Abstract:
An anti-rolling device for cylindrical containers, such as mailing tubes, has a stabilizing member with an internal aperture for inserting over a portion of the container. The outer periphery of the device is irregular, e.g., having flats, such that resting on a flat lowers the container to a stable position, and requires energy to rotate beyond the flat and consequently lift the container. The device may be slipped over a plug type cap or placed directly over the body of the container. In alternative embodiments, the device is provided in the form of a gasket, is made from a foam material, is split and resiliently grabs the container or has an elastic band holding it tightly to the container. The various embodiments may be used to retrofit an existing container. The stabilizer may be provided with one or more radial tabs, which may have burrs to grip the receptacle and/or feature a constraining ring to lock the cap into the receptacle. The stabilizer may be used to hold a container upright or constitute an indicia bearing surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to storage containers and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for stabilizing containers which have a generally cylindrical shape against rolling. 
     2. Related Art 
     Containers having a generally cylindrical shape have been known and used for many years. As used herein, “cylindrical container” or “generally cylindrical container” shall mean any container having a generally cylindrical shape, including elongated containers having a multi-sided cross-sectional shape, such as square, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, etc. Cylindrical containers are useful for containing any type of item and particularly items having a sheet-like configuration, such as documents, maps and posters, in that the sheet may be rolled and inserted into the cylindrical container. Rolling a sheet permits it to assume a compact configuration, while avoiding folding or creasing the sheet. In addition, a closed cylindrical container exhibits good structural integrity and strength, such that strong lightweight containers can be made from common materials, such as cardboard. Owing to the foregoing features, cylindrical containers like mailing tubes are popular for storing and transporting items. Due to their shape, cylindrical containers are inherently capable of rolling on a supporting surface. In most instances, rolling of the cylindrical container is not desirable, e.g., during shipping or other handling, in that rolling may damage the contents of the container and/or make transport of the container less manageable, e.g., allowing cargo to shift out of a desired position within a cargo containment area of a vehicle, rolling off sorting tables, and the like. 
     Solutions for preventing cylindrical containers from rolling have been proposed in the past. Notwithstanding, there is a need for improved apparatus and methods for preventing cylindrical containers from rolling. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The limitations of prior art container devices and methods are addressed by the present invention, which includes a device and method for reducing the propensity of a generally cylindrical container having a receptacle portion and a closure to roll on a given environmental surface. The device includes a stabilizing member having lateral and longitudinal extension and an aperture therein extending approximately perpendicularly to the lateral and longitudinal direction of extension of said stabilizing member. An external peripheral surface of the stabilizing member is adapted to contact the environmental surface, the external peripheral surface varying in distance from the aperture along its extent. The aperture is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the container therein such that when the container is inserted into the aperture and the container with the stabilizing member installed thereon is placed on the environmental surface, the stabilizing member tends to assume at least one orientation representing a relative minimum spacing of the container from the environmental surface. The stabilizing member bears against the container and exerts a force resisting the tendency of the container to roll. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention, references is made to the following Detailed Description of the Invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a stabilized container system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the container system of  FIG. 1  taken along section line II-II and looking in the direction of the arrows. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a stabilizer of the container system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of a stabilizer in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a stabilizer in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial, cross-sectional view of a container system like that shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , but showing a variety of stabilizer apparatus in accordance with a corresponding variety of embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing three positions of a generalized stabilizer device having a non-circular periphery and an associated graph of the height of a specific load point of the object above a reference level. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a stabilizer and closure in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a stabilizer and closure in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a stabilizer and closure in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a stabilizer and closure in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a stabilizer in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of a radial tab which is present in the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of a container system utilizing a closure, a receptacle and a stabilizer in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a stabilizer in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of a container system in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a container system in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded view of a container system in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the container system of  FIG. 18 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  show a stabilized container system  10  having a generally cylindrical receptacle  12  for containing objects/contents C, such as documents, parts or any other objects that are to be shipped from a sender to a receiver, e.g., via a parcel delivery service or the post office, or simply stored in the receptacle  12 . The container system  10  rests on a surface, such as a shelf, table or truck bed which is referred to herein in general terms as an “environmental surface” ES. The receptacle  12  is in the form of a cylinder, but could have other cross-sectional shapes, such as square, hexagonal or octagonal, etc. A closure  14  (cap or plug) is slideably received within an opening at one end of the receptacle  12  to capture the contents C within the receptacle  12 . A similar closure (not shown) to that of closure  14  may be provided at the other end of the receptacle  12 . Alternatively, only one end of the receptacle  12  may be provided with a removable closure  12 —e.g., the other end of the receptacle may be closed by a fixed cap or plug, e.g., one that is glued or crimped or otherwise fixedly attached on the receptacle  12 . 
     A stabilizer member (or as more simply referred to hereinafter, “stabilizer”)  16 , which shall be described further below, is captured between a lip  18  of the closure  14  and the receptacle  12 . The closure  14  has an end wall  20  and a peripheral wall  22 . One or more optional finger pulls  24 ,  26  extend from the interior surface of the peripheral wall  22  to provide a structure that may be engaged by a finger(s) to remove the closure  14  from the receptacle  12  to access the contents thereof. As shown in FIG.  1 , the dimensions of the stabilizer  16  can be varied, depending upon the functionality desired. For example, a stabilizer  16 ′ is depicted in dashed lines, which is substantially co-extensive with the lip  18  of the closure  14  at four locations. In this manner, when the container system  10  is a rest on a surface, it will tend to rest flat on the surface and no (opening) torque will be applied by the stabilizer  16 ′ on the closure  14 . Alternatively, an over-size stabilizer  16  can be used to maintain the receptacle  12  at a given angle relative to the supporting surface or when the stabilizer  16  is formed from a flexible material which bends until the receptacle  12  rests on the supporting surface. Portions of the stabilizer  16  or  16 ′ which protrude beyond the lip  18  can be used for gripping to aid in removing the closure  14 . 
     As shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 2 , an end wall  20 ′ may occupy a position at or proximate to the lip  18 , in which case, the end wall  20  would not be present, accommodating a greater volume in the container system  10 . An end wall  20 ′ disposed proximate to the lip  18  may have an outward or inward bulge in lieu of the flat configuration shown and may form a gripping surface in lieu of finger pulls  24 ,  26 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the stabilizer  16 , which has an internal aperture  28  that receives the peripheral wall  22  of the closure  14  therethrough. The stabilizer  16  has a plurality of peripheral surfaces  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 , that contact/engage a supporting surface (e.g., a shelf, table or bed surface, such as on a delivery truck) on which the container system  10  is placed. The aperture  28  may be dimensioned relative to the outer dimensions of the peripheral wall  22  to exert a desired amount of frictional interaction therewith, e.g., so that the stabilizer  16  grips the peripheral wall  22  to resist turning the stabilizer  16  relative to the closure  14  and/or so that the stabilizer  16  grips the closure  14  such that the stabilizer  16  and closure  14  may be assembled together and then handled as a unit, e.g., for insertion into the open end of the receptacle  12 . 
     Alternatively, the stabilizer  16  may fit loosely about the closure  14  to permit easy assembly. A frictional interaction may be established between the stabilizer  16 , the lip  18  and the open end  19  of the receptacle  12 . More specifically, when the stabilizer  16  is captured between the lip  18  and the receptacle  12 , insertion of the closure  14  fully into the receptacle  12  will cause the lip  18  and receptacle  12  to frictionally engage the stabilizer  16  to resist relative rotation therebetween. Accordingly, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the stabilizer  16  may be held in a selected orientation relative to the closure  14  and/or the receptacle  12  by frictional engagement. The orientation of the closure  14  relative to the receptacle  12  may also be maintained by the frictional engagement between the outer surface of the peripheral wall  22  of the closure  14  and the inner surface of the receptacle  12 . 
     The surfaces  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  of the stabilizer  16 , provide support surfaces that may fully or partially abut against an environmental support surface, such as a shelf, table or cargo bed, preventing the container system  10  from rolling on the environmental support surface. It should be appreciated that even a loosely fitted stabilizer  16  will exert frictional drag that will reduce the tendency of the container system  10  to roll. While the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  utilizes a press-fit, smooth, plug-type closure  14 , the closure  14  may also be held in association with the receptacle  12  by glue or other conventional structures utilized for holding closures to open ends of receptacles, e.g., the receptacle  12  may feature a partially deformable plastic rim with a groove for receiving a peripheral ring formed on an exterior peripheral surface of the closure  14  (not shown). One or more optional slots  38  may be employed to register with mating tabs extending from the receptacle  12  or the closure  14  to prevent relative rotation therebetween. 
       FIG. 4  shows a nesting stabilizer  40  with a central aperture  42  similar in form and function to aperture  28  of stabilizer  16 , previously described, i.e., a closure  14  may inserted into the central aperture  42 . The nesting stabilizer  40  has peripheral support surfaces  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50 , each of which has a concavity,  44   a ,  46   a ,  48   a  and  50   a , respectively, which may receive some portion of an adjacent container  52  therein. In this manner, the nesting stabilizer  40  can be used to retain a plurality of adjacent containers  52  at a position and orientation relative to each other, e.g., in an ordered stack with horizontal rows and vertical columns. Each member of a group of adjacent containers  52  may be provided with a nesting stabilizer, or they may be utilized in an alternating manner, e.g., the first and subsequent odd numbered rows of adjacent containers  52  may be provided with nesting stabilizers  40 , with the even rows of adjacent containers  52  either having or not having nesting stabilizers  40 . The nesting stabilizers  40  can be used on one or both ends of the containers  52  and they may be used in alternating fashion between the front and back of adjacent containers  52 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a directional stabilizer  60  with a plurality of support surfaces  62 ,  64 ,  66  and a central aperture  68  that may be used to hold a generally cylindrical container  70  in a particular orientation. More particularly, the aperture  68  has a rotation stop  68   a  which cooperates with a mating rotation stop  74   a  associated with a closure  74 . The rotation stops  68   a  and  74   a  are depicted, respectively, as a singular mating recess  68   a  in the directional stabilizer  60 , which receives a singular tab  74   a  extending from the closure  74 . The singular tab-type rotation stop  74   a  may extend from the exterior peripheral surface of a peripheral wall  22  of a closure  14  like that shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, the positions of the tab  74   a  and recess  68   a  could be reversed, the tab and recess could have different mating shapes than those shown, and there could be a plurality of mating tabs and recesses, rather than a single tab and recess. As shall be seen from the following description of  FIG. 6 , there are alternative locations for locating a rotation stop  74   a  on the container, besides the exterior peripheral surface of peripheral wall of the closure  74 . The directional stabilizer  60  may optionally be marked with indicia  72  indicating a particular orientation for storage or shipping of the container  70 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a stabilized container system  80  with receptacle  82  and a plurality of alternative stabilizers  84 ,  90 ,  92 ,  102  and  104 , each of which may be provided with an overall configuration like that exhibited by the stabilizers  16 ,  40  and  60  of  FIGS. 1-5 . Flange-type stabilizer  84  has a receptacle contact ring  86  and a support surface engager  88 . The inner circumference of the contact ring  86  may be selected to match the outer circumference of the receptacle. Alternatively, the stabilizer  84  may be split or have a “C”-shaped profile and be made from a resilient material, such as plastic, such that it exerts an inwardly directed resilient force. As a further alternative, a split flange-type stabilizer  84  may utilize an elastic band  87  to retain it in position on the receptacle  82 . As noted, when viewed from the front, the support surface engager  88  would have a profile like that of stabilizers  16 ,  40  or  60  as shown in  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4  or  FIG. 5 , respectively. 
     The shape of block stabilizer  90  differs from the stabilizers  16 ,  40 ,  60  in having a greater thickness. Block stabilizer  90  may be made from a low density material, such as Styrofoam, sponge or paper mache, from plastic or a combination of materials and is sized to be positioned over the receptacle  82  of the container  80  and may elastically grip the container  80 . 
     A tube rim  96 , e.g., made from plastic or metal may be glued or formed/crimped onto the end of receptacle  82  to provide features, e.g., threads, that promote effective coupling with closure  100 , which, in the embodiment depicted, is a threaded cap. The tube rim  96  may have a groove  94  for receiving a tube rim stabilizer  92 . The tube rim stabilizer  92  may have the same basic configuration as the stabilizers  16 ,  40  or  60 , except that the central aperture thereof is sized to permit installation in the groove  94  on the tube rim  96 .  FIG. 6  shows that a gasket-style stabilizer  102  may be captured between the closure  100  and a portion of the tube rim  96 . As before, the gasket-type stabilizer  102  may have the same basic configuration as the stabilizers  16 ,  40  or  60 , except that the central aperture thereof is sized to permit installation between the tube rim  96  and the closure  100 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 6  shows yet another alternative wherein a cap stabilizer  104  may be retained in a groove  106  in an outer peripheral surface of closure  100 . A rotation stop like  68   a  or  74   a  may be formed in any of the surfaces of the tube rim  96  or closure  100  which contact the stabilizers  92 ,  102 ,  104 . 
     A stabilizer, e.g.,  16 ,  40 ,  60 ,  84 ,  90 ,  102  or  104  is, in accordance with the present invention, retrofittable to existing cylindrical containers and its use on one or both ends thereof is optional. More particularly, one may use the embodiments of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1-5  and the gasket-type stabilizer  102  shown in  FIG. 6 , by placing the stabilizer between the closure, e.g.,  14  and the receptacle  12  and then placing the closure, e.g.,  14  on the receptacle  12 . As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 , a stabilizer, e.g.,  16  or  60  with a registration slot  38 /rotation stop  68   a , respectively, is preferably aligned with any mating rotation stop, e.g.,  74   a  before seating the closure on the receptacle  12 . As to the embodiments of the invention shown in  FIG. 6 , with the exception of the gasket-type stabilizer  102 , the stabilizers  84 ,  90 ,  92  and  104  may be placed on their respective positions on the container system  80  either before or after the closure  100  is placed on the receptacle  82 , i.e., by simply sliding the respective stabilizers into position on the container  80 . Of course, any of the stabilizers  84 ,  90 ,  92  and/or  104  may be placed on the container  80  by a manufacturer, such that the user thereof does not need to assemble the stabilizer to the container  80 . 
     The materials in which a stabilized container system in accordance with the present invention is executed are variable. For example, the container system  10  may utilize a receptacle made from cardboard, plastic, metal or composites thereof. The stabilizer, e.g.,  16 ,  50 , etc. may be made from plastic, metal, paper mache, foam rubber, Styrofoam, rubber, cardboard, composites thereof, or other such common materials. 
       FIG. 7  shows the profile of a generalized form of stabilizer  110  which bears a container weight at load point L in three different positions, i.e., with load point L at positions A, B and C, respectively. The generalized stabilizer  110  is depicted in these three different positions with different types of lineation, viz., solid, dashed and dotted lines. The adjacent graph indicates the height of the load point L at each of the three positions A, B and C. The outer periphery of the generalized stabilizer  110  exhibits a varying distance from the load point L, such that the height of the load point L varies (in the Y direction) as the generalized stabilizer  110  is rotated along the X axis from position A to B to C. The potential energy of the system depicted, increases with increasing height of the load. Position B represents a valley or relative minimum of height and potential energy on the positional range shown. As a result, energy must be expended to move the generalized stabilizer  110  from position B to either position A or to position C. Because, position B represents a lower energy level relative to positions A and C, position B could be referred to as exhibiting a relative minimum height/potential energy and the generalized stabilizer  110  and load L will tend to remain at position B and to return to position B if displaced partially toward position A or C. Position B therefore represents a stable height/potential energy valley. Of course, a force exceeding the energy difference between A or C and B would displace the stabilizer  110  from position B, but over the range of difference between A or C and B, it will be stable. Looking back at the previously described stabilizers, e.g.,  16 ,  40  and  60 , we can see that the outer peripheral surface(s) thereof vary in distance from the container aperture, e.g.,  28 ,  42 ,  68  along the extent of the peripheral surface(s), defining stable valleys of height/potential energy when supporting a container relative to an environmental surface ES. 
       FIG. 8  shows an end closure  120  having a notch  122  in the peripheral lip  124  thereof. The notch  122  matingly receives a rotation stop block  126  provided on a surface of stabilizer  128 . When the stabilizer is captured between a receptacle such as receptacle  12  shown in  FIG. 2 , the mating of the notch  122  and rotation stop block  126  prevents the stabilizer  128  from rotating relative to the end closure  120 . The end closure  120  is typically frictionally engaged with the receptacle  12  which prevents it from being rotated relative thereto without substantial force. 
       FIG. 9  shows an alternative arrangement to that shown in  FIG. 8 , namely, end closure  132  has a depending tab  130  which extends down from the rim  131  of closure  132 . The tab is received in a mating slot  134  provided in stabilizer  136 . The function of the tab  130  and slot  134  is similar to that of the previously described embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , namely, to prevent the stabilizer  136  from rotating relative to the closure  132  and, via the closure&#39;s frictional grip on the receptacle, relative to the receptacle. 
       FIG. 10  discloses another embodiment similar to  FIGS. 8 and 9  wherein one or more pegs or other projections  138 ,  140  extending from a surface of stabilizer  139  insert into holes  132 ,  144  in the rim  146  of closure  148  to prevent the stabilizer  139  from turning when the closure  148  is inserting into a receptacle  12 . 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate another alternative embodiment wherein stabilizer  150  has a radial tab  152  extending into the central aperture thereof. A closure  158  has a tab aperture  154  in the peripheral wall  156  thereof such that when the stabilizer  150  is installed on the closure  158  the tab  152  extends through the tab aperture  154  to prevent rotation of the stabilizer  150  relative to the closure  158 . 
       FIG. 13  shows that the radial tab  152  may be bent at an angle relative to the stabilizer  150 . The tab  152  also features a burr  160  which may be used to grip a receptacle  12  as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 14  shows a stabilized container system  162  having a receptacle  164 . Stabilizer  166  has a plurality of radial tabs  168 ,  170  which are bent at right angles relative to the remainder of the stabilizer  166 . Stabilizer  166  has a profile similar to that shown in  FIG. 1 . A pair of burrs  172 ,  174  extend from a surface of the radial tabs  168 ,  170  respectively. End closure  176  has an end wall  178  and a cylindrical wall extending substantially perpendicularly relative to the end wall  178  to plug the opening of the receptacle  164 . A tapered gripping land  182  is provided proximate the distal end of the cylindrical wall  180 . The gripping land  182  has a tapered distal surface  184  which promotes its introduction into the aperture of the stabilizer  166  and into the open end of the receptacle  164 . The tapered gripping land  182  also has a proximal surface  186  which abuts against the distal end of the radial tabs  168 ,  170  to prevent withdrawal of the closure  176  from the receptacle  164 . As can be appreciated from  FIG. 14 , the cylindrical wall  180  of the closure  176  bends the radial tabs  168 ,  170  downward and presses the burrs  172 ,  174  into the receptacle  164 , which typically would be formed from cardboard, paper or plastic that can be penetrated by the burrs  172 ,  174 . The closure  176  forms an interlocking relationship with the stabilizer  166  to retain the stabilizer  166  in a specific orientation relative to the receptacle  164  to prevent relative rotation between the receptacle  164  and the stabilizer  166  as well as locking the closure  176  into the receptacle  164  by virtue of the interaction between the radial tabs  168 ,  170  and the proximal surface  186  of the tapered gripping land  182 . 
       FIG. 15  shows a stabilizer  190  having a ring  192  which extends substantially at right angles relative to the remainder of the stabilizer  190 . A tapered lead-in  194  may be provided on the ring  192  to facilitate it&#39;s installation on a receptacle  198  as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a container system  196  having a receptacle  198  formed from cardboard or plastic. A closure member  200  is inserted into the end of the receptacle  198 . The closure  200  has a tapered gripping land  202  which is radially enlarged and grips and/or displaces the wall of the receptacle  198  outward to conform to the shape of the gripping land  202 . The tapered lead-in  194  permits the stabilizer  190  to be slipped over the lip  204  of the closure  200  and be pushed down over the end of the receptacle  198  to the extent that the tapered lead-in  194  encounters the area of the receptacle  198  which is deformed by the tapered gripping land  202  of the closure  200 . The deformation shown is exaggerated for illustration purposes and may, in practice, be minimal. Simultaneously, the stabilizer  190  clears the edge of the lip  204  of the closure  200 , locking the stabilizer  190  on the container system  196 . As can be appreciated, the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 16  provides a means for making the withdrawal or inadvertent displacement of the closure  200  from the receptacle more difficult. The stabilizer  190  and closure  200  may feature anti-rotation stops such as shown in  FIGS. 8-12  to prevent the rotation of the stabilizer  190  relative to the closure  200  and/or the receptacle  198 . 
       FIG. 17  shows a columnar assembly  210  having a container system  212  with closures  214  at either end. The closures  214  retain an enlarged stabilizer  216  at one end of the container system  212  which serves as a base or foot for the columnar assembly  210 , permitting it to stand upright. At the top, closure  214  retains an upper stabilizer  220 . The upper stabilizer  220  may feature one or more panels  222  that may be used as a surface for bearing advertising or other symbology i.e., as a substrate for indicia  224 . In lieu of closure  214  and stabilizer  220  at the top of the container system  212 , alternative signage or other advertising mechanisms, such as a three dimensional plastic figurine or object may be held on in any convenient and conventional manner, such as by inserting into the open end of the receptacle  218 . 
       FIGS. 18 and 19  show a container system  230  utilizing a receptacle  232  having a pair of opposing apertures  231 ,  233  proximate an end thereof. A stabilizer  234  has a sleeve  238  extending from a base/flange  236 . The sleeve  238  has a pair of opposing apertures  241 ,  243  which may be aligned with the apertures  231 ,  233  when the sleeve  238  is inserted into the open end of the receptacle  232 . A closure  240  has an end wall  242  from which a pair of spikes  244 ,  246  extend. The spikes  244 ,  246  may be provided with heads  248 ,  250  which facilitate insertion and interlock with the sleeve  238  as shown in  FIG. 19 . The spikes  244 ,  246  also feature locator pins  252 ,  254 , respectively, which insert through the aligned apertures  233 ,  231  and  243 ,  241 , to retain the closure  240  in the end of the receptacle  232  at a specific orientation. This type of container system  230  may be employed to maintain the receptacle  232  in an upright position like that shown in  FIG. 17 , or may be used to form a stabilized container system for containing objects. For the latter application, the closure  240  may include a cylindrical side wall like wall  180  that is shown in  FIG. 14 , with the spikes  244 ,  246  extending from a distal end thereof. 
     It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the present invention as described above in reference to  FIG. 6 , shows a container with a tube rim with outer threads, but the invention would be equally applicable for use with a container having a tube rim with inner threads that received a closure with an outer threaded surface. Further, the invention could be utilized with a receptacle, e.g., made from plastic or molded cardboard, having integrally formed threads. It should be appreciated that all the various stabilizers shown in the figures and described above may be formed monolithically with any of the closures or receptacles shown and described herein. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.