DESC:Container Assembly

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a storage and transporting container and more particularly, to a container assembly used for transporting and storing liquids, semisolids and solids materials.

Background of the invention

Generally, enormous numbers of paint cans and containers are manufactured and used throughout the world. Conventionally, the paint cans were made of metal with precision-fit lids which had projecting ribs that are frictionally received within a groove configured in the top of the cans in order to seal the cans. It is becoming increasingly apparent that plastic paint containers have certain advantages over metal cans.

A primary advantage is that plastic containers are less expensive. Moreover, plastic containers can be made of materials which are inert with respect to the paint within the containers so that paint is not in danger of contamination by the can. Metal cans are generally made of steel and have a tin coating on an inner surface which is supposed to prevent interaction between the steel and paint. The paint can become discolored rather rapidly if the coating is improperly applied or becomes damaged so that the steel portion of the can is exposed to the paint. With oil base paints, this is not a great problem, however, with water based paints, such as vinyl paints which are becoming increasingly popular; this is an enormous problem because water tends to rust steel. When the rust disperses in the paint, the paint is usually ruined. Accordingly, as the demand for water based vinyl paints increases, so does the demand for quality plastic containers.

Further, plastic containers must meet certain requirements like the containers can be readily substituted for metal cans without necessitating extensive changes in the filling and handling apparatus. The development of the plastic containers till the present date have primarily focused on the features like ease of lid fitment, anti counterfeit locking, variations in additional features like spouts, handles, shapes etc, leakproofness, nesting for transportation, drop resistance and the like. However, the plastic containers have overlooked features like ease of nesting after molding, ease of de-nesting prior to filling on filling lines / stations, container optimization to increase durability of the top load strength for stacking or transportation for drop or mishandling.

Accordingly, there is a need for a container assembly used for transporting and storing flowable materials, which overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Objects of the invention

An object of the present invention is to improve strength of a container to facilitate leak proof storage and transport of liquids, semisolids and solids materials such as paints, oils, semisolids and the like.

Yet another object of the present invention is to eliminate an air locking phenomenon during nesting and de-nesting of the containers.

Still another object of the present invention is to ease a separation process of containers prior to filling on automated and semi-automated container-filling stations.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a container assembly. The container assembly comprises a container, a lid and a gasket. The container includes a closed bottom formed by a cylindrical body and an open top formed by a neck integrated on the cylindrical body. The closed bottom includes a first set of plurality of ribs configured on an outer surface thereof. The neck includes a handle, a first lip and a second set of plurality of ribs configured thereon. The first lip is configured on a circumference of the neck. The second set of plurality of ribs is configured externally on a periphery of the neck.

The lid is adapted to be attached to the neck for removably covering the open top of the container leaving a gap there between. The lid includes a top surface, a circumferential wall extending therefrom to cover the neck and a second lip configured there between. The top surface includes a port configured thereon and a third set of plurality of ribs configured on an internal periphery thereof. The circumferential wall includes a notch configured thereon. The notch is a one - time use notch that gets torn - out when the lid is opened from the container.

The gasket is fitted between the first lip of the neck and the second lip of the lid for sealing the container.

When the assembly deforms by any one of dropping and top load application, the first, second and third sets of the pluralities of ribs deform in a way to close the gap between the lid and the container thereby providing leakproofness during transport of materials stored in the container.

During nesting of two or more containers, the second set of plurality of ribs of a top nested container presses the first lip of a bottom nested container causing air from a bottom gap to enter into a radial gap and thereafter into the second set of plurality of ribs to escape to the atmosphere thereby allowing easy nesting and de-nesting of the containers.

Brief description of drawings

Other features as well as the advantages of the invention will be clear from the following description.

In the appended drawings:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a container assembly, in accordance with present invention;

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the container assembly of figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a lid of the container assembly of figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a container with first and second set of pluralities of ribs of the container assembly of figure 1;

Figure 5 shows fitment design of the container and the lid of the container assembly of figure 1;

Figure 6a shows the container assembly before deformation, in accordance with present invention;

Figure 6b shows the container assembly after deformation, in accordance with present invention;

Figure 6c is a graph showing a load versus displacement curve for the container assembly, in accordance with present invention; and

Figures 7a - 7d show two stacked containers with a stacking area, radial and bottom air gaps, in accordance with present invention.
Detailed description of the invention

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.

The present invention provides container assembly. The container assembly is improved in strength to facilitate leak proof storage and transportation of flowable materials, eliminate an air locking phenomenon during nesting and de-nesting processes and to ease a separation process of containers prior to filling on automated and semi-automated container-filling stations.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.

Referring to figures 1 to 7d, a container assembly (100) (hereinafter referred as “the assembly (100)”), in accordance with the present invention is shown. Preferably, the assembly (100) is made from a Polypropylene Co-polymer (PPCP) resin for storage and transportation of flowable liquids such as paints, semisolids and solids materials. However, it is understood that the assembly (100) can be made from any suitable materials for storage and transportation of various other materials known in the art. The assembly (100) comprises a container (50), a lid (80) and a gasket (90).

The container (50) is a hollow cylindrical shaped drum having a closed bottom (not numbered) and an open top (not numbered). However, it is understood that the container (50) of other shapes can also be used as per various other alternate embodiments of the present invention. The closed bottom of the container (50) is formed by a cylindrical body (20). The open top of the container (50) is formed by a neck (40). The neck (40) is integrated on a top surface (not numbered) of the cylindrical body (20). The closed bottom includes a first set of plurality of ribs (10) (hereinafter “the first ribs (10)”) configured on an outer surface (not numbered) thereof.

The neck (40) includes a handle (not shown), a first lip (25) and a second set of plurality of ribs (30) (hereinafter “the second ribs (30)”) configured thereon. The handle for example a steel handle is adapted for facilitating easy transportation and lifting of the container (50). The first lip (25) is configured on a circumference (not numbered) of the neck (40). The second ribs (30) are configured externally on a periphery (not numbered) of the neck (40).

The lid (80) is adapted to be attached to the neck (40) for removably covering the open top of the container (50) leaving a gap (D) there between as shown in figure 6a. The lid (80) due to the gap (D) is capable of being moved relative to the neck (40) along an engagement direction shown by an arrow ‘A’ in figure 1 for closing the open top of the container (50).

The lid (80) includes a top surface (not numbered), a circumferential wall (60) extending therefrom and a second lip (65) configured there between. The top surface includes a port/tint port (68) and a third set of plurality of ribs (70) (herein after ‘the third ribs (70)’) configured thereon. Specifically, the port (68) is configured externally on the top surface and the third ribs (70) are configured on an internal periphery (not numbered) on the top surface. The materials stored inside the container (50) are accessed by opening the lid (80) or alternatively by opening the port (68) of the lid (80). The circumferential wall (60) is configured to surround/cover the neck (40) of the container (50). The circumferential wall (60) includes a notch (55) configured thereon. The notch (55) is a one - time use notch that gets torn-out when the lid (80) is opened from the container (50).

The gasket (90) is adapted to be fitted between the first lip (25) of the neck (40) and the second lip (65) of the lid (80) for sealing the container (50). Specifically, the gasket (90) rests on the first lip (25). When the lid (80) is placed over the container (50), the circumferential wall (60) covers the neck (40) such that the gasket (90) gets compressed between the first lip (25) and the second lip (65) thereby resulting in an improved sealing of the container (50) with the lid (80).

Specifically, the ribs (10, 30, and 70) are designed to serve as shock absorbers to safeguard the assembly (100) as well as to serve as anti-air locking mechanism to allow easy nesting and de-nesting of two or more stacked containers (50) of the two or more assemblies (100).

The ribs (10, 30, and 70) as shock absorbers:
The ribs (10, 30, and 70) safeguard and prevent the assembly (100) from opening during any one of a drop of the assembly (100) from a certain height and an application of a top load/ compression load (herein after ‘the load) (not shown) on the assembly (100). In an embodiment, the assembly (100) drops from a height of 1.2 metre. In another embodiment, the load of upto 1100 Kgs is applied on the assembly (100).

During the deformation of the assembly (100) due to drop or application of the load, the ribs (10, 30, and 70) deform in a way to prevent exertion of the force onto the lid (80) by diverting the force to close the gap (D) between the lid (80) and the container (50) thereby tightening the lid (80). Thus, the lid (80) is prevented from falling out of the container (50) thereby preventing opening of the container (50). As a result, the leakage of the stored materials from the container (50) is prevented due to closure of the gap (D) and tightening of the lid (80) that in turn are attributable to the deformation of the ribs (10, 30 and 70) as shown in figure 6b.

The effect of deformation of the ribs (10, 30 and 70) in association with the cylindrical body (20) is illustrated in a graph of load versus deflection/displacement/deformation shown in figure 6c. The graph shows that as the load is gradually increased from 0 Kg upto 1100 Kgs, the assembly (100) deflects linearly from zero till 19 mm. The load after 1100 Kgs causes the assembly (100) to buckle. Such linear behavior is due to a typical geometrical design and height of the container (50) and the lid (80) along with an associated ribbing pattern formed by the ribs (10, 30 and 70).

The ribs (10, 30 and 70) as anti-air locking mechanism:
During nesting/de-nesting of two or more containers (50), atmospheric air at a bottom gap ‘C’ either exits or enters through a radial gap ‘B’ between the containers (50A, 50B) of two or more assemblies (100). The ribs (10, 30 and 70) eliminate the air and thus the stacking problem in de-nesting and re-nesting during storing after a molding operation or de-nesting prior to a filling operation of the containers (50A, 50B). The ribs (10, 30 and 70) of the assembly (100) serve as anti-air locking mechanism to allow operators/robots to perform nesting and de-nesting of the stacked containers (50A, 50B) of the two or more assemblies (100) with ease as well as to easily separate unfilled containers (50).

The second ribs (30A) of a top nested container (50A) presses the first lip (25B) of a bottom nested container (50B) causing the top nested container (50) to easily slide into and retain a relative position with respect to the bottom nested container (50B). The stacking area is indicated by ‘E’ in figure 7b. Due to the pressing, the air in the bottom gap ‘C’ between the top and bottom nested containers (50A, 50B) enters into the second ribs (30A, 30B) through the radial gap ‘B’ and then escapes to the atmosphere as shown in figures 7a-7d. Specifically, figures 7a - 7d illustrate nesting of two containers (50a, 50B). However, the assembly (100) allows nesting/de-nesting of more than two containers.

Advantages of the invention

1. The assembly (100) improves sealing of the container (50) with the lid (80) thereby facilitating leak-proof storage and transport of the materials.
2. The assembly (100) increases compressive strength of the container (50) for the top load of about 1100 Kgs with 22 liters of storage volume below the lid (80) due to the design of the ribs (10, 30 and 70).
3. The assembly (100) includes anti air locking mechanism during filing, transportation and storage of materials by allowing the air to escape during stacking and during de-stacking of the containers (50) and the lids (80). The anti air locking features allow to release air effectively during container stacking after molding or during de stacking on filling lines.
4. The ribs (10 and 30) allow robotic stations used in molding and filling lines to pick and place the containers (50) on conveyors with ease and without any sticking.
5. The assembly (100) provides features like leak proof lid fitment, anti counterfeit locking, drop resistance, stickability, emptying completeness and the like.
6. The ribs (10 and 30) of the assembly (100) facilitate improved gripping by the user to hold the container (50) while pouring the liquids and paints.
7. The assembly (100) allows to stack upto 6 filled containers (50).

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A container assembly (100) comprising:
• a container (50) having a closed bottom formed by a cylindrical body
(20) and an open top formed by a neck (40) integrated on the cylindrical body (20), the closed bottom having a first set of plurality of ribs (10) configured on an outer surface thereof, the neck (40) having a handle, a first lip (25) and a second set of plurality of ribs (30) configured thereon;
• a lid (80) adapted to be attached to the neck (40) for removably
covering the open top of the container (50) leaving a gap (D) there between, the lid (80) having a top surface, a circumferential wall (60) extending therefrom to cover the neck (40) and a second lip (65) configured there between, the top surface having a port (68) configured thereon and a third set of plurality of ribs (70) configured on an internal periphery thereof, the circumferential wall (60) having a notch (55) configured thereon; and
• a gasket (90) fitted between the first lip (25) of the neck (40) and the
second lip (65) of the lid (80) for sealing the container (50),

wherein, when the assembly (100) deforms by any one of dropping and top load application, the first, second and third sets of the pluralities of ribs (10, 30, 70) deform in a way to close the gap (D) between the lid (80) and the container (50) thereby providing leakproofness during transport of materials stored in the container (50), and,
wherein, during nesting of two or more containers (50), the second set of plurality of ribs (30A) of a top nested container (50A) presses the first lip (25B) of a bottom nested container (50B) causing air from a bottom gap (C) to enter into a radial gap (B) and thereafter into the second set of plurality of ribs (30A, 30B) to escape to the atmosphere thereby allowing easy nesting and de-nesting of the containers (50A, 50B).

2. The container assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first lip
(25) is configured on a circumference of the neck (40).

3. The container assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
set of plurality of ribs (30) is configured externally on a periphery of the neck (40).

4. The container assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the notch
(55) is a one - time use notch that gets torn - out when the lid (80) is opened from the container (50).