Patents by Inventor William P. Apps

William P. Apps 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: 11884483
    Abstract: In multiple embodiments, a collapsible container includes a base and a plurality of walls pivotably connected to edges of the base and collapsible onto the base. The plurality of walls include a retractable first wall. The first wall includes a frame having a lower horizontal portion and a pair of upstanding vertical portions extending upward from the lower horizontal portion to define an access opening therebetween. An upper beam is slidably coupled to the vertical portions and movable between a first position away from the lower horizontal portion of the frame and a second position proximate the lower horizontal portion of the frame. In some embodiments, the first wall includes a mid-beam coupled to the upper beam. The mid-beam is spaced away from the upper beam and spaced away from the lower horizontal portion of the frame when the upper beam is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Jon P. Hassell, William P. Apps
  • Patent number: 11767049
    Abstract: A pallet lift includes a base and a plurality of wheels supporting the base. A pair of contact surfaces are proximate a distal end of the base. A handle projects upward proximate a proximal end of the base. A rear support surface support is on the base between the contact surfaces and the handle. The base may include a pair of spaced apart rails capable of receiving columns of a pallet therebetween. In one embodiment, the base includes a pair of four-bar linkages and the handle is a lift handle configured to selectively collapse and extend the four-bar linkages to raise and lower a pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Philip A. King, Jon P. Hassell, William P. Apps
  • Patent number: 11738937
    Abstract: A crate includes a base and a plurality of walls including a front wall. The front wall is movable between a retracted, open position and a closed position. In some embodiments, the front wall includes a frame, a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is hingeably connected to the frame and the second portion is hingeably connected to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Mauricio D. Cavalcante, John Bobel Zelek, William P. Apps, Ryan C. Meers
  • Publication number: 20230234750
    Abstract: A pallet includes a deck having center portion and two outer portions spaced outward on either side of the center portion. A plurality of keg supports extend from each outer portion to the center portion. Each keg support has a concave upper surface. A large opening is defined between each adjacent pair of keg supports. Outer middle recesses are formed on each outer portion adjacent each large opening. Center middle recesses are formed on the center portion adjacent each large opening. A plurality of column portions protrude from the deck. The pallet accommodates both straight kegs and belly kegs at the same height. The pallet may be formed in two identical halves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Way Joe Lee
  • Publication number: 20230159211
    Abstract: A beverage crate includes a base and a plurality of walls extending upward from the base. The base together with the plurality of walls define a container interior for receiving beverage containers. By reconfiguring the crate, the storage volume of the container interior is selectively adjustable to accommodate different size beverage containers. Thus, the same crate could be used for different size beverage containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Suzanne Clark Ward, Shelby Frances Apps, Brian Robert Guerry, William P. Apps, Margaret Wilson Garratt
  • Patent number: 11618604
    Abstract: A beverage crate includes a base having opposed end edges and opposed side edges. A pair of end walls extending upward from the end edges of the base. A pair of side walls extend upward from the side edges of the base. Each of the side walls includes an upper band portion connected to the base by inwardly-offset columns. The upper band portions each include at least one upper peak protruding upwardly and at least one complementary recess aligned below the at least one upper peak. The upper band portions each include at least one lower peak protruding downwardly and at least one complementary recess aligned above the at least one lower peak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Shelby Frances Apps, Suzanne Whitfield Clark, William P. Apps, Crystal Y. Parra, Jon P. Hassell
  • Patent number: 11597560
    Abstract: A container includes a wall extending upward from a base. The wall includes a frame and a first wall portion pivotably connected to the frame. The wall further includes a latch selectively connecting the first wall portion to the frame. The latch is movable vertically relative to the frame to selectively release the first wall portion from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Jon P. Hassell
  • Patent number: 11597557
    Abstract: A beverage crate includes a base and a plurality of walls extending upward from the base. The base together with the plurality of walls define a container interior for receiving beverage containers. By reconfiguring the crate, the storage volume of the container interior is selectively adjustable to accommodate different size beverage containers. Thus, the same crate could be used for different size beverage containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Suzanne Clark Ward, Shelby Frances Apps, Brian Robert Guerry, William P. Apps, Margaret Wilson Garratt
  • Publication number: 20230002111
    Abstract: A collapsible container includes a base including a first cam surface, a second cam surface, and a third cam surface. A hinge permits vertical translation of a wall relative to the base. The wall includes a first follower, a second follower, and a third follower, wherein the first follower is configured to contact the first cam surface during a first angular interval, wherein the second follower is configured to contact the second cam surface during a second angular interval, and wherein the third follower is configured to contact the third cam surface during a third angular interval. A retractable wall may include a pair of vertical portions defining an opening therebetween. An upper portion and a lower portion may be pivotably connected to the pair of vertical portions. A link having an arm may be pivotably connected to the upper portion and pivotably connected to the lower portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel Vincent Sekowski, William P. Apps
  • Publication number: 20220402643
    Abstract: A crate includes a base, a pair of opposed side walls extending upward from the sides of the base and a pair of end walls extending upward from ends of the base. The end walls each include a pair of spaced apart end columns that act as partial spacers between the three adjacent bottles at that end. The handles are aligned offset from the center of the end wall. The handles are each aligned with one of the end columns so they can be aligned (e.g. centered) between adjacent bottles to provide more space for a user's hand. The handles may extend from one end column, over the other end column to the corner column. In the embodiment shown, the handles may be each offset toward a different side wall to provide better balance of the weight of the crate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Suzanne Whitfield Clark
  • Publication number: 20220250783
    Abstract: A nestable beverage crate includes a base, side walls and end walls. Each side wall includes a plurality of side columns connecting a side upper band to the base. Each end wall includes a plurality of end columns connected an end upper band to the base. The side upper band and the end upper bands each have a plurality of peaks and valleys and are asymmetric, such that adjacent crates will have peaks aligned with valleys and vice-versa. For purposes of preventing shingling, the effective height of the side upper bands and the end upper bands of these two adjacent side walls is the full distance between the upper edge of the peak and the lower edge of the valley, but the nesting height of the crate is only the height of the upper bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Suzanne Clark Ward, Shelby Frances Apps
  • Patent number: 11390415
    Abstract: A nestable beverage crate includes a base, side walls and end walls. Each side wall includes a plurality of side columns connecting a side upper band to the base. Each end wall includes a plurality of end columns connected an end upper band to the base. The side upper band and the end upper bands each have a plurality of peaks and valleys and are asymmetric, such that adjacent crates will have peaks aligned with valleys and vice-versa. For purposes of preventing shingling, the effective height of the side upper bands and the end upper bands these two adjacent side walls is the full distance between the upper edge of the peak and the lower edge of the valley, but the nesting height of the crate is only the height of the upper bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Suzanne Clark Ward, Shelby Frances Apps
  • Patent number: 11352181
    Abstract: A beverage crate include a base, a pair of opposed side walls extending upward from the sides of the base and a pair of end walls extending upward from ends of the base. The end walls each include a pair of spaced apart end columns. A handle extends across the pair of spaced apart columns at each end wall. The height of the handle is aligned with a portion of the bottle having a reduced diameter. For example, some bottles have a tapered or contoured middle portion to facilitate grasping the bottle. This allows the handle to be positioned closer to the bottles, which reduces the overall length of the crate. The reduced length of the crate then permits a reduced width of the crate per the required ratio for cross-stacking. The reduced width then permits a full bottle capture on the bottom surface of the crate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Suzanne Whitfield Clark
  • Patent number: 11352169
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck having a first plurality of ribs and a second plurality of ribs. The first plurality of ribs each include a first opening therethrough that opens downward. The second plurality of ribs each include a second opening therethrough that opens upward. The first openings and the second openings aligned to define a channel. A reinforcement member is disposed in the channel A plurality of columns extend from the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Publication number: 20220097905
    Abstract: A container includes a wall extending upward from a base. The wall includes a frame and a first wall portion pivotably connected to the frame. The wall further includes a latch selectively connecting the first wall portion to the frame. The latch is movable vertically relative to the frame to selectively release the first wall portion from the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Jon P. Hassell
  • Patent number: 11286083
    Abstract: A pallet includes a deck having an opening therethrough, such that product can be removed through the opening from a box loaded on the deck of a pallet. A plurality of columns support the deck. The box may be supported on the deck over the opening. The bottom wall of the box may be opened though the opening in the deck. The items can then be removed from the box through the opening through the deck without removing the box from the pallet. Optionally, fasteners may secure flaps of the box in corners of the deck of a pallet. According to another feature, a brace having an elongated body portion can be secured to an opening of the pallet, such that the elongated body portion abuts goods that are supported on the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Way Joe Lee, William P. Apps, Jon P. Hassell
  • Publication number: 20220089315
    Abstract: A collapsible crate includes a base having opposed side edges and opposed end edges. The side edges are longer than the end edges. A pair of opposed side walls are pivotably connected to the side edges of the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base. Each of the pair of opposed side walls include a handle opening therethrough. A pair of opposed end walls are pivotably connected to the end edges of the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel Vincent Sekowski, Jon P. Hassell, William P. Apps
  • Publication number: 20220041417
    Abstract: A pallet lift includes a pair of outer tines movable between an expanded position spaced outward away from inner tines and a retracted position adjacent the inner tines. The inner and outer tines are supported by wheels at locations spaced away from the lift mechanism. A pallet includes a plurality of nestable feet that open outwardly of the pallet to reduce the footprint. A second pallet includes a side wall extending downward from side edges of the pallet to define an opening adjacent outer feet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Philip A. King, Jon P. Hassell, William P. Apps, Dane Gin Mun Kalinowski
  • Patent number: 11203479
    Abstract: A collapsible container includes a base having a base wall with a plurality of support surfaces separated by a longitudinal drainage channel and a plurality of lateral drainage channels intersecting the longitudinal drainage channel. The drainage channels are lower than the support surfaces. The base wall does not include any openings therethrough, so the drainage channels retain fluid leaking from products or packages in the container. The base may further include a plurality of troughs proximate edges of the base. The plurality of troughs are lower than the drainage channels. Walls are pivotably mounted to the base and are pivotable between an upright position and a collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Jon P. Hassell, Travis James Englert
  • Patent number: 11111122
    Abstract: A pallet lift includes a pair of outer tines movable between an expanded position spaced outward away from inner tines and a retracted position adjacent the inner tines. The inner and outer tines are supported by wheels at locations spaced away from the lift mechanism. A pallet includes a plurality of nestable feet that open outwardly of the pallet to reduce the footprint. A second pallet includes a side wall extending downward from side edges of the pallet to define an opening adjacent outer feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Philip A. King, Jon P. Hassell, William P. Apps, Dane Gin Mun Kalinowski