Container Assemblies For Storing, Shipping, And/Or Dispensing Fluids, And Related Methods

Abstract

A container assembly includes a container and a receptacle configured to be positioned within the container. The receptacle has an opening for dispensing fluid, and the container has an opening that aligns with the receptacle opening when the receptacle is positioned within the container. The container includes window openings for viewing fluid level in the receptacle, when the receptacle is positioned within the container, and may further include a knockout configured to be removed from the container to allow access to the receptacle through the container. And, the receptacle can include a handle for grasping for use in carrying the container and the receptacle together and for use in dispensing fluid from the receptacle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container assembly for storing, shipping, and/or dispensing fluid, the container assembly comprising a container having first and second window openings for viewing an interior portion of the container and reinforcing material disposed adjacent the first and second window openings for enhancing strength of the container. 
     
     
         2 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the container includes a side portion, wherein the first and second window openings are defined by the side portion, and wherein the side portion includes the reinforcing material. 
     
     
         3 . The container assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first window opening is offset from the second window opening. 
     
     
         4 . The container assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the reinforcing material includes a continuous band of reinforcing material located within the side portion of the container. 
     
     
         5 . The container assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the continuous band of reinforcing material is disposed between the first window opening and the second window opening defined by the side portion. 
     
     
         6 . The container assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the continuous band of reinforcing material extends entirely around the container. 
     
     
         7 . The container assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the side portion is a first side portion;
 wherein the container further includes a top portion, a second side portion disposed opposite the first side portion, and an access opening defined at least partly in the second side portion and at least partly in the top portion.   
     
     
         8 . The container assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the container further includes a third side portion disposed between the first side portion and the second side portion, and at least one beveled corner portion connecting the first and third side portions. 
     
     
         9 . The container assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the container includes a bottom portion having a knockout configured to be removed from the bottom portion of the container to allow access into the interior portion of the container through said bottom portion. 
     
     
         10 . The container assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom portion of the container includes multiple perforations defining the knockout. 
     
     
         11 . The container assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the container includes a bottom portion defining an opening for use in grasping the container. 
     
     
         12 . The container assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a receptacle configured to be disposed at least partly within the container, and wherein the first and second window openings of the container allow for viewing fluid level in the receptacle when the receptacle is disposed at least partly within the container. 
     
     
         13 . The container assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the side portion is a first side portion;
 wherein the container further includes a top portion, a second side portion disposed opposite the first side portion, and an access opening defined at least partly in the second side portion and at least partly in the top portion.   
     
     
         14 . The container assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the receptacle includes an opening for dispensing fluid from the receptacle, and wherein said opening aligns with the access opening of the container when the receptacle is disposed at least partly within the container. 
     
     
         15 . The container assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the receptacle includes a handle configured to allow for carrying the receptacle and the container together and to facilitate dispensing of fluid from the receptacle through the opening of the receptacle when the receptacle is disposed at least partly within the container. 
     
     
         16 . A container assembly for storing, shipping, and/or dispensing fluid, the container assembly comprising:
 a container having a first side portion and first and second window openings defined by the first side portion;   reinforcing material disposed within the first side portion adjacent the first and second window openings for enhancing strength of the container; and   a receptacle configured to be disposed at least partly within the container, the first and second window openings of the container configured to allow for viewing fluid level in the receptacle when the receptacle is disposed at least partly within the container.   
     
     
         17 . The container assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the first window opening is offset from the second window opening in the first side portion; and
 wherein the reinforcing material is disposed between the first window opening and the second window opening.   
     
     
         18 . The container assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the container further includes:
 a top portion and a second side portion disposed adjacent the top portion and opposite the first side portion; and   an access opening defined at least partly in the top portion and at least partly in the second side portion of the container; and   wherein the receptacle includes an opening for dispensing fluid from the receptacle, and wherein said opening aligns with the access opening of the container when the receptacle is disposed at least partly within the container.   
     
     
         19 . The container assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the container includes a bottom portion having a knockout configured to be removed from the bottom portion of the container to allow access into the interior portion of the container through said bottom portion. 
     
     
         20 . The container assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the container includes a bottom portion defining an opening for use in grasping the container.