Recyclable container adapted for movement by a lifting device and method for making same

Abstract

A container for storing material, such as welding wire. The container is adapted to be lifted by inserting a fork, or other lifting member, of a lifting device into the container. The container may comprise a fiber drum having one or more openings, or recesses, adapted to receive a fork of a lifting device. The container may be cylindrical. The container may be comprised of a cellulosic material. The container may house welding wire. A method of manufacturing a container adapted to be lifted by inserting a member of a lifting device into the container also is featured.

1 . A container, comprising: 
 a housing comprising a cellulosic material, the housing being adapted to receive at least one lifting member of a lifting device into one of an opening and a recess in the housing.    
   
   
       2 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the housing is cylindrical.  
   
   
       3 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a bottom and a support surface adapted to support a material within the housing.  
   
   
       4 . The container as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the housing comprises at least one opening adapted to enable the at least one lifting member to enter the housing between the bottom and the support surface.  
   
   
       5 . The container as recited in  claim 4 , comprising a plurality of supports to support the support surface, the plurality of supports being oriented to enable the at least one lifting member to be inserted into the at least one opening.  
   
   
       6 . The container as recited in  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of supports comprises a hollow cylinder.  
   
   
       7 . The container as recited in  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of supports comprises a cellulosic material.  
   
   
       8 . A container of welding wire for an arc welding system, comprising: 
 a hollow housing having at least one opening adapted to receive at least one lifting member of a lifting device; and    a length of welding wire disposed within the housing.    
   
   
       9 . The container as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the housing comprises a fibrous material.  
   
   
       10 . The container as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the housing is generally cylindrical.  
   
   
       11 . The container as recited in  claim 8 , comprising a first bottom and a second bottom adapted to support the welding wire.  
   
   
       12 . The container as recited in  claim 11 , wherein both the first and the second bottoms comprise a fibrous material.  
   
   
       13 . The container as recited in  claim 11 , comprising at least one support disposed between the first bottom and the second bottom.  
   
   
       14 . The container as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one support comprises a fibrous material.  
   
   
       15 . The container as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one opening is oriented on the housing between the first and second bottoms.  
   
   
       16 . The container as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the lifting device is a forklift and the at least one lifting member is a fork of the forklift.  
   
   
       17 . A container of welding wire for an arc welding system, comprising: 
 a hollow housing; and    welding wire disposed within the housing,    wherein the housing is adapted to enable a lifting member of a lifting device to extend below the welding wire to lift the housing.    
   
   
       18 . The container as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the housing is generally cylindrical.  
   
   
       19 . The container as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the housing comprises a cellulosic material.  
   
   
       20 . The container as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the housing comprises at least one opening in the housing to enable the lifting member to enter the housing below the welding wire.  
   
   
       21 .- 38 . (canceled)