Dual Container With Interlocking Features
An interlocking container assembly includes a first container having a first longitudinal axis and a second container having a second longitudinal axis. The first container has a male dovetail element, and the second container has a female dovetail recess that is adapted to engage the male dovetail element in order to prevent relative movement between the first and second containers in a first direction that is perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal axes. The first and second containers further respectively include a projection and a recess that are axially spaced from the respective dovetail element and female dovetail recess. The projection and the recess are adapted to engage each other in order to prevent relative movement between the first and second containers in a second direction that is parallel to the first and second longitudinal axes. The female dovetail recess is formed to have length that is favorable to fabrication using an extrusion blow molding process in which a mold is provided with a retractable mold element for forming the female dovetail recess.
Latest GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P. Patents:
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a dual container assembly having two different container portions that are interlocked for handling and use.
2. Description of the Related Technology
There are many instances in which two products are meant to be used together, such as shampoo and hair conditioner, oil and vinegar, tanning cream and lotion or other various combinations of condiments or combinations of detergents. Such products are conventionally provided in two separate containers, and it is up to the consumer to make sure that the complementary products are both in the right position at the right time.
Interlocking dual containers have been proposed and have been used commercially on a limited basis.
Unfortunately, the relatively narrow male dovetail element and the relatively narrow female dovetail recess of the container that is depicted in
A need exists for an improved interlocking container assembly that is easier to reliably manufacturer using extrusion blow molding process then the prior art container assembly that is depicted in
Accordingly, it is an object to provide an improved interlocking container assembly that is easier to reliably manufacturer using extrusion blow molding process then the prior art container assembly that is depicted in
In order to achieve the above and other objects of the invention, an interlocking container assembly according to a first aspect of the invention includes a first container having a first longitudinal axis, the first container having a first interlocking feature; a second container having a second longitudinal axis, the second container having a second interlocking feature that is different from the first interlocking feature but that is adapted to engage the first interlocking feature in order to prevent relative movement between the first and second containers in a first direction that is perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal axes, and wherein the second interlocking feature has a width that is greater than about 0.4 inch.
According to a second aspect of the invention, an interlocking container assembly includes a first container having a first longitudinal axis, the first container having a first interlocking feature that comprises a male dovetail element; a second container having a second longitudinal axis, the second container having a second interlocking feature that comprises a female dovetail recess that is adapted to engage the male dovetail element in order to prevent relative movement between the first and second containers in a first direction that is perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal axes; the first container further comprising a third interlocking feature and said second container further comprising a fourth interlocking feature that is adapted to engage the third interlocking feature in order to prevent relative movement between the first and second containers in a second direction that is parallel to the first and second longitudinal axes.
These and various other advantages and features of novelty that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views, and referring in particular to
The first container 22 is shown in isolation in
The second container 26 is shown in isolation
The first and second containers 22, 26 respectively include neck portions 38, 40 each having an opening defined therein that is in communication with the interior of the respective container. As is diagrammatically shown in
Additionally, the interlocking dual container assembly 20 could be provided with a shrink wrap label (not shown) for providing information to the consumer and for further mechanically binding together the respective containers 22, 26.
Referring again to
Preferably, the recess 50 is axially spaced from the female dovetail recess 36 by a distance LS that is at least 2 inches.
In order to permit a reliable molding of the female dovetail recess 36, the female dovetail recess is shaped to have a width WF as shown in
Additionally, the female dovetail recess 36 preferably has an axial length LF that is less than about 1 inch, and that is more preferably less than about 0.75 inch. Most preferably, the female dovetail recess 36 has an axial length LF that is less than about 0.5 inch. By so limiting the axial length of the female dovetail recess, reliable manufacturing using the extrusion blow molding process is permitted despite the significant undercut that is present in the shape of the female dovetail recess 36 by using a retractable mold element in order to shape the female dovetail recess 36.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Claims
1. An interlocking container assembly comprising:
- a first container having a first longitudinal axis, said first container having a first interlocking feature;
- a second container having a second longitudinal axis, said second container having a second interlocking feature that is different from said first interlocking feature but that is adapted to engage said first interlocking feature in order to prevent relative movement between said first and second containers in a first direction that is perpendicular to said first and second longitudinal axes, and wherein said second interlocking feature has a width that is greater than about 0.4 inch.
2. An interlocking container assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first interlocking feature comprises a male dovetail element, and wherein said second interlocking feature comprises a female dovetail recess, and wherein both said male dovetail element and female dovetail recess have longitudinal axes that are parallel to said first and second longitudinal axes.
3. An interlocking container assembly according to claim 2, wherein said female dovetail recess has an axial length that is less than about 1 inch.
4. An interlocking container assembly according to claim 3, wherein said female dovetail recess has an axial length that is less than about 0.75 inch.
5. An interlocking container assembly according to claim 4, wherein said female dovetail recess has an axial length that is less than about 0.5 inch.
6. An interlocking container assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first container further comprises a third interlocking feature and said second container further comprises a fourth interlocking feature that is adapted to engage said third interlocking feature in order to prevent relative movement between said first and second containers in a second direction that is parallel to said first and second longitudinal axes.
7. An interlocking container assembly according to claim 6, wherein said fourth interlocking feature is axially spaced from said second interlocking feature by a distance of at least 2 inches.
8. An interlocking container assembly according to claim 1, wherein said second interlocking feature has a width that is greater than about 0.75 inch.
9. An interlocking container assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first container includes no additional interlocking structure adjacent to said first interlocking feature, and wherein said second container includes no additional interlocking structure that is adjacent to said second interlocking feature.
10. An interlocking container assembly according to claim 9, wherein said first interlocking feature comprises a male dovetail element, and wherein said second interlocking feature comprises a female dovetail recess, and wherein both said male dovetail element and female dovetail recess have longitudinal axes that are parallel to said first and second longitudinal axes.
11. An interlocking container assembly comprising:
- a first container having a first longitudinal axis, said first container having a first interlocking feature that comprises a male dovetail element;
- a second container having a second longitudinal axis, said second container having a second interlocking feature that comprises a female dovetail recess that is adapted to engage said male dovetail element in order to prevent relative movement between said first and second containers in a first direction that is perpendicular to said first and second longitudinal axes;
- said first container further comprising a third interlocking feature and said second container further comprising a fourth interlocking feature that is adapted to engage said third interlocking feature in order to prevent relative movement between said first and second containers in a second direction that is parallel to said first and second longitudinal axes.
12. An interlocking container assembly according to claim 11, wherein said fourth interlocking feature is axially spaced from said second interlocking feature by a distance of at least 2 inches.
13. An interlocking container assembly according to claim 11, wherein said female dovetail recess has a width that is greater than about 0.4 inch.
14. An interlocking container assembly according to claim 13, wherein said female dovetail recess has a width that is greater than about 0.75 inch.
15. An interlocking container assembly according to claim 11, wherein said first container includes no female dovetail element.
16. An interlocking container assembly according to claim 11, wherein said second container includes no male dovetail element.
17. An interlocking container assembly according to claim 11, wherein said female dovetail recess has an axial length that is less than about 1 inch.
18. An interlocking container assembly according to claim 17, wherein said female dovetail recess has an axial length that is less than about 0.75 inch.
19. An interlocking container assembly according to claim 18, wherein said female dovetail recess has an axial length that is less than about 0.5 inch.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 15, 2009
Publication Date: Dec 16, 2010
Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P. (York, PA)
Inventors: Michael S. Wojton (Dover, PA), Matthew R. Lewis (Mt. Wolf, PA)
Application Number: 12/484,522