Abstract:
A container having a center portion and two side portions each situated at an angle to the center portion and extending in opposite directions such that the a left half of the container is substantially identical to a right half of the container but rotated 180 degrees to form a “Z” shaped profile of the container. This “Z” shaped profile allows containers to be stacked upon each other to provide space savings in storage and shipping of the container and the container when filled with liquid.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a container, and more specifically to a stackable container system and apparatus for storing matter such as liquids and solids. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many containers for storing liquids and solids are known. Some of such containers are nestable or stackable with other like containers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,612 to Dorn et al. discloses an essentially square container with protrusions and depressions for nesting with protrusions and depressions of an adjacent container. The Dorn container includes a substantial number of such protrusions and depressions extending across at least fifty percent of each sidewall. 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,336 to Lajovic discloses containers that can be stacked in an overlapping and staggered manner to form a close packed array. Each container includes upwardly extending projectiles to mate with flanges on the bottom of like containers. In addition to stacking top to bottom, the containers disclosed in the Lajovic patent may be stacked side-to-side in an overlapping staggered relationship. However, significantly more storage space is necessary because of the staggered configuration (i.e., the end of one container lies adjacent the central region of a like container). Furthermore, no means to carry or transport the container is provided. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,933,268 to Buske discloses a container for packing liquids adapted to inter-engage with an identical container. Each container of the Buske patent has a lateral face with means, such as teeth or serrations, for engaging corresponding faces of similar containers. However, the containers are only stackable in one configuration and, in fact, the engaging means are operative only in one direction. 
         [0005]    The above described references therefore do not teach a container that is easily stackable in several different arrangements. Furthermore, none of the prior art containers provide an easy means to carry the container or to adjust its position from any number of vantage points. 
         [0006]    It is therefore desired to provide an improved container system and apparatus which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container system and apparatus having a particular exterior contour which enable interlocking with adjacent containers, either alone or in combination with protrusions and indentations. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a container system and apparatus in which containers are stackable in multiple configurations. 
         [0008]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a container system that avoids overfilling and spillage. 
         [0009]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a container apparatus that includes a reserve volume that can be accessed once a primary volume has been used. 
         [0010]    It is a further object to provide a container apparatus having a particular shape optimized for carrying. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a container having at least one, and preferably several, integrated handle for ease of manipulation and transport. 
         [0011]    These and other objects are achieved by providing a container having a center portion and two side portions each situated at an angle to the center portion and extending in opposite directions such that the a left half of the container is substantially identical to a right half of the container but rotated 180 degrees to form a “Z” shaped profile of the container. This “Z” shaped profile allows containers to be stacked upon each other to provide space savings in storage and shipping of the container and the container when filled with liquid. 
         [0012]    In one aspect the container has a center portion with two center sidewalls. A first end portion is situated at a first angle with respect to the center portion and includes two first sidewalls. A second end portion is situated at a second angle with respect to the center portion and includes two second sidewalls. An interior cavity is defined at least in part by interior faces of each of the center, first and second sidewalls. An orifice is located in the center portion for passing matter to and from the interior cavity. 
         [0013]    In another aspect the container has a center portion with two center sidewalls. A first end portion is situated at a first angle with respect to the center portion and includes two first sidewalls. A second end portion is situated at a second angle with respect to the center portion and includes two second sidewalls. An interior cavity is defined by interior faces of each of the center, first and second sidewalls. An orifice is located in the first end portion for passing matter to and from the interior cavity. A first position is defined when a section of the first end portion adjacent to the center portion is in contact with an external surface at a first contact location and when the second end portion is in also contact with the external surface at a second contact location. A fill line is defined in the first end portion at a maximum height where a liquid is retained in the container when the at least one orifice is open to an external environment when the container is in the first position such that a fill volume is defined when the liquid is at the fill line. An external volume is defined between the first and second contact locations and below a bottom surface of the container. The external volume is less than 20% of an interior volume of the interior cavity. 
         [0014]    In another aspect a container apparatus is provided having a liquid reserve portion. The container includes center, first end and second end portions with an interior cavity defined by interior faces of each of the center, first and second sidewalls. An orifice is located in the first end portion for passing matter to and from said interior cavity. A first position is defined when an end of the first end portion is in contact with an external surface at a first contact location and when a section of said second end portion adjacent to the center portion is also contact with the external surface at a second contact location wherein when the at least one orifice is open to an external environment, a portion of liquid in the interior cavity drains from the at least one orifice. A reserve section is defined where a second portion of the liquid remains in the interior cavity when the container apparatus is in the first position, the second portion of liquid having a center of gravity substantially aligned between an end of said second end portion and a point defined where the first end portion and the center portion meet. 
         [0015]    In yet another aspect, a container apparatus includes center, first end and second end portions. A central axis intersects the center side walls to define two sides, the first side including the first end portion and part of the center section, the second side including the second end portion and another part of the center section wherein the second side is a mirror of the first side relative to the center axis and rotated 180 degrees about a longitudinal axis of the center section. An interior cavity is defined at least in part by interior faces of each of the center, first and second sidewalls. At least one orifice is located in the center portion for passing matter to and from the interior cavity. 
         [0016]    Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings, claims and accompanying detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a container according to an exemplary embodiment 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is atop view of the container of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an embodiment of the container in  FIG. 1   
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the container in  FIG. 3   
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the container of  FIG. 1  with a smaller container similar to that of  FIG. 1  stacked thereon. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the container of  FIG. 3  in an alternate position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a side view of an embodiment of the container in  FIG. 1   
           [0024]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show three containers of  FIG. 3  stacked together. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  shows two containers according to  FIG. 1  and two containers according to  FIG. 3  stacked together. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  shows six containers according to  FIG. 3  stacked together in two rows. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  shows a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container designed for a water dispenser. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  shows a bottom perspective view of  FIG. 11   
           [0029]      FIG. 14  shows a top view of an alternate embodiment of the container of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  shows a side cross sectional view of two containers stacked on top of each other, the cross section along the plane in  FIG. 16 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the container according to the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  shows a side view of the container in  FIG. 16   
           [0033]      FIG. 18  shows a stack of water dispenser container bottles according to the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 19  shows a stack of prior art water dispenser bottles. 
           [0035]      FIG. 20  shows a perspective view of an alternate water dispenser container bottle. 
           [0036]      FIG. 21  shows a side view of the container in  FIG. 20 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 22  shows a stack the containers in  FIGS. 20-21 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 23  shows a section view of an alternate embodiment of a water bottle. 
           [0039]      FIG. 24  shows a perspective view of the water bottle of  FIG. 23 . 
           [0040]      FIGS. 25-30  are respectively top, perspective, left side, front, right side and bottom views of an alternate embodiment of a water bottle. 
           [0041]      FIGS. 31-37  are respectively top, perspective, right side, front, left side, bottom and oblique views of an alternate embodiment of a water bottle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0042]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of an exemplary container  2  according to the present invention. The container  2  may include or be comprised of any materials. For example, the container  2  may be comprised of one or more polymers, metals or a combination of both. The container  2  is useful for storing and/or transporting any number of liquids or solids. For example, the container  2  may be used for storing fuel on a marine vessel. Some embodiments of the container  2  may also be used for storing drinkable liquids, such as soda or water (e.g., large quantities and/or individual serving sizes). 
         [0043]    The container  2  includes a center portion  4 . In the exemplary embodiment, the center portion  4  may have a substantially rectangular cross-section with at two or more substantially parallel center sidewalls. For example, the center portion  4  may include two sidewalls having a first length and two sidewalls having a shorter second length, depending on the desired configuration. As shown, the center portion includes two sidewalls. The sidewalls each include an exterior face or surface and an interior face. 
         [0044]    The container  2  further includes a first end portion  6  and a second end portion  8 . Each end portion  6 / 8  of the exemplary embodiment may include at least two substantially parallel sidewalls. Each of the first end and second end portions  6 / 8  may also include two sidewalls. As shown, the first end portion and the second end portion have equal lengths. 
         [0045]    Interior faces of the sidewalls of each of the center portion  4  and end portions  6 / 8  define an interior cavity of the container  2 . The interior cavity is suitable for containing matter including any number of fluid compositions, liquids, solids, and/or gases. For example, the interior cavity may include liquid fuel and/or other liquids such as water, soda, juice, etc. The interior cavity may also hold at least some solids. The container  2  further includes at least one orifice  12  for passing the matter to and from the interior cavity. The orifice  12  may be any shape or size and may also include neck  14  extending therefrom and a cap  16  or valve as desired. 
         [0046]      FIG. 1  shows a position where the cap  16 /orifice  12  are in the elevated position and a fill line is defined at the level of the bottom of the orifice. The fill line may be defined as a maximum level of a liquid where the liquid is retained at the orifice. It is understood that in embodiments where the neck extends out and up from the orifice, additional liquid may be retained above the fill line. In some cases, the neck may extend level or 
         [0047]    The container  2  further includes at least one handle for ease of carrying and/or manipulating the position of the container  2 . In some embodiments, the container  2  includes a handle  20  integrated in the center section  4 . The container  2  may also, alternatively or in combination, include handles  22  and/or  24  in the first end portion and second end portion, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment the handles  20 / 22 / 24  are substantially flush with exterior faces of the container  2 . For example, the handle  20  is substantially flush with a plane defined by an exterior face of a center sidewall and each of the handles  22 / 24  are flush with curved exterior faces (e.g., distal sidewalls) of the end portions  6 / 8 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 2  shows another perspective view of the container  2 . As shown, the first end portion  6  is situated at a first angle θ 1  with respect to the center portion  4 . The second end portion  8  is situated at a second angle θ 2  with respect to the center portion  4 . The angles θ 1  and θ 2  may be determined with respect to sidewalls (e.g., top sidewall) of the center and end portions and/or planes defined by each of the portions. For example, a plane defined by the center portion  4  may be a plane defined by one of the top or bottom sidewalls, or a plane parallel to each. As shown, the angles are determined by the center lines of the first, second and center portions as appropriate. The first angle θ 1  and the second angle θ 2  are shown as equal when measured with respect to the longitudinal axis  11  (or centerline) of the center portion. In preferred embodiments, the first and second angles are between zero (0) and one hundred and eighty (180) degrees. In some preferred embodiments the angles are between 175 and 120 degrees or in some preferred embodiments between 170 and 140 degrees. 
         [0049]    In the embodiment shown, a central axis  10  is defined through the center portion. This axis may also be perpendicular to the center sidewalls and/or the longitudinal axis  11 . First and second sides may be defined on either side of the center axis  10  and the second side (to the left of longitudinal axis  11  as shown in  FIG. 1 ) may be a mirror image of the first side (right of axis  11 ) but rotated 180 degrees about the longitudinal axis  11 . This may give the container  2  an undulating profile. 
         [0050]    In  FIG. 2  a second fill line  102  is shown when the container  2  is in a second position with the side wall opposite the orifice/neck facing downwards. In this embodiment, the neck is generally parallel to the fill line and the bottom of the orifice  12  is aligned with the bottom of the opening at the end of the neck. In one advantageous embodiment, the empty space above the fill line  102  and  100  in each position is substantially equal. Therefore, assuming the container is placed on a level surface in either position shown in  FIG. 1 or 2 , spillage would be avoided. 
         [0051]    Depending on the liquid in the container, the empty space above the fill line may be necessary for appropriate codes. As one example, volatile liquids such as engine marine engine or automotive fuel may have a greater tendency to expand than water, and the empty space may be needed to reduce the likelihood of too great of a pressure buildup when the tank is exposed to sunlight or is otherwise elevated in temperature. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the container  2  may include at least one indentation  5  and at least one protrusion  3 . An indentation  5  may engage a protrusion  3  on an adjacent container to permit stacking. Preferably the container  2  includes one or more indentations  5  on an exterior face (e.g., shorter length face) of each of the end portions  6 / 8  and one or more protrusions  3  on the opposite exterior face of each. As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the container  2  may optionally include indentations  5  and/or protrusions  3  on the longer faces of each of the first and second portions  6 / 8 . 
         [0053]    The container  2  according to the present invention is stackable with one or more like containers in at least two orientations. For example  FIGS. 7-11  show multiple containers in various stacked orientations and/or a container system. As shown in  FIG. 7 / 8 , containers  2  are stacked such that protrusions  23  engage recesses  21 . In  FIG. 11 , indentations  5  of one container engage protrusions  3  stack the containers upwards and protrusions  23  engage recesses  21  to stack containers sideways. It is understood that depending on the desired configuration and shelf space that  FIG. 11  could be rotated 90 degrees such that the vertical stacking is accomplished by protrusions  23  engaging recesses  21 . 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , empty internal volume  32  is defined above fill line  104  and empty external area  30  is defined below the bottom surface of the container and between contact points  36 / 34 . In some preferred embodiments, the empty internal volume  32  may account for up to 25% of the total internal volume of the container. In some preferred embodiments, the empty internal volume is between 5% and 20% or more preferably between 7 and 17% of the total internal volume. The empty external volume  30  may account for up to 15% of the total internal volume of the container. In some preferred embodiments, the empty external volume may account for 2% to 10% or more preferably between 3% and 7% of the total internal volume of the container. 
         [0055]    Although not shown, containers of different volumes could be stacked upon each other assuming the length of the center section and the angles θ 1  and θ 2  match the other containers being stacked. 
         [0056]    In  FIG. 4 , fill line  106  is shown with the container  2  in a position where the wall  39  opposite the orifice resting on the ground or an external surface. The empty volume above the fill line  106  may be equal volume  32 , which may prevent spillage. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the orifice  12  and neck  14  are located on an angled surface  38  which may allow the cap  16  to not extend as far out from the end  37  in comparison to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0057]    In  FIG. 5 , two containers of different sizes are shown stacked upon each other. As can be seen the angles and the length of the center section match for both containers, which allows for proper nesting. 
         [0058]    In  FIG. 6 , the container  2  is shown upside down in comparison to  FIG. 3 . In this position, a reserve volume  40  is created below reserve line  108 . In an example where the container  2  is filled with gasoline for a motorboat engine, the volume of liquid above reserve line  108  and the volume below the reserve line in the section closest to the orifice would be used by the engine. The engine would then run out of fuel, providing an indication to the user that he/she is almost out of fuel. The user would then be able to tilt the container to cause the reserve volume  40  of fuel to move towards the orifice and use the reserve volume  40  to return back to the dock or launching location. The reserve volume  40  may account for up to 30% or more preferably 5-25% or yet more preferably 7-17% of the total internal volume of the container. 
         [0059]      FIG. 7  shows another embodiment of the container  2  with the orifice located in the wall of the first side portion  6 .  FIGS. 8-11  show the containers shown herein nested or stacked together.  FIG. 9  shows different embodiments of the container  2  stacked together. When stacked together, the protrusions/indentations  3 / 5  and/or protrusions/recesses  23 / 21  engage with each other as the containers are stacked to resist the containers from sliding relative to each other. A cross section of protrusions/recesses engaging is shown in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 12  shows an embodiment of the container  1000  where the orifice is located in the center portion  400  where the neck  120  is. The neck extends from an end wall of the center portion  400 . One end wall includes recess  200  that allows the neck  120  of a different bottle to insert therein. Optionally, the recess  200  is not included or shaped differently as shown  FIG. 14  ( 200 ′). The bottles can also stack upon each other up the side walls. The configuration shown may be designed to replace a cylindrical shaped water bottle commonly found water coolers/heaters. The configuration shown like other embodiments of the container  2  allow for easy stacking and transportation. The current cylindrical shaped water bottles ( FIG. 19 ) often require plastic carrying cases in specialized trucks so that the bottles can be stacked, and the embodiment shown enables easier stacking, transportation and storage. The stack of  FIG. 19  would not actually be stable in the position shown, and would require shelving or other supports whereas the water bottles shown can stack directly upon each other. 
         [0061]    The stack of water cooler container bottles is shown in  FIG. 18  where the center section is shorter than the side sections. In an alternate embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 20-22 , the container  1000 ″ has side sections  800 / 200 ″ and center section  400 ″. Length A as shown in longer than length B. In some preferred embodiments, Length A is 10-30% longer than Length B. Length B could also be longer than length B, for example B could be 10-30% longer than A. As shown in  FIG. 22 , a total of 24 water dispenser container bottles would take up approximately the same space as the  20  bottles shown in  FIG. 19 , and all bottles would be of the same size (5 gallons in this example case). 
         [0062]    As also shown in  FIG. 21 , the distance C between the center sidewalls may also be greater than 15% of the width D of the container. In some embodiments, the distance C is 20-50% or more preferably 25-40% or even more preferably 30-40% of distance D. 
         [0063]    In another embodiment shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , the distance E between the center sidewalls is at least 60% or more preferably at least 75% of the width F. When the E is 60% or more of F, the height G of the container may be greater than both E and F. In  FIG. 24 , channels  2402  are shown in part of the bottle. These channels  2402  may extend along more of the height G than shown. The channels allow for compression of the bottle  2400  once used to take up less space in trash or recycling bins. 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIG. 23 , an example of a 16 ounce water bottle is shown with exemplary dimensions. Although not shown in this drawing, the orifice/mouth would extend out of the page and the cross section shown would generally extend from the bottom of the water bottle to the base of the orifice (height). In some embodiments the ratio of D:C:height is 12:37:9 to allow the water bottle to fit inside standard sized cup-holders and dispenser/display shelves of the traditional 16 ounce round water bottle. Other D:C:height ratios could be in the range of 9-15:30-40:7-11. Although the drawing shows water bottle designed to hold 16 ounces of water with the appropriate dimensions (height approx. 185 mm), the dimensions shown along with the height (distance from bottom to base of orifice) could be increased or decreased to accommodate different volumes of water as would be apparent to one of skill in the art. The ratio of D:C:height in different sizes may preferably remain within the ratios and ranges of ratios discussed in this paragraph. 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIGS. 25-30 , a water bottle is shown with a rounded center section  2600  that may allow for easier holding by a user. The ratios described with respect to  FIGS. 23-24  may also apply to the center, left side and right side sections of the portions of the water bottle above and below the center section. 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIGS. 31-37 , an alternate container is shown, which may be used in water coolers. This embodiment includes handles  3700  that are positioned where the side section and an end wall meet. In some embodiments, the container shown in  FIGS. 31-37  is stacked upon the end walls through interlocking protrusions and recesses. In some embodiments, these protrusions and recesses are offset such that multiple containers stack in an offset pattern such as how bricks are commonly stacked in construction of buildings and the like. In some embodiments, the ratios discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 23  also apply to the container shown in  FIGS. 31-37 . 
         [0067]    Although certain sizes are described herein, it is contemplated that the container systems can be smaller or larger depending on the desired application. For example a single serving beverage size (e.g., 8 fl. oz.-20 fl. oz., etc.). The container may alternatively be a larger size such as one intended to hold a substantial capacity of fuel or water (e.g., 6 gallon, 10 gallon, or any other size), e.g., for use on a marine vessel, liquid or water storage, for chemical storage or even granular/solid matter storage. 
         [0068]    Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.