Patents by Inventor Gerald R. Koefelda

Gerald R. Koefelda has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6918502
    Abstract: A collapsible container orientable between assembled and collapsed positions having a base, a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls. The base has a pair of opposing upstanding end flanges integral thereto defining a corner line at each end and a side face member perpendicular. A pair of opposing side edges lie in a plane parallel to and spaced inward from an adjacent co-planar pair of side face members and extending therebetween. Opposing side walls are pivotably attached to one of the opposing side edges, forming an extension of the base when the container is in assembled. Each side wall has a latch member at each lateral edge having upper and lower curved surfaces and a tooth at its distal end. Each end wall has a pair of flanges with an opening sized to slidingly receive a latching member in the assembled state and is securely held by a living hinge. The container is adapted to being nestable when in the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Trenton M. Overholt, William Patrick Apps, Gerald R. Koefelda
  • Patent number: 6899242
    Abstract: A collapsible container includes a base, and pairs of opposed side and end walls that are pivotally mounted on the base. When the side walls are pivoted to a raised position against inward flanges defined on the end walls, latch members on the side walls engage complementary shoulders defined on end wall flange projections to thereby lock the side walls relative to the end walls. Each latch member includes a base portion mounted proximate to a respective lateral edge of the side wall, a lever arm portion extending away from the side wall's lateral edge, and an intermediate portion having a camming surface and adjacent shoulder with which to engage the respective end wall flange projection. When raised, edge portions of each side wall are received in recessed shelves defined in the base while the side wall's inner face simultaneously engages cantilevered stop members defined in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Trenton M. Overholt, Gerald R. Koefelda
  • Patent number: 6899247
    Abstract: A nestable crate for bottles which includes a floor member and first and second pairs of opposed sidewalls integrally formed with the floor member. Each sidewall includes a side band member which is defined by a centrally disposed upper edge and lower edge. The lower edge is spaced above the floor member by a predetermined distance to define a sidewall nesting area therebelow. The upper and lower edges each contoured downwardly to form a corner band portion having a corner upper edge and corner lower edge, wherein each nesting area matingly receives a corresponding side band member of a crate nested subjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Gerald R. Koefelda, William P. Apps
  • Patent number: 6811125
    Abstract: A stackable shipping pod adapted for use on a relatively large object having a bottom surface with a plurality of bores therein, each bore for receiving a threaded member, and further having an outside perimeter. The shipping pod includes a top wall which mates to the bottom surface of the large object and has an opening through which the threaded member is extended. Also included is a perimeter wall which extends downwardly and outwardly from the top wall, and has an exterior surface facing away from the top wall and an interior surface facing inward, such that the interior surface of the shipping pod nests proximate to the exterior surface of a second subjacent shipping pod when in a stacked orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Gerald R. Koefelda, Donald L. Bell
  • Publication number: 20040140238
    Abstract: A stacking crate for bottles has a plurality of tapered pylons extending upward from a periphery of a floor. A rib extends downwardly in the interior of a cavity in each pylon. Each pylon further includes a slot in an upper surface of the pylon substantially aligned with the rib. When similar crates are nested, the ribs in the pylons of one crate will rest in the slots in the upper surface of the pylons of the lower crate, thus permitting the crates to be nested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Jon P. Hassell, William P. Apps, Gerald R. Koefelda
  • Publication number: 20040134390
    Abstract: A nestable pallet includes a deck having an upper panel, a lower panel and a plurality of ribs extending perpendicularly from the upper panel to the lower panel. The upper panel further includes a plurality of openings for receiving feet of a similar pallet when nested. The lower panel further includes a plurality of feet extending downward from the deck, each foot having a cavity defined therein lined within one of the plurality of openings in the upper panel. Each cavity is configured to receive a foot from a similar pallet when nested therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Gerald R. Koefelda, Cynthia R. Aiken
  • Publication number: 20040118739
    Abstract: A top frame assembly having an upper member having a central opening defined therethrough and a generally planar upper wall, a first plurality of ribs extending downwardly therefrom, and a first mating surface. Also included is a bottom member having a central opening defined therethrough and a generally planar lower wall, a second plurality of ribs extending upwardly therefrom, and a second mating surface, wherein the first and second mating surfaces are attached to each other. Also included is at least one insert member disposed between the upper wall and the lower wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: REHRIG PACIFIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Gerald R. Koefelda
  • Publication number: 20040020821
    Abstract: A collapsible display container includes abase and a pair of opposed side walls each pivotably attached to the base. The side walls are orientable between an assembled position and a second position. At least one of the side walls includes a display member which is mounted to it. The display member is movable between an open position and a closed position. Thus, when the display member is in the open position and the at least one side wall is in the assembled position, the interior of the container is accessible through the at least one side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Gerald R. Koefelda, Roger S. Hsu
  • Patent number: 6651815
    Abstract: A top frame assembly includes a frame portion which defines a receiving compartment therein and at least one insert member which is disposed within the compartment of the frame for providing strength to the frame. The insert member is preferably formed of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Gerald R. Koefelda
  • Patent number: 6601724
    Abstract: A collapsible display container includes a base and a pair of opposed side walls each pivotably attached to the base. The side walls are orientable between an assembled position and a second position. At least one of the side walls includes a display member which is mounted to it. The display member is movable between an open position and a closed position. Thus, when the display member is in the open position and the at least one side wall is in the assembled position, the interior of the container is accessible through the at least one side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Gerald R. Koefelda, Roger S. Hsu
  • Publication number: 20030116564
    Abstract: A collapsible container includes a base, and pairs of opposed side and end walls that are pivotally mounted on the base. When the side walls are pivoted to a raised position against inward flanges defined on the end walls, latch members on the side walls engage complementary shoulders defined on end wall flange projections to thereby lock the side walls relative to the end walls. Each latch member includes a base portion mounted proximate to a respective lateral edge of the side wall, a lever arm portion extending away from the side wall's lateral edge, and an intermediate portion having a camming surface and adjacent shoulder with which to engage the respective end wall flange projection. When raised, edge portions of each side wall are received in recessed shelves defined in the base while the side wall's inner face simultaneously engages cantilevered stop members defined in the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Trenton M. Overholt, Gerald R. Koefelda
  • Publication number: 20030057211
    Abstract: A handle structure for a low depth case for holding containers is provided. The low depth case includes a bottom portion and a pair of opposing sidewalls. The handle structure is disposed in a side wall and is adapted for handling by a user in one of a palm-up or palm-down orientation. The handle structure includes an inner wall member and an outer wall member. The outer wall member is disposed in a corresponding one of the pair of opposing sidewalls. The outer wall is also attached to the inner wall member to define a finger receiving area therebetween. The outer wall member has an upper portion and a lower portion which has a lower edge. The lower portion and corresponding sidewall define a hand-opening area which extends into the low depth case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Gerald R. Koefelda, Donald L. Bell
  • Publication number: 20020158067
    Abstract: A collapsible container including a base having a first pair of opposed upstanding members and a second pair of opposed upstanding members, and also including a first pair of opposed side walls each pivotably attached to the base and orientable between an assembled position and a second position. Each of the first pair of opposed side walls has a recess which mates with and receives a corresponding one of the first pair of opposed upstanding members when in the assembled position. The container further receive a second pair of opposed side walls each pivotably attached to a corresponding one of the second pair of opposed upstanding members and also orientable between an assembled position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: REHRIG PACIFIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Trenton M. Overholt, William Patrick Apps, Gerald R. Koefelda
  • Publication number: 20020148842
    Abstract: A wall structure for a container includes at least one band member which extends at least partially across the length of the wall structure proximate an upper surface of the wall structure and oriented substantially parallel thereto. The band member has a wave-like cross-section with a plurality of first peaks, adjacent and opposing second peaks, and inclined members extending between the plurality of first and second peaks. The plurality of first peaks of the wave defines a first surface of the wall structure, and the opposing second peaks of the wave defines a second surface of the wall structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: REHRIG PACIFIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Trenton M. Overholt, Gerald R. Koefelda, Roger S. Hsu
  • Patent number: 6409041
    Abstract: A wall structure for a container includes at least one band member which extends at least partially across the length of the wall structure proximate an upper surface of the wall structure and oriented substantially parallel thereto. The band member has a wave-like cross-section with a plurality of first peaks, adjacent and opposing second peaks, and inclined members extending between the plurality of first and second peaks. The plurality of first peaks of the wave defines a first surface of the wall structure, and the opposing second peaks of the wave defines a second surface of the wall structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Trenton M. Overholt, Gerald R. Koefelda, Roger S. Hsu
  • Patent number: 6405888
    Abstract: A collapsible container including a base member having a base edge portion and first detent portion and further including a wall member pivotably attached to the base edge portion and movable between an assembled and collapsed positions. The wall member includes a wall edge having a second detent portion for engaging the first detent portion when the wall moves between the assembled and collapsed positions. One of the first and second detent members includes a protrusion and an other of the first and second detent members includes an interference portion for engaging the protrusion when the wall member moves between the assembled and collapsed positions, thereby preventing the wall from falling freely to the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Trenton M. Overholt, William P. Apps, Gerald R. Koefelda
  • Patent number: D458753
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Co.
    Inventors: Trenton M. Overholt, Gerald R. Koefelda, Roger S. Hsu
  • Patent number: D460619
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Gerald R. Koefelda
  • Patent number: D478421
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Trenton M. Overholt, Gerald R. Koefelda, Roger S. Hsu
  • Patent number: D483946
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Gerald R. Koefelda