Stackable container

Abstract

A container for storing welding electrodes includes a container body and a container cap constructed via thermoplastic injection molding. The container is constructed with walls that define an interior region and complementary upper and lower surfaces. When multiple containers are stacked together, the upper surface of one container engages the lower surface of an adjacent container thereby restraining lateral movement between the containers. However, the configuration of the upper and lower surfaces allows for longitudinal movement between the containers.

1 . A stackable container having an interior region for storing associated welding materials, comprising:
 a container body having one or more walls that define an open end for receiving the associated welding electrodes, the one or more walls defining first and second distally disposed surfaces that comprise complementary contours for restraining lateral movement while allowing longitudinal movement of a first stackable container with respect to a second substantially similar stackable container when the stackable containers are placed in a stacking relationship.   
   
   
       2 . The stackable container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the container body is generally longitudinal; and further comprising:
 a recess longitudinally fashioned within the first surface; and,   at least a first protrusion extending from the second distally disposed surface, wherein when the at least a first protrusion of the first stackable container is juxtaposed to the recess of the second stackable container, the first stackable container is restrained from lateral movement with respect to the second stackable container.   
   
   
       3 . The stackable container as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the at least a first protrusion is at least a first ridge longitudinally fashioned along the second distally disposed surface. 
   
   
       4 . The stackable container as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the second distally disposed surface includes a first and at least a second ridge longitudinally fashioned along the second distally disposed surface. 
   
   
       5 . The stackable container as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the container body is constructed from a moldable polymer. 
   
   
       6 . The stackable container as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the recess has a characteristic width w; and further comprising:
 at least one rib extending from the first surface and spanning the width of the recess.   
   
   
       7 . The stackable container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first surface comprises first and second generally planar corner portions, wherein each of the first and second generally planar corners form an angle A with respect to a transverse axis of the stackable container. 
   
   
       8 . The stackable container as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the second distally disposed surface comprises third and fourth generally planar corner portions, wherein each of the third and fourth generally planar corners form an angle Al with respect to a transverse axis of the stackable container. 
   
   
       9 . The stackable container as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the angle A and A 1  are substantially equal. 
   
   
       10 . The stackable container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second distally disposed surfaces include curved portions for restraining lateral movement. 
   
   
       11 . The stackable container as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cap adapted to engage the container body for enclosing the open end of the stackable container.   
   
   
       12 . The stackable container as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the cap snaps into engagement with the container body. 
   
   
       13 . A stackable package of welding consumables, comprising:
 an injection molded container body having one or more walls that define an open end and an interior region, the one or more walls defining first and second surfaces that restrain lateral movement while allowing longitudinal movement of a first stackable package with respect to a second substantially similar stackable package when the first and second stackable packages are placed in a stacking relationship; and,   one or more welding electrodes enclosed within the container body.   
   
   
       14 . The stackable container as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a cap adapted to engage the container body for enclosing the open end of the container body.   
   
   
       15 . The stackable package as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the container body has a substantially uniform cross section with respect to a longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       16 . The stackable package as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the container body is constructed from at least one of polypropylene or polyethylene. 
   
   
       17 . The stackable package as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a recess longitudinally fashioned within the first surface; and,   wherein the second surface is complementary with respect to the first surface for restraining lateral movement of the first stackable package with respect to the second stackable package.   
   
   
       18 . The stackable container as defined in  claim 17 , further comprising:
 at least a first ridge extending from the second surface.   
   
   
       19 . The stackable container as defined in  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a first and at least a second ridge longitudinally fashioned along the second distally disposed surface.   
   
   
       20 . The stackable container as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the recess has a characteristic width w; and further comprising:
 at least one rib transversely spanning the width of the recess.