Container having textured grip and enhanced wall integrity

Abstract

A nestable or stackable container having at least one recess formed in the sidewall of the container to improve wall strength integrity. The surface of the recess further including texturing to improve grippability such that the container can be grasped in any direction while providing improved tactile engagement. Engaging portions include an annular shoulder to maintain spacing between adjacent stacked containers, and depressions to define antirotational interlock between adjacent stacked containers.

1 . A container comprising: 
 a base defining a closed bottom; and    a side wall extending upwardly from the base, the side wall having an outer surface and at least one recess formed therein, the at least one recess including a recessed surface defined by a boundary edge, the recessed surface having a surface texture different than a surface texture of the outer surface.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one recess has a height of between about 50% to about 80% of a height of the side wall.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the boundary edge includes a curvilinear shape.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the curvilinear shape is a parabola.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one recess includes at least three recesses formed in the side wall; the at least three recesses being spaced about a periphery of the sidewall.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the surface texture of the recessed surface includes a multidirectional pattern of peaks and valleys.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the multidirectional pattern includes an irregular pattern of protrusions.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the pattern is substantially coextensive over an entire recessed surface.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the side wall has a frustroconical shape.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the first portion of the side wall is disposed proximate the base, the side wall further including a second portion defining an open mouth opposite the base.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the second portion has a substantially bowl-like shape.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one recess extends at least partially into the second portion of the side wall.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the side wall defines an open mouth opposite the closed bottom, the container further comprising an engaging portion to engage a second container of similar shape received within the mouth of the container.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the engaging portion includes at least one depression formed in the side wall proximate the base.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one depression includes a plurality of depressions formed in the side wall proximate the base, the plurality of depressions being spaced about a periphery of the side wall.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one recess includes a plurality recesses formed in the side wall; each depression being disposed between two adjacent recesses.  
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the base includes an upstanding base wall extending from the closed bottom, the engaging portion including a shoulder defined between the upstanding base wall and the side wall.  
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 17  wherein the base includes at least one indentation formed within the upstanding base wall along a periphery of the closed bottom.  
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein the engaging portion further includes at least one depression formed in the side wall, each indentation being aligned axially with a corresponding depression.  
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the side wall defines an open mouth opposite the closed bottom, the container further comprising a rim disposed along the open mouth, the rim including a radially extending lip with a flat upper surface.  
   
   
       21 . A stack of nestable containers, the stack comprising a first container; and 
 a second container received within the first container;    each of the first container and the second container being substantially similar in shape and including 
 a base defining a closed bottom; and  
 a side wall extending upwardly from the base, the side wall having an outer surface and at least one recess formed therein, the at least one recess including a recessed surface defined by a boundary edge, the recessed surface having a surface texture different than a surface texture of the outer surface.  
   
   
   
       22 . The stack of  claim 21 , wherein the boundary edge of each container includes a curvilinear shape.  
   
   
       23 . The stack of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one recess of each container includes at least three recesses formed in the side wall; the at least three recesses being spaced about a periphery of the sidewall.  
   
   
       24 . The stack of  claim 21 , wherein the surface texture of the recessed surface includes a multidirectional pattern of peaks and valleys.  
   
   
       25 . The stack of  claim 24 , wherein the multidirectional pattern includes an irregular pattern of protrusions.  
   
   
       26 . The stack of  claim 25 , wherein the pattern is substantially coextensive over an entire recessed surface.  
   
   
       27 . The stack of  claim 21 , wherein a first portion of the side wall is disposed proximate the base, and the side wall further includes a second portion defining an open mouth opposite the base, the first portion having a shape different than the second portion.  
   
   
       28 . The stack of  claim 21 , wherein the side wall of each container defines an open mouth opposite the closed bottom, the first container further including an engaging portion to engage an engaging portion of the second container when the second container is received within the mouth of the first container.  
   
   
       29 . The stack of  claim 28 , wherein the engaging portion of the first container includes at least one depression formed in the side wall proximate the base.  
   
   
       30 . The stack of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one depression is configured to interlock the first container and the second container to inhibit relative rotation therebetween.  
   
   
       31 . The stack of  claim 29 , wherein the side wall of the second container includes at least one depression formed therein proximate the base, the at least one depression of the first container configured to engage the at least one depression of the second container to inhibit rotational movement therebetween.  
   
   
       32 . The stack of  claim 21 , wherein the base of each container includes an upstanding base wall extending from the closed bottom, the engaging portion including a shoulder defined between the upstanding base wall and the side wall.  
   
   
       33 . A container comprising: 
 a base defining a closed bottom, the base including an upstanding base wall extending from the closed bottom;    a side wall extending upwardly from the base, the side wall having an outer surface and at least one recess formed therein, the at least one recess including a recessed surface defined by a boundary edge, the recessed surface having a surface texture different than a surface texture of the outer surface; and    an engaging portion to engage a second container of similar shape received within the mouth of container, the engaging portion including 
 at least one depression formed in the side wall proximate the base, and  
 a shoulder defined between the upstanding base wall and the side wall, the base further including at least one indentation formed within the upstanding base wall and the side wall.