Variable height nested containers based on rotational orientation
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B65D-021/032
B65D-021/02
B65G-057/16
출원번호
US-0081502
(2016-03-25)
등록번호
US-10160569
(2018-12-25)
발명자
/ 주소
Diep, George
Park, Christopher Albert
Nauseda, Curtis H.
출원인 / 주소
Amazon Technologies, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
3
초록▼
Disclosed are containers that can nest with one another at different heights between the containers based on a relative orientation in which the containers are brought into nesting engagement. Support features (e.g., arranged about an interior of a receiving container and/or about an exterior of a r
Disclosed are containers that can nest with one another at different heights between the containers based on a relative orientation in which the containers are brought into nesting engagement. Support features (e.g., arranged about an interior of a receiving container and/or about an exterior of a received container) may interact with one another differently based on the particular orientation (e.g., rotational alignment) in which the containers are brought together, which can cause the containers to be supported at different heights relative to one another.
대표청구항▼
1. A container, comprising: a body comprising a plurality of sidewalls coupled with a bottom, the plurality of sidewalls comprising at least a first sidewall, the body further comprising an upper rim formed by uppermost peripheries of the sidewalls, the uppermost peripheries of the sidewalls having
1. A container, comprising: a body comprising a plurality of sidewalls coupled with a bottom, the plurality of sidewalls comprising at least a first sidewall, the body further comprising an upper rim formed by uppermost peripheries of the sidewalls, the uppermost peripheries of the sidewalls having the same height along an entirety of the upper rim, the body further comprising an interior and an exterior; andsupport features comprising: first support features arranged along the exterior of the body; andsecond support features arranged along the interior of the body, the first support features and the second support features arranged relative to one another such that the container is configured to nest within a replica of the container in at least: a first configuration in which (a) the first sidewall of the container is oriented relative to the first sidewall of the replica in a first rotational alignment, and (b) the bottom of the container and the bottom of the replica are separated by a first distance by engagement of at least some of the support features of the container with at least some of the support features of the replica;a second configuration in which (a) the first sidewall of the container is oriented relative to the first sidewall of the replica in a second rotational alignment different from the first rotational alignment, and (b) the bottom of the container and the bottom of the replica are separated by a second distance by engagement of at least some of the support features of the container with at least some of the support features of the replica, the second distance being different from the first distance;a third configuration in which (a) the first sidewall of the container is oriented relative to the first sidewall of the replica in a third rotational alignment different from the first rotational alignment and the second rotational alignment, and (b) the bottom of the container and the bottom of the replica are separated by a third distance by engagement of at least some of the support features of the container with at least some of the support features of the replica, the third distance being different from the first distance and the second distance; anda fourth configuration in which (a) the first sidewall of the container is oriented relative to the first sidewall of the replica in a fourth rotational alignment different from the first rotational alignment, the second rotational alignment, and the third rotational alignment, and (b) the bottom of the container and the bottom of the replica are separated by a fourth distance by engagement of at least some of the support features of the container with at least some of the support features of the replica, the fourth distance being different from the first distance, the second distance, and the third distance. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the upper rim has a profile resembling a square, and wherein the plurality of sidewalls comprises at least the first sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall, and a fourth sidewall all extending upward from the bottom and having a same height. 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sidewalls comprises the first sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall, and a fourth sidewall; wherein the first support features comprise: a lower exterior wedge-shaped recess extending inward from an exterior lower portion of the first sidewall;a first lower edge of the first sidewall;an exterior bulge-shaped recess extending inward from an exterior lower portion of the second sidewall; anda second lower edge of the second sidewall;wherein the second support features comprise: a lower interior wedge extending inward from an interior lower portion of the first sidewall;an interior bulge extending inward from an interior lower portion of the second sidewall;an upper interior wedge extending inward from an interior upper portion of the third sidewall; andan upper staggered ridge extending inward from an interior upper portion of the fourth sidewall, the staggered ridge including an upper ridge and a lower ridge;wherein the bottom of the container and the bottom of the replica are separated by the first distance in the first configuration as a result of the lower exterior wedge-shaped recess of the container being received by the lower interior wedge of the replica and the exterior bulge-shaped recess of the container being received by the interior bulge of the replica;wherein the bottom of the container and the bottom of the replica are separated by the second distance in the second configuration as a result of the second lower edge of the container being received by the lower interior wedge of the replica and the first lower edge of the container being received by the interior bulge of the replica;wherein the bottom of the container and the bottom of the replica are separated by the third distance in the third configuration as a result of the lower exterior wedge-shaped recess of the container being received by the upper interior wedge of the replica and the exterior bulge-shaped recess of the container being received by the staggered ridge of the replica, andwherein the bottom of the container and the bottom of the replica are separated by the fourth distance in the fourth configuration as a result of the second lower edge of the container being received by the upper interior wedge of the replica and the first lower edge of the container being received by the staggered ridge of the replica. 4. A container, comprising: a body comprising a plurality of sidewalls coupled with a bottom, the plurality of sidewalls comprising at least a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall, and a fourth sidewall all extending upward from the bottom and having a same height, the body further comprising an upper rim having a profile resembling a square and formed by uppermost peripheries of the sidewalls, the uppermost peripheries of the sidewalls having the same height along an entirety of the upper rim, the body further comprising an interior and an exterior; andsupport features comprising: first support features arranged along the exterior of the body; andsecond support features arranged along the interior of the body, the first support features and the second support features arranged relative to one another such that the container is configured to nest within a replica of the container in at least: a first configuration in which (a) the first sidewall of the container is oriented relative to the first sidewall of the replica in a first rotational alignment, and (b) the bottom of the container and the bottom of the replica are separated by a first distance by engagement of at least some of the support features of the container with at least some of the support features of the replica;a second configuration in which (a) the first sidewall of the container is oriented relative to the first sidewall of the replica in a second rotational alignment different from the first rotational alignment, and (b) the bottom of the container and the bottom of the replica are separated by a second distance by engagement of at least some of the support features of the container with at least some of the support features of the replica, the second distance being different from the first distance;a third configuration in which (a) the first sidewall of the container is oriented relative to the first sidewall of the replica in a third rotational alignment different from the first rotational alignment and the second rotational alignment, and (b) the bottom of the container and the bottom of the replica are separated by a third distance by engagement of at least some of the support features of the container with at least some of the support features of the replica, the third distance being different from the first distance and the second distance; anda fourth configuration in which (a) the first sidewall of the container is oriented relative to the first sidewall of the replica in a fourth rotational alignment different from the first rotational alignment, the second rotational alignment, and the third rotational alignment, and (b) the bottom of the container and the bottom of the replica are separated by a fourth distance different from the first distance, the second distance, and the third distance. 5. The container of claim 4, wherein the container comprises a particular total number of sidewalls, wherein the container is configured to nest with the replica in a particular number of configurations equal to the particular total number of sidewalls, each of the particular number of configurations associated with a corresponding unique distance separating the bottom of the container and the bottom of the replica. 6. The container of claim 4, wherein the support features comprise notches of different lengths configured to alternatively receive a peg at different distances relative to the bottom of the container. 7. The container of claim 4, wherein the second support features comprise at least one of bulges or wedges. 8. The container of claim 4, wherein the first support features comprise at least one ridge or ledge formed along an exterior of the body. 9. The container of claim 4, wherein the support features comprise at least one ramped surface. 10. The container of claim 4, wherein the first support features comprise: a lower exterior wedge-shaped recess extending inward from an exterior lower portion of the first sidewall;a first lower edge of the first sidewall;an exterior bulge-shaped recess extending inward from an exterior lower portion of the second sidewall; anda second lower edge of the second sidewall;wherein the second support features comprise: a lower interior wedge extending inward from an interior lower portion of the first sidewall;an interior bulge extending inward from an interior lower portion of the second sidewall;an upper interior wedge extending inward from an interior upper portion of the third sidewall; andan upper staggered ridge extending inward from an interior upper portion of the fourth sidewall, the staggered ridge including an upper ridge and a lower ridge;wherein the bottom of the container and the bottom of the replica are separated by the first distance in the first configuration as a result of the lower exterior wedge-shaped recess of the container being received by the lower interior wedge of the replica and the exterior bulge-shaped recess of the container being received by the interior bulge of the replica;wherein the bottom of the container and the bottom of the replica are separated by the second distance in the second configuration as a result of the second lower edge of the container being received by the lower interior wedge of the replica and the first lower edge of the container being received by the interior bulge of the replica;wherein the bottom of the container and the bottom of the replica are separated by the third distance in the third configuration as a result of the lower exterior wedge-shaped recess of the container being received by the upper interior wedge of the replica and the exterior bulge-shaped recess of the container being received by the staggered ridge of the replica; andwherein the bottom of the container and the bottom of the replica are separated by the fourth distance as a result of the second lower edge of the container being received by the upper interior wedge of the replica and the first lower edge of the container being received by the staggered ridge of the replica. 11. An assembly, comprising: a primary container comprising a primary body comprising (a) primary support features comprising primary first support features arranged along a primary exterior of the primary container and primary second support features arranged along a primary interior of the primary container, (b) a primary bottom, (c) primary sidewalls comprising at least a primary first sidewall, a primary second sidewall, a primary third sidewall, and a primary fourth sidewall all coupled with and extending upward from the primary bottom and all having a same primary height, and (d) a primary upper rim having a primary square profile and formed by uppermost peripheries of the primary sidewalls, the uppermost peripheries of the primary sidewalls having the same primary height along an entirety of the primary upper rim;a secondary container that is a replica of the first container and comprises a secondary body comprising (a) secondary support features comprising secondary first support features arranged along a secondary exterior of the secondary container and secondary second support features arranged along a secondary interior of the secondary container, (b) a secondary bottom, (c) secondary sidewalls comprising at least a secondary first wall, a secondary second sidewall, a secondary third wall, and a secondary fourth wall all coupled with and extending upward from the secondary bottom and all having a same secondary height and (d) a secondary upper rim having a secondary square profile and formed by uppermost peripheries of the secondary sidewalls, the uppermost peripheries of the secondary sidewalls having the same secondary height along an entirety of the secondary upper rim;wherein the primary container is configured to nest within the secondary container in at least: a first configuration in which (a) the primary first sidewall is oriented relative to the secondary second sidewall in a first rotational alignment, and (b) the primary first support features are supported by the secondary second support features such that the primary bottom is positioned relative to the secondary bottom at a first distance;a second configuration in which (a) the primary first sidewall is oriented relative to the secondary second sidewall in a second rotational alignment different from the first rotational alignment, and (b) the primary first support features are supported by the secondary second support features such that the primary bottom is positioned relative to the secondary bottom at a second distance different from the first distance;a third configuration in which (a) the primary first sidewall is oriented relative to the secondary second sidewall in a third rotational alignment different from the first rotational alignment and the second rotational alignment, and (b) the primary first support features are supported by the secondary second support features such that the primary bottom is positioned relative to the secondary bottom at a third distance different from the first distance and the second distance; anda fourth configuration in which (a) the primary first sidewall is oriented relative to the secondary second sidewall in a fourth rotational alignment different from the first rotational alignment, the second rotational alignment, and the third rotational alignment, and (b) the primary first support features are supported by the secondary second support features such that the primary bottom is positioned relative to the secondary bottom at a fourth distance different from the first distance, the second distance, and the third distance. 12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein tops of the primary container and the secondary container are positioned parallel to one another in each of the first configuration, the second configuration, and the third configuration. 13. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising a third container comprising: (a) a third bottom;(b) a third first sidewall; and(c) third support features arranged along an exterior of the third container;wherein the third container is configured to nest within the second container in a fifth configuration in which (a) the third first sidewall is oriented relative to the secondary second sidewall in the first rotational alignment, and (b) the third support features are supported by the second support features such that the third bottom is positioned relative to the secondary bottom at a fifth distance different from the first distance. 14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the third container is further configured to nest within the secondary container in a sixth configuration in which (a) the third first sidewall is oriented relative to the secondary second sidewall in another rotational alignment different from the first rotational alignment, and (b) the third support features are supported by the secondary support features such that the third bottom is positioned relative to the secondary bottom at a sixth distance different from the fifth distance. 15. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the primary container and the secondary container each include a particular total number of sidewalls, wherein the primary container is configured to nest within the secondary container in a particular total number of configurations, each of the particular total number of configurations corresponding to (a) a different rotational alignment between the primary first sidewall and the secondary second sidewall, and (b) a different distance between the primary bottom and the secondary bottom. 16. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising a separator comprising a separator body and a set of the first support features arranged along an exterior of the separator body, the separator configured to be received within the secondary container in a plurality of configurations corresponding to different rotational alignments of the separator, each of the plurality of configurations causing the set of the first support features of the separator to engage the secondary second support features differently so as to support the separator at different distances relative to the secondary bottom. 17. The assembly of claim 11, wherein at least one of: at least one of the first support features is configured to be at least one of adjustable or removable relative to the primary container; orat least one of the second support features is configured to be at least one of adjustable or removable relative to the secondary container. 18. A method, comprising: nesting a primary container within a secondary container in a first configuration, the secondary container being a replica of the first container, the primary container comprising a primary body comprising (a) a primary bottom, (b) primary sidewalls comprising at least a primary first sidewall, a primary second sidewall, a primary third sidewall, and a primary fourth sidewall all coupled with and extending upward from the primary bottom and all having a same primary height; (c) primary support features comprising primary first support features arranged along a primary exterior of the primary container and primary second support features arranged along a primary interior of the primary container, (d) a primary reference face comprising a surface of at least one of the primary sidewalls, and (e) a primary upper rim having a primary square profile and formed by uppermost peripheries of the primary sidewalls, the uppermost peripheries of the primary sidewalls having the same primary height along an entirety of the primary upper rim, and the secondary container comprising a secondary body comprising (a) a secondary bottom, (b) secondary sidewalls comprising at least a secondary first sidewall, a secondary second sidewall, a secondary third sidewall, and a secondary fourth sidewall all coupled with and extending upward from the secondary bottom and all having a same secondary height (c) secondary support features comprising secondary first support features arranged along a secondary exterior of the secondary container and secondary second support features arranged along a secondary interior of the secondary container, (d) a secondary reference face comprising a surface of at least one of the secondary sidewalls, and (e) a secondary upper rim having a secondary square profile and formed by uppermost peripheries of the secondary sidewalls, the uppermost peripheries of the secondary sidewalls having the same secondary height along an entirety of the secondary upper rim, wherein in the first configuration (a) the primary reference face is oriented relative to the secondary reference face in a first rotational alignment, and (b) the primary first support features are supported by the secondary second support features such that the primary bottom is positioned above the secondary bottom at a first height;changing a height between the primary bottom and the secondary bottom by re-nesting the primary container within the secondary container in a second configuration, wherein in the second configuration (a) the primary reference face is oriented relative to the secondary reference face in a second rotational alignment in which at least one of the primary reference face or the secondary reference face is rotated relative to the first rotational alignment, and (b) the primary first support features are supported differently by the secondary second support features than in the first configuration such that the primary bottom is positioned above the secondary bottom at a second height different from the first height;further changing the height between the primary bottom and the secondary bottom by further re-nesting the primary container within the secondary container in a third configuration, wherein in the third configuration (a) the primary reference face is oriented relative to the secondary reference face in a third rotational alignment in which at least one of the primary reference face or the secondary reference face is rotated relative to the first rotational alignment and the second rotational alignment, and (b) the primary first support features are supported differently by the secondary second support features than in the first configuration and the second configuration such that the primary bottom is positioned above the secondary bottom at a third height different from the first and second heights;further changing the height between the primary bottom and the secondary bottom by further re-nesting the primary container within the secondary container in a fourth configuration, wherein in the fourth configuration (a) the primary reference face is oriented relative to the secondary reference face in a fourth rotational alignment in which at least one of the primary reference face or the secondary reference face is rotated relative to the first rotational alignment, the second rotational alignment, and the third rotational alignment, and (b) the primary first support features are supported differently by the secondary second support features than in the first configuration, the second configuration, and the third configuration such that the primary bottom is positioned above the secondary bottom at a fourth height different from the first, second, and third heights. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein a primary top of the primary container and a secondary top of the secondary container are positioned parallel to one another when the primary container is nested in the secondary container. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the primary sidewalls are arranged relative to one another such that a cross-sectional shape of the primary container corresponds to a polygon, wherein the secondary sidewalls are arranged relative to one another such that a cross-sectional shape of the secondary container corresponds to the same polygon, and wherein the primary sidewalls and the secondary sidewalls each extend along each other and along a side of the polygon in each of the first configuration, the second configuration, and the third configuration.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (3)
Loftus Stephen C. (West Midlands GBX) Cope Andrew C. (West Midlands GBX), Container.
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