Interlocking stacking container

Abstract

A container configured to stack and interlock with similar adjacent containers. The container includes a body defining a material receiving chamber, a dispenser opening, and a movable coupler.

1 . A container comprising:
 a body including a base, a top wall, and at least one sidewall defining a material receiving chamber;   a dispenser opening formed in the body and in communication with the material receiving chamber;   a coupler supported by the body for movement relative thereto;   a retaining boss defining a receiving channel in the body; and   wherein the coupler is configured to be received within the receiving channel of a second container such that the coupler of the container cooperates with the retaining boss of the second container to restrain relative movement of the second container.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the dispenser opening is defined by a dispenser wall extending upwardly from the top wall of the body, and a cover is releasably coupled to the dispenser wall. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the dispenser wall is cylindrical and includes a plurality of external threads, and the cover includes a lid having a plurality of internal threads engaging the external threads of the dispenser wall. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the base includes a recess; and   the dispenser wall and the cover are configured to be received within the recess of the base of a third container supported by the top wall of the container.   
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sidewall includes a first pair of parallel sidewalls and a second pair of parallel sidewalls thereby defining a rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the first pair of sidewalls and the second pair of sidewalls are of substantially equal length thereby defining a square cross-section. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the coupler comprises a bail pivotably supported by the body. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the bail includes a first end pivotably coupled to the top wall proximate a first side of the dispenser opening and a second end pivotably coupled to the top wall proximate an opposing second side of the dispenser opening, the bail defining a handle when in a carrying mode of operation and the bail restraining movement of the second container in a plane parallel to the top wall of the container when in a coupling mode of operation. 
     
     
         9 . A container comprising:
 a body including a base, a top wall, and at least one sidewall defining a material receiving chamber;   a dispenser opening formed in the body and in communication with the material receiving chamber;   a bail pivotably coupled to the body between a upwardly extending carrying mode of operation and a horizontally extending coupling mode of operation;   a retaining boss defining a receiving channel in the body; and   wherein the bail is configured to be received within the receiving channel of a second container when the bail is in the coupling mode of operation.   
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the bail in the coupling mode of operation cooperates with the retaining boss of the second container to restrain movement of the second container in a plane parallel to the top wall of the container. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the dispenser opening is defined by a dispenser wall extending upwardly from the top wall of the body. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , further comprising a cover releasably coupled to the dispenser wall. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the dispenser wall is cylindrical and includes a plurality of external threads, and the cover includes a lid having a plurality of internal threads engaging the external threads of the dispenser wall. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the base includes a recess; and   the dispenser wall and the cover are configured to be received within the recess of a third container supported by the top wall of the container.   
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one sidewall includes a first pair of parallel sidewalls and a second pair of parallel sidewalls thereby defining a rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the bail includes a first end pivotably coupled to the top wall proximate a first side of the dispenser opening and a second end pivotably coupled to the top wall proximate an opposing second side of the dispenser opening, the bail defining a handle when in a carrying mode of operation. 
     
     
         17 . A stacking container system comprising:
 a first container including a base, a top wall, a sidewall coupled between the base and the top wall, and a first coupler configured to extend laterally outwardly relative to the top wall;   a second container including a base, a top wall, a sidewall coupled between the base and the top wall, and a first coupler configured to extend laterally outwardly relative to the top wall, the sidewall of the first container being juxtaposed with the sidewall of the second container;   a third container including a base, a top wall, a sidewall coupled between the base and the top wall, and a first coupler configured to extend laterally outwardly relative to the top wall, the top wall of the first container being juxtaposed with the base of the third container; and   a fourth container including a base, a top wall, a sidewall coupled between the base and the top wall, and a first coupler configured to extend laterally outwardly relative to the top wall, the top wall of the second container being juxtaposed with the base of the fourth container, the sidewall of the third container being juxtaposed with the sidewall of the fourth container, and the first coupler of the first container coupled to the base of the fourth container.   
     
     
         18 . The stacking container system of  claim 17 , wherein the first container further comprises a second coupler, the second coupler of the first container coupled to the base of the third container. 
     
     
         19 . The stacking container system of  claim 18 , wherein the first coupler of the first container comprises a bail supported for pivoting movement relative to the top wall, and the second coupler of the first container comprises a dispenser wall surrounding a dispenser opening and extending upwardly from the top wall. 
     
     
         20 . The stacking container system of  claim 18 , wherein the first coupler of the first container comprises a bail supported for pivoting movement, and a retaining channel is formed in the base of the fourth container, the bail of the first container being received within the receiving channel of the fourth container and secured within the receiving channel by the top wall of the second container.