Stackable container with a top chime

Abstract

A container such as a beer keg includes a blow moulded container body and an injection moulded top chime 2. The chime 2 has a continuous peripheral handle 20 which is joined to a central hub 21 by radial spokes 22, with a peripheral skirt 24 which fits over the top portion of the container body. The base of the container body is formed with radial ridges 14 and intervening channels 15 producing a petaloid configuration. The ridges 14 are formed with integral foot-like projections 17 which locate within a recessed area of the chime bounded by the handle 20 to enable the containers to be stacked in a stable manner. The deepest part of the channels formed between the ridges 14 are conjoined to form a domed region 15 wall which merges into the side wall 10. The contents of the container exert internal pressure on the bottom wall which has a low tendency to distortion in use.

1 . A container which includes a container body ( 1 ) and a top chime ( 2 ) formed with a peripheral skirt ( 24 ) and an integral continuous peripheral handle ( 20 ), the container body having a side wall ( 10 ), a top wall ( 11 ) which is received within the chime, and a bottom wall ( 13 ),
 characterised in that the bottom wall ( 13 ) of the container is formed with ridges ( 14 ) extending outwards from a central region ( 16 ), the ridges being shaped to support the container stably on a flat surface and to engage a recessed area ( 26 ,  28 ) of the top chime when one such container is stacked upon another in use.   
     
     
         2 . A container according to  claim 1  in which the ridges ( 14 ) include foot-like projections ( 17 ;  30 ) which engage within the recessed area ( 26 ,  28 ;  27 ). 
     
     
         3 . A container according to  claim 2  in which the projections ( 17 ) locate within a recessed area which is formed on the outer periphery ( 20 ) of the chime. 
     
     
         4 . A container according to  claim 3  in which the recessed area ( 17 ) is bounded by the handle ( 20 ) of the chime. 
     
     
         5 . A container according to  claim 2  in which the foot-like projections ( 30 ) locate within a recessed area ( 27 ) which is inset from the outer periphery of the chime. 
     
     
         6 . A container according to  claim 5  in which the recessed area ( 30 ) is bounded by the handle ( 20 ) of the chime. 
     
     
         7 . A container according to  claim 1  in which channels are formed between the ridges ( 14 ), and the channels are conjoined to form an externally domed region ( 15 ) of the bottom wall which merges into the side wall ( 10 ).