US20040226850A1 - Set of nestable containers, as for waste - Google Patents
Set of nestable containers, as for waste Download PDFInfo
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- US20040226850A1 US20040226850A1 US10/819,692 US81969204A US2004226850A1 US 20040226850 A1 US20040226850 A1 US 20040226850A1 US 81969204 A US81969204 A US 81969204A US 2004226850 A1 US2004226850 A1 US 2004226850A1
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- Prior art keywords
- containers
- nestable
- nested
- adhesive
- container
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/36—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper specially constructed to allow collapsing and re-erecting without disengagement of side or bottom connections
- B65D5/3607—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper specially constructed to allow collapsing and re-erecting without disengagement of side or bottom connections formed by folding or erecting a single blank
- B65D5/3614—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper specially constructed to allow collapsing and re-erecting without disengagement of side or bottom connections formed by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body, at least one of the ends of the body remaining connected
- B65D5/3628—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper specially constructed to allow collapsing and re-erecting without disengagement of side or bottom connections formed by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body, at least one of the ends of the body remaining connected collapsed along median lines of two opposite sides of the rectangular tubular body
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
- B65D21/0233—Nestable containers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2313/00—Connecting or fastening means
- B65D2313/08—Double sided adhesive tape, e.g. for suspension of the container
Definitions
- the present invention relates to containers and, in particular, to a set of nestable containers.
- Conventional waste receptacles e.g., for vehicles, include plastic bags that may be hung from a projection in the passenger compartment.
- plastic bags typically are flaccid or flimsy and so don't present a convenient opening for deposit of trash
- modern vehicles tend to have flat and/or smooth surfaces in the passenger compartment and so have fewer, if any, projections on which to hang a trash bag.
- trash bags are disposable, they need to be replaced when full, which can occur relatively often, and, if they are reusable, they can become soiled and unsanitary.
- Another conventional trash container is a rigid plastic container of a cylindrical or parallelepiped shape that is held in position by gravity, and is stabilized by a flexible saddle attached to its bottom wherein the ends of the flaps of the saddle are usually weighted to hang over a hump on the vehicle floor.
- a rigid plastic container of a cylindrical or parallelepiped shape that is held in position by gravity, and is stabilized by a flexible saddle attached to its bottom wherein the ends of the flaps of the saddle are usually weighted to hang over a hump on the vehicle floor.
- Permanent reusable containers are typically more expensive and require plastic liners or other liners for sanitary and cleanliness reasons. Plastic liners often stick to themselves and/or cling to the container, and so are difficult to install and secure in the permanent container. Because the liners are usually much less sturdy than is the container, it is not unusual for the filled liner to tear or burst when it is being removed and/or disposed of, thereby spilling its contents.
- a set of nestable containers may comprise a plurality of nestable self-supporting containers each being open at one end and having a closed end, and adhering means for adhering the set of nestable containers to an object, wherein said adhering means is exposed when said plurality of nestable containers is nested.
- a set of nestable containers may comprise a plurality of collapsed nestable self-supporting containers being of size and shape for being nested one in another, each of the collapsed nestable containers including an anti-jamming member extending into an interior thereof into which at least one other collapsed nestable container may nest.
- FIGS. 1A and 1B are isometric views of example sets of nestable containers
- FIGS. 2A-2D are schematic diagrams of various example shapes of a container of the set of containers of FIG 1 A and 1 B;
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematic diagram of a set of nestable containers in a nested condition
- FIGS. 4A and 4B are an isometric view and a top view schematic diagram, respectively, of an example embodiment of a container having anti-jamming means or features for a set of nestable containers;
- FIG. 5 is a top view schematic diagram of a nest of containers including the example embodiment of a nestable container having anti-jamming means or features of FIGS. 4A-4B;
- FIGS. 6A and 6B are top view schematic diagrams of example embodiments of nestable containers having anti-jamming means or features
- FIGS. 7A-7J are schematic diagrams illustrating other examples of various anti-jamming means or features for a set of nestable containers
- FIGS. 8A-8H are schematic diagrams illustrating further examples of various anti-jamming means or features for a set of nestable containers
- FIGS. 9A-9D are schematic isometric diagrams illustrating further examples of anti-jamming means or features for a set of nestable containers
- FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a cut-out blank of sheet material for forming a nestable container
- FIGS. 11A-11D are schematic diagrams of cut-out blanks of sheet material for forming respective nestable containers
- FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a cut-out blank of sheet material for forming a nestable container having a closure
- FIG. 13 is an isometric view schematic diagram of a nestable container in a partially folded or collapsed condition
- FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14 C are top, side and bottom view schematic diagrams, respectively, of the nestable container of FIG. 13 in a folded state;
- FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view schematic diagram of the nestable container of FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14 C.
- FIGS. 1A and 1B are isometric views of example sets 10 of nestable containers 20 wherein a plurality of nestable containers 20 , individually designated 20 a , 20 b , 20 c , 20 d , and so forth, are nested.
- Each of containers 20 is nestable in that it has a size and/or shape for fitting into an open end of another of containers 20 in a nesting manner.
- Each of containers 20 has one or more sides, has an open end, and has a closed end, wherein the side(s) and closed end are joined to define a container volume into which one or more objects and/or material(s) may be placed.
- any one or more of containers 20 a , 20 b and so forth and/or one or more containers in general may be referred to as a container or containers 20 .
- Containers 20 a - 20 f of FIG. 1A for example, comprise a nest or set 10 of six nestable parallelepiped-shaped containers 20 of which each has an open end and a closed end, and is of rectangular cross-sectional shape, and wherein container 20 a is larger than container 20 b which is larger than container 20 c and so forth.
- a first or outer container 20 a has adhering means 40 on the exterior of the closed bottom end thereof.
- a set or nest 10 may comprise a greater or lesser number of nestable containers 20 , as may be desirable and/or convenient.
- Containers 20 a - 20 e of FIG. 1B comprise a nest or set 10 of five nestable frustro-conical-shaped containers 20 of which each has an open end and is of circular cross-sectional shape, and wherein containers 20 a through 20 e are the same size.
- a first or outer container 20 a has adhering means 40 on the exterior of the closed or bottom end 26 thereof.
- a frustro-conical-shaped container has a shape that is a section or a frustrum of a cone, typically the cone is cut in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the cone.
- Adhering means 40 may be utilized for adhering container set 10 to a surface and may be a sheet or layer of an adhesive or adhesive tape, a piece of adhesive tape, a piece of adhesive tape having adhesive on both sides thereof, or may be a hook part or a loop part of a hook and loop fastener.
- Suitable adhesive tapes include, e.g., type 442 KW tape, which is a double sided tape with a rubber adhesive, available from 3M Corporation of St. Paul, Minn.
- Suitable hook and loop fasteners include, e.g., a Velcro® fastener available from Velcro USA located in Manchester, N.H.
- adhering means 40 adheres sufficiently to an object to support nest 10 in a desired position for use and is releasable so that container 20 a may be removed from the object.
- the hook portion of a hook and loop fastener is suitable for releasably adhering nest 10 to carpet or fabric.
- a tacky adhesive is suitable for adhering nest 10 to a smooth or non-smooth object, such as a floor or wall, as well as to a carpet, and is preferably of an adhesive type that does not leave a residue on the object when it is removed.
- Adhering means 40 may be a sheet or layer or member of like size and shape to the bottom of container 20 a or may be one or more sheets or layers or pieces thereof that is/are smaller than the bottom of container 20 a .
- adhering means 40 may comprise one or more pieces of any of the described examples of adhering means.
- a number of small adhesive pads or hook-fastener pieces e.g., about 2.5 cm (about 1-inch) in diameter
- adhering means 40 of any of the foregoing examples of adhering means may be provided as adhering means 42 on any one or more sides of container 20 a . Because each of containers 20 b , 20 c and so forth is desired to be easily removable from the nest or set 10 of containers 20 , none typically includes adhering means.
- Set 10 of nestable containers 20 may be utilized in any one or more of a wide variety of environments and locations, e.g., on a horizontal surface such as a floor of a vehicle or of a home or of a business or other location and/or on a vertical surface such as a side or door panel of a vehicle or the wall of a home or of a business or other location, whereat containers 20 may be withdrawn from nest 10 .
- nest 10 may be adhered to the floor of a vehicle and containers 20 may be utilized for holding trash or other waste material.
- the inner container 20 f When the inner container 20 f is filled or other wise ready for disposal, it is removed from nest 10 and is disposed of whereupon the next container 20 e is now presented as ready to receive trash.
- each of containers 20 f - 20 a may be used and disposed of, usually in sequence, until at last container 20 a is ready for disposal and is removed from the vehicle or other location. After the last container 20 a is used, container 20 a is removed from the object and a new nest 20 may be put into place.
- nest 20 may be adhered to a wall, work surface or other surface convenient to a point of use by adhering means 42 from which location containers 20 are dispensed for use, e.g., as take-out food or beverage containers. While relatively smaller containers 20 may be utilized for waste collection and for food and beverages, relatively larger containers 20 may be utilized for larger capacity waste collection and other uses, e.g., in a home or business location.
- FIGS. 2A-2D are schematic diagrams of various example shapes of a container 20 of the set 10 of containers of FIG. 1A and 1B.
- Containers 20 R and 20 R′ of FIGS. 2A and 2B are generally parallelepiped-shaped having, for example, four generally rectangular sides 22 defining a rectangular cross-section, a rectangular open end 24 and a rectangular closed or bottom end 26 .
- Container 20 R of FIG. 2A is rectangular and a set 10 of containers 20 R comprises a plurality of nestable containers 20 R of like shape but that are of different cross-sectional dimension, from a larger container 20 R to a smaller container 20 R, so as to nest one with another.
- Containers 20 R may be of the same or of different dimension between their open end 24 and closed end 26 .
- Container 20 R′ of FIG. 2B is also rectangular in cross-section, but is tapered between its open and closed ends 24 and 26 , having, for example, four trapezoidal sides 22 defining a rectangular cross-section, a rectangular open end 24 and a rectangular closed or bottom end 26 .
- Container 20 R′ is a frustrum of a pyramid, e.g., a four-sided pyramid or a tetrahedron.
- a set 10 of containers 20 R′ comprises a plurality of nestable containers 20 R′ of like shape and size, wherein the smaller closed end of one fits into the open end 24 of another, so as to nest one with another.
- Containers 20 R′ may be of the same or of different dimension between their open end 24 and closed end 26 , but are typically of the same dimension.
- containers 20 R and 20 R′ are shown as having four sides by way of example, any number of sides greater than or equal to three may be employed, as may be desired. Typically, four sides of like size are employed, although other numbers, such as six or eight, may be employed. As described below in relation to FIGS. 4A-4B and 5 , for example, modifications to a four-sided container may be employed wherein the container has four major or relatively large sides and one or more relatively small or minor sides.
- Containers 20 C and 20 C′ of FIGS. 2C and 2D are generally cylindrical-shaped having, for example, curved sides 22 defining a circular cross-section, a circular open end 24 and a circular closed or bottom end 26 .
- Container 20 C of FIG. 2C is cylindrical and a set 10 of containers 20 C comprises a plurality of nestable containers 20 C of like shape, but that are of different diameter from a larger diameter container 20 C to a smaller diameter container 20 C, so as to nest one with another.
- Containers 20 C may be of the same or of different dimension between their open end 24 and closed end 26 .
- Container 20 C′ of FIG. 2D is a tapered cylinder or a frustrum of a cone and a set 10 of containers 20 C′ comprises a plurality of nestable containers 20 C′ of like shape and size, e.g., each has the same larger diameter at the open end 24 thereof and has the same smaller diameter at the closed end 26 thereof, so as to nest one with another.
- Containers 20 C′ may be of the same or of different dimension between their respective open ends 24 and closed ends 26 .
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematic diagram of an example set 10 of nestable containers 20 in a nested condition, wherein the example containers 20 may be of the sort illustrated in relation to container 20 ′ a - 20 ′ e , 20 R′ or 20 C′ described above.
- Containers 20 a - 20 c are nested and ones thereof may be removed from the nest 10 , preferably with relative ease. In using nest 10 , however, one typically presses down on the open end of nest 10 , e.g., on the edge of side 22 at the open end 24 of the innermost container 20 c or of containers 20 c - 20 b in pressing nest 10 to adhere adhering means 40 to an object.
- This force applied for adhering nest 10 to an object also tends to press the containers 20 thereof into each other and as a result they may become “stuck together” or “jammed.”
- “jam” and “jammed” and “jamming” refer to the condition wherein nested containers become pressed together to the extent that they are more difficult than desired to separate one from another. This effect may be more pronounced where containers fit very closely together, e.g., so closely that they stick together, or where a person perceives that pressing the nest of containers harder against the object will result in a more secure attachment, even if that is not true.
- Jamming may result from friction between adjacent nested containers or by a partial vacuum created when a container is withdrawn from within another container with which it closely fits, or from a combination thereof. It is noted that the object to which a nest of containers may be adhered may be relatively smooth or relatively non-smooth or of in-between smoothness, or may be a combination thereof, and/or may be relatively hard or relatively soft or of in-between hardness, and/or a may be a combination thereof.
- set or nest 10 may desirably be provided with one or more anti-jamming means or features.
- anti-jamming refers to any way to avoid, minimize, reduce and/or eliminate jamming, whether due to friction, pressure difference and/or other cause.
- anti-jamming means or features may break the close fit of containers that would otherwise fit very closely together, thereby to make separating the nested containers easier.
- Anti-jamming means or features for containers 20 b and 20 c of FIG. 3 may include, for example, one or more holes 27 in the respective bottoms 26 of containers 20 for providing a passage for relieving reduced pressure that otherwise might occur when container 20 c is being removed from within container 20 b and when container 20 b is being removed from container 20 a . It is noted that any one or more anti-jamming means or features may be employed on any given container and/or nest, and need not be the same for all containers of a nest 10 of containers, although it is expected that similar anti-jamming means or features are likely to be provided for the containers of a given nest 10 .
- FIGS. 4A and 4B are an isometric view and a top view schematic diagram, respectively, of an example embodiment of a container 20 D having anti-jamming means or features 23 for a set of nestable containers 20 D.
- anti-jamming means 23 includes a smaller side that is disposed at a diagonal, e.g., at a 45° angle, between two adjacent sides 22 at one corner of container 20 D, and so may be referred to as a “cut corner” 23 .
- container 20 D is a rectangular parallelepiped
- small side 23 is rectangular as are sides 22 .
- container 20 D is a tapered parallelepiped
- small side 23 is trapezoidal as are sides 22 .
- FIG. 5 is a top view schematic diagram of a nest 10 including the example embodiment of a cut-corner nestable container 20 D of FIGS. 4A-4B having anti-jamming means or features.
- Each cut corner 23 provides a passage for relieving pressure with the container 20 nested inside container 20 D and with the container 20 in which container 20 D is nested.
- Cut corner panel 23 of container 20 Db provides a passage between container 20 a and 20 Db and between container 20 Db and container 2 ODc.
- Container 2 ODc provides a passage between container 2 ODc and container 20 d .
- container 2 ODe provides passages between container 2 ODe and containers 20 d and 20 e . While every container 20 could be a cut-corner container 20 D, such is not necessary for effective anti-jamming.
- various non-adjacent ones of containers 20 D may be oriented in like orientation so that the cut corners 23 thereof are at the same corner of nest 10 , as are containers 2 ODc and 2 ODe, or they may be in different orientations, as are containers 20 Db and 2 ODc, and still provide effective anti-jamming means.
- the sequence of different orientations of containers 20 D may be repetitive and/or regular, or may be non-repetitive and irregular. In other words, the orientation of containers 20 D in nest 10 simply doesn't matter with respect to anti-jamming, i.e. providing a passage for relieving reduced pressure, so long as every other container 20 is a container 20 D having a cut corner panel 23 .
- each container 20 , 20 D is tapered having a top opening that is about 12.7 cm (about 5 inches) square and a closed end (bottom) that is about 11.5 cm (about 4.5 inches) square, having a height of about 15.25 cm (about 6 inches), with a cut corner panel at a 45° angle with a dimension of about 1.25 cm (about 1 ⁇ 2 inch) at top opening 24 and about 1 cm (about 0.4 inch) at bottom 26 .
- Typical waste containers 20 , 20 D for vehicles are about 10-13 cm (about 4-5 inches) square or about 10-13 cm (about 4-5 inches) in diameter at the open end 24 , and are about 15-20.5 cm (about 6-8 inches) deep, and typically have a taper of about 1-1.5 cm (about 1 ⁇ 2 inch) on each side.
- Typical waste containers 20 , 20 D for home or business use are about 25 by 14 cm (about 10 by 5.5 inches) rectangular at the open end 24 , and are about 25 cm (about 10 inches) deep, and typically taper to a closed end of about 22.9 by 11.4-12 cm (about 9 by 41 ⁇ 2-43 ⁇ 4inch) on each side.
- Suitable materials for containers 20 , 20 D, and any other container of the sort described herein include lightweight paperboard (e.g., about 120-130 pound weight paperboard), cardboard, corrugated cardboard (e.g., especially for containers of larger size), plastics, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and the like, and thin aluminum, such as that utilized for disposable cookware.
- lightweight paperboard e.g., about 120-130 pound weight paperboard
- cardboard e.g., especially for containers of larger size
- plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and the like
- thin aluminum such as that utilized for disposable cookware.
- FIGS. 6A and 6B are top view schematic diagrams of example embodiments of containers 20 G, 20 G′ having anti-jamming means or features for a set 10 of nestable containers wherein a glued corner seam between adjacent sides 22 is employed as anti-jamming means.
- tab or flap 25 extending from one of two adjacent sides 22 at a corner of container 20 G of FIG. 6A is folded inside container 20 G and is glued or otherwise adhered to the interior surface of adjacent side 22 to form a corner.
- tab 25 Due to the thickness of tab 25 , a space through which air may flow to relieve pressure differences will remain between container 20 G and a container 20 placed into container 20 G, thereby to provide anti-jamming means. Where flap 25 is folded outside of container 20 G and is glued or otherwise adhered to the exterior surface of adjacent side 22 to form a corner, the thickness of tab 25 will define a space between container 20 G and a container 20 into which container 20 G is placed through which air may flow to relieve pressure differences, thereby to provide anti-jamming means.
- tabs or flaps 25 extending from each of two adjacent sides 22 at a corner of container 20 G′ are folded and glued or otherwise adhered to each other to form a fin seam at a corner of container 20 G′.
- Glued or adhered tabs or flaps 25 may extend outwardly from container 20 G′ of FIG. 6B, as illustrated, or may extend inwardly into the interior of container 20 G′. Due to the extension of the fin seam formed by glued tabs 25 , an anti-jamming means in the form of a space through which air may flow to relieve pressure differences will remain between container 20 G′ and an adjacent nested container 20 and/or friction therebetween is reduced.
- a fin seam 25 may be made at any location along one or more sides 22 (e.g., fin seam 25 ′) or at a corner (e.g., fin seams 25 , 25 ′′) and any fin seam may extend outward (e.g., fin seams 25 , 25 ′) or inward (e.g., fin seam 25 ′′), although only one fin seam or other seam would typically be utilized on any given container.
- all containers 20 in a nest or set 10 of containers would be containers 20 G or 20 G′ or similar and the glued corner flap(s) 25 of containers 20 G or 20 G′ in a nest 10 may be in the same corner or may be in different corners, whether in a regular sequence or a random sequence, as may be desired.
- the glued flap 25 arrangement of containers 20 G, 20 G′ may be utilized with a container 20 of any size and/or shape, and tabs or flaps 25 may a single tab or flap 25 extending substantially the height of container 20 G, 20 G′ or may be shorter or may comprise a plurality of tabs or flaps 25 , as may be desired.
- FIGS. 7A-7J are schematic diagrams illustrating other examples of various anti-jamming means or features for a set of nestable containers 10 .
- FIG. 7A illustrates an embossed feature 32 in side 22 of a container 20 for spacing the side 22 of one container 20 away from an adjacent nested container 20 in a nest 10 , thereby to define an anti-jamming air passage for relieving pressure differences.
- One or more embossed features 32 may be provided in a container 20 , and may also provide identifying, decorative and/or aesthetic features, such as a logo, trademark, trade name, flower and/or animal shape.
- Embossed features 32 may extend inwardly into container 20 or outwardly therefrom, or both. Embossed features 32 need only be deep enough so as to space two adjacent containers 20 apart sufficiently to allow air to pass therebetween and/or to reduce friction therebetween.
- FIG. 7B illustrates a spacer 34 attached to the side 22 of a container 20 for spacing the side 22 of one container 20 away from an adjacent nested container 20 in a nest 10 , thereby to define an anti-jamming air passage for relieving pressure differences.
- One or more spacers 34 may be provided on a container 20 , and may also be provided with decorative and aesthetic features, such as a logo, trademark, flower and/or animal shape.
- Spacer 34 may be a circular or rectangular patch, or may be an elongated strip, or any other shape, as may be desired.
- Spacers 34 may be on a surface of side 22 interior to container 20 or on a surface of side 22 exterior to container 20 , or both, and may be attached with glue or adhesive or other suitable means. Spacer 34 need only be deep enough so as to space two adjacent containers 20 apart sufficiently to allow air to pass therebetween and/or to reduce friction therebetween.
- FIG. 7C illustrates an example embossed feature 32 in the form of a ridge or channel 36 embossed in side 22 and preferably, but not necessarily, extending substantially from open end 24 to closed end 26 of container 20 , thereby to define an anti-jamming air passage for relieving pressure differences.
- One or more embossed ridges or channels 36 may be provided in a container 20 , and may also be arranged to provide a decorative or aesthetic effect.
- Embossed ridge or channel 36 may extend inwardly into container 20 or outwardly therefrom, or both, and/or may be uniform or irregular in size and/or shape.
- Embossed ridge or channel 36 need not be deep so as to provide a channel for air passage, but need only space two adjacent containers 20 apart sufficiently to allow air to pass therebetween and/or to reduce friction therebetween.
- FIG. 7D illustrates an example embossed feature 32 in the form of a spiral ridge or channel 36 embossed in side 22 and preferably, but not necessarily, extending substantially from open end 24 to closed end 26 of container 20 , thereby to define an anti-jamming air passage for relieving pressure differences.
- One or more spiral embossed ridges or channels 36 may be provided in a container 20 , and may also be arranged to provide a decorative or aesthetic effect.
- Spiral embossed ridge or channel 36 may extend inwardly into container 20 or outwardly therefrom, or both.
- Spiral ridge or channel 36 need not be deep so as to itself provide a channel for air passage, but need only space two adjacent containers 20 apart sufficiently to allow air to pass therebetween and/or to reduce friction therebetween.
- Ridge or channel 36 may be plural diagonal ridges or channels 36 , as would be preferred for a rectangular cross-section container 20 .
- ridges or channels 36 may be disposed diagonally at one angle on one side and may be disposed diagonally at another different angle on another side, e.g., an adjacent side.
- ridges or channels 36 may be on a diagonal in one direction on one side (e.g., bottom left to upper right) and may be on a diagonal in the opposite direction on another side (e.g., upper left to bottom right on an adjacent side).
- ridges or channels 36 may be lines and/or may be an embossed pattern, which may be a regular pattern or an irregular pattern.
- FIG. 7E illustrates an example embossed feature 32 in the form of irregular ridges and/or channels 38 embossed and/or scored into side 22 and preferably, but not necessarily, extending substantially from open end 24 to closed end 26 of container 20 , thereby to define one or more anti-jamming air passages for relieving pressure differences.
- Ridges and/or channels 38 may be irregular in depth, direction, length, size and/or shape, and/or my be intersecting or non-intersecting, and may also be arranged to provide a decorative or aesthetic effect. Ridges and/or channels 38 may extend inwardly into container 20 or outwardly therefrom, or both. Ridge or channel 38 need not be deep so as to provide a channel for air passage, but need only space two adjacent containers 20 apart sufficiently to allow air to pass therebetween and/or to reduce friction therebetween.
- FIG. 7F illustrates an example anti-jamming means in the form of a lip 22 L extending all or part way around the periphery of an edge and/or end of side 22 of a container 20 to space container 20 away from an adjacent nested container 20 , thereby to define one or more anti-jamming air passages for relieving pressure differences.
- Lip 22 L which may be a rolled lip 22 L, may be regular or irregular in dimension, length, size and/or shape, and may also be arranged to provide a decorative or aesthetic effect. Lip 22 L may extend inwardly into container 20 or outwardly therefrom, or both, and need only to space adjacent containers 20 apart sufficiently to allow air to pass therebetween and/or to reduce friction therebetween.
- FIG. 7G illustrates an example anti-jamming means in the form of a rim or flange 22 F extending all or part way around the periphery of an edge and/or end of side 22 of a container 20 to space container 20 away from an adjacent nested container 20 , thereby to define one or more anti-jamming air passages for relieving pressure differences.
- Rim or flange 22 F may be scored (e.g., single scored or double scored), folded and glued in place, or may be otherwise formed, or may be a separate piece that is glued or otherwise adhered to side 22 .
- Rim or flange 22 F may be regular or irregular in dimension, length, size and/or shape, and may also be arranged to provide a decorative or aesthetic effect.
- Rim or flange 22 F may extend inwardly into container 20 or outwardly therefrom, or both. Rim or flange 22 F need only to space adjacent containers 20 apart sufficiently to allow air to pass therebetween and/or to reduce friction therebetween.
- FIG. 7H illustrates a removable spacer 34 disposed between the sides 22 of two adjacent containers 20 in a nest 10 for spacing the two containers 20 away from each other, thereby to define an anti-jamming air passage for relieving pressure differences and/or to reduce friction between adjacent containers.
- One or more removable spacers 34 may be provided between adjacent containers 20 , and may also be provided with useful, decorative and/or aesthetic features, such as a logo, trademark, advertisement, information sheet, coupon sheet, flower and/or animal shape.
- Removable spacer 34 may be a sheet good that has another use after it has served its purpose as anti-jamming means, for example, a place mat, napkin, towel, wipe or the like, where containers 20 are to be utilized for food or beverage or another substance, and/or where cleaning may be desired.
- Removable spacer 34 may be tacked with glue or adhesive or other suitable means where desired for production reasons, but is typically held in position by the sides 22 of adjacent containers 20 .
- FIG. 7I illustrates an example anti-jamming means in the form of a projection 22 T extending from an edge and/or end of side 22 of a container 20 to space container 20 away from an adjacent nested container 20 , thereby to define one or more anti-jamming air passages for relieving pressure differences and/or to reduce friction between adjacent containers.
- Projection 22 T is, for example, a tab 22 T that is coplanar with one side 22 that is preferably formed by cutting a hole 22 H in an adjacent side 22 before the two sides 22 are folded to form a corner 22 C therebetween.
- Tab 22 T may be a separate piece that is cut and glued in place, or otherwise adhered to side 22 .
- Tab 22 T may be regular or irregular in dimension, length, size and/or shape, and if glued or otherwise affixed to container 22 , may extend inwardly into container 20 or outwardly therefrom, or both.
- tab 22 T may be about 0.5-1 cm (about 0.2-0.4 inch) wide and about 2-4 cm (about 3 ⁇ 4-11 ⁇ 2 inch) long, and may be located about 1-2 cm (about 0.4-0.8 inch) away from open end 24 .
- FIG. 7J illustrates an example anti-jamming means in the form of a pair of projecting features 221 , 22 P extending in one or more sides 22 all or part way around the periphery thereof, preferably parallel to the edge and/or end of side 22 at top end 24 of a container 20 .
- One of embossed features 221 , 22 P preferably projects into the interior of container 20 and the other of features 221 , 22 P projects outward from the exterior thereof.
- an outwardly projecting feature 22 P of one container comes into contact with an inwardly projecting feature 221 of the adjacent container in the nest to prevent the inner container from fully seating into and jamming with the outer container, and also to space adjacent containers 20 away from each other, thereby to define one or more anti-jamming air passages for relieving pressure differences and/or for reducing friction between adjacent containers.
- inwardly projecting feature 22 I is parallel to and closer to the edge of side 22 at open end 24 than is outwardly projecting feature 22 P parallel thereto, and each is preferably provided at each corner 22 C of container 20 .
- Projecting features 221 , 22 P may be scored or embossed into sides 22 or may be otherwise formed, and may be regular or irregular in dimension, length, size and/or shape, and may also be arranged to provide a decorative or aesthetic effect.
- the embossed features be irregular in size and/or spacing and/or pattern by at least a small amount, even if the amount of irregularity is so small as not to be evident without careful scrutiny. This is desirable so that adjacent containers 20 cannot become aligned with the embossed feature of one container matching and jamming with the embossed feature of an adjacent container 20 , whereby the space through which air may pass is reduced and/or friction is not reduced, which would tend to not produce the desired anti-jamming effect.
- the containers 20 may be rotated in relative orientation (e.g., by 90° or 180° for rectangular cross-section containers 20 , or by any convenient angle for circular cross-section containers 20 ) when they are nested so that the embossed features or other anti-jamming means do not align and nest in the nest 10 .
- Anti-jamming means or features includes not only means providing physical separation as described above, but also includes means that reduce the tendency for containers to jam or become jammed. Where containers are of plastic, e.g., a polymer, the condition where polymers adhere to each other is known as “blocking” and so materials for reducing or avoiding blocking may be referred to as “anti-blocking agents.” Herein, anti-jamming means and features include anti-blocking agents.
- particulate matter may be introduced between containers for spacing the containers apart for providing passage for air to flow and/or for reducing friction between adjacent nested containers, thereby to facilitate dispensing containers from a nest of nestable containers.
- Suitable particulates preferably have a grain or particle size that is greater than the size of pores in the material from which the container is made.
- introducing talc or cornstarch or other particulate matter tends to increase the “slipperiness” of one container against another container.
- cornstarch is preferable to talc for most paper and paperboard materials because it has a bigger particle size.
- container surfaces may be coated with a slippery material, such as a paperboard coated with one or more of polyethylene, a polyolefin, polypropylene, silicone, polytetrafluoroethylene, and the like, and/or an anti-blocking agent, such as talc or silicone.
- Coatings may be applied to the surfaces of containers 20 to similar ends.
- a plastic coating or lining, or a metalized coating or lining may not only provide anti-jamming or anti-blocking means, but may also serve to waterproof the container so that it may carry liquids as well as solids, and/or may provide thermally insulative and/or decorative benefits.
- Examples include polyethylene coatings, both with and without a silicone wash, for additional slipperiness.
- Polyethylene containers may be coated with a silicone, e.g., applied by spray or by rolling.
- Coated containers 20 which may have insulating properties to a greater or lesser degree, may find use as a take-out food container, for hot and cold foods and/or beverages such as hamburgers, pizza, ice cream and the like, that serves to keep the contents hot or cold, as desired, and that, when empty, also serves as a trash container. Liners and coatings may, for example, be provided on the inside and/or outside surfaces of containers 20 , for providing decorative, insulating, and/or other desired properties. Containers 20 may also be utilized as a substitute for grocery bags and similar packaging used at markets, dry goods stores, department stores and other merchants.
- FIGS. 8A-8H are schematic diagrams illustrating further examples of various anti-jamming means or features or features for a set 10 of nestable containers 20 .
- FIG. 8A-8C illustrate handle arrangements wherein opposing sides 22 of a container 20 H include a handle 22 H that provides a handle that is folded over while the container 20 H is disposed in a nest 10 of containers 20 .
- Handle 22 H provides a convenient handle for a user to utilize in carrying a container 20 H and, in addition, while folded in a nest 10 of containers 20 , provides anti-jamming means because it tends to space adjacent containers 20 H in a nest 10 apart from each other, thereby to define space between adjacent containers 20 H which allows for the passage of air and/or reduces friction between adjacent containers 22 H.
- Handles 22 H may be an integral extension of side 22 that is, e.g., scored and folded inside container 20 H as illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8C, or may be a die-cut handle member 22 H that is glued or otherwise adhered to side 22 proximate the open end 24 thereof as illustrated in FIG. 8B. Handle 22 H may be adhered to the inside surface of container 20 H or may be adhered to the outside surface of container 20 H, as desired. Handle 22 H may be folded inside of container 20 H or may be folded outside the container 20 H, as desired, although folding handle 22 H inside of container 20 H is more convenient for a user to grasp handle 22 H, and handle 22 H may include a hole as illustrated for ease of grasping in use.
- handle 22 H when handle 22 H is folded inside of container 20 H as is preferable, (whether handle 22 H is integral to side 22 or is a separate member adhered thereto), it tends naturally to unfold as illustrated by arrow UF in FIG. 8C, thereby to provide a spring-like assist for urging the container that is nested inside thereof in the direction for removal from nest 10 , e.g., a desirable anti-jamming means.
- FIGS. 8D-8H illustrate other spring-like arrangements that may be employed with a container 20 .
- FIG. 8D illustrates a container 20 S having sides 22 and open end 24 wherein a folded member 26 S adhered to closed end 26 thereof provides a spring-like assist for urging the container nested inside container 20 S in a direction for removal from nest 10 , thereby to provide desirable anti-jamming means.
- Spring-like member 26 S may be a part of closed end 26 or may be a separate member, e.g., a die-cut member that is glued or otherwise attached thereto.
- FIGS. 8E and 8F illustrate containers 20 S having sides 22 and open end 24 wherein a folded member 26 S′ and/or 26 ′′ adhered to closed end 26 thereof provides a spring-like assist for urging the container nested inside container 20 S in a direction for removal from nest 10 , thereby to provide desirable anti-jamming means.
- member 26 S′ is folded and attached to closed end 26 to provide two members disposed approximately perpendicularly to closed end 26 that will act as a spring as described and/or as a spacer.
- a double-folded or triple folded member 26 S, 26 S′, 26 S′′ may be provided, as illustrated in FIG. 8F.
- Spring-like members 26 S, 26 S′ and 26 S′′ may be made as a part of closed end 26 or may be a separate member, e.g., a die-cut member that is glued or otherwise attached thereto.
- spring-like action tending to urge separation of containers 20 from a nest thereof 10 may be provided by a bowed or domed bottom or closed end 26 D as shown in FIG. 8G.
- closed end 26 D is a separate member that is glued or otherwise attached to the sides 22 of container 20 S, and bowing or a domed shape obtains where closed end member 26 D is made larger than the size of the closed end defined by the edges of sides 22 of container 20 S.
- FIG. 8H illustrates container 20 S having sides 22 and open end 24 wherein the folded flaps 26 a and 26 b are folded to form closed end 26 .
- Member 26 T extending from closed end 26 is folded to extend into the interior of container 20 S to provide a spacer and/or a spring-like assist for spacing and/or urging the container nested inside container 20 S in a direction for removal from nest 10 , thereby to provide desirable anti-jamming means.
- one or more folded flaps 26 b for example, has a member 26 T extending therefrom.
- two opposing flaps 26 b have a member 26 T extending therefrom, wherein the two members 26 T are folded to extend from closed end 26 to be disposed approximately perpendicularly to closed end 26 to act as a spacer and/or spring as described.
- the two members 26 T may be, but need not be, attached to each other, e.g., adhesively.
- spring-like members provide anti-jamming force that results from the manufacturing of the containers with elements that provide the desired forces, without elaborate or complex structures or additional elements that could be added at additional cost. Even where additional members are employed to provide the spring-like elements, they can be manufactured utilizing the same materials, processes and equipment that are utilized for the manufacture of the containers themselves.
- FIGS. 9A-9D are schematic isometric diagrams illustrating four further examples of anti-jamming means or features for a set 10 of nestable containers 20 .
- Anti-jamming means provided by spacers 126 act to prevent the compressing of nested containers 20 together which is believed to be the principal cause that results in jamming.
- Spacer ring 126 C and spacer rectangle 126 R are placed inside each container 20 at the closed end thereof prior to another container being nested therein.
- spacer ring 126 C is for nests of containers having a circular cross-section and spacer rectangle 126 R is for containers having a rectangular cross-section.
- spacers 126 C, 126 R have an outer diameter or dimension that is slightly smaller than the interior diameter or dimension of the closed end 26 of the container 20 in which it is to be placed, although smaller spacers 126 C, 126 R may be employed if desired.
- spacers 126 act as separators between the closed ends 26 of adjacent containers 20 , thereby providing a space therebetween that permits passage of air and/or reduces friction therebetween.
- spacers 126 C, 126 R When a user applies force in adhering a nest 10 of containers 20 to an object, spacers 126 C, 126 R directly transmit the force applied to each container to the closed end of the next container, whereby the applied force is transmitted directly to adhering means 40 and the object, thereby to prevent the containers from becoming pressed together and jammed due to the applied force.
- Spacers 126 C, 126 C′ of FIGS. 9A, 9B are cylindrical spacers 126 or spacer rings 126 of different relative aspect ratios.
- Spacer 126 C is relatively “taller” with a height that is greater than its wall thickness, as might obtain where a strip of paper or plastic is formed into a circular shape and the opposing ends of the strip are adhered together.
- Spacer 126 C′ is relatively “flat” with its height smaller than its wall thickness, as might obtain where spacer 126 C′ is stamped or punched or otherwise cut out of a relatively thick stock, e.g., such as a paperboard, cardboard or corrugated cardboard.
- Spacer 126 R of FIG. 9C is a rectangular spacer 126 that may be shaped and/or formed similarly to spacers 126 C, 126 C′.
- Spacers 126 ′ of FIG. 9D are useful where containers 20 of nest 10 each have adhering means on the exterior of the closed ends thereof.
- Plural spacers 126 ′ are attached to the adhesive bottom, preferably near the periphery thereof, either directly to the adhesive thereon or to a release liner covering the adhesive prior to use, thereby to act in like manner to spacers 126 C, 126 C′, 126 R described above. While two spacers 126 ′ are sufficient, typically 3-4 spacers 126 ′ are employed for each container 20 .
- Spacers 126 ′ may also be employed where only the outermost container 20 has adhering means 40 on the closed end 26 thereof, e.g., by utilizing glue or adhesive to attach spacers 126 ′ to the closed ends of respective containers 20 .
- Spacers 126 C, 126 C′, 126 R, 126 ′ may be made from the same sorts of material(s) as are described for containers 20 , although the spacers 126 C, 126 C′, 126 R, 126 ′ utilized with any container 20 and/or set 10 of containers 20 need not be of the same material as are the container 20 and/or set 10 of containers 20 .
- the spacers described may include an adhesive, a sheet of magnetic material, and/or the hook or loop portion of a hook and loop fastener so as to serve as both an anti-jamming spacer and as adhering means.
- containers 20 may be made of different size and/or shape from others of containers 20 in a nest 10 thereof.
- containers 20 may be made of different size in height (e.g., the dimension between the open and closed ends 24 , 26 thereof) so that open ends 24 of inner containers 20 do not extend out from the open end 24 of the outermost container 20 , so that pressure applied to adhere a nest 10 to an object may easily be applied to the outermost container 20 only, whereby the inner containers 20 tend not to be pressed into one another.
- containers 20 having different cross-sectional dimension proximate the closed end 26 thereof may be nested together with the cross-sectional dimension being smallest for the innermost container 20 and being increasingly larger for each container 20 in order, with the outermost container 20 having the largest cross-sectional dimension.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a cut-out blank 20 BL-C of sheet material for forming a nestable container 20 having a circular cross-section.
- Cut-out blank 20 BL-C comprises an arcuate piece 22 BL and a circular piece circular piece 26 BL.
- Arcuate piece 22 BL is bendable to form side 22 of container 20 and has a tab or flap 25 extending from one of the straight edges thereof for being glued or otherwise attached along the other straight edge thereof to form side 22 of container 20 .
- Circular piece 26 BL has a plurality of radially extending tabs 26 T foldable in the same direction for being glued or otherwise attached along the shorter arcuate edge of blank 22 BL to provide the closed end 26 of container 20 .
- the dashed lines indicate fold lines, and fold lines are preferably scored for easier and more precise folding.
- the longer arcuate edge of blank 20 BL-C defines an open end 24 .
- FIGS. 11A-11D are schematic diagrams of cut-out blanks 20 BL-R, 20 BL-R′, 20 BL-R′′, 20 BL-RT of sheet material for forming respective nestable containers 20 .
- the dashed lines indicate fold lines, and fold lines are preferably scored for easier and more precise folding.
- FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram of a cut-out blank 20 BL-R, 20 BL-R′, 20 BL-R′′ of sheet material that is foldable to form a container 20 having a rectangular cross-section.
- Blank 20 BL-R comprises four relatively larger sections 22 that are slightly tapered so as to be trapezoidal and that when folded provide four sides 22 of container 20 .
- Blank 20 BL-R further comprises a flap or tab 25 extending from one of side sections 22 that is folded and positioned to overlap the straight edge of the furthest distal section 22 to be glued or otherwise adhered thereto to form a corner between two adjacent sides 22 .
- Blank 20 BL-R further comprises four relatively smaller flaps or sections 26 a , 26 b that are foldable to provide closed end 26 when glued or otherwise adhered to each other.
- Flaps 26 a are rectangular and flaps 26 b are tapered so as to be trapezoidal, but any of the flaps 26 a , 26 b may be made rectangular or trapezoidal as desired.
- flaps 26 b are folded first and then flaps 26 a are folded so that one or both (depending on their dimensions) of flaps 26 b provide the exterior surface of closed end 26 of container 20 .
- the container 20 is the outermost container of a nest 10 of nestable containers 20
- adhering means are provided on one or both of exterior flaps 26 a .
- side sections 22 are rectangular, and where a tapered container 20 is desired, side sections 22 are tapered or trapezoidal.
- the longer straight edges of blank 20 BL-R opposite flaps 26 a , 26 b define an open end 24 .
- anti-jamming means may be provided by cutting a pair of parallel slits 22 S intersecting a scored corner fold line between adjacent sides 22 in a location proximate the fold line between sides 22 and bottom flaps 26 a , 26 b .
- corner fold lines between adjacent sides 22 are folded in a first direction, except that the portion thereof between the two parallel slits 22 S is folded in the opposite direction.
- the portion of sides 22 between parallel slits 22 S extends into the interior of container 20 , thereby to provide a pedestal or ledge upon which a container placed inside the folded container 20 may rest so as to resist jamming therewith.
- FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram of a cut-out blank 20 BL-R′ of sheet material that is identical to blank 20 BL-R described above except as follows.
- Blank 20 BL-R′ includes a number of die-cut slits defining tabs 22 T adjacent the fold lines defining corners between adjacent sides 22 of container 20 .
- One or more die-cut slits may be provided at each fold line between adjacent corner sections 22 to provide any desired number of tabs 22 T at each corner between adjacent sides 22 , and/or to provide tabs 22 T at any one or more of the corners between adjacent sides 22 , as may be desired.
- scoring between adjacent side sections 22 does not extend across tabs 22 T.
- tabs 22 T are not folded and so project in plane from one side 22 , thereby to provide tabs 22 T as shown in FIG. 7I above.
- One or more tabs may be provided, and may be located at diagonally opposite corners as illustrated or at adjacent corners, as desired.
- FIG. 11C is a schematic diagram of a cut-out blank 20 BL-R′′ of sheet material that is identical to blank 20 BL-R described above except as follows.
- Blank 20 BL-R′′ includes a number of scored or embossed lines defining inward projecting features 221 and outward projecting features 22 P transverse to the fold lines defining corners between adjacent sides 22 of container 20 .
- One or more scored or embossed lines may be provided at each fold line between adjacent corner sections 22 to provide any desired number of scored or embossed lines 221 , 22 P at each corner between adjacent sides 22 , and/or to provide scored or embossed lines 221 , 22 P at any one or more of the corners between adjacent sides 22 , as may be desired.
- scored or embossed lines 221 , 22 P are provided parallel to and proximate the edges of blank 20 BL-R′′ that define open end 24 , and at each corner between adjacent sides 22 .
- scored or embossed lines 221 , 22 P bend around each corner and so project both inward and outward from each side 22 , thereby to provide scored or embossed lines 221 , 22 P as shown in FIG. 7J above.
- FIG. 11D is a schematic diagram of cut-out blank 20 BL-RT of sheet material for forming a respective nestable container 20 having folded spacer and/or spring-like members 26 T as illustrated in FIG. 8H.
- Blank 20 BL-RT is similar to blank 20 BL-R of FIG. 11A except that optional slits 22 are not provided and flaps 26 b are extended and include a tab 26 T at the distal end thereof.
- Blank 20 BL-RT comprises four relatively larger sections 22 that are slightly tapered so as to be trapezoidal and that when folded provide four sides 22 of container 20 .
- Blank 20 BL-RT further comprises a flap or tab 25 extending from one of side sections 22 that is folded and positioned to overlap the straight edge of the furthest distal section 22 to be glued or otherwise adhered thereto to form a corner between two adjacent sides 22 .
- Blank 20 BL-RT further comprises four relatively smaller flaps or sections 26 a , 26 b that are foldable to provide closed end 26 when glued or otherwise adhered to each other.
- Flaps 26 b have a scored or embossed fold line defining a tab 26 T at the distal end thereof that is folded so as to extend inward into the interior of a container 20 made from blank 20 BL-RT.
- flaps 26 a are rectangular and flaps 26 b are tapered so as to be trapezoidal, but any of the flaps 26 a , 26 b may be made rectangular or trapezoidal as desired.
- flaps 26 b are folded and tabs 26 T thereof are folded in the same direction, so that flaps 26 b provide the interior of closed end 26 and tabs 26 T extend inwardly into the interior of the container, thereby to provide a spacer and/or spring-like member 26 T.
- the two flaps 26 T are juxtaposed adjacent each other and need not be glued or otherwise adhered to each other, however, tabs 26 T may be glued or otherwise adhered together, as may be desirable for a relatively larger size container.
- flaps 26 a are folded so that one or both (depending on their dimensions) of flaps 26 b provide the exterior surface of closed end 26 of container 20 .
- adhering means are provided on one or both of exterior flaps 26 a .
- side sections 22 are rectangular, and where a tapered container 20 is desired, side sections 22 are tapered or trapezoidal.
- the longer straight edges of blank 20 BL-RT opposite flaps 26 a , 26 b define an open end 24 .
- An example rectangular container made from a paperboard blank of the sort of blank 20 BL-RT is, for example, about 151 ⁇ 2 cm (about 6 inches) high, has a closed end of about 10 by 18 cm (about 4 by 71 ⁇ 8 inches), and has an open end of about 121 ⁇ 2 by 23 cm (about 5 by 9 inches), and has trapezoidal sides.
- Tabs 26 T thereof are glued to each other, are about 51 ⁇ 2 cm (about 21 ⁇ 4 inches) long, and extend about 11 ⁇ 2 cm (about 5 ⁇ 8 inch) into the interior of the container.
- An example square container made from a paperboard blank of the sort of blank 20 BL-RT is, for example, about 151 ⁇ 2 cm (about 6 inches) high, has a closed end of about 10 by 10 cm (about 4 by 4 inches), and has an open end of about 121 ⁇ 2 by 121 ⁇ 2 cm (about 5 by 5 inches), and has trapezoidal sides.
- Tabs 26 T thereof are not glued to each other, are about 8 cm (about 31 ⁇ 4 inches) long, and extend about 11 ⁇ 2 cm (about 5 ⁇ 8 inch) into the interior of the container.
- Another example rectangular container made from a paperboard blank of the sort of blank 20 BL-R or 20 BL-RT is, for example, about 33 cm (about 13 inches) high, has a closed end of about 121 ⁇ 2 by 203 ⁇ 4 cm (about 5 by 8 inches), and has an open end of about 51 ⁇ 4 by 25 cm (about 6 by 10 inches), has trapezoidal sides, and may employ one or more anti-jamming features of the sort described herein, e.g., tabs 26 T or a spacer 126 .
- Typical tabs 26 T thereof are in a range of about 8-10 cm (about 31 ⁇ 4-41 ⁇ 8 inches) in length and extend about 11 ⁇ 2-2 cm (about 5 ⁇ 8-3 ⁇ 4 inch) into the interior of the container, and in some examples are not glued to each other and in other examples are glued to each other.
- an adhesive strip is provided on the exterior surface of the closed end along the central seam in the direction of the longer dimension thereof, and in other example containers two parallel adhesive strips are provided on the exterior surface of the closed end adjacent the longer edges thereof.
- the length dimension of the adhesive strip(s) is substantially the full dimension of the closed end, but may be shorter, if desired.
- FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a cut-out blank 20 BL-RC of sheet material for forming a nestable container 20 having a closure.
- the dashed lines indicate fold lines, and the fold lines are preferably scored for easier and more precise folding.
- Cut-out blank 20 BL-RC is identical to any one of cut-out blanks 20 BL-R, 20 BL-R′, 20 BL-R′′ described above (i.e. it may or may not include optional features 221 , 22 P and/or 22 T), except that it includes closure means 124 for open end 24 of container 20 .
- Closure means 124 comprises, for example, four cover flaps 124 a , 124 b extending from the edges of sides 22 that would otherwise define the open end 24 of container 20 .
- One cover flap 124 a includes a tab 125 extending from the shorter edge thereof that when folded is glued or otherwise adhered to the shorter edge of cover flap 124 b most distal therefrom, so that when blank 20 BL-RC is folded to form container 20 , cover flaps 1214 a , 124 b extend from sides 22 and substantially in plane therewith.
- Cover flaps 124 a , 124 b are preferably scored where they join sides 22 and where they join each other.
- smaller cover flaps 124 b extending from smaller sides 22 have additional scored lines extending diagonally from the intersection of the score lines between cover flaps 124 a and 124 b and the score lines between cover flaps 124 a , 124 b and sides 22 .
- the diagonal scored lines converge and end proximate each other at the edge of cover flaps 124 b for defining a gripping region 124 c thereat.
- cover flaps 124 a move inward to cover the open end 24 of container 20 while cover flaps 124 b move outward and fold along the diagonal score lines.
- gripping regions 124 c have been moved to about the plane defined by the score lines defining open end 24
- cover flaps 124 a are substantially co-planar to cover the open end 24 of container 20 and cover flaps 124 b have folded along the diagonal score lines to be triangular.
- Folded cover flaps 124 b may then be folded against side 22 and the apex of triangular-folded cover flaps 124 b may be inserted into die-cut slit 22 s provided therein, whereby cover flaps 124 b are held in the folded position which holds cover flaps 124 a covering the open end 24 of container 20 .
- FIG. 13 is an isometric view schematic diagram of a nestable container 20 in a partially folded or collapsed condition
- FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14 C are top, side and bottom view schematic diagrams, respectively, of nestable container 20 in a folded or collapsed condition.
- Folding or collapsing container 20 is desirable to reduce the volume it occupies, e.g., during storage and shipping.
- containers 20 may be expanded to an un-collapsed condition for use either before or after being withdrawn from the nest of containers.
- the illustrated container 20 is generally rectangular and may have tapered sides, similar to the containers illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 1A, 2A, 2 B, 3 , 4 A- 4 C, 5 , 6 A- 6 B, 8 D- 8 H, 11 A- 11 D and 12 .
- a stack or nest of collapsed containers 20 may be utilized in its collapsed condition with individual containers un-collapsed or the stack or nest of collapsed containers 20 may be expanded or un-collapsed so that each of the containers 20 thereof is in its expanded condition prior to using or withdrawing any container 20 of the stack or nest thereof.
- Container 20 has four generally rectangular sides 22 and a rectangular closed end 26 .
- sides 22 are slightly trapezoidal so that container 20 is slightly tapered, being smaller at closed end 26 than at open end 24 .
- Closed end 26 comprises four flaps 26 a , 26 b that are folded and glued.
- flaps 26 b each have a tab 26 T that is folded inward to provide an anti-jamming feature at the interior of closed end 26 .
- Container 20 is collapsed or folded by folding closed end 26 inwardly (as indicated by the arrows pointing upward from dashed line 226 in FIG. 13) and folding opposing sides 22 outwardly (as indicated by the arrows pointing to the left and right from lines 222 in FIG. 13), substantially at the same time.
- closed end 26 is preferably folded along a line in a direction parallel to the lengths of tabs 26 T if tabs 26 T are provided.
- the fold 226 in closed end 26 is along a line parallel to and in between the two anti-jamming tabs 26 T, as is preferred where anti-jamming tabs 26 T are provided.
- Two opposing sides 22 are each folded in an outward direction along a respective fold line running in the direction between closed end 26 and open end 24 at respective folds 222 , thereby defining partial sides 22 a and 22 b on opposite sides of fold 222 .
- Fold 226 meets respective folds 222 at respective locations 223 on opposing sides 22 part way between closed end 26 and open end 24 .
- folds 222 and 224 in each of sides 22 together define a “Y” shaped fold therein, wherein the “Y” is inverted when closed end 26 is the downward or bottom of container 20 , i.e. the top of the “Y” is at closed end 26 and the central leg of the “Y” is at open end 24 .
- Container 20 is typically made by folding a container blank 20 BL at its score or crease lines into the shape of container 20 and gluing or other wise securing tab 25 to side 22 and closed end flaps 26 a , 26 b in proper position. Then container 20 is folded or collapsed by folding outwardly along lines 222 , 224 and inwardly along line 226 . Any one or more or all of folds 222 , 224 , 226 may be made along scored, creased or embossed lines of blank 20 BL. Plural containers 20 so made and collapsed are then nested to provide a nest of containers.
- both the outward folding of opposing sides 22 along fold lines 222 , 224 , and the inward folding of closed end 26 along fold line 226 are done together, i.e. substantially contemporaneously.
- the collapsed container 20 will tend to spring open or expand slightly from the collapsed state, which may be advantageous in placing collapsed containers 20 into a nested arrangement of containers.
- a set of nested containers 20 may be packed in a box or other container, or may be over wrapped by plastic or other packaging material, e.g., for shipping, storage, and/or for retail display, and the packaging material may tend to maintain containers 20 in the collapsed condition until they are unwrapped and put into use.
- FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view schematic diagram illustrating two of the nestable container 20 of FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14 C in nested arrangement.
- the inner or top one of the containers 20 is designated 20 b and the outer or bottom one thereof is designated 20 a .
- any number of containers 20 may be nested as may be convenient or desired, however, two are illustrated by way of example for illustrating the relative arrangement of the features interior thereto.
- anti-jamming tabs 26 T of container 20 a bear against the exterior of closed end 26 of container 20 b to maintain space therebetween, thereby to facilitate and ease separation of containers 20 a and 20 b in use.
- the tendency of containers 20 a , 20 b to spring back or expand slightly from the collapsed condition may also tend to ease the removal of containers 20 from the nested stack thereof.
- Container 20 a may include adhesive or other adhering means 40 on an outside surface thereof, e.g., on the outer surface of closed end 26 , e.g., on outer flaps 26 a .
- adhesive or adhering means may include any form and/or material, e.g., as described herein.
- Such adhesive or adhering means may be provided on containers 20 of a nest of containers in addition to the exposed container, and may be of sufficient thickness as to resist the jamming of containers 20 in a nest 10 of containers 20 .
- the inward fold of the closed end 26 of container 20 as described be made in a direction that permits any anti-jamming means associated with closed end 26 , e.g., tabs 26 T, to provide anti-jamming when container 20 is in the folded condition. It is noted that any of the example anti-jamming arrangements described may be employed where the container is folded or collapsed.
- FIGS. 14A-14C and 14 are container(s) 20 corresponding to the container blank 20 BL-RT shown in FIG. 11D
- the folding arrangement and method described may be employed with containers 20 corresponding to the container blanks 20 BL shown in any of FIGS. 10 , 11 A- 11 D and 12 , and/or with other containers described herein, as well as with containers not described herein.
- the term “blank 20 BL” is employed to refer to any or all of example container blanks 20 BL-C, 20 BL-R, 20 BL-R′, 20 BL-R′′, 20 BL-RT, 20 BL-RC, as well as to blanks not illustrated.
- the term “about” means that dimensions, sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art.
- a dimension, size, formulation, parameter, shape or other quantity or characteristic is “about” or “approximate” whether or not expressly stated to be such.
- an adhesive is provided as the adhering means
- the adhering means preferably has stronger adhesion to the material of the container than to the object to which the nest of containers adhere.
- one or more strips or patches of hook and loop fastener having adhesive on one side thereof for adhering to the container may be employed, as may be one or more strips or patches of adhesive tape comprising two or more layers, e.g., one layer that adheres strongly to the container material and another layer that adheres releasably to the object.
- Other adhering means may also be employed.
- a sheet magnet material such as a plastic or rubber sheet having magnetized material and/or particles therein, of the sort that is used for “refrigerator magnets” may be adhered to container 20 intended to be mounted to an object of iron, steel or other material attracted to a magnet.
- Adhering means may be provided as one or more strips or patches of adhesive, hook and loop fastener and/or any other suitable adhering material, or as a sheet thereof. On the other hand, adhering means could be omitted from one, some or all of the containers.
- nest of nestable containers described may be utilized for containing any other material in place of and/or in addition to waste, such as food, beverage, and at any point of sale or distribution, in sizes either larger or smaller than the typical sizes described.
- number of containers in a nest may vary over a wide range, e.g., from about 5-8 containers for typical vehicle and/or home and/or business uses, and to greater or lesser numbers for these and/or other uses.
- adhering means While an adhering means is typically to be provided on an exterior surface of only the outermost container of a stack of containers, it may be desirable to provide adhering means on other ones and/or on all of the containers of a stack of containers. This may simplify manufacturing because all containers may be the same, or may be advantageous for a particular use thereof.
- the adhering means be it an adhesive or a hook and loop fastener, may be of sufficient thickness to resist jamming of plural nestable containers when the plural nestable containers are nested. If the adhering means is adhesive, a release liner or other peelable covering may be provided, as is typical for the adhesive adhering means herein.
- One example of such particular use could be where food is dispensed to a person likely to consume the food aboard a moving and/or movable conveyance, such as a train or airplane.
- the adhering means could be employed to attach the container to a seat tray or other surface, e.g., whether the container is utilized as a holder for food to be consumed or as a holder for another a food tray or plate, whereby the container would not slide around while the person was attempting to consume its contents.
- nestable containers described are generally glued or otherwise adhered together from a folded blank or from plural pieces of flat material to form a container
- nestable containers that are only folded may also be nestable as described herein, and may be provided in a set or nest with adhering means and/or anti-jamming means or features as described.
- Such containers might find use, for example, as food containers wherein food is dispensed in a folded nestable container, e.g., one with a closure as described, is opened and unfolded to serve as a plate or place mat when consuming its contents, and may then be refolded to serve as a waste container.
- closures such as the slot and tab type of closures provided on conventional cereal and cracker boxes, may be utilized with the nestable containers described herein, or separate lids, e.g., lids that are themselves nestable containers as described herein, may be utilized.
- containers are described herein as being “nestable,” or being “nested,” or being a “nest” of containers, i.e. for being or being capable of being placed one into another, which Applicant's consider a preferred terminology. Such arrangements may also be referred to as being “stackable,” or being “stacked,” or as being a “stack” of containers within the scope of the claims following.
- inward and outward generally refer to a direction as would be perceived from the vantage of a person observing or using such container, i.e. inward is towards the interior of the container, e.g., the volume defined by the side or sides and the closed end thereof.
Abstract
Description
- This Application claims the benefit of the priority of: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/461,241 filed Apr. 8, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/482,691 filed Jun. 26, 2003.
- The present invention relates to containers and, in particular, to a set of nestable containers.
- In many everyday locations there arises a need for a container for receiving one or more objects for various reasons and purposes. For example, in a vehicle there is a need for a waste receptacle so that trash generated by the driver and/or passengers can be neatly collected and stored until it is to be removed for disposal. Similar needs arise in home and/or business locations of all types.
- Conventional waste receptacles, e.g., for vehicles, include plastic bags that may be hung from a projection in the passenger compartment. However, aside from the fact that plastic bags typically are flaccid or flimsy and so don't present a convenient opening for deposit of trash, modern vehicles tend to have flat and/or smooth surfaces in the passenger compartment and so have fewer, if any, projections on which to hang a trash bag. In addition, if such trash bags are disposable, they need to be replaced when full, which can occur relatively often, and, if they are reusable, they can become soiled and unsanitary.
- Another conventional trash container is a rigid plastic container of a cylindrical or parallelepiped shape that is held in position by gravity, and is stabilized by a flexible saddle attached to its bottom wherein the ends of the flaps of the saddle are usually weighted to hang over a hump on the vehicle floor. Aside from being heavy and a possible projectile in a collision, such container has the disadvantages that it may easily be tipped over thereby to spill its contents and that it must either be lined with a replaceable liner or be cleaned to avoid undesirable soiling.
- Permanent reusable containers are typically more expensive and require plastic liners or other liners for sanitary and cleanliness reasons. Plastic liners often stick to themselves and/or cling to the container, and so are difficult to install and secure in the permanent container. Because the liners are usually much less sturdy than is the container, it is not unusual for the filled liner to tear or burst when it is being removed and/or disposed of, thereby spilling its contents.
- Similar disadvantages frequently attend containers for use in a home and/or business environment, as well as for containers utilized for purposes other than the collection and disposal of waste and/or trash.
- Accordingly, there is a need for a container arrangement that can be disposable and/or that can reduce the frequency of replacement and/or that is less susceptible to being tipped over.
- To this end, a set of nestable containers may comprise a plurality of nestable self-supporting containers each being open at one end and having a closed end, and adhering means for adhering the set of nestable containers to an object, wherein said adhering means is exposed when said plurality of nestable containers is nested.
- According to another aspect, a set of nestable containers may comprise a plurality of collapsed nestable self-supporting containers being of size and shape for being nested one in another, each of the collapsed nestable containers including an anti-jamming member extending into an interior thereof into which at least one other collapsed nestable container may nest.
- The detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be more easily and better understood when read in conjunction with the FIGURES of the Drawing which include:
- FIGS. 1A and 1B are isometric views of example sets of nestable containers;
- FIGS. 2A-2D are schematic diagrams of various example shapes of a container of the set of containers of FIG1A and 1B;
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematic diagram of a set of nestable containers in a nested condition;
- FIGS. 4A and 4B are an isometric view and a top view schematic diagram, respectively, of an example embodiment of a container having anti-jamming means or features for a set of nestable containers;
- FIG. 5 is a top view schematic diagram of a nest of containers including the example embodiment of a nestable container having anti-jamming means or features of FIGS. 4A-4B;
- FIGS. 6A and 6B are top view schematic diagrams of example embodiments of nestable containers having anti-jamming means or features;
- FIGS. 7A-7J are schematic diagrams illustrating other examples of various anti-jamming means or features for a set of nestable containers;
- FIGS. 8A-8H are schematic diagrams illustrating further examples of various anti-jamming means or features for a set of nestable containers;
- FIGS. 9A-9D are schematic isometric diagrams illustrating further examples of anti-jamming means or features for a set of nestable containers;
- FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a cut-out blank of sheet material for forming a nestable container;
- FIGS. 11A-11D are schematic diagrams of cut-out blanks of sheet material for forming respective nestable containers;
- FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a cut-out blank of sheet material for forming a nestable container having a closure;
- FIG. 13 is an isometric view schematic diagram of a nestable container in a partially folded or collapsed condition;
- FIGS. 14A, 14B and14C are top, side and bottom view schematic diagrams, respectively, of the nestable container of FIG. 13 in a folded state; and
- FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view schematic diagram of the nestable container of FIGS. 14A, 14B and14C.
- In the Drawing, where an element or feature is shown in more than one drawing figure, the same alphanumeric designation may be used to designate such element or feature in each figure, and where a closely related or modified element is shown in a figure, the same alphanumerical designation primed or designated “a” or “b” or the like may be used to designate the modified element or feature. Similarly, similar elements or features may be designated by like alphanumeric designations in different figures of the Drawing and with similar nomenclature in the specification. It is noted that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawing are not to scale, and the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity.
- FIGS. 1A and 1B are isometric views of example sets10 of
nestable containers 20 wherein a plurality ofnestable containers 20, individually designated 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and so forth, are nested. Each ofcontainers 20 is nestable in that it has a size and/or shape for fitting into an open end of another ofcontainers 20 in a nesting manner. Each ofcontainers 20 has one or more sides, has an open end, and has a closed end, wherein the side(s) and closed end are joined to define a container volume into which one or more objects and/or material(s) may be placed. Herein, while individual containers may be referred to specifically, e.g., as container(s) 20 a, 20 b, and so forth, any one or more ofcontainers containers 20. -
Containers 20 a-20 f of FIG. 1A, for example, comprise a nest or set 10 of six nestable parallelepiped-shaped containers 20 of which each has an open end and a closed end, and is of rectangular cross-sectional shape, and whereincontainer 20 a is larger thancontainer 20 b which is larger thancontainer 20 c and so forth. A first orouter container 20 a has adhering means 40 on the exterior of the closed bottom end thereof. A set ornest 10 may comprise a greater or lesser number ofnestable containers 20, as may be desirable and/or convenient. -
Containers 20 a-20 e of FIG. 1B, for example, comprise a nest or set 10 of five nestable frustro-conical-shaped containers 20 of which each has an open end and is of circular cross-sectional shape, and whereincontainers 20 a through 20 e are the same size. A first orouter container 20 a has adhering means 40 on the exterior of the closed orbottom end 26 thereof. A frustro-conical-shaped container has a shape that is a section or a frustrum of a cone, typically the cone is cut in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the cone. - Adhering means40 may be utilized for adhering container set 10 to a surface and may be a sheet or layer of an adhesive or adhesive tape, a piece of adhesive tape, a piece of adhesive tape having adhesive on both sides thereof, or may be a hook part or a loop part of a hook and loop fastener. Suitable adhesive tapes include, e.g., type 442 KW tape, which is a double sided tape with a rubber adhesive, available from 3M Corporation of St. Paul, Minn. Suitable hook and loop fasteners include, e.g., a Velcro® fastener available from Velcro USA located in Manchester, N.H.
- Preferably, adhering
means 40 adheres sufficiently to an object to supportnest 10 in a desired position for use and is releasable so thatcontainer 20 a may be removed from the object. For example, the hook portion of a hook and loop fastener is suitable for releasably adheringnest 10 to carpet or fabric. A tacky adhesive is suitable for adheringnest 10 to a smooth or non-smooth object, such as a floor or wall, as well as to a carpet, and is preferably of an adhesive type that does not leave a residue on the object when it is removed. - Adhering means40 may be a sheet or layer or member of like size and shape to the bottom of
container 20 a or may be one or more sheets or layers or pieces thereof that is/are smaller than the bottom ofcontainer 20 a. Alternatively, adheringmeans 40 may comprise one or more pieces of any of the described examples of adhering means. For example, a number of small adhesive pads or hook-fastener pieces (e.g., about 2.5 cm (about 1-inch) in diameter) may be utilized on the bottom ofcontainer 20 a that is about 10-20 cm (about 4-8 inches) across. - Alternatively and/or additionally, adhering means40 of any of the foregoing examples of adhering means may be provided as adhering
means 42 on any one or more sides ofcontainer 20 a. Because each ofcontainers containers 20, none typically includes adhering means. - Set10 of
nestable containers 20 may be utilized in any one or more of a wide variety of environments and locations, e.g., on a horizontal surface such as a floor of a vehicle or of a home or of a business or other location and/or on a vertical surface such as a side or door panel of a vehicle or the wall of a home or of a business or other location, whereatcontainers 20 may be withdrawn fromnest 10. In a typical example of usingnest 10,nest 10 may be adhered to the floor of a vehicle andcontainers 20 may be utilized for holding trash or other waste material. When theinner container 20 f is filled or other wise ready for disposal, it is removed fromnest 10 and is disposed of whereupon thenext container 20 e is now presented as ready to receive trash. - Thus, each of
containers 20 f-20 a may be used and disposed of, usually in sequence, until atlast container 20 a is ready for disposal and is removed from the vehicle or other location. After thelast container 20 a is used,container 20 a is removed from the object and anew nest 20 may be put into place. By way of another example,nest 20 may be adhered to a wall, work surface or other surface convenient to a point of use by adheringmeans 42 from whichlocation containers 20 are dispensed for use, e.g., as take-out food or beverage containers. While relativelysmaller containers 20 may be utilized for waste collection and for food and beverages, relativelylarger containers 20 may be utilized for larger capacity waste collection and other uses, e.g., in a home or business location. - FIGS. 2A-2D are schematic diagrams of various example shapes of a
container 20 of theset 10 of containers of FIG. 1A and 1B.Containers rectangular sides 22 defining a rectangular cross-section, a rectangularopen end 24 and a rectangular closed orbottom end 26.Container 20R of FIG. 2A is rectangular and aset 10 ofcontainers 20R comprises a plurality ofnestable containers 20R of like shape but that are of different cross-sectional dimension, from alarger container 20R to asmaller container 20R, so as to nest one with another.Containers 20R may be of the same or of different dimension between theiropen end 24 andclosed end 26. -
Container 20R′ of FIG. 2B is also rectangular in cross-section, but is tapered between its open and closed ends 24 and 26, having, for example, fourtrapezoidal sides 22 defining a rectangular cross-section, a rectangularopen end 24 and a rectangular closed orbottom end 26.Container 20R′ is a frustrum of a pyramid, e.g., a four-sided pyramid or a tetrahedron. A set 10 ofcontainers 20R′ comprises a plurality ofnestable containers 20R′ of like shape and size, wherein the smaller closed end of one fits into theopen end 24 of another, so as to nest one with another.Containers 20R′ may be of the same or of different dimension between theiropen end 24 andclosed end 26, but are typically of the same dimension. - Although
containers -
Containers curved sides 22 defining a circular cross-section, a circularopen end 24 and a circular closed orbottom end 26.Container 20C of FIG. 2C is cylindrical and aset 10 ofcontainers 20C comprises a plurality ofnestable containers 20C of like shape, but that are of different diameter from alarger diameter container 20C to asmaller diameter container 20C, so as to nest one with another.Containers 20C may be of the same or of different dimension between theiropen end 24 andclosed end 26. -
Container 20C′ of FIG. 2D is a tapered cylinder or a frustrum of a cone and aset 10 ofcontainers 20C′ comprises a plurality ofnestable containers 20C′ of like shape and size, e.g., each has the same larger diameter at theopen end 24 thereof and has the same smaller diameter at theclosed end 26 thereof, so as to nest one with another.Containers 20C′ may be of the same or of different dimension between their respective open ends 24 and closed ends 26. - FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematic diagram of an example set10 of
nestable containers 20 in a nested condition, wherein theexample containers 20 may be of the sort illustrated in relation tocontainer 20′a-20′e, 20R′ or 20C′ described above.Containers 20 a-20 c are nested and ones thereof may be removed from thenest 10, preferably with relative ease. In usingnest 10, however, one typically presses down on the open end ofnest 10, e.g., on the edge ofside 22 at theopen end 24 of theinnermost container 20 c or ofcontainers 20 c-20 b in pressingnest 10 to adhere adheringmeans 40 to an object. - This force applied for adhering
nest 10 to an object also tends to press thecontainers 20 thereof into each other and as a result they may become “stuck together” or “jammed.” As used herein, “jam” and “jammed” and “jamming” refer to the condition wherein nested containers become pressed together to the extent that they are more difficult than desired to separate one from another. This effect may be more pronounced where containers fit very closely together, e.g., so closely that they stick together, or where a person perceives that pressing the nest of containers harder against the object will result in a more secure attachment, even if that is not true. - Jamming may result from friction between adjacent nested containers or by a partial vacuum created when a container is withdrawn from within another container with which it closely fits, or from a combination thereof. It is noted that the object to which a nest of containers may be adhered may be relatively smooth or relatively non-smooth or of in-between smoothness, or may be a combination thereof, and/or may be relatively hard or relatively soft or of in-between hardness, and/or a may be a combination thereof.
- Typically, jamming may occur as the result of one or both of two physical conditions—(1) because of friction between contacting or proximate surfaces of
adjacent containers 20 and/or (2) because of reduced pressure created by attempting to remove a container that conforms to and/or is in relatively intimate contact with the surface(s) of an adjacent container with which it is nested. To avoid and/or alleviate and/or reduce jamming, set ornest 10 may desirably be provided with one or more anti-jamming means or features. As used herein, “anti-jamming” refers to any way to avoid, minimize, reduce and/or eliminate jamming, whether due to friction, pressure difference and/or other cause. Typically, e.g., anti-jamming means or features may break the close fit of containers that would otherwise fit very closely together, thereby to make separating the nested containers easier. - Anti-jamming means or features for
containers more holes 27 in therespective bottoms 26 ofcontainers 20 for providing a passage for relieving reduced pressure that otherwise might occur whencontainer 20 c is being removed from withincontainer 20 b and whencontainer 20 b is being removed fromcontainer 20 a. It is noted that any one or more anti-jamming means or features may be employed on any given container and/or nest, and need not be the same for all containers of anest 10 of containers, although it is expected that similar anti-jamming means or features are likely to be provided for the containers of a givennest 10. - FIGS. 4A and 4B are an isometric view and a top view schematic diagram, respectively, of an example embodiment of a
container 20D having anti-jamming means or features 23 for a set ofnestable containers 20D. Specifically, anti-jamming means 23 includes a smaller side that is disposed at a diagonal, e.g., at a 45° angle, between twoadjacent sides 22 at one corner ofcontainer 20D, and so may be referred to as a “cut corner” 23. Wherecontainer 20D is a rectangular parallelepiped,small side 23 is rectangular as are sides 22. Wherecontainer 20D is a tapered parallelepiped,small side 23 is trapezoidal as are sides 22. - FIG. 5 is a top view schematic diagram of a
nest 10 including the example embodiment of a cut-corner nestable container 20D of FIGS. 4A-4B having anti-jamming means or features. Eachcut corner 23 provides a passage for relieving pressure with thecontainer 20 nested insidecontainer 20D and with thecontainer 20 in whichcontainer 20D is nested. Thus, whenplural containers 20 are nested innest 10, only every other one of thecontainers 20 need be acontainer 20D having acut corner panel 23 to provide anti-jamming means. Cutcorner panel 23 of container 20Db provides a passage betweencontainer 20 a and 20Db and between container 20Db and container 2ODc. Container 2ODc provides a passage between container 2ODc andcontainer 20 d. Similarly, container 2ODe provides passages between container 2ODe andcontainers container 20 could be a cut-corner container 20D, such is not necessary for effective anti-jamming. - Further, various non-adjacent ones of
containers 20D may be oriented in like orientation so that thecut corners 23 thereof are at the same corner ofnest 10, as are containers 2ODc and 2ODe, or they may be in different orientations, as are containers 20Db and 2ODc, and still provide effective anti-jamming means. The sequence of different orientations ofcontainers 20D may be repetitive and/or regular, or may be non-repetitive and irregular. In other words, the orientation ofcontainers 20D innest 10 simply doesn't matter with respect to anti-jamming, i.e. providing a passage for relieving reduced pressure, so long as everyother container 20 is acontainer 20D having acut corner panel 23. - In an example embodiment of a
nest 10 includingcontainers 20D, eachcontainer top opening 24 and about 1 cm (about 0.4 inch) atbottom 26. -
Typical waste containers open end 24, and are about 15-20.5 cm (about 6-8 inches) deep, and typically have a taper of about 1-1.5 cm (about ½ inch) on each side. -
Typical waste containers open end 24, and are about 25 cm (about 10 inches) deep, and typically taper to a closed end of about 22.9 by 11.4-12 cm (about 9 by 4½-4¾inch) on each side. - Suitable materials for
containers - FIGS. 6A and 6B are top view schematic diagrams of example embodiments of
containers set 10 of nestable containers wherein a glued corner seam betweenadjacent sides 22 is employed as anti-jamming means. Specifically, tab orflap 25 extending from one of twoadjacent sides 22 at a corner ofcontainer 20G of FIG. 6A is folded insidecontainer 20G and is glued or otherwise adhered to the interior surface ofadjacent side 22 to form a corner. - Due to the thickness of
tab 25, a space through which air may flow to relieve pressure differences will remain betweencontainer 20G and acontainer 20 placed intocontainer 20G, thereby to provide anti-jamming means. Whereflap 25 is folded outside ofcontainer 20G and is glued or otherwise adhered to the exterior surface ofadjacent side 22 to form a corner, the thickness oftab 25 will define a space betweencontainer 20G and acontainer 20 into whichcontainer 20G is placed through which air may flow to relieve pressure differences, thereby to provide anti-jamming means. - Similarly, tabs or flaps25 extending from each of two
adjacent sides 22 at a corner ofcontainer 20G′ are folded and glued or otherwise adhered to each other to form a fin seam at a corner ofcontainer 20G′. Glued or adhered tabs or flaps 25 may extend outwardly fromcontainer 20G′ of FIG. 6B, as illustrated, or may extend inwardly into the interior ofcontainer 20G′. Due to the extension of the fin seam formed by gluedtabs 25, an anti-jamming means in the form of a space through which air may flow to relieve pressure differences will remain betweencontainer 20G′ and an adjacent nestedcontainer 20 and/or friction therebetween is reduced. - Where the fin seam of glued
flaps 25 extends outwardly, as illustrated, an anti-jamming space will remain betweencontainer 20G′ and an adjacent nestedcontainer 20 into whichcontainer 20G′ is placed, thereby to provide anti-jamming means. Where the fin seam of gluedflaps 25″ extend inwardly, an anti-jamming space will remain betweencontainer 20G′ and acontainer 20 placed intocontainer 20G′, thereby to provide anti-jamming means. Afin seam 25 may be made at any location along one or more sides 22 (e.g.,fin seam 25′) or at a corner (e.g., fin seams 25, 25″) and any fin seam may extend outward (e.g., fin seams 25, 25′) or inward (e.g.,fin seam 25″), although only one fin seam or other seam would typically be utilized on any given container. - Typically, in this example embodiment, all
containers 20 in a nest or set 10 of containers would becontainers containers nest 10 may be in the same corner or may be in different corners, whether in a regular sequence or a random sequence, as may be desired. The gluedflap 25 arrangement ofcontainers container 20 of any size and/or shape, and tabs or flaps 25 may a single tab orflap 25 extending substantially the height ofcontainer - FIGS. 7A-7J are schematic diagrams illustrating other examples of various anti-jamming means or features for a set of
nestable containers 10. FIG. 7A illustrates anembossed feature 32 inside 22 of acontainer 20 for spacing theside 22 of onecontainer 20 away from an adjacent nestedcontainer 20 in anest 10, thereby to define an anti-jamming air passage for relieving pressure differences. One or moreembossed features 32 may be provided in acontainer 20, and may also provide identifying, decorative and/or aesthetic features, such as a logo, trademark, trade name, flower and/or animal shape. Embossed features 32 may extend inwardly intocontainer 20 or outwardly therefrom, or both. Embossed features 32 need only be deep enough so as to space twoadjacent containers 20 apart sufficiently to allow air to pass therebetween and/or to reduce friction therebetween. - FIG. 7B illustrates a
spacer 34 attached to theside 22 of acontainer 20 for spacing theside 22 of onecontainer 20 away from an adjacent nestedcontainer 20 in anest 10, thereby to define an anti-jamming air passage for relieving pressure differences. One ormore spacers 34 may be provided on acontainer 20, and may also be provided with decorative and aesthetic features, such as a logo, trademark, flower and/or animal shape.Spacer 34 may be a circular or rectangular patch, or may be an elongated strip, or any other shape, as may be desired.Spacers 34 may be on a surface ofside 22 interior tocontainer 20 or on a surface ofside 22 exterior tocontainer 20, or both, and may be attached with glue or adhesive or other suitable means.Spacer 34 need only be deep enough so as to space twoadjacent containers 20 apart sufficiently to allow air to pass therebetween and/or to reduce friction therebetween. - FIG. 7C illustrates an example embossed
feature 32 in the form of a ridge orchannel 36 embossed inside 22 and preferably, but not necessarily, extending substantially fromopen end 24 toclosed end 26 ofcontainer 20, thereby to define an anti-jamming air passage for relieving pressure differences. One or more embossed ridges orchannels 36 may be provided in acontainer 20, and may also be arranged to provide a decorative or aesthetic effect. Embossed ridge orchannel 36 may extend inwardly intocontainer 20 or outwardly therefrom, or both, and/or may be uniform or irregular in size and/or shape. Embossed ridge orchannel 36 need not be deep so as to provide a channel for air passage, but need only space twoadjacent containers 20 apart sufficiently to allow air to pass therebetween and/or to reduce friction therebetween. - FIG. 7D illustrates an example embossed
feature 32 in the form of a spiral ridge orchannel 36 embossed inside 22 and preferably, but not necessarily, extending substantially fromopen end 24 toclosed end 26 ofcontainer 20, thereby to define an anti-jamming air passage for relieving pressure differences. One or more spiral embossed ridges orchannels 36 may be provided in acontainer 20, and may also be arranged to provide a decorative or aesthetic effect. Spiral embossed ridge orchannel 36 may extend inwardly intocontainer 20 or outwardly therefrom, or both. Spiral ridge orchannel 36 need not be deep so as to itself provide a channel for air passage, but need only space twoadjacent containers 20 apart sufficiently to allow air to pass therebetween and/or to reduce friction therebetween. - Ridge or
channel 36 may be plural diagonal ridges orchannels 36, as would be preferred for arectangular cross-section container 20. In addition, ridges orchannels 36 may be disposed diagonally at one angle on one side and may be disposed diagonally at another different angle on another side, e.g., an adjacent side. In another example, ridges orchannels 36 may be on a diagonal in one direction on one side (e.g., bottom left to upper right) and may be on a diagonal in the opposite direction on another side (e.g., upper left to bottom right on an adjacent side). Further, ridges orchannels 36 may be lines and/or may be an embossed pattern, which may be a regular pattern or an irregular pattern. - FIG. 7E illustrates an example embossed
feature 32 in the form of irregular ridges and/orchannels 38 embossed and/or scored intoside 22 and preferably, but not necessarily, extending substantially fromopen end 24 toclosed end 26 ofcontainer 20, thereby to define one or more anti-jamming air passages for relieving pressure differences. Ridges and/orchannels 38 may be irregular in depth, direction, length, size and/or shape, and/or my be intersecting or non-intersecting, and may also be arranged to provide a decorative or aesthetic effect. Ridges and/orchannels 38 may extend inwardly intocontainer 20 or outwardly therefrom, or both. Ridge orchannel 38 need not be deep so as to provide a channel for air passage, but need only space twoadjacent containers 20 apart sufficiently to allow air to pass therebetween and/or to reduce friction therebetween. - FIG. 7F illustrates an example anti-jamming means in the form of a
lip 22L extending all or part way around the periphery of an edge and/or end ofside 22 of acontainer 20 tospace container 20 away from an adjacent nestedcontainer 20, thereby to define one or more anti-jamming air passages for relieving pressure differences.Lip 22L, which may be a rolledlip 22L, may be regular or irregular in dimension, length, size and/or shape, and may also be arranged to provide a decorative or aesthetic effect.Lip 22L may extend inwardly intocontainer 20 or outwardly therefrom, or both, and need only to spaceadjacent containers 20 apart sufficiently to allow air to pass therebetween and/or to reduce friction therebetween. - FIG. 7G illustrates an example anti-jamming means in the form of a rim or
flange 22F extending all or part way around the periphery of an edge and/or end ofside 22 of acontainer 20 tospace container 20 away from an adjacent nestedcontainer 20, thereby to define one or more anti-jamming air passages for relieving pressure differences. Rim orflange 22F may be scored (e.g., single scored or double scored), folded and glued in place, or may be otherwise formed, or may be a separate piece that is glued or otherwise adhered toside 22. Rim orflange 22F may be regular or irregular in dimension, length, size and/or shape, and may also be arranged to provide a decorative or aesthetic effect. Rim orflange 22F may extend inwardly intocontainer 20 or outwardly therefrom, or both. Rim orflange 22F need only to spaceadjacent containers 20 apart sufficiently to allow air to pass therebetween and/or to reduce friction therebetween. - FIG. 7H illustrates a
removable spacer 34 disposed between thesides 22 of twoadjacent containers 20 in anest 10 for spacing the twocontainers 20 away from each other, thereby to define an anti-jamming air passage for relieving pressure differences and/or to reduce friction between adjacent containers. One or moreremovable spacers 34 may be provided betweenadjacent containers 20, and may also be provided with useful, decorative and/or aesthetic features, such as a logo, trademark, advertisement, information sheet, coupon sheet, flower and/or animal shape.Removable spacer 34 may be a sheet good that has another use after it has served its purpose as anti-jamming means, for example, a place mat, napkin, towel, wipe or the like, wherecontainers 20 are to be utilized for food or beverage or another substance, and/or where cleaning may be desired.Removable spacer 34 may be tacked with glue or adhesive or other suitable means where desired for production reasons, but is typically held in position by thesides 22 ofadjacent containers 20. - FIG. 7I illustrates an example anti-jamming means in the form of a
projection 22T extending from an edge and/or end ofside 22 of acontainer 20 tospace container 20 away from an adjacent nestedcontainer 20, thereby to define one or more anti-jamming air passages for relieving pressure differences and/or to reduce friction between adjacent containers.Projection 22T is, for example, atab 22T that is coplanar with oneside 22 that is preferably formed by cutting ahole 22H in anadjacent side 22 before the twosides 22 are folded to form acorner 22C therebetween. -
Tab 22T may be a separate piece that is cut and glued in place, or otherwise adhered toside 22.Tab 22T may be regular or irregular in dimension, length, size and/or shape, and if glued or otherwise affixed tocontainer 22, may extend inwardly intocontainer 20 or outwardly therefrom, or both. Typically,tab 22T may be about 0.5-1 cm (about 0.2-0.4 inch) wide and about 2-4 cm (about ¾-1½ inch) long, and may be located about 1-2 cm (about 0.4-0.8 inch) away fromopen end 24. - FIG. 7J illustrates an example anti-jamming means in the form of a pair of projecting
features more sides 22 all or part way around the periphery thereof, preferably parallel to the edge and/or end ofside 22 attop end 24 of acontainer 20. One ofembossed features container 20 and the other offeatures containers 20 are nested, an outwardly projectingfeature 22P of one container comes into contact with an inwardly projectingfeature 221 of the adjacent container in the nest to prevent the inner container from fully seating into and jamming with the outer container, and also to spaceadjacent containers 20 away from each other, thereby to define one or more anti-jamming air passages for relieving pressure differences and/or for reducing friction between adjacent containers. - Preferably, inwardly projecting feature22I is parallel to and closer to the edge of
side 22 atopen end 24 than is outwardly projectingfeature 22P parallel thereto, and each is preferably provided at eachcorner 22C ofcontainer 20. Projectingfeatures sides 22 or may be otherwise formed, and may be regular or irregular in dimension, length, size and/or shape, and may also be arranged to provide a decorative or aesthetic effect. - In all of the foregoing examples of embossed features, it is usually desirable that the embossed features be irregular in size and/or spacing and/or pattern by at least a small amount, even if the amount of irregularity is so small as not to be evident without careful scrutiny. This is desirable so that
adjacent containers 20 cannot become aligned with the embossed feature of one container matching and jamming with the embossed feature of anadjacent container 20, whereby the space through which air may pass is reduced and/or friction is not reduced, which would tend to not produce the desired anti-jamming effect. Alternatively and/or additionally, thecontainers 20 may be rotated in relative orientation (e.g., by 90° or 180° forrectangular cross-section containers 20, or by any convenient angle for circular cross-section containers 20) when they are nested so that the embossed features or other anti-jamming means do not align and nest in thenest 10. - Anti-jamming means or features includes not only means providing physical separation as described above, but also includes means that reduce the tendency for containers to jam or become jammed. Where containers are of plastic, e.g., a polymer, the condition where polymers adhere to each other is known as “blocking” and so materials for reducing or avoiding blocking may be referred to as “anti-blocking agents.” Herein, anti-jamming means and features include anti-blocking agents.
- For example, particulate matter may be introduced between containers for spacing the containers apart for providing passage for air to flow and/or for reducing friction between adjacent nested containers, thereby to facilitate dispensing containers from a nest of nestable containers. Suitable particulates preferably have a grain or particle size that is greater than the size of pores in the material from which the container is made.
- For example, introducing talc or cornstarch or other particulate matter tends to increase the “slipperiness” of one container against another container. Typically, cornstarch is preferable to talc for most paper and paperboard materials because it has a bigger particle size. Also for example, container surfaces may be coated with a slippery material, such as a paperboard coated with one or more of polyethylene, a polyolefin, polypropylene, silicone, polytetrafluoroethylene, and the like, and/or an anti-blocking agent, such as talc or silicone.
- Coatings may be applied to the surfaces of
containers 20 to similar ends. For example, a plastic coating or lining, or a metalized coating or lining, may not only provide anti-jamming or anti-blocking means, but may also serve to waterproof the container so that it may carry liquids as well as solids, and/or may provide thermally insulative and/or decorative benefits. Examples include polyethylene coatings, both with and without a silicone wash, for additional slipperiness. Polyethylene containers may be coated with a silicone, e.g., applied by spray or by rolling. - Coated
containers 20, which may have insulating properties to a greater or lesser degree, may find use as a take-out food container, for hot and cold foods and/or beverages such as hamburgers, pizza, ice cream and the like, that serves to keep the contents hot or cold, as desired, and that, when empty, also serves as a trash container. Liners and coatings may, for example, be provided on the inside and/or outside surfaces ofcontainers 20, for providing decorative, insulating, and/or other desired properties.Containers 20 may also be utilized as a substitute for grocery bags and similar packaging used at markets, dry goods stores, department stores and other merchants. - Similarly, it is thought that making the first or
outer container 20 a ofnest 10 of a more sturdy material than that utilized forcontainers inner containers nest 10 more readily. - FIGS. 8A-8H are schematic diagrams illustrating further examples of various anti-jamming means or features or features for a
set 10 ofnestable containers 20. FIG. 8A-8C illustrate handle arrangements wherein opposingsides 22 of acontainer 20H include ahandle 22H that provides a handle that is folded over while thecontainer 20H is disposed in anest 10 ofcontainers 20.Handle 22H provides a convenient handle for a user to utilize in carrying acontainer 20H and, in addition, while folded in anest 10 ofcontainers 20, provides anti-jamming means because it tends to spaceadjacent containers 20H in anest 10 apart from each other, thereby to define space betweenadjacent containers 20H which allows for the passage of air and/or reduces friction betweenadjacent containers 22H. -
Handles 22H may be an integral extension ofside 22 that is, e.g., scored and folded insidecontainer 20H as illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8C, or may be a die-cut handle member 22H that is glued or otherwise adhered toside 22 proximate theopen end 24 thereof as illustrated in FIG. 8B.Handle 22H may be adhered to the inside surface ofcontainer 20H or may be adhered to the outside surface ofcontainer 20H, as desired.Handle 22H may be folded inside ofcontainer 20H or may be folded outside thecontainer 20H, as desired, although foldinghandle 22H inside ofcontainer 20H is more convenient for a user to grasphandle 22H, and handle 22H may include a hole as illustrated for ease of grasping in use. - In addition, when
handle 22H is folded inside ofcontainer 20H as is preferable, (whetherhandle 22H is integral toside 22 or is a separate member adhered thereto), it tends naturally to unfold as illustrated by arrow UF in FIG. 8C, thereby to provide a spring-like assist for urging the container that is nested inside thereof in the direction for removal fromnest 10, e.g., a desirable anti-jamming means. - FIGS. 8D-8H illustrate other spring-like arrangements that may be employed with a
container 20. For example, FIG. 8D illustrates acontainer 20 S having sides 22 andopen end 24 wherein a foldedmember 26S adhered toclosed end 26 thereof provides a spring-like assist for urging the container nested insidecontainer 20S in a direction for removal fromnest 10, thereby to provide desirable anti-jamming means. Spring-like member 26S may be a part ofclosed end 26 or may be a separate member, e.g., a die-cut member that is glued or otherwise attached thereto. - FIGS. 8E and 8F illustrate
containers 20 S having sides 22 andopen end 24 wherein a foldedmember 26S′ and/or 26″ adhered toclosed end 26 thereof provides a spring-like assist for urging the container nested insidecontainer 20S in a direction for removal fromnest 10, thereby to provide desirable anti-jamming means. Specifically,member 26S′ is folded and attached toclosed end 26 to provide two members disposed approximately perpendicularly toclosed end 26 that will act as a spring as described and/or as a spacer. - Where greater spring-like action is desired, e.g., for
larger size containers 20, a double-folded or triple foldedmember like members closed end 26 or may be a separate member, e.g., a die-cut member that is glued or otherwise attached thereto. - Alternatively and/or additionally, spring-like action tending to urge separation of
containers 20 from anest thereof 10 may be provided by a bowed or domed bottom or closed end 26D as shown in FIG. 8G. Typically, closed end 26D is a separate member that is glued or otherwise attached to thesides 22 ofcontainer 20S, and bowing or a domed shape obtains where closed end member 26D is made larger than the size of the closed end defined by the edges ofsides 22 ofcontainer 20S. - FIG. 8H illustrates
container 20 S having sides 22 andopen end 24 wherein the folded flaps 26 a and 26 b are folded to formclosed end 26.Member 26T extending fromclosed end 26 is folded to extend into the interior ofcontainer 20S to provide a spacer and/or a spring-like assist for spacing and/or urging the container nested insidecontainer 20S in a direction for removal fromnest 10, thereby to provide desirable anti-jamming means. Specifically, one or more foldedflaps 26 b, for example, has amember 26T extending therefrom. Preferably two opposingflaps 26 b have amember 26T extending therefrom, wherein the twomembers 26T are folded to extend fromclosed end 26 to be disposed approximately perpendicularly toclosed end 26 to act as a spacer and/or spring as described. The twomembers 26T may be, but need not be, attached to each other, e.g., adhesively. - An advantage of the foregoing arrangements is that the spring-like members provide anti-jamming force that results from the manufacturing of the containers with elements that provide the desired forces, without elaborate or complex structures or additional elements that could be added at additional cost. Even where additional members are employed to provide the spring-like elements, they can be manufactured utilizing the same materials, processes and equipment that are utilized for the manufacture of the containers themselves.
- FIGS. 9A-9D are schematic isometric diagrams illustrating four further examples of anti-jamming means or features for a
set 10 ofnestable containers 20. Anti-jamming means provided byspacers 126 act to prevent the compressing of nestedcontainers 20 together which is believed to be the principal cause that results in jamming.Spacer ring 126C and spacer rectangle 126R are placed inside eachcontainer 20 at the closed end thereof prior to another container being nested therein. Typically, but not necessarily,spacer ring 126C is for nests of containers having a circular cross-section andspacer rectangle 126R is for containers having a rectangular cross-section. - Preferably, spacers126C, 126R have an outer diameter or dimension that is slightly smaller than the interior diameter or dimension of the
closed end 26 of thecontainer 20 in which it is to be placed, althoughsmaller spacers spacers 126 act as separators between the closed ends 26 ofadjacent containers 20, thereby providing a space therebetween that permits passage of air and/or reduces friction therebetween. When a user applies force in adhering anest 10 ofcontainers 20 to an object, spacers 126C, 126R directly transmit the force applied to each container to the closed end of the next container, whereby the applied force is transmitted directly to adheringmeans 40 and the object, thereby to prevent the containers from becoming pressed together and jammed due to the applied force. -
Spacers cylindrical spacers 126 or spacer rings 126 of different relative aspect ratios.Spacer 126C is relatively “taller” with a height that is greater than its wall thickness, as might obtain where a strip of paper or plastic is formed into a circular shape and the opposing ends of the strip are adhered together. Anexample spacer 126C suitable for use with a container having a closed end that is, for example, about 10 by 10 cm (about 4 by 4 inches), is of paperboard and has a diameter of about 11½ cm (about 4½ inches) and has a height of about 1½ cm (about ½ inch).Spacer 126C′ is relatively “flat” with its height smaller than its wall thickness, as might obtain wherespacer 126C′ is stamped or punched or otherwise cut out of a relatively thick stock, e.g., such as a paperboard, cardboard or corrugated cardboard.Spacer 126R of FIG. 9C is arectangular spacer 126 that may be shaped and/or formed similarly tospacers -
Spacers 126′ of FIG. 9D are useful wherecontainers 20 ofnest 10 each have adhering means on the exterior of the closed ends thereof.Plural spacers 126′ are attached to the adhesive bottom, preferably near the periphery thereof, either directly to the adhesive thereon or to a release liner covering the adhesive prior to use, thereby to act in like manner to spacers 126C, 126C′, 126R described above. While twospacers 126′ are sufficient, typically 3-4spacers 126′ are employed for eachcontainer 20.Spacers 126′ may also be employed where only theoutermost container 20 has adheringmeans 40 on theclosed end 26 thereof, e.g., by utilizing glue or adhesive to attachspacers 126′ to the closed ends ofrespective containers 20. -
Spacers containers 20, although thespacers container 20 and/or set 10 ofcontainers 20 need not be of the same material as are thecontainer 20 and/or set 10 ofcontainers 20. In addition, the spacers described may include an adhesive, a sheet of magnetic material, and/or the hook or loop portion of a hook and loop fastener so as to serve as both an anti-jamming spacer and as adhering means. - Other anti-jamming means or features may also be employed wherein various ones of
containers 20 are made of different size and/or shape from others ofcontainers 20 in anest 10 thereof. For example,containers 20 may be made of different size in height (e.g., the dimension between the open and closed ends 24, 26 thereof) so that open ends 24 ofinner containers 20 do not extend out from theopen end 24 of theoutermost container 20, so that pressure applied to adhere anest 10 to an object may easily be applied to theoutermost container 20 only, whereby theinner containers 20 tend not to be pressed into one another. In addition,containers 20 having different cross-sectional dimension proximate theclosed end 26 thereof may be nested together with the cross-sectional dimension being smallest for theinnermost container 20 and being increasingly larger for eachcontainer 20 in order, with theoutermost container 20 having the largest cross-sectional dimension. - FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a cut-out blank20BL-C of sheet material for forming a
nestable container 20 having a circular cross-section. Cut-out blank 20BL-C comprises an arcuate piece 22BL and a circular piece circular piece 26BL. Arcuate piece 22BL is bendable to formside 22 ofcontainer 20 and has a tab orflap 25 extending from one of the straight edges thereof for being glued or otherwise attached along the other straight edge thereof to formside 22 ofcontainer 20. Circular piece 26BL has a plurality of radially extendingtabs 26T foldable in the same direction for being glued or otherwise attached along the shorter arcuate edge of blank 22BL to provide theclosed end 26 ofcontainer 20. In FIG. 10, the dashed lines indicate fold lines, and fold lines are preferably scored for easier and more precise folding. The longer arcuate edge of blank 20BL-C defines anopen end 24. - FIGS. 11A-11D are schematic diagrams of cut-out blanks20BL-R, 20BL-R′, 20BL-R″, 20BL-RT of sheet material for forming respective
nestable containers 20. In FIGS. 11A-11D, the dashed lines indicate fold lines, and fold lines are preferably scored for easier and more precise folding. - FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram of a cut-out blank20BL-R, 20BL-R′, 20BL-R″ of sheet material that is foldable to form a
container 20 having a rectangular cross-section. Blank 20BL-R comprises four relativelylarger sections 22 that are slightly tapered so as to be trapezoidal and that when folded provide foursides 22 ofcontainer 20. Blank 20BL-R further comprises a flap ortab 25 extending from one ofside sections 22 that is folded and positioned to overlap the straight edge of the furthestdistal section 22 to be glued or otherwise adhered thereto to form a corner between twoadjacent sides 22. Blank 20BL-R further comprises four relatively smaller flaps orsections closed end 26 when glued or otherwise adhered to each other.Flaps 26 a are rectangular and flaps 26 b are tapered so as to be trapezoidal, but any of theflaps - Typically, flaps26 b are folded first and then flaps 26 a are folded so that one or both (depending on their dimensions) of
flaps 26 b provide the exterior surface ofclosed end 26 ofcontainer 20. Where thecontainer 20 is the outermost container of anest 10 ofnestable containers 20, adhering means are provided on one or both ofexterior flaps 26 a. Where arectangular container 20 is desired,side sections 22 are rectangular, and where a taperedcontainer 20 is desired,side sections 22 are tapered or trapezoidal. The longer straight edges of blank 20BL-R opposite flaps 26 a, 26 b, define anopen end 24. - Optionally and/or additionally, anti-jamming means may be provided by cutting a pair of
parallel slits 22S intersecting a scored corner fold line betweenadjacent sides 22 in a location proximate the fold line betweensides 22 and bottom flaps 26 a, 26 b. When blank 20BL-R is folded to form acontainer 20, the corner fold lines betweenadjacent sides 22 are folded in a first direction, except that the portion thereof between the twoparallel slits 22S is folded in the opposite direction. As a result, the portion ofsides 22 betweenparallel slits 22S extends into the interior ofcontainer 20, thereby to provide a pedestal or ledge upon which a container placed inside the foldedcontainer 20 may rest so as to resist jamming therewith. - FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram of a cut-out blank20BL-R′ of sheet material that is identical to blank 20BL-R described above except as follows. Blank 20BL-R′ includes a number of die-cut
slits defining tabs 22T adjacent the fold lines defining corners betweenadjacent sides 22 ofcontainer 20. One or more die-cut slits may be provided at each fold line betweenadjacent corner sections 22 to provide any desired number oftabs 22T at each corner betweenadjacent sides 22, and/or to providetabs 22T at any one or more of the corners betweenadjacent sides 22, as may be desired. Preferably, scoring betweenadjacent side sections 22 does not extend acrosstabs 22T. When blank 20BL-R′ is folded to formcontainer 20,tabs 22T are not folded and so project in plane from oneside 22, thereby to providetabs 22T as shown in FIG. 7I above. One or more tabs may be provided, and may be located at diagonally opposite corners as illustrated or at adjacent corners, as desired. - FIG. 11C is a schematic diagram of a cut-out blank20BL-R″ of sheet material that is identical to blank 20BL-R described above except as follows. Blank 20BL-R″ includes a number of scored or embossed lines defining inward projecting
features 221 and outward projectingfeatures 22P transverse to the fold lines defining corners betweenadjacent sides 22 ofcontainer 20. One or more scored or embossed lines may be provided at each fold line betweenadjacent corner sections 22 to provide any desired number of scored or embossedlines adjacent sides 22, and/or to provide scored or embossedlines adjacent sides 22, as may be desired. - Preferably, scored or embossed
lines open end 24, and at each corner betweenadjacent sides 22. When blank 20BL-R″ is folded to formcontainer 20, scored or embossedlines side 22, thereby to provide scored or embossedlines - FIG. 11D is a schematic diagram of cut-out blank20BL-RT of sheet material for forming a respective
nestable container 20 having folded spacer and/or spring-like members 26T as illustrated in FIG. 8H. Blank 20BL-RT is similar to blank 20BL-R of FIG. 11A except thatoptional slits 22 are not provided and flaps 26 b are extended and include atab 26T at the distal end thereof. - Blank20BL-RT comprises four relatively
larger sections 22 that are slightly tapered so as to be trapezoidal and that when folded provide foursides 22 ofcontainer 20. Blank 20BL-RT further comprises a flap ortab 25 extending from one ofside sections 22 that is folded and positioned to overlap the straight edge of the furthestdistal section 22 to be glued or otherwise adhered thereto to form a corner between twoadjacent sides 22. Blank 20BL-RT further comprises four relatively smaller flaps orsections closed end 26 when glued or otherwise adhered to each other.Flaps 26 b have a scored or embossed fold line defining atab 26T at the distal end thereof that is folded so as to extend inward into the interior of acontainer 20 made from blank 20BL-RT. Typically, flaps 26 a are rectangular and flaps 26 b are tapered so as to be trapezoidal, but any of theflaps - Typically, after
side sections 22 are folded andtab 25 is glued, flaps 26 b are folded andtabs 26T thereof are folded in the same direction, so thatflaps 26 b provide the interior ofclosed end 26 andtabs 26T extend inwardly into the interior of the container, thereby to provide a spacer and/or spring-like member 26T. The twoflaps 26T are juxtaposed adjacent each other and need not be glued or otherwise adhered to each other, however,tabs 26T may be glued or otherwise adhered together, as may be desirable for a relatively larger size container. Then flaps 26 a are folded so that one or both (depending on their dimensions) offlaps 26 b provide the exterior surface ofclosed end 26 ofcontainer 20. Where thecontainer 20 is the outermost container of anest 10 ofnestable containers 20, adhering means are provided on one or both ofexterior flaps 26 a. Where a fullyrectangular container 20 is desired,side sections 22 are rectangular, and where a taperedcontainer 20 is desired,side sections 22 are tapered or trapezoidal. The longer straight edges of blank 20BL-RT opposite flaps 26 a, 26 b, define anopen end 24. - An example rectangular container made from a paperboard blank of the sort of blank20BL-RT is, for example, about 15½ cm (about 6 inches) high, has a closed end of about 10 by 18 cm (about 4 by 7⅛ inches), and has an open end of about 12½ by 23 cm (about 5 by 9 inches), and has trapezoidal sides.
Tabs 26T thereof are glued to each other, are about 5½ cm (about 2¼ inches) long, and extend about 1½ cm (about ⅝ inch) into the interior of the container. An example square container made from a paperboard blank of the sort of blank 20BL-RT is, for example, about 15½ cm (about 6 inches) high, has a closed end of about 10 by 10 cm (about 4 by 4 inches), and has an open end of about 12½ by 12½ cm (about 5 by 5 inches), and has trapezoidal sides.Tabs 26T thereof are not glued to each other, are about 8 cm (about 3¼ inches) long, and extend about 1½ cm (about ⅝ inch) into the interior of the container. Another example rectangular container made from a paperboard blank of the sort of blank 20BL-R or 20BL-RT is, for example, about 33 cm (about 13 inches) high, has a closed end of about 12½ by 20¾ cm (about 5 by 8 inches), and has an open end of about 5¼ by 25 cm (about 6 by 10 inches), has trapezoidal sides, and may employ one or more anti-jamming features of the sort described herein, e.g.,tabs 26T or aspacer 126.Typical tabs 26T thereof are in a range of about 8-10 cm (about 3¼-4⅛ inches) in length and extend about 1½-2 cm (about ⅝-¾ inch) into the interior of the container, and in some examples are not glued to each other and in other examples are glued to each other. - In some example containers, an adhesive strip is provided on the exterior surface of the closed end along the central seam in the direction of the longer dimension thereof, and in other example containers two parallel adhesive strips are provided on the exterior surface of the closed end adjacent the longer edges thereof. Typically, the length dimension of the adhesive strip(s) is substantially the full dimension of the closed end, but may be shorter, if desired.
- FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a cut-out blank20BL-RC of sheet material for forming a
nestable container 20 having a closure. In FIG. 12, the dashed lines indicate fold lines, and the fold lines are preferably scored for easier and more precise folding. Cut-out blank 20BL-RC is identical to any one of cut-out blanks 20BL-R, 20BL-R′, 20BL-R″ described above (i.e. it may or may not includeoptional features open end 24 ofcontainer 20. - Closure means124 comprises, for example, four
cover flaps sides 22 that would otherwise define theopen end 24 ofcontainer 20. Onecover flap 124 a includes atab 125 extending from the shorter edge thereof that when folded is glued or otherwise adhered to the shorter edge ofcover flap 124 b most distal therefrom, so that when blank 20BL-RC is folded to formcontainer 20, cover flaps 1214 a, 124 b extend fromsides 22 and substantially in plane therewith. Cover flaps 124 a, 124 b are preferably scored where they joinsides 22 and where they join each other. - Preferably, smaller cover flaps124 b extending from
smaller sides 22 have additional scored lines extending diagonally from the intersection of the score lines between cover flaps 124 a and 124 b and the score lines between cover flaps 124 a, 124 b and sides 22. The diagonal scored lines converge and end proximate each other at the edge of cover flaps 124 b for defining agripping region 124 c thereat. Thus, when blank 20BL-RC is folded to formcontainer 20, the fourcover flaps sides 22, whereby the depth ofcontainer 20 is the combined length dimensions ofsides 22 and closure means 124. - To close closure means124, one grips the opposing cover flaps 124 b at their
respective grip regions 124 c and moves the respective grip regions away from each other and downward towards the closed end ofcontainer 20. Because all of cover flaps 124 a, 124 b are joined at respective score lines, cover flaps 124 a move inward to cover theopen end 24 ofcontainer 20 while cover flaps 124 b move outward and fold along the diagonal score lines. When grippingregions 124 c have been moved to about the plane defined by the score lines definingopen end 24, cover flaps 124 a are substantially co-planar to cover theopen end 24 ofcontainer 20 and coverflaps 124 b have folded along the diagonal score lines to be triangular. Folded cover flaps 124 b may then be folded againstside 22 and the apex of triangular-folded cover flaps 124 b may be inserted into die-cut slit 22 s provided therein, whereby cover flaps 124 b are held in the folded position which holds cover flaps 124 a covering theopen end 24 ofcontainer 20. - FIG. 13 is an isometric view schematic diagram of a
nestable container 20 in a partially folded or collapsed condition, and FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C are top, side and bottom view schematic diagrams, respectively, ofnestable container 20 in a folded or collapsed condition. Folding or collapsingcontainer 20 is desirable to reduce the volume it occupies, e.g., during storage and shipping. In the folded arrangement illustrated,containers 20 may be expanded to an un-collapsed condition for use either before or after being withdrawn from the nest of containers. The illustratedcontainer 20 is generally rectangular and may have tapered sides, similar to the containers illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 1A, 2A, 2B, 3, 4A-4C, 5, 6A-6B, 8D-8H, 11A-11D and 12. - In other words, a stack or nest of
collapsed containers 20 may be utilized in its collapsed condition with individual containers un-collapsed or the stack or nest ofcollapsed containers 20 may be expanded or un-collapsed so that each of thecontainers 20 thereof is in its expanded condition prior to using or withdrawing anycontainer 20 of the stack or nest thereof. One could utilize part of a stack ofcontainers 20 while the stack is in the collapsed condition and part while the stack is in the un-collapsed condition, and may even un-collapse and collapse the stack or part thereof as is needed and/or convenient. -
Container 20 has four generallyrectangular sides 22 and a rectangularclosed end 26. Typically, sides 22 are slightly trapezoidal so thatcontainer 20 is slightly tapered, being smaller atclosed end 26 than atopen end 24.Closed end 26 comprises fourflaps tab 26T that is folded inward to provide an anti-jamming feature at the interior ofclosed end 26. -
Container 20 is collapsed or folded by foldingclosed end 26 inwardly (as indicated by the arrows pointing upward from dashedline 226 in FIG. 13) andfolding opposing sides 22 outwardly (as indicated by the arrows pointing to the left and right fromlines 222 in FIG. 13), substantially at the same time. - In particular,
closed end 26 is preferably folded along a line in a direction parallel to the lengths oftabs 26T iftabs 26T are provided. In the example illustrated, thefold 226 inclosed end 26 is along a line parallel to and in between the twoanti-jamming tabs 26T, as is preferred whereanti-jamming tabs 26T are provided. Two opposingsides 22 are each folded in an outward direction along a respective fold line running in the direction betweenclosed end 26 andopen end 24 atrespective folds 222, thereby definingpartial sides fold 222. Fold 226 meetsrespective folds 222 atrespective locations 223 on opposingsides 22 part way betweenclosed end 26 andopen end 24. - The intersections of
closed end 26 with the folds between each twoadjacent sides 22 defines fourcorners 225 ofclosed end 26. Twodiagonal folds 224 in eachrespective side 22 are alongrespective lines 224 connectinglocation 223 thereof withadjacent corners 225 defined at the intersection of thatside 22 andclosed end 26. Thus, folds 222 and 224 in each ofsides 22 together define a “Y” shaped fold therein, wherein the “Y” is inverted whenclosed end 26 is the downward or bottom ofcontainer 20, i.e. the top of the “Y” is atclosed end 26 and the central leg of the “Y” is atopen end 24. -
Container 20 is typically made by folding a container blank 20BL at its score or crease lines into the shape ofcontainer 20 and gluing or other wise securingtab 25 toside 22 and closed end flaps 26 a, 26 b in proper position. Thencontainer 20 is folded or collapsed by folding outwardly alonglines line 226. Any one or more or all offolds Plural containers 20 so made and collapsed are then nested to provide a nest of containers. - In folding or collapsing
container 20, both the outward folding of opposingsides 22 alongfold lines closed end 26 alongfold line 226, are done together, i.e. substantially contemporaneously. Typically, the collapsedcontainer 20 will tend to spring open or expand slightly from the collapsed state, which may be advantageous in placing collapsedcontainers 20 into a nested arrangement of containers. A set of nestedcontainers 20 may be packed in a box or other container, or may be over wrapped by plastic or other packaging material, e.g., for shipping, storage, and/or for retail display, and the packaging material may tend to maintaincontainers 20 in the collapsed condition until they are unwrapped and put into use. - FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view schematic diagram illustrating two of the
nestable container 20 of FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C in nested arrangement. In FIG. 15, the inner or top one of thecontainers 20 is designated 20 b and the outer or bottom one thereof is designated 20 a. Of course, any number ofcontainers 20 may be nested as may be convenient or desired, however, two are illustrated by way of example for illustrating the relative arrangement of the features interior thereto. - In particular,
anti-jamming tabs 26T ofcontainer 20 a bear against the exterior ofclosed end 26 ofcontainer 20 b to maintain space therebetween, thereby to facilitate and ease separation ofcontainers containers containers 20 from the nested stack thereof. -
Container 20 a may include adhesive or other adhering means 40 on an outside surface thereof, e.g., on the outer surface ofclosed end 26, e.g., onouter flaps 26 a. Such adhesive or adhering means may include any form and/or material, e.g., as described herein. Such adhesive or adhering means may be provided oncontainers 20 of a nest of containers in addition to the exposed container, and may be of sufficient thickness as to resist the jamming ofcontainers 20 in anest 10 ofcontainers 20. - It is preferred, although not necessary, that the inward fold of the
closed end 26 ofcontainer 20 as described be made in a direction that permits any anti-jamming means associated withclosed end 26, e.g.,tabs 26T, to provide anti-jamming whencontainer 20 is in the folded condition. It is noted that any of the example anti-jamming arrangements described may be employed where the container is folded or collapsed. - While the particular container(s)20 that are illustrated in FIGS. 14A-14C and 14 are container(s) 20 corresponding to the container blank 20BL-RT shown in FIG. 11D, the folding arrangement and method described may be employed with
containers 20 corresponding to the container blanks 20BL shown in any of FIGS. 10, 11A-11D and 12, and/or with other containers described herein, as well as with containers not described herein. The term “blank 20BL” is employed to refer to any or all of example container blanks 20BL-C, 20BL-R, 20BL-R′, 20BL-R″, 20BL-RT, 20BL-RC, as well as to blanks not illustrated. - As used herein, the term “about” means that dimensions, sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. In general, a dimension, size, formulation, parameter, shape or other quantity or characteristic is “about” or “approximate” whether or not expressly stated to be such.
- While the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing exemplary embodiments, variations within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the claims following will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, while the utility of the described nest of nestable containers has been described mostly in terms of a waste container for a vehicle, such as a family automobile or the like, such nestable containers may be utilized in a wide variety of environments, such as in rental vehicles and as promotions or gifts with new vehicles, or in hotels, hospitals and other facilities where waste is produced and need be disposed of.
- Where an adhesive is provided as the adhering means, it may be preferred to cover the adhesive with a sheet of release paper or other release liner that is easily removable when it is desired to utilize the adhering means to adhere the set of containers to an object. Typically, the adhering means preferably has stronger adhesion to the material of the container than to the object to which the nest of containers adhere. Thus, one or more strips or patches of hook and loop fastener having adhesive on one side thereof for adhering to the container may be employed, as may be one or more strips or patches of adhesive tape comprising two or more layers, e.g., one layer that adheres strongly to the container material and another layer that adheres releasably to the object. Other adhering means may also be employed. For example, a sheet magnet material, such as a plastic or rubber sheet having magnetized material and/or particles therein, of the sort that is used for “refrigerator magnets” may be adhered to
container 20 intended to be mounted to an object of iron, steel or other material attracted to a magnet. - Adhering means may be provided as one or more strips or patches of adhesive, hook and loop fastener and/or any other suitable adhering material, or as a sheet thereof. On the other hand, adhering means could be omitted from one, some or all of the containers.
- Further, the nest of nestable containers described may be utilized for containing any other material in place of and/or in addition to waste, such as food, beverage, and at any point of sale or distribution, in sizes either larger or smaller than the typical sizes described. In addition, the number of containers in a nest may vary over a wide range, e.g., from about 5-8 containers for typical vehicle and/or home and/or business uses, and to greater or lesser numbers for these and/or other uses.
- While an adhering means is typically to be provided on an exterior surface of only the outermost container of a stack of containers, it may be desirable to provide adhering means on other ones and/or on all of the containers of a stack of containers. This may simplify manufacturing because all containers may be the same, or may be advantageous for a particular use thereof. In addition, the adhering means, be it an adhesive or a hook and loop fastener, may be of sufficient thickness to resist jamming of plural nestable containers when the plural nestable containers are nested. If the adhering means is adhesive, a release liner or other peelable covering may be provided, as is typical for the adhesive adhering means herein.
- One example of such particular use could be where food is dispensed to a person likely to consume the food aboard a moving and/or movable conveyance, such as a train or airplane. In such case, the adhering means could be employed to attach the container to a seat tray or other surface, e.g., whether the container is utilized as a holder for food to be consumed or as a holder for another a food tray or plate, whereby the container would not slide around while the person was attempting to consume its contents.
- While the nestable containers described are generally glued or otherwise adhered together from a folded blank or from plural pieces of flat material to form a container, nestable containers that are only folded may also be nestable as described herein, and may be provided in a set or nest with adhering means and/or anti-jamming means or features as described. Such containers might find use, for example, as food containers wherein food is dispensed in a folded nestable container, e.g., one with a closure as described, is opened and unfolded to serve as a plate or place mat when consuming its contents, and may then be refolded to serve as a waste container.
- Other closures, such as the slot and tab type of closures provided on conventional cereal and cracker boxes, may be utilized with the nestable containers described herein, or separate lids, e.g., lids that are themselves nestable containers as described herein, may be utilized.
- It is noted that containers are described herein as being “nestable,” or being “nested,” or being a “nest” of containers, i.e. for being or being capable of being placed one into another, which Applicant's consider a preferred terminology. Such arrangements may also be referred to as being “stackable,” or being “stacked,” or as being a “stack” of containers within the scope of the claims following.
- In relation to the container(s) described herein, the terms inward and outward generally refer to a direction as would be perceived from the vantage of a person observing or using such container, i.e. inward is towards the interior of the container, e.g., the volume defined by the side or sides and the closed end thereof.
Claims (44)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA002463804A CA2463804A1 (en) | 2003-04-08 | 2004-04-07 | Set of nestable containers, as for waste |
US10/819,692 US20040226850A1 (en) | 2003-04-08 | 2004-04-07 | Set of nestable containers, as for waste |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US46124103P | 2003-04-08 | 2003-04-08 | |
US48269103P | 2003-06-26 | 2003-06-26 | |
US10/819,692 US20040226850A1 (en) | 2003-04-08 | 2004-04-07 | Set of nestable containers, as for waste |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20040226850A1 true US20040226850A1 (en) | 2004-11-18 |
Family
ID=33102202
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/819,692 Abandoned US20040226850A1 (en) | 2003-04-08 | 2004-04-07 | Set of nestable containers, as for waste |
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US (1) | US20040226850A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2463804A1 (en) |
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US20050232736A1 (en) * | 2004-04-15 | 2005-10-20 | Mark Fellows | Method and system for construction debris removal from a construction site |
US20060157548A1 (en) * | 2005-01-20 | 2006-07-20 | Adam Bastiani | Receptacle for trash |
US20090001083A1 (en) * | 2007-06-26 | 2009-01-01 | Mi Llc | Garbage can liner |
US20090056081A1 (en) * | 2007-08-30 | 2009-03-05 | Bo-Yang Lin | Trash Bag Retainer |
WO2009155552A1 (en) * | 2008-06-20 | 2009-12-23 | Herndon Development Llc | System and method for controlling interaction between surfaces |
US20130237117A1 (en) * | 2012-03-09 | 2013-09-12 | Marco A. Garcia | Piñata toy |
US8814862B2 (en) | 2005-05-12 | 2014-08-26 | Innovatech, Llc | Electrosurgical electrode and method of manufacturing same |
USD780264S1 (en) * | 2015-11-04 | 2017-02-28 | Honey-Can-Do International, LLC | Organizer |
US9630206B2 (en) | 2005-05-12 | 2017-04-25 | Innovatech, Llc | Electrosurgical electrode and method of manufacturing same |
WO2019092323A1 (en) * | 2017-11-13 | 2019-05-16 | Jospak Oy | Stackable product package and method of manufacturing the same as well as product package blank |
US11078013B2 (en) | 2014-01-27 | 2021-08-03 | Pail Pal Inc. | Trash containers |
IT202000008272A1 (en) * | 2020-04-17 | 2021-10-17 | G Mondini S P A | SKELETON FOR A CONTAINER, PAPER PRODUCT TO MAKE IT AND CONTAINER THAT INCLUDES IT |
US11174025B2 (en) * | 2018-11-29 | 2021-11-16 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and system for delivering goods |
US11427374B2 (en) | 2020-12-28 | 2022-08-30 | G.Mondini S.p.a. | Paperboard article for making a container and container comprising the paperboard article |
US11565863B2 (en) | 2019-02-11 | 2023-01-31 | G.Mondini S.p.a. | Method for making a container comprising an outer skeleton and an inner layer of thermoplastic material, related container and paper-industry article used in the method |
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US11565863B2 (en) | 2019-02-11 | 2023-01-31 | G.Mondini S.p.a. | Method for making a container comprising an outer skeleton and an inner layer of thermoplastic material, related container and paper-industry article used in the method |
IT202000008272A1 (en) * | 2020-04-17 | 2021-10-17 | G Mondini S P A | SKELETON FOR A CONTAINER, PAPER PRODUCT TO MAKE IT AND CONTAINER THAT INCLUDES IT |
US11427374B2 (en) | 2020-12-28 | 2022-08-30 | G.Mondini S.p.a. | Paperboard article for making a container and container comprising the paperboard article |
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