Stack of containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a stack ( 1 ) of disposable pet food containers with each container in the stack ( 1 ) above the bottom most container ( 19 ) in the stack ( 1 ) comprising a lower surface which is provided with an adhesive layer. Each container in the stack above the bottom most container ( 19 ) in the stack ( 1 ) are respectively adhered to a container below it in the stack through an adhesive layer provided on a lower surface of the container. The containers above the bottom most container ( 19 ) in the stack ( 1 ) are arranged such that when one of said containers is removed from the stack ( 1 ) the adhesive provided on the lower surface of the container is exposed and is in a ready state to adhere the container to a support surface upon placing the container on the support surface. The adhesive layer of each container above the bottom most container ( 19 ) acts to increase the rigidity of the stack ( 1 ) and so the rigidity of any enclosure of the stack may be reduced as compared to the rigidity of packaging used to enclose separate containers. This reduces the amount of material needed to make the enclosure and so also reduces the cost of manufacturing an enclosure.

1 . A stack of containers comprising a first container, said first container having a lower surface, said lower surface being provided with an adhesive and a second container, said second container comprising an upper surface, with said first container being mounted on said second container such that the lower surface of the first container adheres to the upper surface of the second container by means of said adhesive. 
   
   
       2 . The stack of containers as claimed in  claim 1  where the stack comprises a number of containers greater than two. 
   
   
       3 . The stack of containers as claimed in  claim 1  where the stack comprises at least seven containers. 
   
   
       4 . A stack of containers according to  claim 2  where each container of the stack above the bottom most in the stack has a lower surface provided with an adhesive. 
   
   
       5 . A stack of containers according to  claim 2  where each container of the stack below the top most in the stack has an upper surface provided with a sealing cover. 
   
   
       6 . A stack of containers according to  claim 5  where the sealing cover comprises a means to facilitate ease of removal from the container. 
   
   
       7 . A stack of containers according to  claim 1  where each container is a disposable pet food container for storing and dispensing pet food. 
   
   
       8 . A stack of containers according to  claim 1  where the adhesive has an inner surface contacting the lower surface of the first container, and an outer surface intended to contact either the upper surface of the second container or, when the first container is removed from the stack, a support surface on which the first container is supported. 
   
   
       9 . A stack of containers according to  claim 8  where the lower surface of the first container, the upper surface of the second container and the inner and outer surfaces of the adhesive material are chosen such that upon removal of the first container from the stack, the adhesive material remains attached to the lower surface of the first container, as opposed to the upper surface of the second container. 
   
   
       10 . A stack of containers according to  claim 8  where the inner surface of the adhesive material is preferably of greater adhesive strength than the outer surface of the adhesive material such that upon removal of the first container from a support surface, the adhesive material remains attached to the lower surface of the first container as opposed to the support surface. 
   
   
       11 . A stack of containers according to  claim 1  where the first container is arranged such that when it is removed from the second container, the adhesive provided on the lower surface of the first container is exposed and in a ready state to adhere the first container to a support surface upon placing the first container on the support surface. 
   
   
       12 . A stack of containers according to  claim 1  where the lower surface of the first container, via which said first container is intended to be supported when in use, comprises at least one protruding region which protrudes outwardly from the remainder of the lower surface and the adhesive is provided on at least the protruding region. 
   
   
       13 . The stack of containers as claimed in  claim 12  where the protruding region is formed in a decorative shape. 
   
   
       14 . The stack of containers as claimed in  claim 13  where the decorative shape is the shape of an animal's paw. 
   
   
       15 . The stack of containers as claimed in  claim 1  where the first container comprises a sidewall, said sidewall extending from the lower surface, said sidewall having an inner and an outer surface and terminating in a flange at its free edge and a sealing cover which is releasably attached to the sidewall. 
   
   
       16 . The container as claimed in  claim 15  where the sealing cover, together with the container, forms modified atmospheric packaging (MAP). 
   
   
       17 . The container as claimed in  claim 1  where each container is moulded from a plastics material. 
   
   
       18 . The container as claimed in  claim 17  where the plastics material is a polyethylene material. 
   
   
       19 . The container as claimed in  claim 18  where the polyethylene material is APET. 
   
   
       20 . The container as claimed in  claim 17  where the plastics material is sheet plastics material of thickness 500 micrometres or less. 
   
   
       21 . The container as claimed in  claim 17  where the plastics material is sheet plastics material of thickness 200 to 400 micrometres. 
   
   
       22 . The container as claimed in  claim 17  where the plastics material is sheet plastics material of thickness 250 to 350 micrometres. 
   
   
       23 . The container as claimed in  claim 17  where the plastics material is coated with a material which acts as a barrier layer. 
   
   
       24 . The container as claimed in  claim 23  where the material which acts as a barrier layer is a polyester. 
   
   
       25 . The container as claimed in  claim 24  where the polyester is EVA/EVOH. 
   
   
       26 . The container as claimed in  claim 24  where the polyester barrier layer is of thickness 10 to 15 micrometres. 
   
   
       27 . A stack of containers as claimed in  claim 1 , provided with a re-sealable enclosure for carrying and transporting the stack of containers. 
   
   
       28 . A stack of containers as claimed in  claim 1 , provided with a collapsible enclosure for carrying and transporting the stack of containers.