Stackable bottle system

Abstract

A stackable bottle for use with liquids or other consumable materials and a system of such stackable bottles features nesting bottles having interlocking upper and lower surfaces, interlocking side walls and integral handles. Each bottle has generally planar side walls to permit optimization of stack volume. Bottles are designed to be stacked in an upright position to reduce spillage from the neck of each bottle. Interlocks provide a locational transition fit engagement for ease of connection and disconnection.

1 . A system of interlocking storage bottles comprising: 
 a plurality of storage bottles, each bottle having a storage chamber with an upper surface, a lower surface and at least four generally planar side walls;    a central conical ceiling extending upwardly from the upper surface;    a cylindrical neck extending from the center of the ceiling and having an opening at its top end;    a conical recess in the lower surface of a size sufficient to envelop the ceiling and neck of another storage bottle insertable therein;    vertical interlocking means for releasably connecting each side wall to the side wall of another storage bottle stackable adjacent thereto;    horizontal interlocking means for releasably connecting the upper surface to the lower surface of another storage bottle disposable thereabove.    
     
     
         2 . The system of interlocking storage bottles of  claim 1 , wherein each storage bottle may be stacked in an upright position above, below or beside another upright storage bottle to form a stable bottle stack.  
     
     
         3 . The system of interlocking storage bottles of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one aperture between adjacent side walls to form a handle.  
     
     
         4 . The system of interlocking storage bottles of  claim 1 , further comprising a recess in at least one side wall for application thereto of a label.  
     
     
         5 . The system of interlocking storage bottles of  claim 1 , wherein each of the storage bottles is a liquid storage bottle.  
     
     
         6 . The system of interlocking storage bottles of  claim 1 , wherein each of the storage bottles is blow-molded.  
     
     
         7 . The system of interlocking storage bottles of  claim 1 , wherein each of the storage bottles is manufactured of a polyethylene material.  
     
     
         8 . The system of interlocking storage bottles of  claim 1 , wherein the size of the storage bottles is selected for use with industry standard drinking water dispensers.  
     
     
         9 . The system of interlocking storage bottles of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical interlocking means comprises at least one recess on the side wall for engaging a corresponding protrusion on the side wall of another storage bottle.  
     
     
         10 . The system of interlocking storage bottles of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal interlocking means comprises at least one recess in the lower surface of the housing for engaging a corresponding protrusion on the upper surface of another storage bottle.  
     
     
         11 . The system of interlocking storage bottles of  claim 1 , wherein the neck of each bottle further comprises an external thread for attachment thereto of a screw cap.  
     
     
         12 . The system of interlocking storage bottles of  claim 1 , wherein the bottles in the stack of bottles are fillable with a consumable material.  
     
     
         13 . The system of interlocking storage bottles of  claim 1 , further comprising a locational transitional fit between the neck of each storage bottle and the conical recess of another storage bottle into which the neck is nested.  
     
     
         14 . A blow molded liquid storage bottle having a storage chamber, a conical ceiling in an upper surface, a lower surface, and at least four generally planar side walls; 
 a cylindrical neck extending upwardly from the center of the conical ceiling and having an opening at its top end;    a conical recess extending upwardly from the lower surface of a size sufficient to envelop the ceiling and neck of another storage bottle insertable therein;    vertical interlocking means for releasably connecting each side wall to the side wall of another storage bottle stackable adjacent thereto;    horizontal interlocking means for releasably connecting the upper surface to the lower surface of another storage bottle disposable thereabove.    
     
     
         15 . The storage bottle of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one aperture between adjacent side walls to form a handle.  
     
     
         16 . The storage bottle of  claim 14 , further comprising a recess in at least one side wall for application thereto of a label.  
     
     
         17 . The storage bottle of  claim 14 , wherein the size of the storage bottle is selected for use with an industry standard drinking water dispenser.  
     
     
         18 . The storage bottle of  claim 14 , wherein the vertical interlocking means comprises at least one recess on the side wall for engaging a corresponding protrusion on the side wall of another storage bottle.  
     
     
         19 . The storage bottle of  claim 14 , wherein the horizontal interlocking means comprises at least one recess in the lower surface for engaging a corresponding protrusion on the upper surface of another storage bottle.  
     
     
         20 . The storage bottle of  claim 14 , wherein the neck further comprises an external thread for attachment thereto of a screw cap.  
     
     
         21 . The storage bottle of  claim 14 , further comprising means for identifying the contents to be stored in the storage bottle.  
     
     
         22 . The storage bottle of  claim 14 , further comprising a locational transitional fit between the neck of the storage bottle and the conical recess of another storage bottle into which the neck is nested.