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. An anti-rotation element is formed in the sidewall of the container and is configured to prevent rotation movement of the container when in a stacked or nested arrangement with a second container.

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 recessed surface having a surface texture different than a surface texture of the outer surface; and    at least one anti-rotation interlock element disposed on the sidewall of the container and capable of engaging a similar anti-rotation interlock element of a second container.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the at least one anti-rotation interlock element is disposed in a first or second portion of the sidewall of the container, or between said first and second portions.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one anti-rotation interlock element includes a protruding shelf having a depth varying along a height of the at least one anti-rotation interlock element.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the depth increases along the height of the at least one anti-rotation interlock element.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the depth decreases along the height of the at least one anti-rotation interlock element.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a circumferentially oriented basewall and at least one anti-rotation interlock element disposed in the base wall of the container.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one anti-rotation interlock element is axially aligned with the at least one recess.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container includes at least two recesses, and further wherein the at least one anti-rotation interlock element is disposed between the at least two recesses.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of anti-rotation interlock elements.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of anti-rotation interlock elements includes a first anti-rotation interlock element and a second anti-rotation interlock element, the first anti-rotation interlock element being disposed on an opposite side of the container than the second anti-rotation interlock element.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one anti-rotation interlock element comprises a depression or a protuberance.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one anti-rotation element includes a finger grip configured to receive a finger.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the finger grip has a surface, the surface being indented or raised.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the surface of the finger grip includes texture.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one anti-rotation interlock element has a curvilinear, polygonal, or polyhedronal surface.  
   
   
       16 . A container comprising: 
 a base defining a closed bottom;    a sidewall extending upwardly from the base, the sidewall having an outer surface; and    at least one anti-rotation interlock element formed in the sidewall, the anti-rotation interlock element including at least one recess having a recessed surface and a depth, the recessed surface having a surface texture different than a surface texture of the outer surface.    
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one recess has a curvilinear shape.  
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein the curvilinear shape is a parabola.  
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the sidewall has a first portion proximate the base, and a second portion defining an open mouth, the at least one recess defining a boundary edge that extends at least partially into the second portion.  
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one anti-rotation interlock element includes a protruding shelf having a depth varying along a height of the at least one anti-rotation interlock element.  
   
   
       21 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the depth increases along the height of the at least one anti-rotation interlock element.  
   
   
       22 . 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 recessed surface having a surface texture different than a surface texture of the outer surface; and  
 at least one anti-rotation interlock element disposed on the sidewall of the container.  
   
   
   
       23 . The stack of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one anti-rotation interlock element includes at least one depression or at least one protuberance formed in the container.  
   
   
       24 . The stack of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one anti-rotation interlock element includes a protruding shelf having a depth varying along a height of the at least one anti-rotation interlock element.  
   
   
       25 . The stack of  claim 24 , wherein the depth increases along the height of the at least one anti-rotation interlock element.  
   
   
       26 . The stack of  claim 24 , wherein the depth decreases along the height of the at least one anti-rotation interlock element.  
   
   
       27 . The stack of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one anti-rotation element includes a finger grip.  
   
   
       28 . The stack of  claim 27 , wherein the finger grip has an indented or raised surface.  
   
   
       29 . The stack of  claim 27 , wherein the surface of the finger grip includes texture.  
   
   
       30 . The stack of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one anti-rotation interlock element is configured as a curvilinear, polygonal, polyhedronal, square, triangular, diamond, pyramidal, chevron, or spherical shape.