Interlocking cans

Abstract

A container, such as a can, has an outer surface including having a bottom surface and a top surface. The bottom surface is capable of engaging the top surface of another container for stacking the containers. A connection mechanism has a pair of complementary components carried by the outer surface of the container wherein one of the pair of complementary components is carried by the container engages the other of the pair of complementary components carried by another container for securing the containers together.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 an outer surface including having a bottom surface and a top surface, the bottom surface capable of engaging the top surface of another container for stacking the containers; and   a connection mechanism having a pair of complementary components carried by the outer surface of the container wherein one of the pair of complementary components carried by the container engages the other of the pair of complementary components carried by another container for securing the containers together.   
     
     
         2 . A container of  claim 1  wherein the connection mechanisms are dis-engageable for separating the containers. 
     
     
         3 . A container of  claim 2  wherein the container is a cylindrical container having a top and a bottom and a cylindrical side wall. 
     
     
         4 . A container of  claim 3  wherein the connection mechanism having a pair of complementary components has one of the complementary components carried by the top and the other of the complementary components carried by the bottom wherein the complementary components engage each other for allowing the secure stacking of containers. 
     
     
         5 . A container of  claim 4  wherein the pair of complementary components are a plurality of dimples and a complementary protrusion. 
     
     
         6 . A container of  claim 2  wherein the top has a generally planar portion parallel to a generally planar portion of the bottom and an annular ring having a radial facing inward surface having the plurality of dimples and the bottom having a bottom rim with a plurality of protrusions for acceptance in dimples carried on the top of another container. 
     
     
         7 . A container of  claim 1  wherein the pair of complementary components are a pair of threaded surfaces. 
     
     
         8 . A container of  claim 1  wherein the pair of complementary components are a pair interlocking hook segments. 
     
     
         9 . A container of  claim 3  further comprises:
 a second connection mechanism having a plurality of complementary components carried by the generally cylindrical side wall wherein the complementary components engage each other for allowing the secure connection of containers. 
 
     
     
         10 . A container of  claim 9  wherein the plurality of complementary components of the second connection mechanism are dovetail components having at least one tenon and at least one complementary mortise. 
     
     
         11 . A container of  claim 10  wherein the connection mechanism having a pair of complementary components is one of the complementary components carried by the top and the other of the complementary components carried by the bottom wherein the complementary components engage each other for allowing the secure stacking of containers. 
     
     
         12 . A container of  claim 11  wherein the pair of complementary components are a plurality of dimples and complementary protrusions. 
     
     
         13 . A container of  claim 9  wherein the plurality of complementary components are at least one rail and at least one slot. 
     
     
         14 . A method of stacking of cans comprising:
 providing a plurality of cans, each can having an outer surface including a bottom surface and a top surface, the bottom surface capable of engaging the top surface of another can for stacking the cans; and   placing the bottom of a can into engagement with the top of another can such that a connection mechanism carried by the top of one can engages the complementary components carried by the bottom of the other can.   
     
     
         15 . A method of  claim 14  wherein the top of the can has a generally planar portion parallel to a generally planar portion of the bottom and an annular ring having a radial facing inward surface wherein the connection mechanism is a plurality of dimples and the bottom having an outer rim with the complementary components is a plurality of protrusions for acceptance in dimples carried on the top of another can wherein the can flexes to allow the protrusion to engage the dimples. 
     
     
         16 . A method of  claim 14  wherein the can is coupled to another connection mechanism having a pair of complementary components carried by the outer surface of the can wherein one of the pair of complementary components carried by the can engages the other of the pair of complementary components by another can for securing the cans together. 
     
     
         17 . A method of  claim 16  wherein the cans are stacked such that an opening the size of a can or larger is found within the stacked cans. 
     
     
         18 . A container comprising:
 a cylindrical container having a top and a bottom and a cylindrical side wall, the container having an outer surface including having a bottom surface and a top surface, the bottom surface capable of engaging the top surface of another container for stacking the containers; and   a connection mechanism having a pair of complementary components carried by the outer surface of the container wherein one of the pair of complementary components carried by the top engages the other of the pair of complementary components carried by the bottom of the another container for securing the containers together and the connection mechanisms are dis-engageable for separating the containers.   
     
     
         19 . A container of  claim 18  wherein the pair of complementary components are a plurality of dimples and complementary protrusions. 
     
     
         20 . A container of  claim 19  wherein the top has a generally planar portion parallel to a generally planar portion of the bottom and an annular ring having a radial facing inward surface having the plurality of dimples and the bottom having a bottom rim with a plurality of protrusions for acceptance in dimples carried on the top of another container. 
     
     
         21 . A container of  claim 20  further comprises:
 a second connection mechanism having a plurality of complementary components carried by the generally cylindrical side wall wherein the complementary components engage each other for allowing the secure connection of containers. 
 
     
     
         22 . A container of  claim 21  wherein the plurality of complementary components of the second connection mechanism are dovetail components having at least one tenon and at least one complementary mortise.