Lightweight container

Abstract

A container for fluids. The container having a hollow body with an octo-rectangular cross-sectional shape. The octo-rectangular cross-sectional shape being defined by the hollow body having an elongated rectangular cross-sectional shape with four side walls and four corners. each of the four corners being further defined by two rounded sub-corners and an intermediate wall. The container further includes a spout defining an opening into the container. a transition section located between and connecting the body to the spout. and a base closing one end of the body opposite of the spout.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A container for automotive or other fluids comprising:
 a hollow body, the hollow body having an octo-rectangular cross-sectional shape, the octo-rectangular cross-sectional shape of the hollow body is defined by the hollow body having an elongated rectangular cross-sectional shape with four side walls and four corners, each of the four corners being defined by two rounded sub-corners and an intermediate wall;   a spout defining an opening into the container;   a transition section located between and connecting the body to the spout; and   a base closing one end of the body opposite of the spout.   
     
     
         2 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate walls and the four side walls are substantially planar. 
     
     
         3 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the four side walls include two major side walls and two minor side walls, when measured in transverse cross-section the major side walls having an overall width substantially greater than an overall width of the minor side walls as measured in transverse cross-section. 
     
     
         4 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the four side walls include two major side walls and two minor side walls, when measured in transverse cross-section the major side walls having an overall width that is fifty percent greater than an overall width of the minor side walls as measured in transverse cross-section. 
     
     
         5 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the four side walls include major side walls and minor side walls, when measured in transverse cross-section the minor side walls having an overall width that substantially the same as an overall width of the intermediate walls as measured in transverse cross-section. 
     
     
         6 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the transition section has an octo-rectangular cross-sectional shape, the octo-rectangular cross-sectional shape of the transition section being defined as having an elongated rectangular cross-sectional shape with four side walls and four corners, each of the four corners of the transition section being defined by two rounded sub-corners and an intermediate wall. 
     
     
         7 . The container according to  claim 6 , wherein the two rounded sub-corners and intermediate wall of the transition section are extensions of the two rounded sub-corners and intermediate wall of the hollow body. 
     
     
         8 . The container according to  claim 6 , wherein the four side walls of the transition section include major side walls and minor side walls, the minor side walls and intermediate walls of the transition section decreasing in width as measured in transverse cross-section when proceeding from the hollow body toward the spout. 
     
     
         9 . The container according to  claim 6 , wherein the four side walls of the transition section include major side walls and minor side walls, the minor side walls of the transition section having an overall width measured in transverse cross-section that is less than an overall width measured in transverse cross-section of the intermediate walls of the transition section. 
     
     
         10 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the four side walls include two major side walls and two minor side walls, an average wall thickness ratio of the thickness of the intermediate walls to the thickness of the major sides of the container being greater than 0.63. 
     
     
         11 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the average wall thickness ratio is in the range of 0.63 to 0.77. 
     
     
         12 . The container according to  claim 11 , wherein the container is a container having a one quart/one liter nominal volume. 
     
     
         13 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein in a 1 Qt/1 L volume container configuration the container has a surface area of less than 107 sq. in. 
     
     
         14 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein in a ten liter volume container configuration the container has a surface area of less than 465 sq. in. 
     
     
         15 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein in a twenty liter volume container configuration the container has a surface area of less than 823 sq. in. 
     
     
         16 . The container according to  claim 1 , where the container has a weight of less than 48 grams and a top load capacity of greater than 45 lbf. 
     
     
         17 . The container according to  claim 1 , where the container has a weight of in the range of 40 to 42 grams and a top load capacity of greater than 45 lbf. 
     
     
         18 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the four side walls include two major side walls and two minor side walls, an wall thickness ratio of greater than 0.85. 
     
     
         19 . The container according to  claim 18 , wherein the average wall thickness ratio defines a variance of less than 23% from a uniform wall thickness ratio. 
     
     
         20 . The container according to  claim 18 , wherein the average wall thickness ratio defines a variance of less than 13% from a uniform wall thickness ratio. 
     
     
         21 . The container according to  claim 18 , wherein the container is a container having a 2.5 gallon/10 liter nominal volume. 
     
     
         22 . The container according to  claim 1 , where the container is a container having a 2.5 gallon/10 liter nominal volume, a weight of less 360 grams and a top load capability of greater than 90 lbf. 
     
     
         24 . The container according to  claim 1 , where the container is a container having a 2.5 gallon/10 liter nominal volume, a weight of less 300 grams and a top load capability of greater than 120 lbf.