Patent Publication Number: US-8523005-B2

Title: Supportable pressurizable container having a base cup

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/894,171 filed Aug. 20, 2007 now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to containers having irregular bottoms and base cups for such containers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Pressurizable containers are well known in the art. Such containers are often used to hold and dispense consumer products, such as shaving cream, air fresheners, cleaners, furniture polish, etc. The container may be pressurized to a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure using propellants, inflatable bags, powered pumps, manual pumps such as a squeeze trigger, etc. 
     The contents of the container, when pressurized, may be dispensed from a nozzle or other opening juxtaposed with the top of the container. For example, the top of the container may have a neck with a threaded cap as occurs with common soft drinks, so that the contents may simply be poured from the container when the cap is removed. Alternatively, the top of the container may be provided with a nozzle so that the contents are dispensed from the container as a foam, gel, mist or spray. Various other types of dispensing mechanisms are well-known in the art. 
     In order to accommodate the desired pressure during shipment, storage and transport the walls of the container must be able to withstand and maintain the pressure after manufacture through a variety of temperatures, orientations, and handling by the user. The walls of the container must therefore be thick enough to prevent leakage of the contents under pressure or cracking due to stress. This has been accomplished by providing thicker walls. However, relatively thick walls present the problem of material cost and are viewed as environmentally unfriendly. 
     One approach to solving this problem has been to provide relatively thin side walls and a hemispherical or otherwise curved base. A hemispherical base resists pressure better than a flat base. 
     However, this approach provides the disadvantage that the curved base does not allow the container to sit upright on horizontal surfaces such as a shelf or table. Such a base may be considered irregular. By irregular it is meant an upright container having such a base cannot stand upright on a horizontal surface without falling over. 
     One attempt in the art to overcoming this problem includes fitting a base cup over the hemispherical bottom of the container. The base cup fits around the periphery of the container and has a flat bottom. The flat bottom permits the base cup, and container attached to thereto, to sit upright. 
     Attachment of the base cup to the bottom of the container has presented yet its own problems. Various groove/projection systems have been proposed for the attachment. The groove/projection systems typically provide a circumferential groove and complementary projection around the container. The groove projection system is typically disposed near the curved bottom of the container, such as the point of tangency between the curved bottom and side wall of the container. The base cup is a complementary projection or groove, which engages the groove or projection of the container. Such engagement provides a mechanical fit which prevents separation of the base cup from the container during ordinary use. 
     The container with the engagement system must pass regulatory drop tests to ensure safety during handling and shipment. The engagement system must be robust enough to provide both static and dynamic attachment between the container and base cup. 
     However, such engagement systems present their own problems. The interface between the projection and groove is not always smooth. This results in a noticeable line or ridge, which is unsightly. This effect is exacerbated, if shrink wrap or other labeling is placed around the container. The unsightly line or ridge may appear even more pronounced as one tries to hide it. 
     This problem may be exacerbated when the container is pressurized. The line between the base cup and container may appear less pronounced under atmospheric conditions. However, when the container is pressurized, expansion may occur. Such expansion may cause further mismatch at the interface between the mating edges of the container and base cup. 
     One attempt to solve this problem has been to adhesively attach the base cup to the container. This approach provides the disadvantage that an additional material cost in the form of the adhesive occurs. Additionally, an extra manufacturing step has to occur between the manufacture of the container and the attachment of the base cup thereto. The adhesive has to be applied to either or both of the container and base cup, requiring an additional operation and extra machinery. 
     Yet other problems occur when the container uses a dip tube to dispense contents. The dip tub may not be positioned at the lowest point of the container, allowing contents to be wasted. For example, if a hemispherical-bottom container is held at an angle, the bottom of the dip tube may not be immersed in the contents of the container. One approach to solving this problem has been place a well in the bottom of the container. However, this approach may not be feasible with a container having a hemispherical bottom designed to withstand internal pressure. 
     Accordingly, there is a need to solve the problems of providing a thin walled container, a container which can sit on a horizontal surface, a container that can sit on a horizontal surface utilizing a base cup, the utilization of a base cup without the need for adhesive attachment, and to have a base cup which mechanically engages in the container without the appearance of an unsightly line at the interface between the container and base cup. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a container and base cup according to the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are fragmentary vertical sectional views of the container of  FIG. 1  and a base cup having a longitudinal alignment.  FIG. 2A  shows a base cup with a hole in the bottom.  FIG. 2B  shows a base cup with a solid bottom. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are vertical sectional views of the container and base cups of  FIGS. 2A and 2B , respectively, shown in the engaged position. 
         FIG. 4  is top plan view of an alternative base cup having a longitudinal alignment tab and four discrete radial alignment tabs for applying forces in the longitudinal and radial directions, respectively. 
     
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment the invention may comprise a container attachable to a base cup by mechanical engagement. The container has a top, an irregular bottom, side walls, and a point of tangency between the bottom of the container and the side walls. The container has a longitudinal axis therethrough and a 45 degree bottom cone having a vertex disposed on the longitudinal axis at a position corresponding to the point of tangency and diverging outwardly towards the bottom of the container. A mechanical engagement for joining the container to a base cup is disposed on said bottom of the container at least partially within the bottom cone. 
     In one embodiment the invention may comprise a base cup for supporting a container having an irregular bottom and a longitudinal axis therethrough. The base cup has a bottom for resting on a horizontal surface, a top remote therefrom, a base cup side wall joining the top and bottom of the base cup. An internal perimeter is internal to the base cup side wall and provides a mechanical engagement for engaging a container. The mechanical engagement may comprise an internal engageable portion extending radially inwardly from a proximal end to a distal end, whereby the engageable portion is cantilevered from the bottom of said base cup. 
     In one embodiment the invention may comprise a container and a base cup attached thereto. The container may have an irregular bottom and side walls visible when the container is disposed on a horizontal surface. The base cup fits over at least a portion of the bottom of the container and allows the container to sit upright on a horizontal surface. A mechanical engagement joins the base cup and said container. The mechanical engagement may comprise complementary engageable portions disposed on the container and base cup, particularly the mechanical engagement may be disposed on being bottom of the container, whereby the side walls of said container are free of said engagement when the base cup is attached thereto. 
     In one embodiment the invention may comprise a container and a base cup attached thereto. The container may have an irregular bottom and side walls visible when the container is disposed on a horizontal surface. The base cup fits over at least a portion of the bottom of the container and allows the container to sit upright on a horizontal surface. The container and base cup may have alignment tabs, which fit together and provide a reactive force of one component against the other to help maintain these components in the proper position when engaged. 
     In one embodiment the invention may comprise a container and a base cup attached thereto. The container may have an irregular bottom and side walls visible when the container is disposed on a horizontal surface. The base cup fits over at least a portion of the bottom of the container and allows the container to sit upright on a horizontal surface. The bottom of the container may be curved, and particularly maybe hemispherical. A well may be juxtaposed with the bottom of the container. The base cup has side walls, which intercept the container at a point of tangency. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the invention comprises a container  10 , and more particularly the bottom portion thereof. The container  10  has a has a bottom  12 , for indirectly resting upon a surface, a top  16  for dispensing the contents of the container  10  therefrom, and side walls  14  and joining in the bottom  12  and top  16 . The container  10  may have a longitudinal axis through the bottom  12  and top  16 . The longitudinal axis may be generally vertical when the container  10  is disposed on a horizontal surface. The container  10  may be joined to a complementary base cup  20  for resting upon a surface. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B  and examining the components in more detail, the bottom  12  of the container  10  may be irregular, and not allow the container  10  to stand upright on a horizontal surface. The bottom  12  of the container  10  may be eccentric, sloped, tapered, curved, and more particularly, hemispherical as shown. As used herein, an irregular bottom  12  is any bottom  12  not having a substantial cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container  10  and which does not allow the container  10  to stand upright on bottom  12  when the container  10  is placed on a horizontal surface. A tapered bottom  12  is a bottom  12  which reduces in cross section in the longitudinal direction as the bottom  12  of the container  10  is approached from the side walls  14 . A curved bottom  12  is a tapered bottom  12  which is curvilinear. An irregular bottom  12  does not include champagne bottom or petaloid bottoms, as are well known in the art. 
     The top  16  of the container  10  may have any dispensing opening juxtaposed therewith which allows for dispensing of the contents of the container  10 . The opening may further allow for filling of the container  10  with the contents. The opening may be disposed specifically at the top  16 , that is at the highest point of the container  10  when the longitudinal axis is vertical. Alternatively, the opening may disposed in or near the side walls  14  at a suitable distance from the bottom  12  of the container  10 . If desired the opening of the container  10  may be disposed at or near the bottom  12  of the container  10 . This arrangement provides the benefit that drainage of the contents may occur, even without pressurization. Additionally, such arrangements are inverted from the typical position, and may have an aesthetic appeal as well. 
     The opening of the container  10  may be a simple aperture, such as is closed with a screw top, snap lid or other closure as are well-known in the art. Alternatively, the opening may be a nozzle, such as is used for spraying liquid contents from the container  10 . Pressurization to spray, or otherwise dispense, contents from the container  10  may be provided by a pump, such as a trigger sprayer, propellant, gas, a pressurized internal bag, battery or AC electrical power, etc., as is well known in the art. Of course, if the opening is simply exposed, the contents may be dispensed by pouring from the container  10 . 
     The side walls  14  of the container  10  may provide for any suitable cross-section joining the top  16  and bottom  12  of the container  10 . The side walls  14  may define the cross sections of the container  10 , which cross sections may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. If desired, the side walls  14  of the container  10  may provide a geometry greater in the longitudinal direction than in the radial directions perpendicular thereto. 
     The container  10  may be of constant cross-section, as shown. Further, the container  10  may have a circular cross-section, providing a generally cylindrical geometry, as shown. Alternatively, various other cross-sections may be utilized, including rectangular, oval, etc. In yet another variation, the container  10  may be of variable cross-section, with suitable cross-sections monotonically tapering in a pyramoidal fashion, etc. The side walls  14  and bottom  12  of the container  10  can meet at a point of tangency  46 , so that a specific break is discernible, or the side walls  14  and bottom  12  may have a contoured transition. 
     The container  10  may be blow molded from any polyolefenic material as is known in the art, or may be made of a laminate construction of recycled and/or virgin materials including PET, PVA, PEN, nylon or may be made of glass or metal or any combination thereof. The container  10  may be coated with carbon, silica or other coatings to provide a diffusion/permeation barrier. 
     The base cup  20  is any member attachable to the container  10  in a manner which allows the container  10  to stand upright on a horizontal surface and, more particularly may be attachable to the bottom  12  of the container  10 . The base cup  20  may be any member formed separate from the container  10  and which provides a transition between the irregular bottom  12  of the container  10  and a surface upon which the container  10  is to be placed. In the specific case of a container  10  having a tapered bottom  12 , the base cup  20  may envelope the bottom  12 , partially obscuring it from view. 
     The base cup  20  may have a bottom  22 . The bottom  22  of the base cup  20  may be parallel to a cross section of the container  10  and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The bottom  22  of the base cup  20  may have a hole therethrough or be solid, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
     A base cup side wall  24  may extend upwardly from the bottom  22  of the base cup  20 . Either the longitudinal dimension of the base cup side wall  24  or the cross-sectional dimension of the base cup  20  may be greater than the other. 
     The base cup  20  may be concentric with the container  10 , if both have a circular cross section and/or congruent if a different cross section is selected for either the base cup  20  or container  10 . The base cup  20  and container  10  may have the same or different cross sections, so long as attachment therebetween is feasible. 
     The side walls  14  of the container  10  and/or side wall  24  of the base cup  20  may radially expand under pressure when the container  10  is filled with its contents, and/or pressurized. The container  10  and base cup  20  of the present invention are usable with pressures ranging from 20,000 to 25,000 ksm has occurs in the beverage industry. The container  10  and base cup  20  are advantageously usable with higher pressures ranging from 80,000, 90,000 or 100,000 ksm, up to 200,000, 120,000 or 110,000 ksm. 
     A mechanical engagement  30  may be provided to join the base cup  20  and the container  10 , particularly the bottom  12  of the container  10 . The mechanical engagement  30  may provide to complementary engageable portions  32  on the base cup  20  and container  10 . The mechanical engagement  30  may provide for permanent or removable attachment of the base cup  20  and container  10 . This arrangement provides for a two-piece system, i.e. a container  10  and base cup  20  attachable to each other and which remain attached together for the intended life and use, without the need for additional components such as adhesive, or other tertiary components which provide for attachment therebetween or are otherwise necessary to hold the container  10  and base cup  20  together. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the mechanical engagement  30  may provide for attachment of the base cup  20  and container  10  through a friction fit, interlocking engagement, a snap fit, interference fit, etc. The mechanical engagement  30  may comprise any suitable structure which maintains the base cup  20  and container  10  in the intended juxtoposition for the intended life of the container  10 . One suitable mechanical engagement  30  comprises complementary engageable portions  32  on the container  10  and base cup  20 . Suitable complementary engageable portions  32  include a projection  34  and complementary recess  35 . The recess  35  may be in the form of a groove. Either the groove or projection  34  may be disposed on the base cup  20  or container  10 , or vice versa 
     The projection  34  may be disposed on the container  10  and recess  35  on the base cup  20 , as shown, or vice versa. The mechanical engagement  30  may subtend a full 360 degree circumference around the longitudinal axis or may subtend a lesser arc. Plural mechanical engagements  30  may be utilized, in series, i.e. having different longitudinal position; in parallel, i.e. having different radial or circumferential positions; or both. 
     The mechanical engagement  30  may be disposed at a location which does not engage the side wall of the container  10 . This disposition minimizes movement at the point/line of attachment due to pressurization/depressurization, drop impact, thermal changes, etc. However, not all locations which avoid the side walls  14  are expected to perform equally well. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the mechanical engagement  30  may be disposed within the bottom cone  40  of the container  10 . The bottom cone  40  is defined as a right circular cone having its vertex  42  disposed on the longitudinal axis of the container  10  and the axis of the cone coincident the longitudinal axis of the container  10 . The base of the cone is a circle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and parallel to a cross section of the container  10 . 
     The taper of the bottom cone  40  is divergently outward towards the bottom  12  of the container  10  and/or base cup  20 . The angle of the taper may be 45 degrees between the longitudinal axis and side of the cone (a 90 degree included angle between opposite sides of the cone), which is inclusive of 40 degree 35 degree, 30 degree and 25 degree angles of taper, respectively. 
     The vertex  42  of the bottom cone  40  is disposed at the elevation of and corresponding to the point of tangency  46  where the side wall of the container  10  flares or tapers to the bottom  12 . The base of the bottom cone  40  is coincident the bottom  22  of the base cup  20  when the base cup  20  is attached to the container  10 . If the container  10 /bottom  12  have plural points of tangency, the uppermost, lowest, or any intermediate point of tangency may be considered. Considering the lowest point of tangency provides the benefit that a less complex fit may be needed to have the base cup  20  engaged with the bottom  12  of the container  10 . 
     By disposing the mechanical engagement  30  within the bottom cone  40 , it is believed the competing forces which hold the container  10  and base cup  20  together during drop impact on the base cup  20  and the forces which cause differential radial expansion at the interface between the side wall of the container  10  and base cup  20  can both be accommodated. The forces are believed to be competing in the prior art, because as radial expansion occurs, the mechanical engagement  30  becomes more secure but the forces transmitted during drop impact are transmitted in the radially expansive direction, allowing disengagement. 
     The mechanical engagement  30  may be blow molded integral with the container  10  having a projection  34  with a wall thickness greater than the wall thickness of the bottom  12  of the container  10 . This difference in thickness provides the benefit that material otherwise depleted from the projection  34  during manufacture is accommodated. 
     If desired, a well  70  may be juxtaposed with the bottom  12  of the container  10 . The well  70  may receive the end of a dip tube therein. The well  70  will typically hold a quantity of the contents of the container  10  to be dispensed. Such contents may be disposed in the well  70  even if the container  10  is tilted at a slight angle from the vertical. By receiving both the end of the dip tube and the contents of the container in the well  70 , less contents remain when the propellant is depleted and dispensing may continue when the container  10  is tilted at an angle. 
     It is to be recognized that the well  70  is a disruption in the curved bottom  12  and does not simply represent the lowest point of curvature. Instead, the well  70  represents additional volume, which would not be present if the curvature was continuous and uninterrupted. If desired the well  70  may have curvature spaced apart from and congruent to the bottom  12  of the container  10 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the projection  34  and recess  35  may fit together in a snap fit, which allows engagement, but does not permit later disengagement or separation. Alternatively, the projection  34  and recess  35  may fit together and be disengageable by reverse movement of the process which fitted the complementary engageable portions  32  together. 
     Either the projection  34  and/or recess  35  may subtend 360 degrees. This arrangement provides the benefit of the greatest distribution of stresses throughout the circumference of the mechanical engagement. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , alternatively, the projection  34  and or recess  35  may comprise three tabs disposed at 120 degrees, four tabs disposed at 90 degrees, etc. This arrangement provides the benefit that less material is utilized to form the tabs. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 2A-2B , the recess  35  may comprise a blind hole or a through hole, as shown. The blind hole provides the benefit of preventing debris from entering the bottom  22  of the base cup  20  and becoming entrapped. If the container  10  is used in the kitchen, as may occur with cleaners, the debris may comprise food particles which could later spoil. The through hole provides the benefit that less material is necessary to form the recess  35  and base cup  20 . Also the through hole may be more forgiving if there is some eccentricity in either the base cup  20  or container  10 . 
     More particularly, referring to the base cup  20 , the recess  35  may be defined by the inner perimeter  28  of the base cup  20 . The engageable portion  32  of the base cup  20  may extend radially inwardly from the inner perimeter  28  of the base cup  20 . More particularly, the engageable portion  32  may be cantilevered from a proximal end at the inner perimeter  28  and extend inwardly, i.e. towards the longitudinal axis to a distal end spaced from the proximal end. The distal end of the engageable portion  32  defines the recess  35  and may engage the engageable portion  32  (such as a projection  34 ) of the bottom  12  of the container  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the engageable portion  32  of the base cup  20  may be cantilevered from the bottom  22  of the base cup  20 . This arrangement provides the benefit that the reaction which occurs due to engagement with the container  10 , does not disturb or displace the base cup side walls  24 . Thus, the base cup side wall  24  is relatively free from hoop stress and other stresses. By being relatively free from stresses, the base cup side wall  24  may have a smoother transition at the interface with the container  10  side wall. The smoother transition provides the benefit of a more aesthetically pleasing appearance, particularly when a label is attached to the container  10  and base cup  20 . 
     The engageable portion  32  may extend diagonally inwardly and upwardly from the bottom  22  of the base cup  20 , as shown. This geometry provides the benefit of greater section modulus and, hence greater rigidity in the longitudinal direction, particularly the longitudinally compressive direction. Alternatively, the engageable portion  32  may extend diagonally inwardly and upwardly from the bottom  22  of the base cup  20 . This geometry provides the benefit that a shorter engageable portion  32  occurs, and less material is used to make the engageable portion  32 . 
     The projection  34  which is inserted into the recess  35  may have a longitudinal dimension and a radial dimension orthogonal thereto. The radial dimension may be greater than the longitudinal dimension. This provides the benefit of a relatively longitudinally compact design. Such design disposes the interface being the top  26  of the base cup  20  and the side wall of the container  10  closer to the bottom  22  of the base cup  20 , potentially reducing the aesthetic effect of this interface. 
     If desired, the base cup  20  may have a modular construction. In a modular construction the bottom  22  of the base cup  20  may be formed of one or more different materials than the base cup side walls  24 . This modular construction provides the benefit that the bottom  22  may be formed of a less expensive material, since it is typically not visible in use or while the package is seen on the store shelf. Additionally, the bottom  22 , may be formed of a relatively stronger material and be suitable for maintaining its engageable portion  32  throughout its expected life. The bottoms  22  may be provided with various sizes of projections  34  or recesses  35 , to be complementary to the corresponding engageable portion  32  of the container  10 . 
     The side walls  24  of the base cup  20  may be made in various colors, textures, sizes, etc. to provide different aesthetics, or to accommodate different sized bottoms  12  of the container  10 . The side walls  24  and bottom  22  of the base  20  may be joined by adhesive, sonic or ultrasonic welding, friction welding, a snap fit, etc. as is well known in the art. 
     The base cup  20  may be injection molded. If so, it may be desirable to avoid certain placements of the gates used for material supply during injection molding process. For example, disposing a gate on the engageable portion  32 , and particularly the distal end of the engageable portion  32  of the base cup  20  may lead to premature cracking of the engageable portion  32 . This phenomenon is believed to be due to the differential cooling associated with such placement of the gates. Either or both of the container  10  and/or base cup  20  may be transparent, translucent, or opaque. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the base cup  20  may comprise a polyolefinic material such as polyethylene. Alternatively, the base cup  20  may be made of metal, wood or stiff paper. 
     The base cup  20  may have alignment tabs  60 . An alignment tab  60  is any member disposed on or which reacts against the base to exert a force on the mechanical engagement  30 . The force may be applied in the radial direction and/or the longitudinal direction when the container  10  and basic cup  20  are engaged. The alignment tabs  60  may be elastically or plastically deformable. Such deformation may occur during assembly and attachment of the container  10  and base cup  20 . 
     The alignment tabs  60  provide a secure fit between the base cup  20  and bottom  12  of the container  10 . The alignment tabs  60  exert a force between these components, preventing rattle and a loose fit. This provides the benefit that the package is perceived to be of higher quality. 
     If elastically deformable alignment tabs  60  are selected, the alignment tabs  60  may be more flexible than the projection  34  and walls of the recess  35  which make up the mechanical engagement  30 . Such flexibility may be provided using a material having greater compliance, then the materials forming the mechanical engagement  30 , and/or use relatively thinner wall sections to reduce the section modulus of such alignment tabs  60 . Suitable material for the alignment tabs  60  includes TPE. 
     The alignment tabs  60  may be cantilevered from the base cup  20 , and particularly from the bottom  22  of the base cup  20 . The alignment tabs  60  may taper along an axis from a proximal end to a distal end. This taper provides a variable spring rate in the direction perpendicular to the taper throughout the longitudinal axis and increasing as the proximal end is approached. Such variable spring rate provides the advantage that differences in fit and alignment may be accommodated. 
     A longitudinal alignment tab  62  may extend with a vector component parallel to the longitudinal axis. In a degenerate case, the longitudinal alignment tab  62  may be parallel to the longitudinal axis. A radial alignment tab  64  may extend inwardly towards the longitudinal axis. Of course, one of skill will recognize that forces in other directions, not parallel to the radial or longitudinal directions, but instead which are diagonal thereto may be exerted by the alignment tabs  60  as well. 
     The proximal end of the alignment tab  60  may be joined to the bottom  22  or sidewall  24  of the base cup  20 . The distal end of a radial alignment tab  64  may engage or intercept the projection  34  and particularly any inside corner or annular groove within the projection  34 . This reduces the likelihood that the distal end of the alignment tab  60  will become dislodged during shipping and handling. 
     The distal end of a longitudinal alignment tab  62  may intercept the bottom  12  of the container  10 . This provides a force perpendicular to the bottom  12  of the container  10 , and, in the case of a container  10  having a hemispherical bottom  12 , also exerts a force radially inwardly. If the longitudinal alignment tab  62  (or a radial alignment tab  64 ) circumscribes the mechanical engagement  30 , equal and opposite radial forces will be applied, helping to maintain concentricity. Thus, the alignment tabs  60  provide the benefit that manufacturing tolerances and mismatch between parts can be accommodated. 
     If the alignment tabs  60  are elastically deformable, they may act as springs, applying relatively constant force to the mechanical engagement  30 . If the alignment tabs  60  plastically de form during assembly, they will fill some of the void space inherent in the mechanical engagement  30  and reduce movement which would otherwise occur between components in that void space. 
     One of skill will recognize that the alignment tabs  60  maybe cantilevered from the projection  34  or from elsewhere on the bottom  12  of the container  10 . In this arrangement, the distal end of the alignment tabs  60  will intercept the inside of the based cup sidewall  24 , and/or the bottom  22  of the base cup  20 . Further, the alignment tabs  60  may be equally and/or unequally spaced around in the longitudinal axis and may be continuous or discontinuous, i.e. discrete. Further, the longitudinal alignment tabs  62 , and the radial alignment tabs  64  may apply equal forces or either may apply a greater or lesser force than the other. 
     Following assembly of the base cup  20  to the container  10 , either or both of the base cup  20  and/or container  10  may be decorated with various labels, graphics, advertising, instructions for use and other indicia. This decoration may be accomplished through printing, adhesively attached labels, shrink wrap labels, etc. If the indicia bridges the longitudinal (vertical) dimension, between the container  10  and the base cup  20 , the indicia may be disposed outside both the container  10  and based cup  20 . This arrangement provides the benefit that the graphics may appear larger when the package is presented on the store shelf. Alternatively, the indicia may be disposed outside of the container  10  and tucked inside the base cup  20 . This arrangement provides the benefit that if the bottom of the indicia is not accurately trimmed, it will be covered by the base. Additionally, if it is desired to have a base cup  20  of a particular color, such base cup  20  will not be covered by the indicia. 
     The container  10  may be used to hold, store and dispense any suitable contents. The contents may be usable as consumer products or otherwise. For example, the contents may be used as a cleaning product, air freshener, disinfectant, topical application to the skin, furniture polish, etc. If the contents are to be used as a furniture polish with wood surfaces, the container  10  may be made of brushed aluminum, or other material having a brushed aluminum appearance. Such a container  10  may have a wood indicium thereon, to show the intended use of the furniture polish therein. This combination advantageously provides the benefit of a modern looking container  10  with a warm looking indicium of wood thereon. 
     The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”. 
     All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.