Patent ID: 7798353
Filing Date: 2010-09-21
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
1. A container assembly comprising: a first generally polygonal container including a first continuous body portion and a first rim, the first rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion, the first rim having a first rib feature projecting generally upwardly around about one-half of the perimeter of the first container, and a corresponding first groove feature extending around the remaining about one-half of the perimeter of the first container, the first body portion forming a first stacking feature thereon, the first stacking feature including a plurality of first raised areas and a plurality of first spaces formed between adjacent first raised areas, the first stacking feature and the first rim being located on generally opposite ends of the first container; and a second generally polygonal container including a second continuous body portion and a second rim, the second rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion, the second rim having a second rib feature projecting generally upwardly around about one-half of the perimeter of the second container, and a corresponding second groove feature extending around the remaining about one-half of the perimeter of the second container, the second body portion forming a second stacking feature thereon, the second stacking feature including a plurality of second raised areas and a plurality of second spaces formed between adjacent second raised areas, the second stacking feature and the second rim being located on generally opposite ends of the second container, wherein the first rim and the second rim are substantially identical, wherein the first container and the second container are releasably engaged to each other by fitting the first upwardly-projecting rib feature into the second groove feature of the second container and by fitting the second upwardly-projecting rib feature into the first groove feature of the first container, wherein the first and second stacking features are symmetrically disposed along the corresponding first and second containers, and wherein the container assembly is adapted to be stacked on a second container assembly by engaging the first stacking feature of the container assembly with a third stacking feature of the second container assembly to prevent or inhibit lateral movement of the container assembly relative to the second container assembly, the third stacking feature of the second container assembly including a plurality of third raised areas and a plurality of third spaces formed between adjacent third raised areas, each of the first raised areas being adapted to be received by one of the third spaces so as to engage at least two of the third raised areas, and each of the third raised areas being adapted to be received by one of the first spaces so as to engage at least two of the first raised areas.