Containers

Abstract

Container systems having an outwardly extending ledge. Container systems and methods related thereto.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising a bottom wall and at least one side wall having a proximal end joined to the bottom wall to define a storage space, the at least one side wall having an distal end that defines an opening about a central axis, the opening allowing access to the storage space,
 the at least one side wall having an interior surface facing the storage space and an exterior surface located opposite the interior surface;   the container further comprising a ledge that projects radially outward from the exterior surface of the at least one side wall,
 the ledge having a bottom side that faces a plane formed by the bottom wall, a proximal end near the at least one side wall, and a distal end away from the at least one side wall, 
 the ledge having at least two portions having a major depth and at least two portions having a minor depth, where the ratio of the major depth to the minor depth is at least about 1.5:1,
 where depth is measured orthogonally from the wall along the bottom side of the ledge from the proximal end to the distal end of the ledge. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls. 
     
     
         3 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the ledge is at the distal end of the at least one side wall. 
     
     
         4 . A container system according to  claim 1 , wherein the ledge substantially encircles the opening. 
     
     
         5 . A container system according to  claim 4 , wherein the ledge continuously encircles the opening. 
     
     
         6 . A container system according to  claim 1 , wherein the ledge comprises a top surface opposite the bottom surface of the ledge, where a rim extends upwardly away from the top surface of the ledge. 
     
     
         7 . A container system according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the major depth to the minor depth is at least about 2:1. 
     
     
         8 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the major depth is from about 5 mm to about 30 mm. 
     
     
         9 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the minor depth is from about 1 mm to about 15 mm. 
     
     
         10 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the ledge has at least four portions having the major depth. 
     
     
         11 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the container taken near the opening has a shape that is substantially octagonal. 
     
     
         12 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein minor walls are disposed between the front and side walls, and between the rear and side walls. 
     
     
         13 . A container according to  claim 12 , wherein the minor walls are substantially concave. 
     
     
         14 . A container according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least two portions having the major depth are disposed near the minor walls. 
     
     
         15 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the ledge comprises at least one slot. 
     
     
         16 . A container system, wherein the container system comprises
 a container according to  claim 1 , and   a closure system connectable to the container system.   
     
     
         17 . A container system according to  claim 16 , wherein the container system further comprises unitized dose articles, wherein water-soluble film encapsulates a composition in at least one compartment. 
     
     
         18 . A container system according to  claim 17 , wherein the composition in the at least one compartment comprises a liquid. 
     
     
         19 . A method of moving a container, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a container according to  claim 1 ;   lifting the container by providing an upward force on the bottom side of the ledge at the at least two portions of the ledge that have the major depth.   
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the upward force is provided by robot arms.