Large Volume Container And Stackable Container Arrangement

Abstract

A container having an upper container part having an upper container part outer profile, the upper container part having a height; a plurality of sidewalls that extend radially about at least a portion of the container, the upper container part extending from a radially inner end of the plurality of sidewalls; a container base has a central female coupling formed therein, the central female coupling having a receiving profile that is complementary to the upper container part outer profile and a depth that is greater than the height of the upper container part; and a body extending between the a radially outer end of the plurality of sidewalls and the container base. The plurality of sidewalls and the container base are longitudinally spaced apart from each other, substantially parallel to each other, and at least partially overlap radially.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 an upper container part having an upper container part outer profile, the upper container part having a height;   a plurality of sidewalls that extend radially about at least a portion of the container, wherein the upper container part extends from a radially inner end of the plurality of sidewalls;   a container base having a central female coupling formed therein, the central female coupling having a receiving profile that is complementary to the upper container part outer profile and a depth that is greater than the height of the upper container part; and   a body extending between the a radially outer end of the plurality of sidewalls and the container base;   wherein the plurality of sidewalls and the container base are longitudinally spaced apart from each other, substantially parallel to each other, and at least partially overlap radially.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the central female coupling is configured to receive at least a portion of the upper container part outer profile without frictional engagement. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the central female coupling is configured to receive at least a portion of the upper container part outer profile with frictional engagement. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the upper container part comprises a mouth and neck portion. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container base comprises radial stiffening ribs. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the central female coupling comprises stiffening ribs. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises one or more of stiffening ribs and grip regions. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sidewalls are separated by one or more shoulders. 
     
     
         9 . A shipping configuration for containers, wherein each container comprises:
 an upper container part having an upper container part outer profile, the upper container part having a height;   a plurality of sidewalls that extend radially about at least a portion of the container, wherein the upper container part extends from a radially inner end of the plurality of sidewalls;   a container base having a central female coupling formed therein, the central female coupling having a receiving profile that is complementary to the upper container part outer profile and a depth that is greater than the height of the upper container part; and   a body extending between the a radially outer end of the plurality of sidewalls and the container base;   wherein the plurality of sidewalls and the container base are longitudinally spaced apart from each other, substantially parallel to each other, and at least partially overlap radially;   the shipping configuration comprising:   a shipping pallet;   a plurality of the containers in a first tier arranged in rows and columns on the shipping pallet;   a first slip sheet arranged on the first tier of the plurality of the containers, wherein the first slip sheet rests on respective sidewalls of the plurality of the containers of the first tier, wherein an upper container part of each container projects through the first slip sheet;   a plurality of the containers in a second tier arranged in rows and columns on the first tier, wherein respective central female couplings are arranged to receive respective upper container parts of each container that project through the first slip sheet and respective container bases of the second tier are supported by respective sidewalls of the first tier; and   a second slip sheet arranged on the second tier of the plurality of the containers, wherein the second slip sheet rests on respective sidewalls of the plurality of the containers of the second tier, wherein an upper container part of each container projects through the second slip sheet.