Patent Publication Number: US-11027886-B2

Title: Dual handle container

Description:
This application is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT/US2017/024247 filed Mar. 27, 2017, which claims benefit to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/315,101, filed Mar. 30.2016. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to plastic containers configured to store and/or transport liquids, including chemicals such as organic peroxides. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Containers used for storing and transporting chemicals, such as organic peroxides, have strict performance requirements in order to ensure safety during transportation due to the volatile nature of the contents of those containers. While known product configurations satisfy those requirements by meeting certain drop test ratings, there are certain limitations to the features included in those designs. 
     SUMMARY 
     While known configurations are able to meet industry required drop test ratings, those containers provide inadequate gripping structures and are also difficult to fully drain. The limitations of known configurations present safety concerns both in relation to lifting the container to pour and fully draining the container at the end of its use. Some containers are not readily manipulated by a user. In addition, some containers are not readily stackable or storable in multiple stacking configurations. The inventors of the present application provide a container that addresses a need for better containers for chemicals, which is particularly suitable for organic peroxides, but which may be used to store and/or transport a variety of chemicals. The container of the present disclosure provides a container that is configured to provide enhanced emptying ability. This enhanced emptying ability is achieved through the location and design of the main pouring spout, the configuration of the neck and shoulders of the front top of the container, and the contours of the bottom of the container, the combination of which minimizes the need for the user to pierce the bottom of the container multiple times in order to achieve complete drainage. In one aspect, the shoulders (or front surface portion) of the container are sloped in the downward direction. The container also includes a top in-line elongated handle portion. The container itself may have a square, or substantially square configuration allowing for stackability and providing for maximum usage of available space on a square shipping pallet. The container may be configured to meet current UN ratings, especially for organic peroxides. The term “square” as used herein means that the container is configured such that the length and width of the bottom surface are substantially equal. The container may comprise HDPE. 
     According to an aspect of the disclosure, a plastic container configured to store and/or transport liquids, such as organic peroxides, includes a top portion having a vent spout that defines a circular vent recess that has a vent center. The vent spout extends longitudinally along a first axis, the first axis extending through the vent center. The top portion also includes a main spout that defines a circular main recess having a main center. The main spout extends longitudinally along a second axis, the second axis extending through the main center. The main spout has a top end and a bottom end of the main spout, the top end being opposite the bottom end along the second axis such that the bottom end is disposed in a downward direction relative to the top end along the second axis. The top portion also includes a front surface portion having a slanted face that extends in the downward direction and in a forward direction. The forward direction is defined by a line that extends from the first axis to the second axis, perpendicular to the first axis and second axis. The front surface also includes a lip that extends radially from the second axis away from the slanted face in the forward direction. Additionally, the top portion includes an integrated handle that is elongate along the line that extends between the first axis and the second axis. The top panel defines a maximum container length along the line and the handle defines a maximum handle length along the line. The maximum container length is approximately twice the maximum handle length. The container also includes a base portion. The base portion has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The exterior surface defines a handle recess. Additionally, the container includes a sidewall that extends between the top portion and the base portion. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, a plastic container configured to store and/or transport liquid, such as organic peroxide includes a top portion having a vent spout that defines a circular vent recess that has a vent center. The vent spout extends longitudinally along a first axis, the first axis extending through the vent center. The top portion also includes a main spout that defines a circular main recess having a main center. The main spout extends longitudinally along a second axis, the second axis extending through the main center. The main spout has a top end and a bottom end of the main spout, the top end being opposite the bottom end along the second axis such that the bottom end is disposed in a downward direction relative to the top end along the second axis. The top portion also includes a front surface portion having a slanted face that extends in the downward direction and in a forward direction. The forward direction is defined by a line that extends from the first axis to the second axis, perpendicular to the first axis and second axis. The front surface also includes a lip that extends radially from the second axis away from the slanted face in the forward direction. Additionally, the top portion includes an integrated handle that is elongate along the line that extends between the first axis and the second axis. The container also includes a base portion. The base portion has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The exterior surface defines a handle recess. Additionally, the container includes a sidewall that extends between the top portion and the base portion. 
     According to a third aspect of the disclosure, a plastic container configured to store and/or transport liquid, such as organic peroxide includes a top portion having a vent spout that defines a circular vent recess that has a vent center. The vent spout extends longitudinally along a first axis, the first axis extending through the vent center. The top portion also includes a main spout that defines a circular main recess having a main center. The main spout extends longitudinally along a second axis, the second axis extending through the main center. The main spout has a top end and a bottom end of the main spout, the top end being opposite the bottom end along the second axis such that the bottom end is disposed in a downward direction relative to the top end along the second axis. Additionally, the top portion includes an integrated handle that is elongate along the line that extends between the first axis and the second axis. The top panel defines a maximum container length along the line and the handle defines a maximum handle length along the line. The maximum container length is approximately twice the maximum handle length. The container also includes a base portion. The base portion has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface is opposite the exterior surface. Additionally, the container includes a sidewall that extends between the top portion and the base portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the dual handle container of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating the dual handle container of the present application, there is shown in the drawings illustrative embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dual handle container; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the dual handle container shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the dual handle container shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  taken along line  3 - 3 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the dual handle container shown in  FIGS. 1-3   
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are a bottom plan view and a side elevation view of a cap for the dual handle container shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Aspects of the disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout, unless specified otherwise. Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a plastic container  10 , such as a tighthead container, is made of high-density polyethylene and is configured to store and/or transport liquid, such as organic peroxide. For example, container  10  may be a five gallon container configured to hold five gallons of organic peroxide. Alternatively, container  10  may be a one gallon container configured to hold one gallon of organic peroxide. Alternatively still, container  10  may be a six or seven gallon container configured to hold six or seven gallons of organic peroxide, respectively. Container  10  may be configured to hold organic peroxide in neat form (i.e., with no solvent). Container  10  may also be configured to hold organic peroxide with organic diluents such as isododecane, mineral oil aliphatic, hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, and oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as ethers, epoxides, and esters. Additionally, container  10  may be configured to hold organic peroxide with non-organic diluent such as water. 
     The container  10  includes a top portion  20 , a base portion  40 , and a sidewall  50  that extends between the top portion  20  and the base portion  40 . The top portion  20  includes a vent spout  22  that defines a circular vent recess  24  having a vent center VC. In some embodiments, vent recess  24  has a diameter of at least 22 millimeters. The vent spout  22  extends longitudinally along a first axis A, the first axis A extending through the vent center VC. The vent spout  22  has an outer surface that defines an attachment mechanism for a vent cap (not shown). In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism on the vent spout may be threads that mate with threads on an internal surface of the vent cap. 
     The top portion  20  further includes a main spout  26  that defines a circular main recess  28  having a main center MC. In some embodiments, circular main recess  28  has a diameter of no more than 63 millimeters, such as a diameter of 61 millimeters. In other embodiments, circular main recess  28  has a diameter of 70 millimeters. The diameters of vent recess  24  and main recess  28  may be adjusted relative to each other to optimize pourability of the contents of the container  10 . The diameters of vent recess  24  and main recess  28  may also be adjusted to optimize drop test ratings. 
     The main spout  26  extends longitudinally along a second axis B that extends through the main center MC from a top end  26   a  of the main spout  26  to a bottom end  26   b  of the main spout  26 . The top end  26   a  is opposite the bottom end  26   b  along the second axis B such that the bottom end  26   b  is disposed in a downward direction D relative to the top end  26   a  along the second axis B. The downward direction D extends in the opposite direction to an upward direction U along axis B. Main spout  26  may be disposed relatively close to a front portion of sidewall  50  such that a distance SD measured between main center MC and the front portion of the sidewall is relatively small. For example, distance SD may be 1.7 inches (4.3 cm), or approximately 1.7 inches (4.3 cm). The main spout  26  has an outer surface that defines an attachment mechanism for a main cap  60 . In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism on the main spout  26  may be threads that mate with threads on an internal surface  62  of the main cap  60 . The main spout may also include an annular ring  27  disposed at its bottom end  26   b  having a ratcheted surface that is used to break a security seal from the main cap  60  when the main cap  60  is first removed by twisting from the main spout  26 . 
     The top portion  20  also includes beveled shoulders  35  that extend upward and away from the bottom end  26   b  of the main spout relative to axis B. A front surface portion  30  having a slanted face  32  that extends in the downward direction and in a forward direction F is proximate to beveled shoulders  35  such that the bottom end  26   b  of the main spout is partially encircled by the beveled shoulders  35  and the front surface portion  30 . The forward direction F is defined by a line L that extends from the first axis A to the second axis B, perpendicular to the first axis A and second axis B. A rearward direction R extends opposite to the forward direction F along line L. The front surface portion  30  includes a lip  34  that extends radially from the second axis B away from the slanted face  32  in the forward direction F. Lip  34  has a front surface  34   a  that protrudes from slanted face  32  parallel or approximately parallel to second axis B. 
     Front surface  34   a  is configured to extend at approximately the same radius r (shown in  FIG. 2 ) as the main cap  60  (shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B ) configured to be secured to main spout  26 . In this way, front surface  34   a  protects the main cap  60  and minimizes the extent to which the cap hangs over the side of the container unprotected. Without the protection provided by the lip  34 , the main cap  60  could be damaged and the bottom edge of the main cap  60  could be pulled away from main spout  26 , upward relative to axis B during transportation. Additionally, by having lip  34  extend radially, the inner surface of the lip, along with the inner surface of the beveled shoulders  35  provide for a funnel-like structure that enables enhanced emptying of the container  10  relative to prior art structures. Main cap  60  may include a vent feature  64 . 
     The top portion  20  has an integrated handle  36  that is elongate along the line L that extends between the first axis A and the second axis B. With reference to  FIG. 2 , the top portion  20  defines a maximum container length CL along the line L. The handle  36  defines a maximum handle length HL along the line L. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the maximum container length CL is approximately twice the maximum handle length HL. The top portion  20  further defines a maximum container width CW along a line W that is perpendicular to line L. Maximum container width CW is equal to, or approximately equal to maximum container length CL. For example, container  10  may have a maximum container length CL of 11 inches (28 cm), or approximately 11 inches (28 cm) and a maximum container width CW of 10.25 inches (26 cm), or approximately 10.25 inches (26 cm). As noted above, container  10  may have a square, or substantially square configuration to provide for maximum usage of available space on a square shipping pallet. Maximum container length CL may be equal to, or substantially equal to maximum container width CW. 
     The top portion  20  also defines a top handle recess  37  around the integrated handle  36  and includes a recess base  33  directly below the integrated handle. The top handle recess  37  is configured to fit a gloved hand of a user. Specifically, relative to prior art configurations, handle  36  has an inner surface  36   x  that defines a longer inner handle length IHL, as measured between a forward-most point  36   a  of the handle inner surface  36   x  and a rearward-most point  36   b  of the handle inner surface  36   x . For example, inner handle length IHL may be 3.5 inches (8.9 cm), or approximately 3.5 inches (8.9 cm), such that the inner handle length IHL is 32% or approximately or at least 32% of the maximum container length CL. Additionally, relative to prior art configurations, handle  36  and handle recess  37  defines a greater handle clearance distance HCD as measured between an upper-most point of inner surface  36   x  of the handle  36  and the recess base  33  along a line that is parallel to axis B is greater so as to provide adequate space for the relatively larger size of the user&#39;s hand when covered with safety equipment including gloves. For example, the handle clearance distance HCD may be 1.5 inches (3.8 cm), or approximately 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). In this example, if the overall maximum container height CH is 14.9 inches (37.8 inches), or approximately 14.9 inches (37.8 cm), the handle clearance distance HCD is 10%, or approximately or at least 10% of the container height CH. Moreover, in order to provide for an increased handle clearance distance HCD, recess base  33  may be disposed below main spout bottom end  26   b.    
     The top portion  20  also includes structural recesses  39  that enhance the structural integrity of the container  10  and also reduce the material needed to form the container  10 . Recesses  39  may also function to enhance gripping of the container by the gloved user. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the base portion  40  has interior surface  42  and an exterior surface  44 . The interior surface  42  is opposite the exterior surface  44 . The interior surface  42  defines a series of lowest points  42   a  relative to the downward direction D, each of the series of lowest points  42   a  may be contiguous with each other such that the interior surface  42  defines a single region having the lowest points  42   a  that is uninterrupted by regions of the interior surface  42  that do not have the lowest points. Alternatively, the series of lowest points  42   a  may be contiguous with each other such that the interior surface  42  defines multiple regions having the lowest points  42   a , such as two regions having lowest points. For example, the two regions may be separated by regions of the interior surface  42  that do not have the lowest points. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the base portion  40  may have varying thicknesses such that lowest points of the exterior surface  44  may not correspond to lowest points  42   a  of the interior surface. Having the series of lowest points  42   a  are entirely contiguous with each other, or separated into only two regions enables a user to drill a single hole in the base portion at the location of the series of lowest points  42   a  in order to fully drain the contents of the container  10  through the drilled hole (not shown). Container configurations that are known in the art have multiple lowest point areas separated from each other by raised areas. Such know configurations require users to drill multiple holes at the discrete low point areas in order to fully drain the container. A single contiguous area or only two contiguous areas of lowest points provides minimizes the need for these multiple holes. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , exterior surface  44  defines a handle recess  46  and structural recesses  49 . Handle recess  46  provides for an additional gripping structure for the user to grip in conjunction with handle  36  when lifting the container  10  and pouring the contents of container  10 . Handle recess  46  may define a maximum height RH as measured from the bottom of container  10  to an uppermost point  46   a  of handle recess  46  along a line that extends parallel to axis B. Maximum height RH may be 1 inch (2.5 cm), or approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm). For example, if the overall maximum container height CH is 14.9 inches (37.8 inches), or approximately 14.9 inches (37.8 cm), the handle recess maximum height RH is 7% or approximately or at least 7% of the maximum container height CH. Like structural recesses  39 , structural recesses  49  enhance the structural integrity of the container  10  and also reduce the material needed to form the container  10 . Recesses  49  may also function to enhance gripping of the container by the gloved user. 
     Exterior surface  44  also defines stacking flanges  48 . Stacking flanges  48  are configured to mate with stacking notches  38  that are defined by the top portion  20  so as to enhance the stackability of containers  10 . Stacking flanges  48  and stacking notches  38  may be substantially square in shape. For example, multiple containers  10  may be stacked on one another for transportation on a pallet (not shown). Flanges  48  and notches  38  mate with each other so as to minimize lateral movement of a first container  10  relative to a second container  10  stacked above or below the first container. While the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4  depicts stacking notches  38  on the top portion  20  and stacking flanges  48  on the base portion  40 , inverse configurations with stacking notches on the bottom portion and stacking flanges on the top portion are similarly effective in enhancing stackability of multiple containers, for instance, on a pallet. Moreover, while two pairs notches  38  and flanges  48  are depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , other embodiments may have a single notch recess pair, three notch recess pairs, four notch recess pairs, five notch recess pairs, or six notch recess pairs. Other numbers of notch recess pairs may also be employed. 
     Sidewall  50  extends between the top portion  20  and the base portion  40 . Sidewall  50  connects to the top portion  20  and the base portion  40  at annular structural ribs  52 ,  54 , respectively. Structural ribs  52 ,  54  enhance the structural integrity of the container  10 . 
     Features of the disclosure which are described above in the context of separate embodiments may be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the disclosure that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any subcombination. 
     Changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims.