Stackable receptacle assembly for pourable products

• US 5,896,993 A
• Filed: 09/04/1997
• Issued: 04/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation (Berry Global Group Inc.), Arch Chemicals Incorporated (Lonza Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation (Berry Global Group Inc.), OLIN Corporation
• Inventors: Rhodes, Richard, Willett, Timmy L., Nask, Aleene F.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOY, JOSEPH MAN
• Application Number:
  US08/923,674
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 206/508, 206/509, 206/511, 206/512, 220/254
• US Class Current: 206/508
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/0219 the closure presenting projecting peripheral elements receiving or surrounding the bottom or peripheral elements projecting from the bottom of a superimposed container B65D21/0222 and B65D21/0223 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2525/283 combined with container closing means, e.g. stopper
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00194 square or rectangular with curved sides B65D2543/00101
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00296 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00518 Skirt
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00537 on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00555 on both the inside and the outside
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00648 Flange or lip
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00685 Totality
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/0074 Massive bead
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00796 Totality
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00861 Non-integral tabs, tongues, handles or similar
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/0212 only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth B65D43/0206 takes precedence

Abstract

Pourable products such as pool chemicals are packaged in a rectilinear stackable receptacle assembly. The receptacle assembly includes an upper cover or lid which includes a stacking recess into which a second receptacle assembly can nest. The receptacle assembly also includes a lower bucket portion which includes a continuous sidewall forming a rectilinear shape. The cover and the bucket side wall include interlocking members thereon which securely attach the cover to the bucket when the cover is pressed down against the bucket. The cover may include a pivotable bail handle, and also includes opposed side handles. The receptacle may include wheels partially located inwardly from one of the walls and upwardly from the bottom of the bucket.

Claims

1. A stackable receptacle assembly for the packaging of pourable products, said assembly comprising:

a) an upper rectilinear cover which includes;

i) a peripheral downwardly depending flange;

ii) a first stacking rib which is inwardly offset from said flange and which projects upwardly away from said flange;

iii) a circular downwardly extending recess which is inwardly offset from said first stacking rib;

iv) a cylindrical pouring spout which is inwardly adjacent to said circular recess and which extends upwardly away from said flange, said pouring spout having a thread formed on one surface thereof; and

b) a lower rectilinear bucket including;

i) an upper edge which nests inside of said cover flange;

ii) a side wall which tapers downwardly from said upper edge to a bottom wall on the bucket; and

iii) a second rectilinear stacking rib formed on said bucket bottom wall, said second stacking rib extending downwardly from said bucket bottom wall and being dimensioned so as to nest with said first stacking rib when one receptacle assembly is placed on top of another.

2. The receptacle assembly of claim 1 wherein said cover includes a closure cap threaded onto said pouring spout, said closure cap having an upper surface which is essentially coplanar with said first stacking rib.

3. The receptacle assembly of claim 1 wherein said cover includes an outer member on which said first stacking rib is formed, said outer member being provided with an inner rib which is disposed radially outwardly of said circular recess, and further including a plurality of stiffening ribs which extend from said inner rib to said circular recess and which are operable to structurally strengthen said cover.

4. The receptacle assembly of claim 3 wherein said cover includes an inner member which is secured to said outer member and which covers said stiffening ribs so as to prevent product contained in the receptacle assembly from lodging in pockets formed between said stiffening ribs when product is poured from the receptacle assembly.

5. A stackable receptacle cover assembly for the packaging of pourable products, said cover assembly comprising an outer rectilinear cover member which includes a peripheral downwardly depending flange, a first stacking rib inwardly offset from said flange which projects upwardly away from said flange, a circular downwardly extending recess which is inwardly offset from said first stacking rib, a cylindrical pouring spout inwardly adjacent to said circular recess which pouring spout extends upwardly away from said flange, said outer cover member also being provided with an inner rib which is disposed radially outwardly of said circular recess, and a plurality of stiffening ribs which extend from said inner rib to said circular recess and which are operable to structurally strengthen said cover assembly;

said cover assembly also including an inner member which is secured to said inner rib, and which covers said stiffening ribs so as to prevent product from lodging in pockets which are formed between said stiffening ribs.