Abstract:
A packing that includes a bottle and/or a bottle and box combination wherein the container may have a first handle portion, a second handle portion, and a bottom grip portion. The first handle portion can extend in a front to back direction and the second handle portion can extend in a transverse direction to the first handle portion. The bottom grip may include a protrusion and recess on the bottom of the container. The box can be configured to have openings to provide access to the first and second handle portions such that the container need not be removed from the box to utilize the contents contained therein. The box may also include a bottom opening and a push-up portion to provide access to the bottom grip portion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/525,866, filed Sep. 25, 2006. The entire disclosure of the prior application is considered part of the disclosure of the accompanying continuation application, and is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an ergonomically designed container and package system. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Multiple use container and composite packaging systems have been utilized in order to facilitate the storage and transport of a variety of materials. Often the container is used as the primary means for containing the material such that the material is sealed within the container. These materials may include wet or dry goods and may come in a variety of dimensions. In some cases, the packaging system may further comprise an external box for housing the container. The box may be used to provide additional strength and/or protection and often provides a packaging that is more suitable for stacking and transport. The external box also provides a surface that is suitable for advertising and describing the product contained therein. 
         [0006]    Both the container and the packaging system may be used for the purpose of storing a material from the point of manufacture until it is delivered to its subsequent end use. Furthermore, the container in a package combination results in a configuration that is easily stackable for storage and transport in multiple unit stacking configurations. 
         [0007]    However, the conventional containers available suffer from the drawback that they are not susceptible to being both stackable as well easily handled by a user for both carrying and pouring. Additionally, when the size and weight of the container is increased, this drawback may become even more problematic. Furthermore, most composite packaging systems require that the container be withdrawn from the box in order to access the contents contained therein. This is especially problematic when the spout must be accessed in order to pour contents from the container. Thus, the container, during use, loses the benefits associated with the box portion of the packaging system, e.g., the ability to be conveniently stacked. 
         [0008]    Therefore, there is a need for an improved container that provides for better ergonomic handling during both pouring and carrying. Additionally, there is a need for a packaging including a container in a box, wherein the container may remain in the box during use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a container having top, a bottom, sides extending from the top to the bottom having a front side and a back side, a spout for inserting and removing contents from the container, a first handle portion on the top and extending generally in a direction front to back, a second handle portion on the top and extending in a direction transverse to the first handle portion. 
         [0010]    Furthermore, the container may have a manual grip on the bottom of the container for supporting the container from the bottom. 
         [0011]    According another aspect of the present invention, the spout may be disposed on or near the front top side of the container and the second handle portion may be disposed toward the backside. The first handle portion and the second handle portion may be connected to form a “T”-shape. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of the present invention the second handle portion in the direction transverse to the first handle portion may be shaped so as to be grasped by a thumb. Preferably, the second handle portion may range from two to four inches and, most preferably, three inches. 
         [0013]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the manual grip on the bottom is formed by an indentation on the bottom of the container. Alternatively, this grip may be formed by a protrusion or both a recess and a protrusion. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a packaging is provided, having a container in a box, the container including: a top, a bottom, sides extending from the top to the bottom and having a front side and a back side, a spout for inserting and removing contents from the container, a first handle portion on the top and extending generally in a direction front to back, a second handle portion on the top and extending in a direction transverse to the first handle portion, and a manual grip on the bottom of the container. The box may have a top cover, a bottom cover and side portions extending from the top cover to the bottom cover that include at a front side and a back side, one or more openings on the top cover that expose the spout for pouring the contents of the container and for accessing the second handle portion so that the second handle portion can be manually grasped while remaining inside in the box, and an opening in the bottom cover that expose the bottom grip. 
         [0015]    According to another aspect of the invention, there is a method of using the foregoing container and packing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The above and other features and aspects of the present invention will become more apparent by describing non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container according to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the container of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3A  is a bottom view of the container of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 3B  is a profile view of the container bottom of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating features of the second handle portion according to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a box according to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the bottom of a box illustrating a bottom opening according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a view of the bottom of a box illustrating a bottom opening and a push-up portion according to another non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a packaging comprising a container and a box according to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 9 and 10  are side views of a portion of the bottom of the packaging illustrating the pushup portion and recess portions of the bottom of the packaging. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  illustrates a person pouring contents from the packaging of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    The container and packing system according to non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0029]    Referring to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a container  1  is shown having a top  2  and a bottom  3  connected by sides  4  that extend from the top  2  to the bottom  3 . The container  1  includes a spout  7  that permits filling or dumping of the contents. Also located on the top  2  is a first handle portion  8  that extends from the spout  7  located near the front side  5  of the container  1  and a second handle portion  9  extending transverse to the first handle portion. In this embodiment, the second handle portion  9  is also shown connected to the first handle portion  8  on an end opposite the spout  7 . This embodiment also includes, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a grip  10  on the bottom  3  of the container  1 . 
         [0030]    The container may be made of plastic, which can be blow molded into various configurations, however, any material suitable for containing a particular kind of content may be used. 
         [0031]    To facilitate handling in a variety of positions, the first handle portion  8 , the second handle portion  9  and the bottom grip  10 , are included. For use in a carrying position, the first handle portion  8  is formed in an elongated fashion, which extends from the front side  5  to the back side  6  and provides for a space between the first handle portion  8  and the top  2  of the container for inserting a hand. Thus, a user may slip his fingers through the first handle portion  8  to lift the container  1 . Additionally, when used in a pouring position, such as when tilted forward, the second handle portion  9  is provided and extends in a direction transverse to the first handle portion. This facilitates handling when the container is tilted off vertical, such as when emptying the contents of the container  1 . This second handle portion  9  may be utilized in tandem with the bottom grip  10  so that the container  1  may be gripped using two hands when tipped to pour the contents from the container  1 . These handle and grip configurations provide for stable and secure handling, especially when the container is heavy. 
         [0032]    In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the second handle portion  9  provides a forward facing surface  11  that extends from the top of the container  1  and provides a gripping surface to facilitate tipping the container  1  forward to pour out its contents. A portion of the first handle portion  8 , where it connects with the second handle portion  9 , may be necked down to form a narrowed neck portion  12 . This tapered or necked down portion improves finger reception when gripping the second handle portion  9  and its forward facing surface  11 . The forward facing surface  11  may also be formed with a curved profile as shown in  FIG. 4  to further improve gripping. 
         [0033]    The second handle portion  9  may have a width that is convenient for gripping around its side by the thumb and over the top by the remaining fingers. For example, the width of the second handle portion W 2  preferably ranges from one-fourth to three-quarters of the width of the container W c . More preferably, the width of the second handle portion W 2  ranges from one-third to one-half the width of the container W c . In inches, the width of the second handle portion W 2  may range from 2-4 inches and, preferably, about three inches. 
         [0034]    The bottom grip  10 , similar to the second handle portion  11 , may be formed for gripping the container  11  when it is tilted for pouring. A recess  13  in the bottom, as shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  9 , may be used to form this bottom grip. Alternatively, as best shown in  FIG. 3B , the bottom grip  10  may formed by a protrusion on the surface or by combining both a recess and a protrusion. 
         [0035]    Containers having these features may be advantageous when handling specific volumes of heavy fluids or materials. 
         [0036]    In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the container  1  is enclosed within a box  14  to create a packaging system  26  as shown in  FIG. 8 . The box  14 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 , for example, includes a top cover  19 , a bottom cover  22  and a plurality of sides  23 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the sides are shown joined to each other by vertical chamfered corners  24 . The container is further fitted with openings to permit access to the spout  7  and the handling portions. In particular, a top opening  15  permits access to the spout  7 , the first handle portion  8  and the second handle portion  9 , while the bottom grip  10  is accessible via a bottom opening  17  as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 6 . However, access to these portions may be provided by more than one opening if desired. 
         [0037]    Additionally, to improve the ergonomics of the packaging system, the box  14  may include a notch section  16  in the front  21  of the box  14  for exposing a portion of the neck  25  of the spout  7 . This notch section  16  improves access to the spout  7  and also prevents the contents, when being poured from the container  1 , from entering the inside of the box  14 . The top opening  15  in this embodiment may also extend to the end of the first handle portion  8  to expose the narrowed neck portion  12 . Thus, the second handle portion  9 , while positioned under the top cover  19 , is accessible for handling when pouring the contents from the container  11 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , while the bottom cover can be fitted with a bottom opening  17  to provide access to the bottom grip  10 , a push-up portion  18  may also be included to provide an ergonomically improved grip. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the bottom opening  17  may comprise both an opening and a perforated portion, which defines the push-up portion  18 . Alternatively, the push-up portion may merely constitute a flap that covers a portion of bottom opening  17 . In operation, when the push-up portion  18  is pushed into recess  13  a slightly larger surface is formed for grasping and the box edge become smooth due to the fold  27 . 
         [0039]    This packaging system provides unique features that permit use of the above-described container  1  without removal of the container from the box  14 . The box  14  is configured to permit access to the spout  7  for removing a lid or the like, and permits access to all the potential grasping points so that the packaging system  26  may be carried or used to pour contents from the container  1 . Furthermore, the packaging system  26  provides a strong, stackable package for continual use until all the contents of the container  1  are consumed. 
         [0040]    Another feature of this embodiment provides that both the container  11  and the box are fitted with chamfered corners  24 ,  28  to improve the strength and stackability of the packaging system  26 . With regard to strength improvements, the chamfered corners  24 ,  28  make the package less susceptible to structural damage from blows directed at the corners of the box  14 . Furthermore, the chamfered corners  24  facilitate the adjacent stacking of multiple packaging systems on either a pallet or a warehouse space. Moreover, the improved structural characteristics permit more weight to be stacked vertically above each packaging system  26 . The chamfered corners  24 ,  28  also provide a unique surface for displaying advertisements and the like. 
         [0041]    Illustrated in  FIG. 11  is a method for using the packaging system  26 . In order to empty contents from the container  1 , a user may grab the second handle portion  9  with one hand. Then the user may grab the bottom grip  10  with the other hand. Now in order to tilt the container  1  to empty the contents, the user pushes upwards on the bottom grip  10 , which causes a titling of the container  1  and a subsequent pouring of the contents therefrom. 
         [0042]    While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the above description should be considered in as illustrations of the exemplary embodiments only and are not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by the detailed description of the invention but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.