Container with integrated handles
View Patent ↗An exemplary container for storing and transporting materials is disclosed. In various embodiments, the exemplary container includes one or more handles for assisting a user with lifting the exemplary container and/or controlling the exemplary container when pouring the exemplary container's contents. The one or more handles, in particular embodiments, are designed for minimum interference with other similar containers during transport. In some embodiments, certain handles are recessed within a cavity of a sidewall of the exemplary container.
1. A container, comprising:
a bottom;
a sidewall, wherein an upper portion of the sidewall defines an opening and a portion of the sidewall adjacent to the bottom defines a cavity extending inwardly;
a bumper assembly, projecting outwardly from the sidewall below the upper portion, the bumper assembly comprising at least one satellite ring, the at least one satellite ring comprising an upper surface a first vertical distance from the upper portion of the sidewall;
a first upper handle projecting outwardly from the bumper assembly, the first upper handle defining a void between the first upper handle and the sidewall, wherein the upper surface of the at least one satellite ring slopes downwardly to form a top surface of the first upper handle and the top surface of the first upper handle is a second vertical distance from the upper portion of the sidewall;
a second upper handle projecting outwardly from the bumper assembly, the second upper handle defining a void between the second upper handle and the sidewall, wherein the upper surface of the at least one satellite ring forms a top surface of the second upper handle, the top surface of the second upper handle substantially co-planer with the upper surface of the at least one satellite ring; and
at least one lower hand-grip encompassed by the cavity, the lower hand-grip extending from a location proximate the bottom of the container to a top portion of the cavity.
2. The container of claim 1 , wherein:
the sidewall extends around a perimeter of the bottom; and
the bumper assembly projects outwardly substantially along a perimeter of the sidewall, other than where the first and second upper handles define voids.
3. The container of claim 2 , wherein the bumper assembly comprises a side portion affixed to the at least one satellite ring, wherein the side portion is substantially parallel to the sidewall and forms an opening for receiving a removable handle.
4. The container of claim 1 , wherein a side surface of the first upper handle forms a channel that is substantially c-shaped.
5. The container of claim 1 , wherein the cavity comprises:
an opening substantially planer to an exterior surface of the sidewall;
a top surface extending inwardly from the opening; and
two substantially parallel side surfaces extending inwardly from the opening, wherein the at least one lower hand-grip extends from the top surface of the cavity substantially parallel to the two substantially parallel side surfaces downward to the bottom of the container.
6. The container of claim 5 , wherein the at least one lower hand-grip comprises:
a central axis perpendicular to the bottom of the container; and
an exterior surface, wherein no portion of the exterior surface extends beyond the exterior surface of the sidewall.
7. The container of claim 6 , wherein:
the bottom of the container is substantially rectangular;
the sidewall has four sides; and
the cavity opening is located on entirely on one of the four sides of the sidewall.
8. The container of claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises an interior cavity defined by an interior surface of the sidewall, the interior cavity defining a volume of the container and wherein the volume of the container does not include a volume of the cavity.
9. The container of claim 1 , wherein the at least one satellite ring integrally forms the first or second upper handle.
10. A rectangular container for storing, carrying, or transporting materials, the rectangular container comprising:
a substantially rectangular bottom;
an interior cavity defined by an interior surface of one or more sidewalls, the one or more sidewalls extending upwardly from the substantially rectangular bottom, wherein:
an upper portion of the one or more sidewalls define an opening for accessing the interior cavity; and
a lower portion of at least one of the one or more sidewalls defines at least one cavity extending inwardly into the interior cavity from an exterior surface of the at least one of the one or more sidewalls, the at least one cavity comprising a top surface and two side surfaces;
a lower hand-grip circumscribed by the at least one cavity and extending perpendicular to the substantially rectangular bottom and substantially parallel to the two side surfaces of the at least one cavity and extending from the top surface of the at least one cavity downward to a location adjacent to the substantially rectangular bottom;
a void formed by the substantially rectangular bottom wherein the void extends through the substantially rectangular bottom into the at least one cavity circumscribing the lower hand-grip; and
a bumper assembly extending in a substantially perpendicular direction from the sidewall and comprising a bail ear for attaching a handle, an upper satellite ring, a right upper handle comprising a top surface and located at a first particular distance from the upper portion of the sidewall, and a left upper handle comprising a top surface and located at a second particular distance from the upper portion of the sidewall, wherein:
an upper surface of the upper satellite ring forms the top surface of the right upper handle and the top surface of the left upper handle; and
the first particular distance is a greater distance from the upper portion of the sidewall than the second particular distance.
11. The container of claim 10 , wherein:
the at least one cavity is a first cavity; and
the container comprises:
a second cavity extending inwardly from an exterior surface of a second sidewall of the one or more sidewalls, the second cavity comprising a top surface and two side surfaces; and
a second lower hand-grip circumscribed by the second cavity and extending perpendicular to the substantially rectangular bottom and substantially parallel to the two side surfaces of the second cavity and extending from the top surface of the second cavity downward to a location adjacent to the substantially rectangular bottom.
12. A rectangular container for storing, carrying, or transporting materials, the rectangular container comprising:
a substantially rectangular bottom;
an interior cavity defined by an interior surface of one or more sidewalls, the one or more sidewalls extending upwardly from the substantially rectangular bottom, wherein an upper portion of the one or more sidewalls defines an opening for accessing the interior cavity;
an angled bead for attaching a lid near the upper portion of the one or more sidewalls;
a lower portion of at least one of the one or more sidewalls and the substantially rectangular bottom defining at least one cavity, the at least one cavity extending through the substantially rectangular bottom in a substantially trapezoidal shape;
a substantially circular and vertical lower hand-grip extending perpendicular to the substantially rectangular bottom substantially formed by the one or more sidewalls and the at least one cavity;
a horizontal lower hand-grip perpendicular to the vertical hand-grip and substantially formed by the one or more sidewalls and the at least one cavity, wherein the horizontal lower hand-grip comprises the point of connection between the substantially rectangular bottom and the one or more sidewalls; and
a bumper assembly extending in a substantially perpendicular direction from the sidewall and comprising a bail ear for attaching a handle, an upper satellite ring, a lower satellite ring, a right upper handle comprising a top surface, a lower surface, and located at a first particular distance from the upper portion of the sidewall, and a left upper handle comprising a top surface, a lower surface, and located at a second particular distance from the upper portion of the sidewall, wherein:
an upper surface of the upper satellite ring forms the top surface of the right upper handle by sloping downwardly and forms the top surface of the left upper handle, wherein the top surface of the left upper handle is substantially co-planer with the upper surface of the upper satellite ring;
a lower surface of the lower satellite ring forms the lower surface of the right upper handle and forms the lower surface of the left upper handle, wherein the lower surface of the right upper handle is substantially co-planer with the lower surface of the lower satellite ring; and
the first particular distance is a greater distance from the upper portion of the sidewall than the second particular distance.