Interlocking and stackable container

Abstract

An interlocking, stackable container is provided, including sides with protrusions and sides with cavities, and with the bottom portion of each container including a spout pocket and a cap pocket adapted to receive a top spout and cap of a second container, allowing for easy vertical stacking. The protrusions and cavities of different containers can interlock with one another to form a horizontal layer of containers in a space-saving design. Stacking and interlocking many units of the container forms a stable structure that will not tip or fall. The container can be used as a space saving transportation medium for food, water or other liquid products, and can also be used as a structural building block for a barrier wall or similar structure. The container can also be used by children as a building block and learning device.

1 . A container adapted to interlock and stack in abutting relationship with another identical container, the container comprising: 
 four sides;    a top with an asymmetrically-shaped spout having a cap covering an opening in the spout, the spout configured to protrude vertically from the top; and    a bottom with a spout pocket having a cap pocket therein, the spout pocket and cap pocket being symmetrically identical to the spout and the cap, respectively,    wherein the container includes an outwardly extending longitudinal protrusion along the entire vertical length of two sides of the container, the protrusions being wider in cross section at their outer edges, a longitudinally extending cavity along the entire vertical length of the remaining two sides of the container, the cavities extending inwardly from the outer surface of the sides of the container, open at either end and adapted to slidably mate with the extending protrusion of any other container.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein, upon stacking of a second container on top of a first container, the asymmetrically-shaped spout of the first container causes all like sides, protrusions and cavities of the containers to align with one another.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the cavities slidably engage longitudinally with the extending protrusion of any other container, and once engaged can only be disengaged by sliding longitudinally.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is of any convenient and desirable size.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is selected from the group consisting of 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-gallon containers.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is constructed of material selected from the group consisting of plastic, aluminum, and metal.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the container is constructed of polyethylene.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the asymmetrically-shaped spout is adapted to be removed from the container, the container further including a large opening on the top thereof which is evident upon removal of the spout, the large opening configured to allow food or other large items to be stored within the container.  
   
   
       9 . A container comprising; 
 two sides having a protrusion;    two sides having a cavity symmetrically identical to and slightly larger than the protrusion;    a top having an asymmetrical spout including a cap, the cap operable to cover the opening of the spout; and    a bottom having a spout pocket including a cap pocket,    wherein the sides extend downwardly from the top and interconnect the top to the bottom, and wherein the sides each are configured to interlock laterally with a matching protrusion or cavity of another container of similar configuration, and wherein the spout and cap are configured to nest within the spout pocket and a cap pocket, respectively, of another container of similar configuration.    
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the distal portion of each protrusion is wider in cross section at its outer edges than the proximal portion thereof, and wherein the cavities extend inwardly from the outer surface of the sides of the container and are open at either end.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the asymmetrical spout is adapted to be removed from the container, the container further including a large opening on the top thereof which is evident upon removal of the spout, the large opening configured to allow food or other large items to be stored within the container.  
   
   
       12 . A container system comprising a plurality of containers, 
 wherein each container comprises two sides having a protrusion, two sides having a cavity symmetrically identical to and slightly larger than the protrusion, a top having an asymmetrically-shaped spout protruding vertically therefrom and including a cap covering an opening in the spout, and a bottom having a spout pocket including a cap pocket therein, the spout pocket and cap pocket being symmetrically identical to the spout and the cap, respectively,    and wherein the sides extend downwardly from the top and interconnect the top to the bottom, the sides each being configured to slidably mate with a matching protrusion or cavity of another container of similar configuration,    and wherein the spout and cap are configured to nest within the spout pocket and a cap pocket, respectively, of another container of similar configuration.    
   
   
       13 . The container system of  claim 12 , wherein, upon stacking of one container on top of another container, the asymmetrically-shaped spout causes all like sides, protrusions and cavities of the containers to align with one another.  
   
   
       14 . The container system of  claim 12 , wherein the cavities slidably engage longitudinally with the extending protrusion of any other container, and once engaged can only be disengaged by sliding longitudinally.  
   
   
       15 . The container system of  claim 12 , wherein the containers are adapted to be interconnected to form walls or small buildings for recreational or didactic games for children.  
   
   
       16 . The container system of  claim 12 , wherein the containers are adapted to be filled with water or sand, thereby enabling the building of barrier walls to protect homes from flood or fire.  
   
   
       17 . The container system of  claim 12 , wherein the asymmetrical spout of each container is adapted to-be removed from the container.  
   
   
       18 . The container system of  claim 12 , wherein the distal portion of each protrusion is wider in cross section at its outer edges than the proximal portion thereof, and wherein the cavities extend inwardly from the outer surface of the sides of the container and are open at either end.