STACKABLE CONTAINER
A container for storing welding electrodes includes a container body and a container cap constructed via thermoplastic injection molding. The container is constructed with walls that define an interior region and complementary upper and lower surfaces. When multiple containers are stacked together, the upper surface of one container engages the lower surface of an adjacent container thereby restraining lateral movement between the containers. However, the configuration of the upper and lower surfaces allows for longitudinal movement between the containers.
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The present invention pertains to stackable containers, and more particularly, to stackable containers for packaging welding electrodes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONNumerous types of consumable articles are packaged for display and sale to the consumer every day. Some articles are sold in containers arranged in a retail display and categorized by function or use in a particular application. It will be appreciated that the type of article sold may affect the kind of packaging needed to store and effectively display the article. Some articles are bundled together and packaged in rigid containers, which do not conform to the shape of the bundle. As a result, the articles tend to shift within the container when handled. One such type of article pertains to industrial consumables like, for example, welding rods used in a stick welding procedure.
Current packaging of such materials includes containers that are constructed with a generally flat bottom, which allow for movement between containers when stacked together. Consumers frequently pick up the containers looking for information about a particular product needed for their application. When placed back on the shelf or stand, the articles tend to shift within the container often resulting in a stack of offset containers. This leaves the display looking disjointed and unsightly, and reflects negatively on the manufacturer. In many instances, the containers slide and fall from the stack damaging the contents.
Accordingly, a need exists for a generally rigid container than includes means for stacking multiple containers in an orderly fashion while providing easy access to the consumer. The embodiments of the subject invention provide a stackable container that restrains lateral movement between stacked containers but allows for longitudinal movement thereby obviating the aforementioned problems.
BRIEF SUMMARYIn one embodiment of the present invention, a stackable container having an interior region for storing associated welding materials includes a container body having one or more walls that define an open end for receiving the associated welding electrodes, the one or more walls defining first and second distally disposed surfaces that comprise complementary contours for restraining lateral movement while allowing longitudinal movement of a first stackable container with respect to a second substantially similar stackable container when the containers are placed in a stacking relationship.
In one aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, the container body is generally longitudinal and includes a recess longitudinally fashioned within the first surface, and at least a first protrusion extending from the second distally disposed surface, wherein when the at least a first protrusion of the first stackable container is juxtaposed to the recess of the second stackable container, the first stackable container is restrained from lateral movement with respect to the second stackable container.
In another aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, the at least a first protrusion includes at least a first ridge longitudinally fashioned along the second distally disposed surface.
In still another aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, the second distally disposed surface includes a first and at least a second ridge longitudinally fashioned along the second distally disposed surface.
In yet another aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, the container body is constructed from a moldable polymer.
In another aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, the stackable container includes a recess that has a characteristic width w, and at least one rib extending from the first surface and spanning the width of the recess.
In even another aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, the first surface includes first and second generally beveled corner portions, wherein each of the first and second generally beveled corners form an angle A with respect to a transverse axis of the stackable container and wherein the second distally disposed surface comprises third and fourth generally planar beveled portions, wherein each of the third and fourth generally planar corners form an angle Al with respect to a transverse axis of the stackable container.
In still yet another aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, the angles A and A1 are substantially equal.
In another embodiment of the subject invention, a stackable package of welding consumables includes an injection molded container body having one or more walls that define an open end and an interior region, the one or more walls defining first and second surfaces that restrain lateral movement while allowing longitudinal movement of a first stackable package with respect to a second substantially similar stackable package when the first and second stackable packages are placed in a stacking relationship, and one or more welding electrodes enclosed within the container body.
In one aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, the stackable container includes a cap adapted to engage the container body for enclosing the open end of the container body.
In another aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, the container body has a substantially uniform cross section with respect to a longitudinal axis.
In yet another aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention, the stackable package includes a recess longitudinally fashioned within the first surface, and wherein the second surface is complementary with respect to the first surface for restraining lateral movement of the first stackable package with respect to the second stackable package.
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same,
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The container 10 may be constructed using moldable materials such as a thermoplastic polymer. In an exemplary manner, the container 10 may be constructed using polypropylene, polyethylene, and/or rubber. However, any type of material, thermoplastic, thermoset or otherwise, may be utilized to construct the containers 10 of the embodiments of the subject invention. The container 10 may be formed using an injection molding process. In this process, a mold, typically fashioned from two matching halves, is placed in a press having platens that close to force the mold halves together. The mold is manufactured with a cavity that, when closed, define the shape of the container 10. In one embodiment, mold cores are used to determine the shape of the interior of the container 10. Polymer material is then melted in a barrel and then injected into the mold cavity. A cooling cycle is subsequently initiated, after which the molded container 10 is ejected from the mold. It is noted here that other processes may also be used to construct the container 10 including but not limited to blow molding.
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The invention has been described herein with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalence thereof.
Claims
1. A stackable container having an interior region for storing associated welding materials, comprising:
- a container body having one or more walls that define an open end for receiving the associated welding electrodes, the one or more walls defining first and second distally disposed surfaces that comprise complementary contours for restraining lateral movement while allowing longitudinal movement of a first stackable container with respect to a second substantially similar stackable container when the stackable containers are placed in a stacking relationship.
2. The stackable container as defined in claim 1, wherein the container body is generally longitudinal; and further comprising:
- a recess longitudinally fashioned within the first surface; and,
- at least a first protrusion extending from the second distally disposed surface, wherein when the at least a first protrusion of the first stackable container is juxtaposed to the recess of the second stackable container, the first stackable container is restrained from lateral movement with respect to the second stackable container.
3. The stackable container as defined in claim 2, wherein the at least a first protrusion is at least a first ridge longitudinally fashioned along the second distally disposed surface.
4. The stackable container as defined in claim 3, wherein the second distally disposed surface includes a first and at least a second ridge longitudinally fashioned along the second distally disposed surface.
5. The stackable container as defined in claim 4, wherein the container body is constructed from a moldable polymer.
6. The stackable container as defined in claim 4, wherein the recess has a characteristic width w; and further comprising:
- at least one rib extending from the first surface and spanning the width of the recess.
7. The stackable container as defined in claim 1, wherein the first surface comprises first and second generally planar corner portions, wherein each of the first and second generally planar corners form an angle A with respect to a transverse axis of the stackable container.
8. The stackable container as defined in claim 7, wherein the second distally disposed surface comprises third and fourth generally planar corner portions, wherein each of the third and fourth generally planar corners form an angle Al with respect to a transverse axis of the stackable container.
9. The stackable container as defined in claim 8, wherein the angle A and A1 are substantially equal.
10. The stackable container as defined in claim 1, wherein the first and second distally disposed surfaces include curved portions for restraining lateral movement.
11. The stackable container as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
- a cap adapted to engage the container body for enclosing the open end of the stackable container.
12. The stackable container as defined in claim 11, wherein the cap snaps into engagement with the container body.
13. A stackable package of welding consumables, comprising:
- an injection molded container body having one or more walls that define an open end and an interior region, the one or more walls defining first and second surfaces that restrain lateral movement while allowing longitudinal movement of a first stackable package with respect to a second substantially similar stackable package when the first and second stackable packages are placed in a stacking relationship; and,
- one or more welding electrodes enclosed within the container body.
14. The stackable container as defined in claim 13, further comprising:
- a cap adapted to engage the container body for enclosing the open end of the container body.
15. The stackable package as defined in claim 13, wherein the container body has a substantially uniform cross section with respect to a longitudinal axis.
16. The stackable package as defined in claim 13, wherein the container body is constructed from at least one of polypropylene or polyethylene.
17. The stackable package as defined in claim 13, further comprising:
- a recess longitudinally fashioned within the first surface; and,
- wherein the second surface is complementary with respect to the first surface for restraining lateral movement of the first stackable package with respect to the second stackable package.
18. The stackable container as defined in claim 17, further comprising:
- at least a first ridge extending from the second surface.
19. The stackable container as defined in claim 17, further comprising:
- a first and at least a second ridge longitudinally fashioned along the second distally disposed surface.
20. The stackable container as defined in claim 17, wherein the recess has a characteristic width w; and further comprising:
- at least one rib transversely spanning the width of the recess.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 31, 2007
Publication Date: Apr 30, 2009
Applicant: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC. (City of Industry, CA)
Inventors: Paul A. Weissbrod (South Euclid, OH), Arthur Papineau (Strongsville, OH), Anthony D. Shoemaker (Pittsburgh, PA), Mark Douglas Donaldson (Pittsburgh, PA)
Application Number: 11/931,899
International Classification: B65D 8/04 (20060101);