Patent Publication Number: US-11027903-B2

Title: Molded container assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) are often used for storing, transporting, and dispensing chemicals, petroleum products, and other liquids and typically include a molded tank in a metal reinforcement cage supported on a pallet. A typical molded tank is substantially cuboid, making access to fill openings and outlets difficult, particularly when another IBC is stacked on top of the molded tank. Furthermore, even with support of the metal reinforcement cage, the cuboid shaped molded tank undergoes warping and deformation due to uneven stresses from enclosed liquids. Deformation near the fill openings often causes the molded tank to leak and crack, resulting in liquid loss and sometimes hazardous spills. 
     In light of the above deficiencies, molded tanks of many IBCs are typically used once and then discarded or replaced. This produces waste and is inefficient because the molded tank has to be removed from the metal support cage and sent to a recycling or waste facility. A new molded tank then has to be purchased, obtained, and installed in the metal support cage. 
     It is also difficult to stack conventional IBCs because the metal cages can become warped or bent. The metal cages may also rust or corrode, making stacked IBCs a collapsing hazard. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention solves the above-described problems and other related problems and limitations and provides a distinct advance in liquid storage containers. More particularly, the invention provides a reusable, cageless molded container assembly that is easier to access, can be stacked with several different types of container assemblies, and more effectively mitigates negative effects of liquid and stacking induced stresses and container-pallet shrinkage. 
     An embodiment of the molded container assembly broadly comprises a pallet, a molded container, and a plurality of connection systems for securing the molded container on the pallet. 
     An embodiment of the pallet includes an upper deck, a lower deck, opposing front and rear sides opposing left and right sides, two sets of lift channels, connection system engagement structure for receiving components of the connection systems, and stacking alignment structure for stacking the pallet on other molded containers. 
     An embodiment of the molded container broadly comprises a tank portion, a plurality of leg supports, a plurality of buttresses, a lid, and a spigot. The molded container may be formed via rotational molding, blow molding, or the like and may include embedded components such as metal connection nuts for anchoring components of the connection systems. 
     The tank portion includes opposing top and bottom walls, opposing front and rear sidewalls, and opposing left and right sidewalls forming an internal chamber. The tank portion also includes a fill opening and a bottom outlet. 
     The top wall includes a central region having lid connection geometry and lid isolation geometry. The lid connection geometry encircles the fill opening and may include helical threads, locking geometry, and the like. The lid isolation geometry encircles the lid connection geometry and creates a buffer between the lid connection geometry and the buttresses. The lid isolation geometry may be a substantially flat region forming an uninterrupted, homogenous circle around the lid connection geometry. This ensures that a seal formed between the lid and the lid connection geometry is evenly stressed. The bottom wall is the bottom-most region of the tank portion. Portions of the bottom wall may have a generally convex curvature. 
     The front sidewall faces forward between the front leg supports and may have a slightly convex curvature in a horizontal direction and substantially no curvature in a vertical direction. The rear sidewall faces rearward between the rear leg supports opposite the front sidewall and may have a slightly convex curvature in a horizontal direction and substantially no curvature in a vertical direction. 
     The left sidewalls extend from the bottom wall to the central region of the top wall between the left leg supports. In one embodiment, the left sidewalls have little to no curvature in a horizontal direction and an uninterrupted, convex, arcuate curvature of a single radius in a vertical direction. 
     The right sidewalls extend from the bottom wall to the central region of the top wall between the right leg supports. In one embodiment, the right sidewalls have little to no curvature in a horizontal direction and an uninterrupted, convex, arcuate curvature of a single radius in a vertical direction. 
     The fill opening is positioned in the central region of the top wall and is surrounded by the lid connection geometry. The bottom outlet is positioned at a bottommost point of the bottom wall near the front sidewall and may serve as a fluid dispensing point or drain. 
     The leg supports include left and right front leg supports, left and right middle leg supports, and left and right rear leg supports. The leg supports are substantially similar so only the left front leg support will be described. 
     The left front leg support includes a lower section and an upper section and is a generally vertically extending support structure. The lower section extends downward from a vertical midsection (or similar location) of the molded container such that the lower section can be positioned on the upper deck of the pallet. 
     The upper section extends upward from the midpoint (or a similar location) of the molded container such that an uppermost portion of the upper section is spaced above the top wall, the fill opening, and the lid connection geometry. The upper section includes pallet engagement structure for interfacing or aligning with corresponding features on the lower deck of another pallet or another type of container assembly stacked on top of the molded container. The pallet engagement structure includes first engagement protrusions and a second engagement protrusion. The first engagement protrusions may be nubs, ridges, or other similar features for engaging corresponding features on the lower deck of another pallet similar to pallet. The second engagement protrusion may be a curved ridge or similar feature for engaging a corresponding curved feature on the lower deck of a conventional IBC pallet. In one embodiment, the upper sections of the middle leg supports do not have pallet engagement structure. 
     The buttresses project from the tank portion to the leg supports for increasing rigidity of the molded container. The buttresses include lower buttresses and upper buttresses. The lower buttresses include left and right front buttresses, left and right middle buttresses, and left and right rear buttresses. The lower buttresses are substantially similar and thus only the left front lower buttress will be described. The left front lower buttress projects from a central portion of the bottom wall to the lower section of the leg support, thereby partitioning the bottom wall and the front sidewall from the left sidewall. A bottom of the left front lower buttress may be substantially flat and level with the bottom of the lower section of the leg support so as to form a continuous footprint therewith. 
     The upper buttresses include left and right front buttresses, left and right middle buttresses, and left and right rear buttresses. The upper buttresses are substantially similar and thus only the left front upper buttress will be described in detail. The left front upper buttress projects from the central region of the top wall to the upper section of the leg support, thereby partitioning the top wall and the front sidewall from the left sidewall. To that end, the left front upper buttress may have an upward sloping face. The upper buttresses provide increased strength around the central region of the top wall. 
     The connection systems secure the molded container to the pallet via the lower sections of the leg supports. Each connection system broadly comprises a fastener, a quadrant washer, and an eccentric washer. In some embodiments, other or additional washers such as flat washers, lock washers, and the like may be used. 
     The fastener includes opposing first and second ends and extends through an opening or hole in the pallet such that the first end is secured in the fastener anchor of the lower section of one of the leg supports. The fastener may include helical threading and may be a bolt or similar component. 
     The quadrant washer is received within the connection system engagement structure of the pallet and may be a rectangular plate or any other suitable shape including a through-hole having a complex shape. The through-hole is configured to receive the fastener therethrough in a nominal position and to allow the fastener to shift in a plurality of directions from the nominal position due to expansion or contraction of the molded container or the pallet. In one embodiment, the through-hole may have a “cockle shell” shape. 
     The eccentric washer is adjacent the quadrant washer and may be a circular disc with an offset through-hole. The offset through-hole is configured to receive the fastener therethrough in alignment with the through-hole of the quadrant washer. The offset through-hole may be small enough to receive only a portion of the fastener therethrough. For example, the offset through-hole may be able to receive a shank and/or threaded portion of a bolt but not the bolt&#39;s head therethrough. In another embodiment, a nut or other connector may be used to prevent the fastener from passing through the offset through-hole. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a molded container assembly constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the molded container assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the molded container assembly of  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the molded container assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the molded container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of a connection system of the molded container assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the connection system of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of two molded container assemblies stacked on top each other in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of a conventional pallet stacked on top of the molded container assembly of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a molded container constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a molded container constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description of the invention references the accompanying drawings that illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims of a subsequent patent, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     In this description, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the current technology can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 1-9 , a molded container assembly  10  constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The molded container assembly  10  broadly comprises a pallet  12 , a molded container  14 , and a plurality of connection systems for securing the molded container  14  on the pallet  12 . An embodiment of the molded container assembly  10  may have a length of 48 inches and a width of 40 inches or any other suitable footprint. 
     The pallet  12  includes an upper deck  16 , a lower deck  18 , opposing front and rear sides  20 ,  22 , opposing left and right sides  24 ,  26 , a first set of lift channels  28 , a second set of lift channels  30 , an outlet recess  32 , connection system engagement structure  34 , and stacking alignment structure  36 . 
     The upper deck  16  may include a plurality of trusses, cross members, braces, and other structural features and several openings, through-holes, or voids to maximize a strength-to-weight ratio of the pallet  12 . The upper deck  16  may have a substantially flat surface or face for supporting the molded container  14  thereon. 
     The lower deck  18  may include a plurality of trusses, cross members, braces, and other structural features, and several openings, through-holes, or voids to maximize a strength-to-weight ratio of the pallet  12 . The lower deck  18  may have a substantially flat surface or face for generally resting on a flat surface. 
     The front side  20  may be an orthogonal forward-facing wall or structure. The front side  20  may be configured to abut sides of other pallets so that the molded container assembly  10  can be compactly stored side-by-side with other molded container assemblies. 
     The rear side  22  may be an orthogonal rear-facing wall or structure similar to the front side  20 . The rear side  22  may be configured to abut sides of other pallets so that molded container assembly  10  can be compactly stored side-by-side with other molded container assemblies. 
     The left side  24  may be an orthogonal side-facing wall or structure. The left side  24  may be configured to abut sides of other pallets so that the molded container assembly  10  can be compactly stored side-by-side with other molded container assemblies. 
     The right side  26  may be an orthogonal side-facing wall or structure opposite the left side  24 . The right side  26  may be configured to abut sides of other pallets so that the molded container assembly  10  can be compactly stored side-by-side with other molded container assemblies. 
     The first set of lift channels  28  extend from the front side  20  to the rear side  22  for receiving lifting forks of a forklift, pallet jack, hand jack, or other lifting device. The first set of lift channels  28  may extend fully from the front side  20  and the rear side  22  such that lifting forks may be inserted through the pallet  12 . 
     The second set of lift channels  30  extend from the left side  24  to the right side  26  for receiving lifting forks of a forklift, pallet jack, hand jack, or other lifting device. The second set of lift channels  30  may extend fully from the left side  24  and the right side  26  such that lifting forks may be inserted through the pallet  12 . The first set of lift channels  28  and the second set of lift channels  30  may intersect with each other such that lifting forks can be inserted through either set but not at the same time. Alternatively, one set of lift channels may extend above or below the other set of lift channels. 
     The outlet recess  32  extends into the upper deck  16  near the front side  20  for receiving a bottom outlet and a spigot of the molded container  14 . The outlet recess  32  may be centered between the left side  24  and the right side  26 . 
     The connection system engagement structure  34  may be rectangular recesses, cavities, pockets, or the like and may be accessible from the lower deck  18 . The connection system engagement structure  34  is configured to receive or align with components of the connection systems. 
     The stacking alignment structure  36  may be rectangular recesses, cavities, pockets, or the like and may be accessible from the lower deck  18 . The stacking alignment structure  36  is configured to engage pallet engagement structure of a molded container on which the molded container assembly  10  may be stacked. 
     The molded container  14  includes a tank portion  38 , a plurality of leg supports  40 A-F, a plurality of buttresses  42 A-L, a lid  44 , and a spigot  46 . The molded container  14  may be formed via rotational molding or the like and may include embedded components such as metal connection nuts. 
     The tank portion  38  includes opposing top and bottom walls  48 ,  50 , opposing front and rear sidewalls  52 ,  54 , and opposing left and right sidewalls  56 ,  58  forming an internal chamber. The tank portion  38  also includes a fill opening  60  and a bottom outlet  62 . 
     The top wall  48  includes a central region  64  having lid connection geometry  66  and lid isolation geometry  68 . The lid connection geometry  66  extends around the fill opening  60  and may include helical threads, locking geometry, and the like. The lid isolation geometry  68  extends around the lid connection geometry  66  and creates a buffer between the lid connection geometry  66  and the buttresses  42 A-F. The lid isolation geometry  68  may be a substantially flat region forming an uninterrupted, homogenous circle around the lid connection geometry  66 . This ensures that a seal formed between the lid  44  and the lid connection geometry  66  is evenly stressed. Meanwhile, other portions of the top wall  48  may have a generally convex curvature. 
     The bottom wall  50  is the bottom-most region of the tank portion  38 . Portions of the bottom wall  50  may have a generally convex curvature. 
     The front sidewall  52  faces forward between the leg supports  40 A,B and may have a slightly convex curvature in a horizontal direction and substantially no curvature in a vertical direction. The front sidewall  52  may also have a bottom outlet recess  32  for accommodating the bottom outlet  62  and the spigot  46 . 
     The rear sidewall  54  faces rearward between the leg supports  40 E,F opposite the front sidewall  52  and may have a slightly convex curvature in a horizontal direction and substantially no curvature in a vertical direction. The rear sidewall  54  may be substantially identical to the front sidewall  52  but without a bottom outlet recess. 
     The left sidewalls  56 A,B extend from the bottom wall  50  to the central region  64  of the top wall  48  between the leg supports  40 A,C and  40 C,E. The left sidewall  56 A has little to no curvature in a horizontal direction and an uninterrupted, convex, arcuate curvature in a vertical direction. The vertical curvature may have a single radius or may be complex. The curvature limits deflection during use. The left sidewall  56 B is substantially similar to the left sidewall  56 A and thus will not be described. 
     The right sidewalls  58 A,B extend from the bottom wall  50  to the central region  64  of the top wall  48  between the leg supports  40 B,D and  40 D,F. The right sidewall  58 A has little to no curvature in a horizontal direction and an uninterrupted, convex, arcuate curvature in a vertical direction. The vertical curvature may have a single radius or may be complex. The right sidewall  58 B is substantially similar to the right sidewall  58 A and thus will not be described. 
     The fill opening  60  may be positioned in the central region  64  of the top wall  48  and is surrounded by the lid connection geometry  66 . The fill opening  60  may be closed or covered by the lid  44  as explained below. 
     The bottom outlet  62  may be positioned at a bottommost point of the bottom wall  50  near the front sidewall  52 . The bottom outlet  62  may serve as a fluid dispensing point or drain. 
     The leg supports  40 A-F include left and right front leg supports  40 A,B, left and right middle leg supports  40 C,D, and left and right rear leg supports  40 E,F. The leg supports  40 A-F are substantially similar so only left front leg support  40 A will be described in detail. 
     The left front leg support  40 A includes a lower section  72  and an upper section  74  and is a generally vertically extending support structure. The left front leg support  40 A may include fluid volume markings or other suitable markings (shown on the right front leg support  40 B in this embodiment). 
     The lower section  72  extends downward from a vertical midsection (or similar location) of the molded container  14  such that the lower section  72  can be positioned on the upper deck  16  of the pallet  12 . In one embodiment, the bottommost portion of the lower section  72  includes a fastener anchor  76  and is level with at least some regions of the bottom wall  50  of the tank portion  38 . The fastener anchor  76  receives a fastener of one of the connection systems therein, as explained in more detail below. The lower section  72  may have a curved outer surface or other features for increased strength. 
     The upper section  74  extends upward from the midpoint (or a similar location) of the molded container  14  such that an uppermost portion of the upper section  74  is spaced above the top wall  48 , the fill opening  60 , and the lid connection geometry  66 . The upper section  74  includes pallet engagement structure  78  for interfacing or aligning with corresponding features on the lower deck of another pallet or another type of container assembly stacked on top of the molded container  14 . The pallet engagement structure  78  includes first engagement protrusions  80 A,B and a second engagement protrusion  82 . The first engagement protrusions  80 A,B may be nubs, ridges, or other similar features for engaging corresponding features on the lower deck of another pallet similar to pallet  12  (see  FIG. 8 ). The first engagement protrusion  80 B may be tapered. In one embodiment, the first engagement protrusions  80 A,B are spaced diagonally from each other for being received in diagonally spaced stacking alignment structure of the other pallet. The first engagement protrusions  80 A,B may extend above the second engagement protrusion  82  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The second engagement protrusion  82  may be a concave curved ridge or similar feature for engaging a corresponding curved feature on the lower deck of a conventional IBC pallet (see  FIG. 9 ). The second engagement protrusion  82  may face a center of the top wall  48  and may be laterally spaced farther from the center of the top wall  48  than the first engagement protrusions  80 A,B. In one embodiment, the upper sections of the middle leg supports  40 C,D do not have pallet engagement structure. 
     The buttresses  42 A-L project from the tank portion  38  to the leg supports  40 A-F for increasing rigidity of the molded container  14 . The buttresses  42 A-L include lower buttresses (left and right front buttresses  42 A,B, left and right middle buttresses  42 C,D, and left and right rear buttresses  42 E,F) and upper buttresses (left and right front buttresses  42 G,H, left and right middle buttresses  42 I,J, and left and right rear buttresses  42 K,L). Buttresses  42 A-F are substantially similar and thus only buttress  42 A will be described. Buttress  42 A projects from a central portion of the bottom wall  50  to the lower section  72  of the leg support  40 A, thereby partitioning the bottom wall  50  and the front sidewall  52  from the left sidewall  56 A. A bottom of buttress  42 A may be substantially flat and level with the bottom of the lower section  72  of the leg support  40 A so as to form a continuous footprint therewith. The lower buttresses form a radiating star pattern for improved support. 
     Buttresses  42 G-L are substantially similar and thus only buttress  42 G will be described in detail. Buttress  42 G projects from the central region  64  of the top wall  48  to the upper section  74  of the leg support  40 A, thereby partitioning the top wall  48  and the front sidewall  52  from the left sidewall  56 A. To that end, buttress  42 G may have an upward sloping face. Buttress  42 G provides increased strength around the central region  64  of the top wall  48 . Buttresses  42 G-L reinforce the central region  64  of the top wall  48  while allowing for fill neck isolation, which results in even stresses around the fill opening  60 . Buttresses  42 G-L protect the lid connection geometry  66  while providing access thereto. 
     The lid  44  may be a cap, a plug, or the like for covering or sealing the fill opening  60 . In one embodiment, the lid  44  includes helical threads for engaging helical threads of the lid connection geometry  66 . 
     The spigot  46  may be a faucet, a valve, a spout, a plug, or the like. The spigot  46  is received in the bottom outlet  62  and governs fluid flow therethrough. 
     The connection systems secure the molded container  14  to the pallet  12  via the lower sections of the leg supports  40 A-F. The connection systems are substantially identical so only connection system  84  will be described. Connection system  84  broadly comprises a fastener  86 , a quadrant washer  88 , and an eccentric washer  90 . In some embodiments, other or additional flat washers, lock washers, or the like may be used. 
     The fastener  86  includes opposing first and second ends  92 ,  94  and extends through an opening or hole in the pallet  12  (large enough to allow movement of the fastener  86 ) such that the first end  92  is secured in the fastener anchor  76  of the lower section  72  of the left front leg support  40 A. The fastener  86  may include helical threading and may be a bolt or similar component. In one embodiment, the fastener  86  is a bolt with the second end  94  having a head. In another embodiment, the fastener  86  is a threaded rod. 
     The quadrant washer  88  fits within the connection system engagement structure  34  of the pallet  12  and may be a rectangular plate or any other suitable shape including a through-hole  96  having a complex shape. The through-hole  96  is configured to receive the fastener  86  therethrough in a nominal position and to allow the fastener  86  to shift in a plurality of directions from the nominal position due to expansion or contraction of the molded container  14  or the pallet  12 . In one embodiment, the through-hole  96  may have a “cockle shell” shape (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). 
     The eccentric washer  90  is adjacent the quadrant washer  88  and may be a circular disc with an offset through-hole  98 . The offset through-hole  98  is configured to receive the fastener  86  therethrough in alignment with the through-hole  96  of the quadrant washer  88 . The offset through-hole  98  may be small enough to receive only a portion of the fastener  86  therethrough. For example, the offset through-hole  98  may be able to receive a shank and/or threaded portion of a bolt but not the bolt&#39;s head therethrough. In another embodiment, a nut or other connector may be used to prevent the fastener  86  from passing through the offset through-hole  98 . 
     The above-described molded container assembly  10  provides several advantages. For example, the pallet engagement structure  78  allows pallets of different types to be stacked and aligned on the molded container  14 . Specifically, the first engagement protrusions  80  interlock with corresponding stacking alignment structure of a pallet of another molded container assembly (similar to molded container assembly  10 ). Meanwhile, the second engagement protrusion  82  interlocks with corresponding geometry of a conventional IBC pallet. 
     The left sidewalls  56 A,B and right sidewalls  58 A,B of the tank portion  38  have uninterrupted convex curvature, which minimizes stress concentrations and thus maximizes durability, reliability, and longevity. The curvature also provides more access to the pallet  12 . The molded container  14  is essentially a union of a storage structure (tank portion  38 ) and a support structure (leg supports  40 A-F and buttresses  42 A-L). This union produces a self-supporting IBC, which is optimized for material consumption, volume efficiency, stacking efficiency, durability, and testing performance. The storage structure provides optimal liquid holding volume, drainage, and pressure holding capabilities, while the support structure provides stacking strength and stacking inter-compatibility, “bumper” protection for the storage structure, fill opening  60 , and bottom outlet  62 . To that end, at least a portion of each leg support  40 A-F is outside of a horizontal profile of the tank portion  38 . The upper section  74  of each leg support  40 A-F extends above the fill opening  60  for spacing a pallet stacked on the molded container  14  above the fill opening  60 . 
     The lid isolation geometry  68  and symmetry of the lid connection geometry  66  in the central region  64  of the top wall  48  of the tank portion  38  ensure that a seal formed between the lid  44  and the lid connection geometry  66  is evenly stressed. This prevents leaking and irreparable damage to the lid connection geometry  66 . 
     The connection systems accommodate relative shrinkage between the molded container  14  and the pallet  12 . The quadrant washer  88  can be placed in any one of four orientations to cover all possible relative shrinkages. The connection systems are easy to install and adjust using conventional tools. 
     Turning to  FIG. 10 , a molded container  100  constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention broadly comprises a tank portion  102 , a plurality of leg supports  104 A-D, and a plurality of buttresses  106 . The molded container  100  is substantially similar to the molded container  14  described above except that the leg supports  104 A-D only include front and rear corner leg supports and do not include middle leg supports. This provides easier access to the fill opening from a side of the molded container  100 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 11 , a molded container  200  constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention broadly comprises a tank portion  202 , a plurality of leg supports  204 A-D, and a plurality of buttresses  206 . The molded container  200  is substantially similar to the molded containers described above except that the tank portion  202  has an ellipsoid shape. More generally, front and rear sidewalls of the tank portion  202  may have curvature in a vertical direction. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Having thus described various embodiments of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following: