FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003,
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)
1. Title of the invention
A CONTAINER
2. Applicant(s)
Name Nationality Address
TATA CHEMICALS LIMITED INDIA BOMBAY HOUSE, 24 HOMI MODI STREET. MUMBAI-
400001
3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is
to be performed.

Present disclosure relates to a polymer container. Particularly a container for receiving an article to form a complete package is disclosed. More particularly, a polymer container suited for use in shipping and transporting such article while affording minimum volume occupancy and effective protection against mechanical injury is disclosed.
BACKGROUND
Containers are useful and necessary. In modern society, they are used in a vast array of applications, some more demanding than others. At times it is desirable to package article in a container which will withstand the rigors of handling during transportation, including bumping without breaking or cracking in order to avoid breakage of article contained therein. For example, in case of consumer unit such as water filters, it is highly desirable to ensure that the water filter reaches the consumers safely.
Cardboard is commonly used as a packaging material for shipping or transporting consumer goods. Cardboard although inexpensive is weak and will fold or tear easily. For example, transportation of consumer goods such as water filters in a cardboard packaging are highly susceptible to damage. Furthermore, cardboard packaging cannot be reused due to its lesser durability.
Today, plastics and synthetic resin materials have found widespread use in the packaging industry because of the inexpensiveness of the raw material and the mass production methods of manufacturing. Plastic containers have been rapidly replacing both metal and paperboard containers inasmuch as the plastic type of container can be readily molded in an inexpensive mass production operation. However, impact protection and stacking strength of such plastic containers is lesser and when exposed to slight mechanical force they tend to deflect, for instance during transportation.
Therefore, it is desirable to manufacture or design an economically efficient container in such a way so as to allow minimum volume occupancy with maximum impact protection and stacking strength resulting in lesser transportation costs and damage free transportation of the article contained therein. Furthermore, there is a need for a polymer container suited for use in shipping and transporting article such as water filters in the

course of distribution from the producer to the consumer, while affording minimum volume occupancy and effective protection against mechanical injury.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure provides a polymer container. Particularly, the polymer container comprises of a base, at least two side panels each defining a bottom edge, a top edge and a pair of side edges. The side panels are connected to the base at their bottom edges, and at least two of the side panels are connected to each other along their side edges by a hollow rib such that the base and the side panels define a hollow space for receiving an article. The radius of the hollow rib is smaller than the radius of both the side panels connected by it such that the hollow rib projects outwards from the side panels. Further, at least one of the side panels connected by the hollow rib comprises of a groove between the top edge and the bottom edge, wherein the depth of the groove proximate the top edge is larger than the depth of the groove proximate the bottom edge, is disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the polymer container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the polymer container with a lid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the collar in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to embodiments and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the disclosed process, and such further applications of the principles of the invention therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" "an embodiment" or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
The details of invention are explained hereunder in greater detail in relation to non-limiting exemplary illustrations with reference to the accompanying figures. These should not be construed so as to limit the invention in any manner, as it would be obvious to the reader that many such embodiments are possible without diverting from the scope of the invention. In light thereof, variations and modifications will be suggested to one skilled in the art, all of which are within the spirit and purview of this invention.
The invention is explained in the following with the aid of the drawings in which like reference numbers represent like elements. Figure 1 illustrates a polymeric container 10, hereinafter referred to as "container" in accordance with an embodiment. The container 10 includes a base 16, side panels 12. Each side panel 12 has a bottom edge 22, top edge 18 and side edges 20. In the embodiment illustrated, the container includes three side panels, however, the container in accordance with the present disclosure may include two side panels with one panel forming a segment of a circle. The side panels 12 connect to the base at their bottom edges. The side panels 12 are connected to each other along their side edges by a hollow rib 14. Herein, all the side panels are connected through a hollow rib, however, two or more side panels in a container may be connected through a hollow rib. The side panels along with the base define a hollow space 40 for receiving an article.
The radius of the side panel is selected considering the container shape required and the strength of the container. A side panel may also have a very large radius such that it appears substantially flat. In accordance with an aspect, the radius of the hollow rib is

smaller than the radius of both the side panels connected through it such that the hollow rib projects outwards from the side panels. The hollow ribs connecting the side panels at their side edges subdue any impact on the corners of the container and provide strength to the container. In the embodiment illustrated, as all side panels are connected by hollow ribs, the hollow ribs serve as the first point of contact on impact and therefore reduce the impact on the side panels that are closer to the article to be stored in the container.
In accordance with an aspect, the radius of the hollow rib proximate the top edge is larger than the radius of the hollow rib proximate the bottom edge.
In the example illustrated, the radius of the hollow rib proximate the top edge is in the range of 15-19 mm, preferably 17mm and the radius of the hollow rib proximate the bottom edge is in the range of 8-12mm, preferably 10 mm.
In accordance with another aspect, at least one groove is present on at least one side panel of the container. The groove prevents deflection of the container when subjected to lateral impact and provides further strength to the container. An increase in the depth of the groove increases the impact resistance of the side panel, while also increasing the container volume. In order to minimise overall volume, the depth of the groove proximate the bottom edge is shorter than the depth of the groove proximate the top edge , as the impact resistance of the side panel proximate the bottom edge is higher on account of the connection with the base.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the side panels are at an angle of at least 1 degree from a vertical axis extending from the base. In the embodiment illustrated,
the deflection angle is 3 degree.
In accordance with a related embodiment, the increase in depth of the groove proximate the top edge to that proximate the bottom edge is achieved by providing a difference in deflection angle between that of side panels and the groove. In the embodiment illustrated, the deflection angle of the groove 24 is 1 degree and the deflection angle of side panels is 3 degrees.

Referring to Figure 1, groove 24 is present on the side panel 12 and the depth of the grove proximate the top edge is 9 mm and the depth of the groove proximate the bottom
edge is 2.5 mm.
In accordance with an embodiment, the side panels are connected to each other at their top edges by a collar. The collar further strengthens the impact resistance of the side panels of the container. Referring to figure 3, an example of a collar that may be formed connecting the side panels is enclosed. The unit of measurements indicated in figure 3 is millimetre. The horizontal and vertical plane of the collar increases the overall strength of the collar compared to the other sections of the container. The particular shape of horizontal and vertical planes provides additional strength to the collar and ensures minimum deflection of the collar. It also helps in better fitment of the Top Cover (lid) with the container.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the container comprises a lid 28. The lid 28 is configured for attachment with the collar 26 such that in the assembled condition forms a closed container. The lid 28 may be attached to the collar 26 by any means including but not limited to threads, push fit, snap fit or locks. The lid further comprises a handle 29 configured to allow the consumer to lift the container while transportation. A corresponding recess 30 is present on the lid for receiving the handle.
In the embodiment illustrated in figure 2, three clips 50 on lid 28 are provided. The clips 50 are configured to engage with the groove 24 proximate the top edge of the respective side panel when pressed against the side panels. The clips 50 in their closed position are engaged with the groove 24 such that the clips do not protrude out of the side panels 12 and which prevents breakage during transportation while also reducing volumes.
In accordance with an embodiment, peripheral ribs 42 are provided on the lid to ensure that direct impact would not be transferred directly to the lid or clips. It also provides overlap of about 3 mm between the lid and the container. Ribs also increases the strength of the lid and helps to ensure proper fitment of the lid with the container,

In accordance with an embodiment, locators 34 are provided proximate the base as well as on the lid, inside the container, to restrict the motion of the article contained therein. The locators may also be in the form of recess or projections which receives corresponding contours of the article to restrict the motion thereof.
In accordance with an embodiment, a stacking locator 32 in the form of a projection or recess is formed on the lid and a complementary profile is provided in the base to facilitate stacking of multiple containers one on top of another during storage and transportation.
In accordance with an aspect, the minimum distance to be maintained between the side panels of the container and the article contained therein, once the article is stored therein and a lid is secured, is 3 mm.
In the embodiment illustrated, the side panels are made up of a polymeric material such that when the container is closed with the lid the deflection due to the direct impact on the side panels is not more than 3 to 4 mm. Thus, the side panels are not allowed to come in contact with the article contained in the container.
The container may be made of any commonly used polymer and is preferably selected from Poly propylene (PP) homopolymer (grade: PP H110MA). random polymer (grade:PP SRM100NC) preferably the impact polymer (grade: PP C080MA or PP B120). The material of the container and the lid is preferably same.
SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS ARE DESCRIBED BELOW
A polymer container comprises of a base, at least two side panels each defining a bottom edge, a top edge and a pair of side edges, the side panels connected to the base at their bottom edges, and at least two of the side panels connected to each other along their side edges by a hollow rib such that the base and the side panels define a hollow space for receiving an article, the radius of the hollow rib being smaller than the radius of both the side panels connected by it such that the hollow rib projects outwards from the side panels, and at least one of the side panels connected by the hollow rib comprising of a groove

between the top edge and the bottom edge; wherein the depth of the groove proximate the top edge is larger than the depth of the groove proximate the bottom edge.
Such polymer container(s), wherein the radius of the hollow rib proximate the top edge is larger than the radius of the hollow rib proximate the bottom edge.
Such polymer container(s), wherein the side panels are connected to each other at their top edges by a collar.
Such polymer container(s), wherein the radius of each side panel is the same.
Such polymer container(s), wherein at least two of the side panels are connected to each other along both their side edges by a pair of the hollow ribs.
Such polymer container(s). wherein the groove extends between the bottom edge and the top edge.
Such polymer container(s), wherein the side panels are inclined vertically outwards by an angle of at least two degrees.
Such polymer container(s), further comprising a lid configured to engage with the collar to form a closed container.
Such polymer container(s), wherein the lid comprises a stacking locator formed thereon to facilitate stacking of a container on it.
Such polymer container(s), wherein the base comprises a profile complementary to the stacking locator to facilitate stacking of the container on the lid of another container.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The polymer container disclosed herein is easy to manufacture and is inexpensive, The polymer container can be used for storage and transportation of various consumer

goods. The polymer container disclosed herein is particularly suited for shipping and transporting water filters in the course of distribution from the producer to the consumer, while affording minimum volume occupancy and effective protection against mechanical injury. The polymer container after removal of the water filter by the consumer can be reused for other purposes such as storage of purified or impure water. Further, the water filter can be repacked in said polymer container thereby increasing portability of the water filter.

WE CLAIM:
1. A polymer container comprising of:
a base;
at least two side panels each defining a bottom edge, a top edge and a pair of side edges, the side panels connected to the base at their bottom edges, and at least two of the side panels connected to each other along their side edges by a hollow rib such that the base and the side panels define a hollow space for receiving an article, the radius of the hollow rib being smaller than the radius of both the side panels connected by it such that the hollow rib projects outwards from the side panels; and
at least one of the side panels connected by the hollow rib comprising of a groove between the top edge and the bottom edge; wherein the depth of the groove proximate the top edge is larger than the depth of the groove proximate the bottom
edge.
2. A polymer container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radius of the hollow rib proximate the top edge is larger than the radius of the hollow rib proximate the bottom edge.
3. A polymer container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side panels are connected to each other at their top edges by a collar.
4. A polymer container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radius of each side panel is the same.
5. A polymer container as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two of the side panels are connected to each other along both their side edges by a pair of the hollow ribs.
6. A polymer container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the groove extends between the bottom edge and the top edge.

7. A polymer container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side panels are inclined vertically outwards by an angle of at least two degrees.
8. A polymer container as claimed in claim 1 or 3, further comprising a lid configured to engage with the collar to fonn a closed container.
9. A polymer container as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lid comprises a stacking locator formed thereon to facilitate stacking of a container on it.
10. A polymer container as claimed in claim 9, wherein the base comprises a profile complementary to the stacking locator to facilitate stacking of the container on the lid of another container.