertical direction, a group of
containers from the structure does not disturb remaining portions
of the structure.
9. The plurality of containers of claim 8, wherein each of the
plurality of containers form various volumetric capacities while
maintaining an identical depth in their own footprint, and each of
the remaining plurality of containers of various capacities can
maintain interconnection vertically and horizontally with any other
adjacent containers of the plurality of various capacities.
10. The plurality of containers of claim 9, wherein each of the
plurality of said containers can interconnect using a plurality of
horizontal connection mechanisms that are slidably connected to one
or more horizontal connection mechanisms of an adjacent container
or containers, forming a structure that can offset a row of said
containers at greater or less than a ninety degree angle.
11. The plurality of containers of claim 8, wherein said at least
one horizontal interlocking connection mechanism comprises a tongue
laterally connected to the sidewall of the container, and a
recessed groove formed laterally within the sidewall of the
container, wherein the groove is shaped to slidably receive a
second tongue formed on a second container in an interlocking
manner.
12. The plurality of containers of claim 11, wherein the recessed
groove is formed with a lateral opening continuing to a lateral
indention that is partially covered by a surface of the sidewall
such that the groove and a second handle slidably interlock in a
tongue-and-groove connection.
13. The plurality of containers of claim 8, wherein said at least
one horizontal interlocking connection mechanism comprises a
hermaphroditic connector formed laterally on the at least one
sidewall such that it can slidably interconnect with a second
hermaphroditic connector on a second container in an interlocking
manner.
14. The plurality of containers of claim 8, wherein said at least
one lateral sidewall comprises a plurality of lateral sidewalls,
wherein each lateral edge of a sidewall connects to a lateral edge
of an adjacent sidewall, thereby forming a walled unit having a
polygonal cross-section.
15. The container of claim 8, wherein said ridge rises away from
the top end surface without subtracting from the volume of the
container, and the bottom portion groove rises into the volume of
the container in similar dimensions as the ridge.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Recently, world events and natural disasters have caused
more attention to be given to the intermixing of environmental,
economic, and humanitarian needs around the world. For example, the
Pacific Ocean tsunami, earthquakes in Haiti and Peru, and Hurricane
Katrina all caused immense humanitarian needs and devastating loss
of life. First responders to such disasters normally set up tents
to house refugees. The assumption is that the stay in the tents
will be brief. However, depending on the disaster, the results
often show otherwise. Tents are only useful in limited climate
conditions. They also wear out over time, forcing residents to
piece together sticks, branches, scrap metal or plastic for tent
repair. The relatively few plastic containers in disaster relief
sites are used mainly for water vessels, even though many are
discarded fuel containers.
[0002] One example of such a scenario is the Abu Shouk IDP camp in
El Fasher, Northern Darfur. There, refugees were placed in tents on
a vast scale numbering in the thousands, where they denuded the
vegetation during their difficult and lengthy duration of stay.
These lengthy stays under conditions of severe deprivation tax the
host nation's natural resources and increases the environmental
degradation of the host landscapes via stripped vegetation and
toxic garbage dumps. These environmental burdens naturally lead to
political pressure on the host government to insist on shorter
stays. In war torn areas, shifts in zones of control may force camp
dwellers to flee approaching combatants, even in the absence of
"official" pressure.
[0003] Other environmental and economic issues develop more slowly,
such as the issue of widespread and burgeoning use of plastic
beverage bottles and the enormous amount of waste caused by their
disposal. One estimate states that Americans consume 2.5 million
plastic bottles every five minutes, or about 263 billion bottles
each year. Approximately one-quarter of all plastic bottles are
made with PET plastic for drinking water or soft beverages.
[0004] Although some consumers recycle, mountains of bottles still
go to waste. Over the past decade recycling rates in America have
decreased from over 30% to just over 20%, meaning close to 80% of
plastic bottles end up in the waste stream. Approximately 50
billion PET bottles alone are wasted each year. Much of that waste
ends up in landfills, but a significant amount ends up in roadside
dumps or, even worse, in rivers and oceans. The "Pacific Trash
Vortex," is also known as the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch." It is
steered by prevailing currents to a still zone north of Hawaii. The
Vortex has four to six million tons of a soup-like garbage mix that
hovers just under the surface in an area the size of Texas or
France. It is estimated that 80% of the Vortex is from plastic,
with a large portion being PET plastic bottles.
[0005] Due to expanding populations increasing the demand for
drinking water, food, and consumables, including in disaster zones,
the need for plastic bottles will only increase.
[0006] There is, then, a compelling need for plastic bottle designs
that have secondary uses such that consumers will contemplate a
fuller life cycle for the bottles. Such uses could increase
recycling rates, or re-use rates, thereby lowering the volume of
waste bottles disposed of each year and in the decades ahead.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Various embodiments of scalable, modular, interlocking
containers provide a first use as a vessel for transporting and/or
storing liquid, granular or other small regularly shaped materials
relatively easy to empty via pouring. An additional exemplary use
is as a sturdy, modular, low cost, easily assembled building
material of a standardized nature. Examples of uses as building
materials are to construct basic structures and shelter
applications in international relief and development efforts,
and/or structures and shelter for military applications. A further
use is attendant to the disassembly of structures (walled and
otherwise) built from the containers, such as disassembly for
purposes of relocating and/or reconfiguring the units as needs
change. Embodiments of reduced sized have other uses, such as for a
modeling agent or modeling toy.
[0008] All uses also greatly benefit the environment by reducing
the waste stream through recycling. The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency reported that from 1980 to 2005, the volume of
municipal solid waste increased 60% resulting in 246 million tons
being generated in 2005 in the United States. The present invention
provides an incentive to recycle containers not only for similar
uses (such as to hold materials) but also for building blocks for
shelter construction and other applications. For example, certain
embodiments of containers and bottles containing solid and liquid
foodstuffs are recycled into use as construction materials, thereby
reducing solid waste. Other recycled uses even include amusement
toys for children and/or modeling elements for children and adults.
The embodiments of consumer-sized containers could also increase
the potential for recycling into other uses, which could reduce the
two million tons of trash in the United States that is generated
from throwing away plastic water bottles. Containers made of
aluminum or other packaging materials account for another very
large portion of the trash stream. The incentive for consumers to
"mass" containers after their original use makes it considerably
more likely that the containers will be recycled in similar high
proportion once their secondary use has terminated, a pattern that
promises to improve end-stage recycling rates markedly. The
embodiments also have humanitarian purposes. Resulting simple
walled structures are easily amenable to local/traditional roofing
solutions or to emergency relief roofing techniques and materials.
Exemplary containers allow cost-effective molding by eliminating
unnecessary details in the search for elegance.
[0009] Because the design of the containers of the embodiments are
scalable to provide different volumetric capacities, the resulting
containers can be used in various sizes from large applications
(e.g., ten liters or more) to much smaller version (e.g., 500 mL),
with many ranges in between. Larger scaled versions are ideal for
the tremendous volumes of goods shipped world-wide to disaster
relief and areas of displaced persons or development efforts where
the lack of inexpensive, easily-assembled building material is
particularly pressing. Once a consumer has exhausted the first use
of the design as a product container, the remaining empty vessel
can be filled with any of several virtually costless
materials--water, dirt, or sand, for example, to create sturdy
building blocks, and at times even air via a special pump, for a
wide variety of basic but very useful structures: family housing,
dispensaries (clinics, stores, etc.), barracks, animal shelters,
storage facilities, retaining walls, other strong structures. Some
of the uses are generalizable to needs in the most developed
nations as well. In whatever setting, the particular physical
features of the invention allow efficiency in packing, shipping,
and handling.
[0010] Smaller-scale containers of the embodiments for consumer
beverages and the like allow the consumer to use the containers as
creative architectural modeling, since the units interconnect
solidly even when left empty. In the latter respect, use as a type
of architectural "toy" can be implemented by a broad age span of
users.
[0011] Finding efficient transportation of bulk quantities of
containers for any purpose can be challenging. With the present
invention, efficient packing and transport of containers are helped
by avoidance of odd shapes and without damage caused by unnecessary
protruding edges. Units are scalable to conform to shipping norms,
including sizes of pallets and containers.
[0012] Perfect scalability of containers offer sizes and volumes
regularly used in relevant industries, including prominently in the
international delivery of relief and development field, but also
for other practical and/or hobbyist uses. Embodiments are also
reusable containers in all geographic regions, including in sizes
amenable to beverages and other consumer goods. They have ease of
assembly by strength-challenged disaster victims and/or by persons
without building experience. No mortar, rebar or any other
connective additions is needed, and despite no mortar or
reinforcing elements, resulting structures should withstand stress
forces such as high winds and earthquakes.
[0013] All uses of the present invention result in significant
reductions of container material direct to the waste streams and
dumping areas. Moreover, all versions are ultimately recyclable,
such that the design yields an entire lifecycle of uses as an
efficient container for the initial delivery of goods, as a sturdy,
highly adaptable, durable, and inexpensive construction material
and/or component for architectural designs, and as an eventual
standard material for recycling. The introduction of a container as
both useful to hold goods and perform as a construction base
represents at least a 50% increase in product functionality in an
era where full and well-directed use of resources is ever more
critical. When combined with the aforementioned efficiencies in
shipping, this multi-cycle employment attains some of the highest
goals for the design of responsible products.
FIGURES
[0014] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals
refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the
separate views and which together with the detailed description
below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve
to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various
principles and advantages:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a modular interlocking container of a cuboid
design of the embodiments;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the container of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a side view of a handle-bearing side of the
container of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates vertical interconnectivity of multiple
containers of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates interconnection extensions of the
embodiments;
[0021] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate interconnectivity of multiple
containers of the embodiments;
[0022] FIG. 8 illustrate interconnectivity of multiple containers
of the embodiments;
[0023] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a plan view of structures
constructed from the containers of the embodiments;
[0024] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a side view of structures
constructed using containers of the embodiments;
[0025] FIG. 11 illustrates a wall structure constructed using
containers of the embodiments;
[0026] FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate a shelter and roof constructed
using containers of the embodiments;
[0027] FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate wall and roof designs using
containers of the embodiments;
[0028] FIG. 14 illustrates a wall and roof construction using
containers of the embodiments;
[0029] FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of a modular container
with a pass-through notch in its base;
[0030] FIG. 16 illustrates a packing arrangement for shipping
exemplary containers;
[0031] FIG. 17 illustrates a packing arrangement for shipping
exemplary containers;
[0032] FIGS. 18A to 18C illustrate varying volumetric sizes of
exemplary modular containers;
[0033] FIG. 19 illustrates a varying volumetric size of an
exemplary modular container;
[0034] FIG. 20 illustrates a plan view of an interlocking mechanism
of other embodiments;
[0035] FIG. 21 illustrates alternative embodiments of interlocking
mechanisms for exemplary containers;
[0036] FIGS. 22A-22E illustrate varying volumetric sizes of modular
containers of FIG. 20;
[0037] FIG. 23 illustrates an embodiment of a modular interlocking
container with further vertical connectivity;
[0038] FIG. 24 illustrates an embodiment of a modular interlocking
container with additional interconnectivity;
[0039] FIGS. 25A and 25B illustrate shelter structures constructed
with modular exemplary containers of FIG. 24;
[0040] FIGS. 26A-26B illustrate an embodiment of an octagonal
modular interlocking container;
[0041] FIG. 27 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an
octagonal modular interlocking container;
[0042] FIG. 28 illustrates additional embodiments of an octagonal
modular interlocking container;
[0043] FIG. 29 illustrates an exemplary structure constructed with
the octagonal modular containers of the embodiments;
[0044] FIG. 30 illustrates an additional exemplary structure
constructed with the octagonal modular containers of the
embodiments;
[0045] FIG. 31 illustrates additional exemplary structures
constructed with the octagonal modular containers of the
embodiments;
[0046] FIG. 32 illustrates an embodiment of a cylindrical modular
interlocking container;
[0047] FIG. 33 illustrates an embodiment of an octagonal modular
interlocking container with alternative vertical connectivity and a
pop-top pour mechanism;
[0048] FIG. 34 illustrates the octagonal modular interlocking
container of FIG. 33 with alternative connectivity and a pop-top
pour mechanism;
[0049] FIG. 35 illustrates other embodiments of a container with
modular interconnectivity and a pop-top pour mechanism;
[0050] FIGS. 36A to 36C illustrate various volumetric sizes of the
exemplary container of FIG. 35;
[0051] FIG. 37 illustrates further embodiments of a container with
modular interconnectivity and a pop-top pour mechanism; and
[0052] FIG. 38 illustrates further embodiments of a container with
modular interconnectivity and a pop-top pour mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0053] Before describing embodiments in detail, it should be
observed that the embodiments reside largely in combinations of
method steps and apparatus components related to method and system
for determining benefits of scalable, modular, interlocking
containers with follow-on utility. Accordingly, the apparatus
components and method steps have been represented where appropriate
by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those
specific details that are pertinent to understanding the
embodiments so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that
will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
having the benefit of the description herein.
[0054] In this document, relational terms such as first and second,
top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one
entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily
requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between
such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or
any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive
inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that
comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements
but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to
such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded
by "comprises . . . a" does not, without more constraints, preclude
the existence of additional identical elements in the process,
method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
[0055] The embodiments of the invention include a scalable, modular
interlocking container with a multi-purpose use. An exemplary first
use is for transporting and/or storing liquids or solids that can
be poured. An exemplary second use is for a sturdy, low cost,
easily assembled building block material of a standardized nature.
The embodiments can be used for building housing or storage
structures for disaster relief, humanitarian development projects,
for military or defense purposes, and for modeling purposes. The
embodiments include a single unit that is interlocked to other
modular units of the same or different sizes. Each modular unit
slide-locks with other units to form strong wall and building
structures that can be filled with natural earth, sand or other
such materials, thereby forming a sturdy structure without the use
of mortar, and can adapt to uneven base surfaces typically found in
natural terrain.
[0056] Embodiments of a scalable, modular container are illustrated
in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4. Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary
embodiment of discrete modular container 2 is illustrated.
Container 2 is a hollow block element that may be constructed of
plastic, metal, resin, or other appropriate high-strength materials
to provide stackable rigidity. Top end section 12 and bottom end
section 14 form a square or rectangular footprint as end pieces
that frame upright, opposing walls 4 and 6 and upright opposing
walls 8 and 10. One skilled in the art will recognize that the
shape of the container 2 could be a design construction of a
polygon of greater than four opposing side walls.
[0057] Top end 12 provides for filling container 2 through an
opening 22 formed by neck 18 with a fluid or solid material that
can be poured. A cap 16, may be screw-on using threads, snap on, or
any type of seal that could form a seal to hold contents. When
sealed with cap 16, container 2 should be water-tight such that it
is amenable for use in transporting liquids (e.g., water or cooking
oil), granulated or powdered goods (e.g., grains, seeds, flour),
household materials (e.g., soap, cleaners), or construction
materials (e.g., cement, sand). Top end 12 is formed with a
pyramidal rise from each squared top-edge of upright walls 4, 6, 8,
10 to converge at neck 18 at the apex. Such a pyramidal shape
provides for smoother exit pouring and allows for complete
refilling of container 2 where desired. Triangular top sections
12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d of top end 12 rise from side walls to neck
18 and provide additional resistive strength to a weight of an
additional container that may be stacked on top of container 2.
[0058] Bottom end 14 is shaped in a pyramidal form similar to top
end 12. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, bottom end 14 comprises triangular
bottom sections 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d that rise from each bottom
edge of walls 4-8, respectively, to converge at cylindrical
indention 20. Indention 20 is sized to receive a cap from a similar
container to 2 that has a similar cap to 16. Likewise, bottom end
ridges 14a-14d would rest against top end ridges from a similar
container having ridges formed as ridges 12a-12d.
[0059] For assembly into walls and other structures, a dimension of
container 2 of approximately a 3:2 height to width ratio lowers the
center of gravity of each modular container, thereby creating or
increasing stability for stacking and shipping. However, the
invention is not limited to this ratio, and one skilled in the art
will recognize that other embodiments will demonstrate that other
ratios are useful and possible.
[0060] A stacked arrangement of containers is illustrated in FIG.
5. Containers 2 and container 2', which are similar in all
respects, are arranged to illustrate how the two containers would
connect vertically. Container 2' has a top end with pyramidal rise
12', a bottom end with indented pyramidal rise 14', and an
indention 20' at its apex that is sized to receive top end
pyramidal rise 12. When arranged in a stacked configuration, bottom
end pyramidal rise 14' and indention 20' receive top end pyramidal
rise 12 and cap 16. Containers 2 and 2' are secured together by the
weight of container 2' and its contents (if any) upon container 2,
and also by a reasonably snug fit of the inserted cap. Containers 2
and 2' also have some horizontal interconnectivity when cap 16 is
received by indention 20'.
[0061] Container 2 provides a mechanism to connect with another
container in an interlocking manner using handle 26 and
corresponding recessions 28, 30, and 32. Handle 26 is integrated
into side 4 in a perpendicular orientation to bottom end 4. Handle
26 may extend a partial or full length of side 4. Indention 29 is
disposed as an indent into wall 4 with adequate concave space 29 to
provide clearance for a person's hand to grip handle 26. Concave
space 29 is disposed opposite a central portion of handle 26, thus
allowing handle 26 to maintain the lowest practical profile, also
thereby minimizing the depth of corresponding recessed grooves 28,
30, and 32 into which handle 26 interlocks. Recessed grooves 28, 30
and 32 are located along each individual wall 10, 6 and 8,
respectively, and are formed to receive a handle similar in shape
and size to handle 26. FIG. 6 shows some illustrative
cross-sectional designs possible for handle 26. Handle 34 is a
trapezoidal shape flaring away from wall 4. Recessed groove
embodiments include trapezoidal shape 28 or the recessed groove
equivalents of 34, 36, 38 and 40 and any similar shapes allowing
slide locks.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 7A, containers 2 and similarly-constructed
container 42 are illustrated interlocked, where handle 26 is
slidably inserted into recessed groove 44. FIG. 7B illustrates a
series of four containers 2, 42, 46, and 48 partially interlocked
horizontally using the handle-in-groove method of slidable
connections. To illustrate interconnectivity in a square unit
configuration, FIG. 8 shows containers 2, 42, 46 and 48
interlocking where each block's handle is slidably inserted into a
recessed groove of each adjoining block at a right angle. For
example, container 2 has handle 26 with three recessed grooves 32,
container 42 comprises handle 58 and three recessed grooves 60,
container 46 comprises handle 56 and three recessed grooves 54, and
container 48 comprises handle 52 and three recessed grooves 50.
When assembled, handle 26 inserts into groove 50, handle 52 inserts
into groove 54, handle 56 inserts into groove 60, and handle 58
inserts into groove 32, thereby forming a squared unit 62 of four
containers. Due to the 3:1 ratio of grooves-to-handles, there are
no protruding parts on the perimeter of the assembled unit of
containers. This 3:1 configuration allows a cubed design of
containers to maximize the number of lateral connections that can
interlock with additional containers from any of the three grooved
sides. Using a handle/recessed groove in a configuration of one
handle with three grooves to a container also allows a construction
of multiple containers to have relatively flat faces on corners and
walls when constructed with multiple containers.
[0063] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate plan views of structures that are
possible to build with the modular container 2 of the embodiments.
The embodiments of the present invention, supporting one connection
point and three recessed grooves in a square footprint, allows
diversions of walls in any direction with the same thickness in
each wall. The containers allow simple construction of the walls
and ease of construction in aligning right angle corners without
the use of tools. Structure 64 in FIG. 9A illustrates multiple
exemplary containers aligned in a single file to form walls. Arrows
drawn in exemplary containers 66 represent the direction of each
handle 26 from a container 2 that is inserted into an adjacent
container's recessed groove 28, 30, or 32. Turns are all
constrained as a right angle. Structure 68 illustrates a wall
constructed with exemplary modular containers 72 that is
interlocked onto a second wall 70. Experimentation with several
layouts and orientations of other connector-to-receiver rations
revealed that a 1-to-3 ratio of connector to receivers maximized
the number of lateral connections and add-ons from any direction,
including prominently those made after the construction of the
original structure. The orientation of handle 26 inserting into a
recessed groove of an adjacent container allows constructors to
turn 90.degree. corners neatly and securely, without protrusions
extending along the faces of the walls, and without the aid of
instruments.
[0064] The following comments regard the types of real-world
challenges likely encountered in emergency relief camps and other
development settings. One such reality is that the ground is rarely
perfectly even and flat; bare ground surfaces are often slightly
sloped and many times erose. Another reality is that any underlying
disastrous conditions may leave many end-users physically,
mentally, and psychologically taxed. It is also likely that not all
necessary building materials will be available at once. The nature
of distribution in disaster relief or development venues is such
that the flow of available containers might prove unsteady in
certain periods. These needs were taken into account for the
features of variable sequencing in manner of construction for the
embodiments. This means that the assembly of structures whether for
storage, protection or housing should not be constrained to some
exact order, but rather should accommodate fits and starts, changes
of layout, and even planning mistakes. Exploring solutions to these
issues results in embodiments of durable and workable connectors
for top-to-bottom and side-to-side interlocks in a manner conducive
to complete modularity. Compressive strength for vertical
construction and tensile strength for horizontal strength and
flexibility are introduced in order to withstand harsh weather such
as high winds and most earthquakes, and provide insulation against
cold temperatures. The handle and corresponding recession(s)
provide positive interlocking through the means of sliding handles
downward into recessed vertical slots along container side walls.
The long vertical folds considerably increase stress resistance on
outer walls, an important factor where a major anticipated use for
the embodiments is for walls made of stacking containers refilled
fully or partially with sand, dirt or other heavy substances. By
using the handle as an interlocking device other means of
side-to-side linkage can be eliminated, thereby streamlining the
manufacturing design and process.
[0065] The sliding assembly arrangement meets other essential
criteria for the design: (1) avoidance of the need for mortar or
other connecting material foreign to the modular container itself,
and (2) assembly and disassembly easy and straightforward enough
for users with little or no construction experience.
[0066] Referring therefore to FIG. 10A, a wall structure 74 is
constructed with exemplary containers 2 that are stacked (in this
example) in columns four-high vertically and connected side-to-side
in four rows across. Ground surface grade 76 is uneven. Because the
handle-groove side connections of the embodiments for an
interlocking modular container and building block provide for
unrestricted vertical sliding, the base or ground surface 76 of a
modular wall construction does not need to be absolutely level
before erecting a solid and functional structure. The mix of sturdy
modular containers 2 and flexibility in vertical and horizontal
alignment is amenable not only to constructing enclosures on
inclines but also to withstand inclement weather and to withstand
earthquakes. In an alternative embodiment, the flexible horizontal
and vertical functionality allows the builder to also stagger the
rise of the modular containers 2 where desired. Wall 78 in FIG. 10B
illustrates multiple containers of the embodiments constructed in a
horizontally staggered design. This method of building provides
even greater strength to a wall than an evenly stacked embodiment.
To provide for ease of construction of this alternative staggered
design 78, shallow notch marks may be placed at halfway locations
(and/or other locations) on each vertical wall of a container
allows builders to line up containers without instruments.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 11, various walls constructed with
exemplary containers 2 comprising a 1-handle and 3-recessed groove
design are shown. Corners and ninety degree turns in wall 80 (in
plan view) can be accomplished without causing protrusions out to
either side of the wall faces. To illustrate the easy and flexible
modularity and connectivity in vertical stacking, wall 82 comprises
two columns of four stacked containers, one column of two stacked
exemplary containers and one column being a single container. Such
design functionality using the embodiments provides for diversions
of and changes to walls in virtually any direction with the same or
similar thickness of walls and makes it very easy to align right
angle corners without any tools. The resulting structures square up
almost automatically.
[0068] Further, replacement of portions of vertical wall 82 can be
accomplish by sliding one or more containers comprising vertical,
or vertical and horizontal, interlocking container units laterally
upwards and out of the wall 82 without disturbing any of the other
remaining portions of the wall. This is a feature of the
embodiments that creates modularity of units or groups of
containers instead of individual containers only. The embodiments
allow easy reworking of constructed structures and a greater
flexibility of assembly. In addition to construction, there is a
greater ease of disassembly in the face of mistakes or for purposes
of reconfiguration or re-transport as conditions shift.
[0069] In other embodiments, individual containers that are in rows
stacked higher to the top of a wall could remain partially or
wholly empty of solids or fluids. This approach would have the
advantages of placing considerably less weight pressing down on
units of containers placed in lower rows of a wall, and it would
permit better daytime interior visibility within an enclosed
structure in a case where exemplary containers are manufactured
from translucent material. Because the various ridges and groves
lend considerable strength even to containers kept empty,
alternatively any number of containers comprising the given
structure can be filled with lower density materials such as paper,
cloth scraps, leaves, grass and the like to provide good insulation
without significant additional weight.
[0070] The embodiments of the invention may be used in the
construction of effective shelter and roofing solutions. Materials
and methods to construct a roof may vary by world region and depend
upon materials locally available. Referring to FIG. 12A, exemplary
modular containers are stacked and interlocked to form a structure
84, which is illustrated in a plan view. FIG. 12B shows a wall side
view 86, and how pyramid-shaped top ends 12 of each container 2,
when interlocked side-by-side, form V-slots 88 that may receive
roofing members 90 of practically any form that provide support for
a flat style roofing cover. Combining V-slots 88 with an offset
spacing of containers, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, for opposing
walls provides for a pitched roof 92 even for the simplest of
shelters, as shown in wall side view 94 of FIG. 13A. An arrangement
of a roof cross member that nests easily and securely in the top
"V" slot of each opposing wall is possible. The staggered vertical
arrangement of the wall units results in each side of the pitched
roof to align neatly.
[0071] An alternative embodiment to a pitched roof for a shelter is
also illustrated in a side view of wall 96 in FIG. 13B. A builder
may prefer to retain a simpler, non-staggered construction
arrangement of modular interlocking containers but still desire to
have roof pitched 98 align so that roofing cross members 90 can fit
as closely as possible in each V-slot 88 between vertical container
columns, thereby lending alignment, strength and overall snugness
to the resulting structures.
[0072] Close alignment of the roof slopes is a function of height
to width ratio of the underlying cuboid main body unit. In some
embodiments, the greater the height-to-width ratio, the steeper the
pyramid top pitch must be to align neatly. The exemplary design
accommodates these tradeoffs. For shelters desired to be
constructed with a pitched roof, a height-to-width ratio of
exemplary container 2 ranges between approximately 1:1 and 2:1.
This ratio accounts for a combined advantage of lower center of
gravity for each container and the 1:2 ratio for a sloping roof
that is common on many roofs worldwide. The range of ratios
provided should not be understood as limiting, however. One skilled
in the art will recognize that other ratios are useful and
possible.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 14, a walled structure 100 built with
modular interlocking containers 2 of the embodiments is illustrated
in plan view. To form in an additional way a roof over shelter 100,
rope, wire or cords 102 are tied and stretched between opposing
wall structures, thereby providing support for a canvas, plastic
tarp, or other roofing cover materials. As shown in FIG. 3, neck 18
of container 2 is slightly elongated as it protrudes away from top
end 12. Neck 18 provides an area around which to secure cords or
rope 102 to cover the exposed area within shelter 100. Cap 16
prevents cords 102 from slipping off of each container 2. This
configuration provides the builder an anchoring device from which
to extend a tight line along certain roof axes, creating a grid
upon which one can place or stretch roofing material such as
grasses, fronds, large leaves, tarps, plastic sheeting, etc. If
solid roofing members, such as plywood or aluminum sheeting, are
available and desirable, then cap 16 on each top row container
provides a stable and versatile base for tying down roof members
and roofing material.
[0074] FIG. 15 illustrates alternative embodiments of container 2,
where an allowance is made for under-girding support and
pass-through wires around the container. A modular interconnected
container 104 is formed similar to container 2 with an addition of
a notch 106 that is formed at the central base of each sidewall
108, 110, 112, 114 at the base of each of three interlocking
recessed grooves 116. A notch 106 is thereby also formed under
handle 118. Placing a corresponding notch at the bottom end 120 of
container 104 allows an underpassage of wires for additional
support and interconnection. One example would be to add horizontal
support for bridging a doorway.
[0075] Regarding realities of shipping and handling, including the
need to palletize goods to prevent shipping damage, ease of
transport, and minimize wasted space, the exemplary container 2
provides for advantages in shipping and transportation. FIG. 16
illustrates a plan view 122 and side view 124 of palletized
containers 2 that have been securely interlocked together and
prepared for shipping. Pallet 126 can be any size of common pallet
in the marketplace, such as the Imperial measure 40 inch by 48 inch
pallet, very near to the European pallet 1000 mm by 1200 mm (39.37
inches by 47.24 inches). Each of these sizes is a reasonably close
fit for a block of containers, where each container measures
approximately nine inches square at the base, holding about 10
liters. Approximately twenty containers of a ten liter volumetric
capacity can stand upright and neatly fit on each layer (equaling
36 inches by 45 inches) in each block, thereby leaving 1.5 to 2.0
inches border of pallet between the edge of a unit and the edge of
the pallet 126. All handles of containers 2 can be turned inward
and inserted into a recessed groove of the nearby container,
thereby leaving no protrusions extending, minimizing damage to the
containers and creating a more efficient shipping size. Likewise,
FIG. 17 illustrates two side views of palletized containers. View
128 is a side view looking directly at top ends of interlocked
containers that are oriented in a horizontal, instead of vertical,
position on pallet 126. View 130 is a side view of the container
unit in view 128. Such a stacking orientation results in similar
advantages as palletized clusters 122 and 124. The exemplary
volumes and sizes discussed herein are useful and efficient. One
skilled in the art will recognize that given the near perfect
scalability of the containers, a large range of sizes and volumes
can be configured to meet shipping and use demands.
[0076] Referring to FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, and 19, embodiments form
various volumetric and physical sizes of modular interconnected
containers but maintain an identical depth in their footprint. In
FIGS. 18A and 18B, each container 132 and 134 is formed with a
cuboid design of one handle and three recessed grooves having a
squared footprint of similar depth with a 3:1 modular
interconnectivity described in relation to container 2. Container
134 is twice the vertical height of container 132 but maintains the
same horizontal depth, thus providing approximately twice the
volumetric capacity as container 132.
[0077] FIG. 18C shows another embodiment where container 136
comprises a construction design of one handle 131 and five recessed
grooves 137 on a rectangular footprint. Container 136 appears as
two containers 135, 135' but is in fact a single container. There
is no dividing wall separating two similarly formed "halves" 135
and 135'. Although container 136 is designed as single container,
it maintains the interconnectivity features as if two container
shapes with individual pyramidal top ends 133, 133' and recessed
pyramidal bottom ends had been joined together. Interlocking
mechanisms are formed on the walls of each container and spaced
around the perimeter to allow side-to-side and vertical
interconnectivity with individual or joined containers of similar
square footprints and similar depths. Container 136 has a 2:1
footprint that equates to a volumetric capacity roughly four times
that of container 132 and roughly double that of container 134. The
footprint of container 136 is the same depth as containers 132 and
134 thereby allowing vertical interlocking with square footprint
embodiments such as containers 132 and 134. A double cap
arrangement 141, 141' and bottom end pyramidal indentions are
maintained for vertical connectivity with other containers. Bottom
ends of container halves 135, 135' are each formed similar to
bottom end 14 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, and thus receive
individual pyramidal top ends from other containers in a stacked
arrangement. Cap 141' could be a "dummy" cap used only for
connectivity while cap 141 is a working cap that covers an opening
for filling and pouring contents. Alternatively, both caps may be
retained as working flow apertures. Thus, unit 136 could be stacked
on top of two individual containers 132 that are
interconnected.
[0078] In other embodiments, modular container 138, illustrated in
FIG. 19, is a single continuous container. Container 138 has seven
lateral grooves and handle 142 for interlocking connectivity,
thereby maintaining side-to-side and vertical interlocking
modularity (only side view grooves 147, 147' and 147'' are shown).
Container 138 is formed on an extended rectangular total footprint
with modular interconnectivity features otherwise similar to
modular container 2. Container 138 is formed with a 3:1 horizontal
rectangular footprint comprising duplicated individual container
shapes 140, 140', and 140''. While modular unit 138 is three times
the height and three times the width of container 132, it shares
the same depth as container 132 such that it has roughly nine times
the volumetric capacity as container 132. The triple-spout top
section 139, 139', and 139'' allows vertical integration with
square footprint versions of the exemplary containers described
herein. With the triple-spout arrangement, all three caps could
cover an opening or caps 139' and 139'' (or just one of them) could
be "dummies" used for vertical connectivity but offering no access
to fill container 138 while cap 139 covers the actual access
opening for filling and pouring of contents.
[0079] In all of the embodiments in FIGS. 18-19, the resulting
container depth is identical and the handles all cross-connect with
recessed grooves. An advantage of the embodiments is flexibility to
allow different filling materials (e.g., water, grain, cooking oil,
etc.) to be delivered in different volumes as distributors and
consumers see fit, and yet still retain universal interconnectivity
and identical resulting wall thickness. Thus, the design allows,
e.g., volume options of 1.times. (see 132), 2.times. (see 134),
3.times., 4.times., 6.times. and 9.times., roughly, of the smallest
standard unit.
[0080] In some embodiments changing a total thickness of a building
wall constructed with the exemplary containers can be accomplished
by changing the length and width of the square footprint of a
container and by changing a height of an individual container's
side walls. This alternation, in turn, changes its volumetric
capacity. For example, a 10 L capacity container having a cuboid
design of equal width, depth, and height would have a total depth
of approximately nine inches. If in a container with the same 10 L
capacity the height were raised by 50%, the walls would be
approximately seven inches deep (or "thick") instead of nine inches
in order to maintain the same volumetric capacity. The result is an
extra 20% of wall area for the same volume of goods delivered.
Certain field considerations also can account for design
variations.
[0081] For example, professional aid workers in camps for
dislocated persons quite often rely on drinking water supplies
different from those the majority of residents use. Most often
these are in the form of bottled water imported from some distance
away. It follows that personal use comports better with a smaller
sized container, perhaps no larger than a 2 L or 2.5 L capacity
container. A 2-2.5 L cuboid design for a container 2 results in an
approximate 5-5.5 inch square base of the container. The
embodiments include a variety of volumetric capacities but have a
similar square base size such that an arrangement of different
volumes of containers side-to-side will be similar, but the heights
of containers having different capacities will likewise differ.
Each should retain interchangeable side-to-side interconnectivity
and retain top-to-bottom vertical interconnectivity.
[0082] Therefore, embodiments of sized containers include a
container 132 holding 2-2.5 L volumetric capacity. Container 134,
which is vertically twice the height as container 132, can hold a
4-5 L volumetric capacity. Container unit 136 has a volumetric
capacity of approximately 8-10 L, or about four times that of 132.
Container unit 138 is a single container thrice the vertical height
and thrice the horizontal width as container 132, but with the same
depth as container 132, resulting in a 3:1 ration footprint and a
volumetric capacity of approximately 18-22.5 L, or about nine times
that of 132. One skilled in the art will recognize that the perfect
scalability of the containers can yield a large number of
volumetric capacity ranges and combinations.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 20, another embodiment for a scalable,
interlocking modular container is shown. A plan view for a modular
interlocking container 144 has similar features to those comprising
container 2 but provides for a modification of the
interconnectivity mechanism as a hermaphroditic connection
mechanism. Top end 148 is formed with a pyramidal rise from each of
four side walls that form a neck, upon which is secured a cap 150.
Instead of a handle 26, container 144 includes an interlocking
wedge or protrusion 146 that is formed with a corresponding
recessed groove at the center of each side wall for use as a
side-locking mechanism. Interlocking wedges 146 are formed with
shorter angled lines that are modified to create concave curves or
other recessions under the widest surface of the wedge connector
146. The square shaped base profile of container 144 and nested
interlocking mechanisms 146 preserve the advantages and
efficiencies of packing and shipping as a unit and the advantages
of a top-down assembly method as described for other
embodiments.
[0084] Interlocking wedge 146 design is not limited to a specific
implementation in the embodiments. FIG. 21 illustrates various
embodiments of interlocking mechanisms for wedge 146 alternatives
152-166, all of which employ a cantilevered wedge or protrusion
overlapping a recessed groove. These connection mechanisms are each
"hermaphroditic," meaning they possess both male and female aspects
in a single connector. These embodiments of hermaphroditic
connectors can be applied to any of the connecting mechanisms
employed by container embodiments described herein, except those
that do not mount a handle on the container, i.e., the 3:1
container as described in relation to FIGS. 1-19.
[0085] Other embodiments of various-sized hand-held interlocking
containers can be formed as vessels without an adjoining handle
such as handle 26 on container 2. For the purposes of
illustration--but not to suggest scaling limits--the following
table lists embodiments of various container sizes for variations
of container 144.
TABLE-US-00001 Volume Dimensions 250 mL cuboid interior: 2.48'';
Exterior: approx. 23/4'' depth .times. 23/4'' width .times. 43/4''
height (23/4'' side + 2'' top/cap) 500 mL square Exterior = approx.
23/4'' depth .times. 23/4'' based column width .times. 71/2''
height (51/2'' side + 2'' top/cap) 750 mL square Exterior = approx.
23/4'' depth .times. 23/4'' based column width .times. 101/4''
height (81/4'' side + 2'' top/cap) 1 liter Exterior = approx.
23/4'' depth .times. 51/2'' rectangular width .times. 71/2'' height
(51/2'' side + 2'' based column top/cap) 1.5 liter Exterior =
approx. 23/4'' depth .times. 51/2'' rectangular width .times.
101/4'' height (81/4'' side + 2'' based column top/cap) 1 liter
square Exterior = approx. 23/4'' depth .times. 23/4'' based column
width .times. 13'' height (11'' side + 2'' top/cap) 2 liter
Exterior = approx. 23/4'' depth .times. 23/4'' rectangular width
.times. 13'' height (11'' side + 2'' based column top/cap)
[0086] FIGS. 22A-22E illustrate exemplary sizes of interlocking
bottles utilizing an hermaphroditic wedge mechanism. In FIG. 22A,
exemplary container 168 is illustrated as a 250 mL cuboid design,
comprising a square footprint with approximately the same size wall
height as the width and depth of the container. FIG. 22B shows
exemplary container 170 that is approximately twice the height as
container 168 and has approximately a 500 mL volumetric capacity.
Exemplary container 172 achieves roughly twice the volumetric
capacity of container 170 and four times that of 168 by creating a
single container with a 2:1 ratio footprint and the same height and
depth of container 170 but with twice the horizontal width by
joining two 174 "halves." FIG. 22D shows container 176 that is
approximately three times the height of container 168 and has about
a 750 mL volumetric capacity. Although a single container,
container 178 is formed externally as if it were two halves 180 and
180' interlocked together so that vertical and horizontal
interconnectivity with other container embodiments is maintained,
in the same fashion as 172. Exemplary single container 178 achieves
roughly twice the volumetric capacity of container 176 and about
six times that of 168 by creating a single container with a 2:1
ratio footprint and the same height and depth of container 176, but
with twice the horizontal width. Exemplary containers 172 and 178
each have six points for of interlocking mechanisms of the sort
illustrated in FIG. 20 or FIG. 21.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 23, other embodiments of the invention
form additional mechanisms on interlocking containers of the
embodiments in order to add both strength and stability to
structure or shelter. In one embodiment for a cuboid design of a
modular container (comprising similar features as container 2, some
of which features FIG. 23 omits in order to add clarity to the
modification), plan views of an exemplary top end 184 and bottom
end 186 are shown. Top end 184 comprises a straight ridge 192
bisecting each of the four isosceles triangles created by the rises
188 of the pyramidal tops of container 182. Corresponding channels
194 are formed to bisect each of the isosceles triangles created by
the rises 190 of the pyramidal bottoms of a container 182. When
stacking two containers, channels 194 from a bottom end 186 receive
ridges 192 from a top end 184 of a container stacked underneath. In
other embodiments, the position of ridges and channels can be
reversed, i.e., with the channels in the pyramidal tops and the
ridges on the corresponding pyramidal bottoms. In other
embodiments, a container 182 may have channels 194 bisecting both
top end and bottom end pyramidal portions. This modification could
be used to create increase the number of tie points for a container
by guiding a wire, twine, or other type of cord for through a
channel and around the top cap anchor to an outside or inside wall
surface.
[0088] In other embodiments shown in FIG. 24, a scalable,
interlocking modular container 196 comprises a pyramidal shaped
top-end 198 and bottom end, and four perpendicular sides 200, 202,
204, and 206 in a cuboid design. Container 196 is formed with a
pair of external handles 208, 208' that are formed in parallel and
are placed laterally for the full length or nearly the full length
of perpendicular wall 200. Each remaining three walls 202, 204, 206
contain a pair of lateral recessed grooves 210 and 210', 212 and
212', and 214 and 214', respectively, shaped and spaced to slidably
receive a pair of handles similar to 208 and 208' from an adjacent
second container. Additional grooves 210', 212', and 214' provide
the ability to interlock with connecting containers at an
approximate 50% offset, which creates greater flexibility in
shelter construction designs and maximizes strength when doubling a
horizontal thickness such as for retaining walls and defensive
bulwarks. This 50% offset handle and groove design allow a
departure from container 2 that allows for only right angles and
straight lines for construction. Further, the additional handles
and grooves can enhance a living space by providing a greater
number of exterior and interior elements on which to attach wall
coverings and other useful items.
[0089] FIGS. 25A and 25B illustrate exemplary building
constructions possible by using dual-handled interlocking container
196 as the modular building block. Where massing of a wall
thickness or defensive security is paramount, such as in a military
application or retaining wall, builders can construct shelter 216
having an inner wall 218 with a horizontally staggered outer wall
220 of interlocked containers 196 forming basic blocks of
construction. Concrete, gravel, fill-dirt, or other traditional
materials could be used to add filler in corner spaces 222.
Referring to FIG. 25B, other possible constructions include shelter
224 that has wall 226 which is staggered at approximately 30
degrees using the embodiment 196 as the modular building block.
Each interlocked container 196 is offset at 50% of the width of
each preceding block to create the wall section 226.
[0090] FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate an embodiment of an
interlocking modular container 228 constructed with a geometrical
cross-sectional design. Although FIG. 26B illustrates the shape of
the embodiment as octagonal, any number of three or more walls are
within the scope of the embodiments. Container 228 includes a top
end 230 and a bottom end 232 that frame eight evenly proportioned
and aligned perpendicular walls 234. Top end 230 is formed with
slanted faces 236 that rise from each top-edge of upright walls 234
to converge at a neck 246 and form an opening 248. Cap 242 secures
to a neck 246 to hold and cover any internal contents. Container
228 can interconnect to other similarly-designed containers using
various embodiments of interconnection mechanisms as described
herein. For vertical interconnection, in FIG. 26B, bottom end 232
is formed in the same manner as rising faces of 236, where slanted
faces in the bottom end 232 rise from a bottom edge of each side
wall 234 and meet at indention 244, which is formed to receive
another container's cap 242. Bottom end 232 can then receive a
second container's top end that is shaped like top end 230, thereby
creating a stackable interconnection.
[0091] In some embodiments, each container 228 has at least one
recessed groove 240 formed along side wall 234. At least one
connector wedge or tongue 238 is formed laterally along another
sidewall 234. While each container has at least one groove 240 or
at least one connector 238 in order to interconnect, embodiments
include more than one groove 240 and/or more than one connector 238
on a container 228. FIG. 26A illustrates an exemplary container 228
having a groove 240 and connector 238 each placed on alternating
wall faces 234, providing four connectors 238 and four grooves 240
per container 228. In other embodiments, modular containers are
constructed with all recessed grooves on its respective walls while
other containers are constructed with all wedges or tongues in its
respective side walls. Separate containers are then matched in a
male-to-female connection scenario.
[0092] In some embodiments, each octagonal container has a single
connection tongue or wedge and between one and seven recessed
grooves formed along an equivalent number of side walls. FIG. 27
shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary octagonal modular
container 235. A connection wedge (which alternatively could be a
handle) 241 is formed on side wall 243 and a recessed connection
groove 239 is formed on side wall 237. An example of
interconnection of a group of modular containers similar to 235 is
also shown in FIG. 27, where exemplary containers 235, 245, 247,
and 249 connect using the wedge-in-groove mechanism. Interconnected
octagonal containers may be connected with any of the wedge,
handle, and groove elements described in the embodiments, and their
equivalents.
[0093] FIG. 28 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an octagonal
container similar to container 228 comprising alternative
embodiments of four lateral connector wedges or tongues 250 and
four lateral recessed grooves 252 alternating on each side wall,
where the wedge 250 is shaped with an elliptical endpiece.
Alternative embodiments of connector wedge mechanisms include but
are not limited to wedges 254, 256, 258, and 260 as shown, and
their equivalents. When interconnected with other similar
containers, strength of construction is achieved in this design due
to sixteen sets of folds created by eight corners and eight
connectors. The resulting pattern retains symmetry in design, which
retains all the advantages of manufacturing and ease of assembly
with other similar containers in addition to achieving great
flexibility in design of building structures.
[0094] FIG. 29 illustrates an exemplary building structure 261 that
could be constructed using either the 4-wedge, 4-groove design of
the octagonal container 228 (shown); alternatively, because the
structure is designed with turns only at right angles, container
235 (not shown) may be used for the construction. Referring to FIG.
30, building structure 262 shows a more rounded design that is also
possible due to the greater connectivity of the 4:4 octagonal
container 228 used as the construction block. Double or triple
massing of structure 262 is possible via the connectivity
mechanisms of container 228.
[0095] FIG. 31 illustrates other embodiments of construction
possible with the 4-handle, 4-groove connectivity mechanisms of the
octagonal container 228. Although the structure layout 264 is
illustrated in two dimensions, multi-height, multi-depth,
multi-shaded, and multi-colored structures are possible as various
embodiments of containers 228 used as construction blocks. All
arrangements further provide numerous connection points for
additional containers or end user add-on products.
[0096] FIG. 32 illustrates how an alternative embodiment to modular
container 228 is constructed with one cylindrical perpendicular
wall. Two cylindrical containers are shown interconnecting in
cross-sectional views 266 and 268. Lateral connecting wedge 270 is
slidably inserted into lateral recessed groove 272, which each may
be located at ninety degree intervals around the circumference of
each container 266, 268 to create symmetry for side-to-side
connections or at any suitable interval and distance.
Alternatively, containers 266 and 268 may be formed having
connecting wedge 270 and recessed groove 272 in an alternating
male-female pattern, as a separate hermaphroditic design or as
all-male and all-female connections, as shown in FIG. 32.
Interconnectivity between varying heights and volumes is consistent
with the mechanisms of other embodiments.
[0097] In other embodiments, an exemplary interconnected container
274 formed with flat top end 276 and a flat bottom-end with
indentions is illustrated in FIG. 33 and in plan and bottom end
views in FIG. 34. Container 274 is shown constructed with
perpendicular walls in an octagonal arrangement; however,
cylindrical or three or more walls forming the container 274 also
fall within the scope of the embodiments. Protruding pegs 278 are
used for vertical interconnection with other containers and are
distributed in an arrangement on the top end and rise a distance
away from top end 276. FIG. 34 illustrates a plan view 277 of
container 274, formed as a 4-wedge 284 and 4-groove 286 octagonal
container for side-to-side connectivity. Vertical connectivity is
accomplished with connector pegs 278 mounted on top end 276 and
corresponding peg-slot receptors 288 formed on bottom end 282 that
can receive connector pegs 278 from another similarly constructed
container. A "pop-top" mechanism 280 is formed into top-end 276 to
allow a user to pull and create an access opening to container
contents for pouring contents out of container 274.
[0098] Referring to FIG. 35, in other embodiments a container 290
is formed with a "pop-top" opening mechanism 292 for pouring from a
top end. Each embodiment provides top-to-bottom end connectivity
via an arrangement of connector pegs 294 mounted on top end 296.
Peg-slot receiving indentions 300 are formed in bottom end 298 to
receive pegs similarly sized to pegs 294 from a second container in
a stacked arrangement as illustrated in arrangement 306 in FIG.
36A. Container 290 may be constructed in a geometrical design with
or without rounded corners, although the shape of the container 290
is not limited to such a design and could be cylindrical or other
design. Horizontal interconnectivity is accomplished with the
arrangement of connection wedges 302 mounted laterally down the
side of container 290 and recessed grooves 304 formed in negative
parallel to wedges 302.
[0099] FIGS. 36A-C illustrates other embodiments scalable to
varying volumetric sizes that retain the same connectivity and
top-end and bottom-end features as container 290. For example
container 310 is has a 500 mL volumetric capacity, while container
308 has a 750 mL volumetric capacity. Each container of varying
volumetric size only extends laterally upwards thereby retaining
their vertical and horizontal interconnectivity features. The
essential container design reflected in the embodiments is amenable
to any number of scalable, proportional volumetric capacities.
[0100] Referring to FIG. 37 and FIG. 38, other embodiments of a
modular, scalable, interconnective container are illustrated.
Container 312 is formed with a squared footprint having rounded
corners; however, the scope of the embodiment for a container shape
includes cylindrical and three or more sided containers and should
be not limited by the illustrated example. Top end 316 comprises
vertical connection pegs 314 that are mounted around a "pop-top"
opener 318. On a bottom end 320, peg-slots 322 are arranged to
receive pegs sized and formed similar to pegs 314 from a second
container in vertical alignment in order to facilitate vertical
stacking arrangements of multiple containers. Top end 316 further
includes a ridge 324 that is set apart from and parallels the edge
of the container. Ridge 324 is raised slightly above top-end
surface 316. A corresponding horizontally formed recessed groove
327 is located in the bottom end 320 that is aligned to receive a
raised ridge similar to ridge 324 mounted on a top end of another
container in order to facilitate an interlocking mechanism for
vertical stacking arrangement of multiple containers. Horizontal
interconnectivity is accomplished with the arrangement of
connection wedges 326 mounted laterally down a side of container
312 and recessed grooves 328 formed in negative parallel to wedges
326.
[0101] Referring to FIG. 38, in other embodiments an exemplary
container 330 is formed with a squared footprint having rounded
corners. However, the embodiment is not limited to a particular
cross-sectional shape and could be cylindrical or formed with three
or more sides. Top end 332 includes vertical connection pegs 334
that are arranged around a "pop-top" opener 336. On a bottom end
338 peg-slot indentions 340 are arranged to receive pegs from
another container that correspond to pegs 334 in order to
facilitate vertical stacking arrangements of multiple containers.
Top end 332 further includes a ridge 342 that is formed in an
exemplary circular pattern within the outer edge of top end 332.
Ridge 342 is slightly raised above top-end surface 332. A
corresponding horizontally recessed groove 348 is formed in the
bottom end 338 and is aligned to receive a ridge from another
container that corresponds to ridge 342 in order to facilitate a
stacking arrangement of multiple containers. Horizontal
interconnectivity is accomplished with the arrangement of
connection wedges 344 mounted laterally down a side of container
330 and corresponding recessed grooves 346 formed in negative
parallel to wedges 344.
[0102] Because many varying and different embodiments may be made
within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, and
because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein
detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the
law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *