Container

Abstract

The present invention relates to containers, and more specifically, to plastic containers. The containers described herein may be applied to any use, but they are particularly useful for storing paint.

1 . A method comprising: 
 molding a first container, wherein the first container comprises 
 a unitary main body with a threaded neck portion and a sidewall, the unitary main body also comprising a handle portion having opposite ends each of which extend from the main body, the handle portion comprising a molded handle wherein the molded handle and the main body define an opening for receiving fingers of a human hand, the handle portion extending along the side of the unitary main body wherein the handle portion and the unitary main body define a square or rectangular perimeter of the first container;  
 the unitary main body further comprising a bottom portion with a recess defined centrally in the bottom portion, the recess defined by a vertical offset free of an interlocking extension and a horizontal surface extending inwardly from the vertical offset, and a lid, the lid attachable to the threaded neck portion of the unitary main body, wherein the threaded neck portion is disposed centrally with respect to the main body;  
 the bottom portion recess of the first container is adapted to align the first container with a lid of another container;  
 the lid of the first container including a planar top surface adapted to support a second container stacked thereon, and a skirt extending from the perimeter of the planar top surface, the skirt having an outer surface which is free of interlocking extensions;  
   molding a second container, wherein the second container comprises 
 a unitary main body with a threaded neck portion and a sidewall, the unitary main body also comprising a handle portion having opposite ends each of which extend from the main body, the handle portion comprising a molded handle wherein the molded handle and the main body define an opening for receiving fingers of a human hand, the handle portion extending along the side of the unitary main body wherein the handle portion and the unitary main body define a square or rectangular perimeter for the second container;  
 the unitary main body of the second container further comprising a bottom portion with a recess defined centrally in the bottom portion, and a lid, the lid attachable to the threaded neck portion of the unitary main body, wherein the threaded neck portion is disposed centrally with respect to the main body;  
 the recess of the second container is defined by a vertical offset adapted to align the second container with the lid of the first container, and a horizontal surface extending inwardly from the vertical offset, the vertical offset of the second container being free of interlocking extensions;  
 the lid of the second container including a top surface adapted to support another container stacked thereon; and  
   further wherein the first and second containers are constructed so that the horizontal surface of the second container comprises a substantial area of the bottom portion of the second container and wherein when the second container is filled with paint and stacked on the first container the horizontal surface of the bottom portion of the second container faces the planar top surface of the lid of the first container and so that the second container rests on the lid of the first container and the lid of the first container supports substantially all of the weight of the second container in stable stacked arrangement, and further wherein the horizontal surface of the bottom portion of the second container is parallel to and proximate to the planar top surface of the lid of the first container.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising stacking the second container on the top surface of the first container so that the recess of the bottom portion of the second container receives the top surface of the lid of the first container.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising filling the second container with paint.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lid of the first container is fabricated with a centrally positioned groove on the top surface thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the recess of the bottom of the second container is fabricated with a centrally positioned lug receivable by the groove on the top surface of the lid of the first container.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising stacking the second container on the top surface of the first container so that the centrally positioned lug of the second container is received by the groove on the top surface of the lid of the first container.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising filling the second container with paint.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lid of the first container is fabricated with more than one symmetrically positioned discrete grooves on the top surface thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the recess of the bottom of the second container is fabricated with more than one symmetrically positioned lugs receivable by the more than one symmetrically positioned discrete grooves on the top surface of the lid of the first container.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising stacking the second container on the top surface of the first container so that the more than one symmetrically positioned lugs of the second container are received by the more than one symmetrically positioned discrete grooves on the top surface of the lid of the first container.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising filling the second container with paint.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the handles of the first and second containers are fabricated to be hollow.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the handles of the first and second containers are fabricated to be plastic-filled.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the main bodies of the first and second containers are fabricated with polymer.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the polymer is polypropylene.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second containers are fabricated to be lined with a liner.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the material of the liner includes one of polyester, polyvinylidene chloride, and polyethylene.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the material of the liner includes one of cellulosic, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyester and metallized plastic sheet material.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lids of the first and second containers are fabricated with indentations on the skirts thereof for twisting off the lids.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lids of the first and second containers are fabricated with a unitary band thereon.