Nestable container with uniform stacking features
View Patent ↗Various embodiments of flanged containers that can be stacked in a nested relationship are disclosed so as to provide uniform spacing between the containers to facilitate reliable denesting thereof. The flanges and/or sidewalls of the containers may be provided with features that facilitate alignment and uniform spacing of the nested containers so that a denesting apparatus can reliably denest the containers. Other containers include sidewalls divided into two sections that serve to stabilize stacked container.
1. A nestable paperboard container, comprising:
a base;
a sidewall attached to the base at a perimeter of the base;
a flange extending outwardly from an upper perimeter of the sidewall, wherein the flange comprises a top portion having an underside and a rolled portion that is rolled under the top portion
the rolled portion extending for less than a full circle to an edge that is located adjacent the underside of the top portion
the rolled portion forming a curved outer peripheral edge of the flange shaped to define a cam for aiding the denesting of the paperboard container from like paperboard containers in a nested stack of paperboard containers, the rolled portion extending only inwardly from the curved outer peripheral edge; and
an annular depression formed in the top portion of the flange defining a depending annular bulge in the underside of the top portion of the flange;
wherein an inner surface of the rolled portion at least partially contacts an under-surface of the annular bulge, and a free edge of the rolled portion is disposed generally between at least a portion of the annular bulge and the side wall.
2. The container of claim 1 , wherein the flange has a width, extending radially outwardly from the sidewall, of at least ⅛ inch.
3. The container of claim 2 , wherein the flange width is at least ¼ inch.
4. The container of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall is substantially frustoconical and extends at an angle of at least 110 degrees relative to the base.
5. The container of claim 1 , wherein the container comprises laminated paperboard.
6. The container of claim 1 , comprising a plurality of pleats radiating outwardly from the base.
7. The container of claim 1 , comprising two or more compartments.
8. The container of claim 1 , wherein the container is one of a plate or a tray.
9. The container of claim 1 , wherein the container is formed from a substantially flat circular paperboard blank.
10. The container of claim 1 , the rolled portion engaging the annular bulge to define a void space between the rolled portion and the annular budge.
11. The container of claim 1 , wherein the rolled portion extends at least partially along the under-surface of the annular depression.
12. The container of claim 1 , wherein the annular depression comprises a circumference and the rolled portion extends along at least 40 percent of the circumference of the annular depression.
13. A nestable paperboard container, comprising:
a base;
a sidewall attached to the base at a perimeter of the base;
a flange extending outwardly from an upper perimeter of the sidewall, wherein the flange comprises a top portion having an underside and a rolled portion that is rolled under the top portion
the rolled portion extending for less than a full circle to an edge that is located adjacent the underside of the top portion
the rolled portion forming a curved outer peripheral edge of the flange shaped to define a cam for aiding the denesting of the paperboard container from like paperboard containers in a nested stack of paperboard containers, the rolled portion extending only inwardly from the curved outer peripheral edge; and
an annular depression formed in the top portion of the flange defining a depending annular bulge in the underside of the top portion of the flange;
wherein an inner surface of the rolled portion at least partially contacts an under-surface of the annular bulge, a flat inner flap extending radially inwardly from the edge of the rolled portion and being engaged with the underside of the top portion of the flange.
14. A nestable paperboard container, comprising:
a base;
a sidewall attached to the base at a perimeter of the base;
a flange extending outwardly from an upper perimeter of the sidewall, wherein the flange comprises a top portion having an underside and a rolled portion that is rolled under the top portion
the rolled portion extending for less than a full circle to an edge that is located adjacent the underside of the top portion
the rolled portion forming a curved outer peripheral edge of the flange shaped to define a cam for aiding the denesting of the paperboard container from like paperboard containers in a nested stack of paperboard containers, the rolled portion extending only inwardly from the curved outer peripheral edge; and
an annular depression formed in the top portion of the flange defining a depending annular bulge in the underside of the top portion of the flange;
wherein an inner surface of the rolled portion at least partially contacts an under-surface of the annular bulge, the rolled portion being engaged with the annular bulge substantially throughout the extent of the rolled portion.
15. A nestable paperboard container, comprising:
a base;
a sidewall attached to the base at a perimeter of the base;
a flange extending outwardly from an upper perimeter of the sidewall, wherein the flange comprises a top portion having an underside and a rolled portion that is rolled under the top portion
the rolled portion extending for less than a full circle to an edge that is located adjacent the underside of the top portion
the rolled portion forming a curved outer peripheral edge of the flange shaped to define a cam for aiding the denesting of the paperboard container from like paperboard containers in a nested stack of paperboard containers, the rolled portion extending only inwardly from the curved outer peripheral edge; and
an annular depression formed in the top portion of the flange defining a depending annular bulge in the underside of the top portion of the flange, the rolled portion engaging the annular bulge to define a void space between the rolled portion and the annular budge;
wherein the thickness of the rolled portion in the region of the engagement with the annular bulge is greater than the thickness of the remaining extent of the rolled portion.
16. A nestable paperboard container, comprising:
a base;
a sidewall attached to the base at a perimeter of the base;
a flange extending outwardly from an upper perimeter of the sidewall, wherein the flange comprises a top portion having an underside and a rolled portion that is rolled under the top portion; and
an annular depression formed in the top portion of the flange defining an annular bulge in the underside of the top portion of the flange, the rolled portion engaging the annular bulge;
wherein the thickness of the rolled portion in the region of the engagement with the annular bulge is greater than the thickness of the remaining extent of the rolled portion.
17. A nestable paperboard container, comprising:
a base;
a sidewall attached to the base at a perimeter of the base;
a flange extending outwardly from an upper perimeter of the sidewall, wherein the flange comprises a top portion having an underside and a rolled portion that is rolled under the top portion, the rolled portion comprising an inner surface and a free edge; and
an annular depression formed in the top portion of the flange defining an annular bulge in the underside of the top portion of the flange, wherein the inner surface of the rolled portion at least partially contacts the annular bulge, and the free edge of the rolled portion is disposed generally between at least a portion of the annular bulge and the side wall.
18. The container of claim 17 , wherein the inner surface of the rolled portion contacts an under-surface of the annular bulge.