Different Receptacles With Means For Stacking Patents (Class 206/501)
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Publication number: 20080061065Abstract: The present invention is directed to a food containment system comprising at least one container including a primary receptacle and one or more secondary receptacles. The food containment system further comprising at least one lid attached to the at least one container and enclosing the primary and secondary receptacles, wherein the primary receptacle includes a primary food and the one or more secondary receptacles include a secondary food. Method for packaging the containers described above is also contemplated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2007Publication date: March 13, 2008Inventors: Jack Aronson, Annette Aronson, Anthony S. Latella
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Patent number: 7322478Abstract: The present invention relates to a refill container, that holds and protects an internal tray filled with a cosmetic material. The refill container that holds the internal tray filled with the cosmetic material is made up of a mounting portion and an engaging portion. The mounting portion has a structure to be mounted over the internal tray in such a manner as to cover an exposed surface of the cosmetic material. The mounting portion has a lid portion that faces the exposed surface and protects the exposed surface in a mounted state and a holding portion that holds the internal tray in such a manner that the internal-tray bottom surface of the internal tray is exposed in the mounted state. Further, in the mounted state of the internal tray being mounted in the mounting portion, the engaging portion catches the internal tray in such a manner as to prevent the internal tray from being disengaged from the mounting portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2001Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Shiseido Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiro Goto, Sachiko Toyoda
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Patent number: 7258905Abstract: A sealable food container includes a base serving member such as a plate having a generally planar central portion, a sidewall extending generally upwardly and outwardly therefrom and a base outer flange portion extending outwardly from the sidewall. The sidewall defines a sealing area with an undercut annular sealing surface disposed between the substantially planar central portion of the base serving member and the base outer flange portion. The sidewall portion of the plate defines a base stop ridge adjacent the upper edge of the undercut annular sealing surface of the sidewall as well as a laterally extending retaining shelf adjacent the lower edge of the undercut annular sealing surface of the base serving member.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2002Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Rebecca E. Whitmore, Mark B. Littlejohn, Margaret P. Neer, Debra D. Bowers, Jerome G. Dees, Gerald J. Van Handel
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Patent number: 7249686Abstract: A hand-portable serving tray having a compartmented food carrier releasably engaged over a collector tray, the food carrier comprising a plurality of upstanding walls dividing a plurality of close-pack compartments. Within each compartment is at least one hole on a compartment bottom that drains food exudates to the collector tray below. Each compartment bottom is configured to direct fluid to its drain hole.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Inventor: Violeta C Aesquivel
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Patent number: 7097036Abstract: A cassette 5 with longitudinal and transverse dimensions similar to each other is housed in a cassette storing case which can prevent housing of a cassette into the housing case in an incorrect direction and identify a dedicated cassette storing case corresponding to a cassette, while assuring the function of preventing positional shift during stacking. The cassette storing case 1 includes an indicating portion 15 provided on the top surface 1a of the housing case. The indicating portion 15 has a protrusion-and-recess pattern, similar to a design on the cassette, which indicates a housing direction. The cassette storing case 1 further includes a stopper portion 17, provided on the bottom surface 1b of the housing case, for engaging with part 16 of the indicating portion 15 to regulate positional shift when housing cases are stacked with each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2003Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kiyoo Morita
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Patent number: 7051677Abstract: A livestock watering tank being used for receiving water for feeding livestock, the tank includes first and second sidewalls, a top, an upper rim wall and a bottom, the tank being formed of molded plastic to prevent corrosion. The tank includes a float valve for controlling the supply of water from the tank to the drinking tray. The tank is shaped so as to be nestable with another tank and includes a first pair of nesting members formed on the first sidewall of the tank, and a second pair of nesting members formed on the second sidewall of the tank, and the first and second pairs of nesting members each having nesting surfaces on their lower edges for engaging and resting on the upper rim wall of another tank in order to allow the tank to nest within another tank and to space the tops of the tanks apart a predetermined amount.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2004Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Freeland Industries, IncInventors: James L. Van Epps, II, Lynn Van Epps
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Patent number: 6814250Abstract: A food serving system for simultaneously holding a food article and a beverage. The food serving system includes a tray assembly including a container that has an interior for carrying a beverage and a plate for carrying a food article. The plate is releasably coupled to the container. The plate includes a bottom wall that has a hole extending through the plate. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bottom wall of the plate is removably inserted in the interior of the container for preventing the beverage in the interior of the container from escaping. The hole in the plate is in communication with the interior of the container. An end of a conduit is removably inserted in the hole in the plate for transporting the beverage in the interior of the container through the hole in the plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Inventor: Jon W. Madsen
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Patent number: 6733852Abstract: In a preferred construction, a food container includes: (i) a container base such as a serving planer, plate or howl having (a) a substantially planar central area, (b) a container base sidewall extending outwardly and upwardly from the central area having: (1) a recessed frustal tapered container base sealing area formed in the container base sidewall, and (2) a container base stop ridge adjacent the frustal tapered container base sealing area, and (c) an outwardly extending convex rim adjoining the container base stop ridge having an outer lip formed thereabout; and (ii) a resilient mating domed lid.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2001Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Georgia-Pacific CorporationInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Rebecca E. Whitmore, Jerome G. Dees
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Patent number: 6730004Abstract: A blow-moldable container, having a centrally located, generally tubular handle spanning a central recess has improved balance and ergonomics over existing blow-molded containers. Such a balanced container has great utility as a handheld freeweight, or as a container for pourable substances. An integrally molded base allows our container to be stood upright on end like a regular bottle. Products may be marketed in such containers under the premise that the consumer automatically acquires a freeweight by purchasing the product. The inclusion of fitably engageable contours on its top and bottom surfaces makes such a container stackable with others of its kind, for ease of packaging, shipping, and storage. A graduated set of handheld fillable freeweights may thus be compactly stored without a special rack. Since blow-molding offers great economy of production for sufficiently large numbers of containers, the average person will now be able to afford an entire graduated set of freeweights.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2001Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Inventor: Douglas Spriggs Selsam
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Publication number: 20030198714Abstract: Method for improved packing and cooling of produce. According to the present invention, baskets for the packing of fruit are provided with ventilation channels disposed upon a lower surface of the basket. Vent apertures communicate between the ventilation channels and the produce stored in the baskets. Upper vents are formed on four sides of an upper portion of the baskets. After packing the baskets with produce, they are loaded into trays. The trays may be provided with tray vents that align with the ventilation channels. Alternatively, the trays may be formed without tray vents to improve some cooling regimes. In this manner, entire pallets of produce-filled baskets, oriented in either the “X” or “Y” directions can be efficiently chilled by introducing a flow of cooling air into the baskets and thence through the produce packed inside, regardless of the orientation of the trays.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2001Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: Anthony Cadiente, William K. Sambrailo, Mark Sambrailo
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Patent number: 6631804Abstract: A displayable lighter package includes a display stand including a circular upper deck having an upper receiving cavity, a circular lower deck having a lower receiving cavity, and a central supporting shaft detachably supported between the upper deck and the lower deck in a rotatably movable manner. A lighter holder arrangement for securely holding at least a lighter on the display stand includes an upper holder and a lower holder fittedly disposed in the upper and lower receiving cavities respectively, wherein a plurality of upper holding slots are radially formed on the upper and lower holders respectively and adapted for securely supporting bottom portions of lighters on the upper and lower holders respectively. A stand base is detachably mounted underneath said lower deck for enabling said display stand in a rotatably movable manner. A cover is detachably sheltered the display stand for protecting the lighters mounted thereon.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Zreative Products, Inc.Inventor: Tommy Wong
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Patent number: 6629605Abstract: A plastic container includes an integral pour spout and an integral carrying handle. A separate stacking cap is attachable to the top of the container to facilitate the stacking of an additional container thereon. The stacking cap is removably lockable to the container by a tooth-and-recess connection, wherein the tooth is adapted to spring elastically into a recess.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2001Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Dr. Ing. Walter FrohnInventor: Walter Frohn
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Patent number: 6612451Abstract: A blow molded container having a multi-functional base which enables use of the container in both hot-fill operations and pasteurization/retort operations and enables efficient vertical stacking of like containers. To this end, a portion of the base is capable of flexing upwardly and/or downwardly in response to variations in pressures in a filled and sealed container. Structurally, the base has a discontinuous concave outer annular wall forming a discontinuous standing ring and an inner annular wall functioning as a flex panel. The inner annular wall connects outwardly to a plurality of radial webs extending at an elevation above the standing ring and connects inwardly to an anti-inverting, upwardly-projecting dome. Preferably, a shoulder extends radially inward on the inward facing side of the outer annular wall above a level of the standing ring to facilitate vertical stacking of containers having like bases.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.Inventors: John W. Tobias, Richard K. Ogg
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Patent number: 6612439Abstract: A can holder for supporting a smaller can on top of a larger can during shipping in a carton. The can holder fits closely within the raised lip around the cover of the larger can. The can holder has one, two, or three raised cylindrical rings are capable of holding the bottom of a smaller can within one of the rings. When the larger can, the can holder, and the smaller can are placed in a proper sized carton, the lid of the carton holds the smaller can in the ring on the can holder and prevents if from shifting during shipping.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Inventor: Norman Levine
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Publication number: 20030024844Abstract: A beverage tray has a floor with peripheral, upstanding side and end walls for holding a plurality of containers of beverage, for example in six-packs. The floor has a plurality of downwardly projecting detents on its bottom surface for cooperation with the tops of beverage containers in a sub-adjacent tray to impede free sliding movement of an upper tray over the beverage containers in a sub-adjacent tray to enable stable stacking of the trays, while at the same time enabling the upper tray to be slid over the cans in the lower tray to remove the upper tray from a stack of trays. The detents are rectilinear and present spaced, opposed, parallel, straight detents that define detent sets surrounding bottle top receiving areas. The upper edge of the side wall is smoothly sinusoidally curved to define spaced, alternating upper side wall sections and recessed areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Inventor: Roy Hammett
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Patent number: 6427864Abstract: A conventional lid for a drinking cup, a straw, and a ring-shaped container with an inner through-hole suitable for receiving the drinking straw are combined with the drinking cup. The straw is used to couple the container to the drinking cup by passing the straw trough the through-hole and through the cup's lid, such that the container is firmly anchored thereby. Thus, the condiment container is available to a user holding the cup without having to manage it as a separate item.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1999Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Inventor: Randy P. Asselin
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Patent number: 6371320Abstract: A portable workshop container assembly adapted to store tools and other articles a worker requires to perform various tasks at a workplace. The assembly includes three major components in stacked relation. The lower component is a wheeled bucket, the middle component is a tray nested in the bucket and provided with a rim, and the third component is a tool box that rests on the rim. Also provided is a latching mechanism having a latch which is pivoted by a toggle member to the upper end of the bucket and cooperates with a first catch element mounted at the bottom of the tool box and a second catch element mounted on the rim of the tray. When the tool box rests on the rim, the first and second catch elements are then adjacent each other. In one mode of operation, the latch simultaneously engages the first and second latch elements to interlock all three components to form a unitary assembly that can be wheeled to the work place.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2001Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Keter Plastic Ltd.Inventor: Sami Sagol
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Publication number: 20020023856Abstract: A plastic container includes an integral pour spout and an integral carrying handle. A separate stacking cap is attachable to the top of the container to facilitate the stacking of an additional container thereon. The stacking cap is removably lockable to the container by a tooth-and-recess connection, wherein the tooth is adapted to spring elastically into a recess.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2001Publication date: February 28, 2002Inventor: Walter Frohn
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Patent number: 6312364Abstract: A blow-moldable container, having a centrally located, generally tubular handle spanning a central recess has improved balance and ergonomics over existing blow-molded containers. Such a balanced container has great utility as a handheld freeweight, or as a container for pourable substances. An integrally molded base allows our container to be stood upright on end like a regular bottle. Products may be marketed in such containers under the premise that the consumer automatically acquires a freeweight by purchasing the product. The inclusion of fitably engageable contours on its top and bottom surfaces makes such a container stackable with others of its kind, for ease of packaging, shipping, and storage. A graduated set of handheld fillable freeweights may thus be compactly stored without a special rack. Since blow-molding offers great economy of production for sufficiently large numbers of containers, the average person will now be able to afford an entire graduated set of freeweights.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1998Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Inventor: Douglas Spriggs Selsam
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Patent number: 6302291Abstract: A lightweight shipping device for handling and storing unwieldy, heavy containers such as beer barrels. The device includes a cavity in a stable base that accepts a plurality of popular sizes of beer barrels. The device is made of a lightweight but strong plastic material and includes handles molded into the side to assist in lifting the device when loaded with a barrel. When the device is not needed for storing or lifting a barrel, it can be placed over the barrel. An aperture through the center provides access for a tap, and cupholders along the surface permit the device, when placed over the barrel, to serve as a table.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2000Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Inventor: Paul McCleerey
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Patent number: 6279770Abstract: A tray adapted to rest on bottles and also to receive bottles in cups in the upper side of the tray, several trays adapted to be stacked with intermediate trays, each cup thereby comprising a central flange ring having a vertical flange, the lower edge of which being adapted to rest on the supporter ring on a bottle standing on a lower tray, in such a way that the weight of the tray above, including bottles, is transferred to the bottles standing in a lower tray and further to this tray through the supporter ring.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1997Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Inventors: Georg Osbakk, Bjarne Lerum
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Patent number: 6196406Abstract: A two-part container having upper and lower parts, each part being usable to house a product suitable for use with the product housed in the other part but which is stored separately. Each part has a top portion with a sealable aperture which is opened to access the product. The parts of the container are releasably secured together, the top portions overlying one another to protect the apertures from accidental puncturing. For example, the two-part container may be used for a soap powder or washing material stored in one part and a fabric softener or conditioner stored in the other part; a yogurt, fromage frais or soft ice-cream stored in one part and nuts, fruit or a biscuit crumb stored in the other part; and a cereal, cereal clusters or muesli stored in one part and milk in the other part.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: High Meadow Patents LimitedInventor: Declan Joseph Ennis
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Patent number: 6168039Abstract: A container for dispensing a product is provided. The container is a generally parallelepiped container including two lateral, opposite side panels and two longitudinal, opposite side panels. Each side panel is interconnected with adjacent side panels, and each side panel has a lower and an upper edge. The container further includes a bottom panel extending from and interconnects the lower edges of each of the lateral and longitudinal side panels. A top panel extends from and interconnects the upper edges of each of the lateral and longitudinal side panels. A dispensing neck extends generally upwardly from the top panel proximate to a corner formed by an intersection of the top panel with two adjacent side panels. A cover member is removably disposed over an open end of the dispensing neck. The bottom panel has a recessed area which is generally aligned with the dispensing neck.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1999Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: First Preference Products Corp.Inventor: William E. Schwaikert
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Patent number: 6073757Abstract: A container arrangement for contact lenses and solution therefor includes a lens case having receptacles for storing contact lenses in contact lens solution. A bottle is provided for containing the contact lens solution. A bottle is provided for containing the contact lens solution and a cavity integrally formed into a bottom of the bottle is provided for receiving and holding the contact lens case within confines of a bottle bottom perimeter and in an orientation providing upright level storage of the contact lenses.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: AllerganInventors: Joseph M. Kornick, J. Tirso Olivares
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Patent number: 6074676Abstract: Method for improved packing and cooling of produce by improving the flow of ventilation air to the produce, and apparatus to practice the method. According to the present invention, baskets for the packing of fruit are provided with ventilation channels disposed upon a lower surface of the basket. Vent apertures communicate between the ventilation channels and the produce stored in the baskets. After packing the baskets with produce, they are loaded into trays. The trays may be provided with tray vents which align with the ventilation channels. Alternatively, the trays may be formed without tray vents to improve some cooling regimes. In this manner, entire pallets of produce-filled baskets can be efficiently chilled by introducing a flow of cooling air into the baskets and thence through the produce packed inside.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Plexiform CompanyInventors: Anthony Cadiente, William Sambrailo, Mark Sambrailo
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Patent number: 6007854Abstract: Method for improved packing and cooling of produce by improving the flow of ventilation air to the produce, and apparatus to practice the method. According to the present invention, baskets for the packing of fruit are provided with ventilation channels disposed upon a lower surface of the basket. Vent apertures communicate between the ventilation channels and the produce stored in the baskets. After packing the baskets with produce, they are loaded into trays. The trays may be provided with tray vents which align with the ventilation channels. Alternatively, the trays may be formed without tray vents to improve some cooling regimes. In this manner, entire pallets of produce-filled baskets can be efficiently chilled by introducing a flow of cooling air into the baskets and thence through the produce packed inside.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1998Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Plexiform CompanyInventors: Anthony Cadiente, William Sambrailo, Mark Sambrailo
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Patent number: 5890595Abstract: A food-service kit and method includes a plurality of similar or diverse-type containers wherein the containers may be coupled together in various configurations to form toy-like assemblies. The respective containers include compatible projection and socket configurations so that they may be joined together as building blocks in order to create the toy-like devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1997Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventor: William S Credle, Jr.
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Patent number: 5876776Abstract: A food-service kit and method includes a plurality of similar or diverse-type containers wherein the containers may be coupled together in various configurations to form toy-like assemblies. The respective containers include compatible projection and socket configurations so that they may be joined together as building blocks in order to create the toy-like devices.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1996Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventor: William S Credle, Jr.
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Patent number: 5799792Abstract: A nestable and stackable storage unit including a lid and container is disclosed. The container comprises a base having an upwardly extending wall. The lid is a substantially planar member having top and bottom surfaces and peripheral edge. The lid can be connected to the top of container by locating a head on the rim into a groove located on the bottom surface of the lid. The lid can be connected to the bottom of the container by pressing the lid onto the base which also includes a head. The units can be stored by locating each lid on the base of the container, and nesting the units within one another. Each lid includes a ridge and recess on its top surface for allowing stacking of the same or different size containers upon one another.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1997Date of Patent: September 1, 1998Inventor: Rolin L. Abrums
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Patent number: 5743423Abstract: The package comprises a container made of resilient molded plastic that contains an impression and lid. The impression is located in the bottom of the container. The impression comprises two concentric cylindrically shaped tubes, a ring that connects the tubes and a closure. The lower tube has a larger diameter. This lower tube is attached to a ring along the ring's outside edge. The inner edge of the ring is attached to the upper, smaller-diameter tube. The tubes are identical to the diameters of two sizes of bottle caps. Bottles with caps can then be inserted into the tube. The invention then holds the container on top of the bottle. The lid of the container is removable and reattachable and forms an air-tight seal.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1997Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Inventor: Richard E. Franco
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Patent number: 5740914Abstract: Containers of two different capacities can be stacked on a closure which can be used with either container. The closure has a top panel with an inner stacking area contoured to receive and provide stability to a container having a bottom of one diameter, and an outer stacking area contoured to alternatively receive and provide stability to a larger container having a bottom of a different, larger, diameter.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1996Date of Patent: April 21, 1998Assignee: Anchor Hocking Packaging Co.Inventor: James M. Herzog
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Patent number: 5722558Abstract: A container lid, adapted for use with a cold or hot drink, is provided with a condiment reservoir built into the lid. An orifice for drinking a liquid in the container is provided on one side of a planar surface forming the lid and an open top recess, forming the condiment reservoir, is provided on the other side. Closed side walls and a bottom extending down toward the container serve to form the reservoir. The condiment can be carried directly in the reservoir or in a condiment holder, such as a packet or cup, placed in the reservoir. The side walls extend at an acute angle from the planar surface to allow multiple lids to nest together prior to use. A mating groove and annular projection in the recess and on a cup, respectively, serves as a snap fit interlock system to hold the cup in place. The side walls of the recess include a semicircular wall and a diagonal wall connecting the ends to form the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1997Date of Patent: March 3, 1998Assignee: Sadler Inventions, Inc.Inventor: Troy N. Thompson
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Patent number: 5709304Abstract: A food-service kit and method includes a plurality of similar or diverse-type containers wherein the containers may be coupled together in various configurations to form toy-like assemblies. The respective containers include compatible projection and socket configurations so that they may be joined together as building blocks in order to create the toy-like devices.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1996Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventor: William S. Credle, Jr.
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Patent number: 5706965Abstract: A housing assembly includes a high-profile basic unit and low-profile expansion unit. The basic unit has a recessed portion on its upper surface and a pair of grooves respectively extending vertically along its opposite sidewalls. A pair of connecting members equal in length to the grooves of the basic unit are normally received into these grooves. The expansion unit is formed on its bottom surface with a base portion and a pair of grooves respectively extending vertically along its opposite sidewalls. The base portion of the expansion unit is engageable into the recessed portion of the basic unit. The grooves of both basic and expansion units have an equal width. A pair of vanity members equal in length to the grooves of the expansion unit are normally fitted into these grooves.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1996Date of Patent: January 13, 1998Assignee: NEC CorporationInventors: Tomoyuki Honma, Kazuhisa Yoshizawa
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Patent number: 5704378Abstract: A cosmetics compact includes a housing for receiving an insert for covering a removable tray contained within the housing. The covering is, preferably, pivotally connected to the housing by way of an articulation. The cover is retained in a closed, preferably, by latches. The latches of the cover are released by a presser element contained, or guided, within the housing which cooperates with the latches of the covering. An insert having a pin is held at its ends by receivers, or depressions, in the housing. The insert is over-reached by a longitudinally-slotted sleeve which is an integral part of the covering. The covering also includes a latching lug which latches into a window of the insert and cooperates with an unlocking surface of a presser element for unlocking, or opening, the cover. The insert holds the tray firmly and also serves to secure the presser element and to lock the cover.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1997Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Assignee: Wilheim Koopmann KGInventor: Dietrich W. Machelett
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Patent number: 5692617Abstract: The present invention is a storable system of containers. Structurally, the present invention includes a series of vessels and corresponding covers. Each vessel is partially insertable into another vessel to configure the vessels as a vessel stack. Each cover is attachable to another cover to configure the covers as a cover stack. The cover stack and vessel stack are attachable to form a storage stack. An individual container is removable from the storage stack by removing a single vessel and the corresponding cover.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1996Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Inventor: Kathleen Adams
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Patent number: 5676251Abstract: A food-service kit and method includes a plurality of similar or diverse-type containers wherein the containers may be coupled together in various configurations to form toy-like assemblies. The respective containers include compatible projection and socket configurations so that they may be joined together as building blocks in order to create the toy-like devices.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1996Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventor: William S. Credle, Jr.
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Patent number: 5617953Abstract: A stack of containers is formed from a container system. The system includes a plurality of open-topped containers each adapted to be selectively stackable or nestable with like containers. First containers are of relatively large plan. Second containers are of smaller plan. Thus, large containers can stack or nest with large containers. Small containers can stack or nest with small containers. Additionally, small containers are adapted to allow two smaller containers to form a layer in the stack which includes at least one larger container. The smaller containers are supported at the edges of the large container and reach toward the middle, where they engage one another to form a locked cantilever-style bridge.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1995Date of Patent: April 8, 1997Assignee: McKechnie UK LimitedInventor: Andrew C. Cope
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Patent number: 5586656Abstract: A nestable and stackable storage unit including a lid and container is disclosed. The container comprises a base having an upwardly extending wall. The lid is a substantially planar member having top and bottom surfaces and peripheral edge. The lid can be connected to the top of container by pressing a rim located on the wall into a first groove located on the bottom surface of the lid. The lid can be connected to the bottom of the container by pressing a lip located on the base of the container into a second groove located on the bottom surface of the lid. The units can be stored by locating each lid on the base of the container, and nesting the units within one another. Each lid includes a ridge and recess on its top surface for allowing stacking of the same or different size containers upon one another.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1995Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Inventor: Rolin L. Abrums
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Patent number: 5421477Abstract: A bottle carrier case for transporting bottles of beverage having locating means on the bottom of the case for stably stacking the case and having openings provided in the concavities for easily removing the case from overlying bottles.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1994Date of Patent: June 6, 1995Assignee: International Container Systems, INc.Inventor: Roy Hammett
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Patent number: 5409126Abstract: A storage container which includes a base within which is defined a storage compartment. A lid is to be connectable with the base closing the storage compartment to the ambient. The lid is bulbous so that relative to the storage compartment it can be located in a concave position decreasing the size of the storage compartment or a convex position increasing the size of the storage compartment. This reversibility of the lid can be achieved by constructing the lid so as to actually be physically reversible or also by having the lid to be physically deflectable from the convex position to the concave position.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1993Date of Patent: April 25, 1995Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
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Patent number: 5407567Abstract: A swimming pool treatment device for simultaneous introduction of at least two separately stored chemicals into the water of a swimming pool has an enclosed, selectively openable first hollow body portion for containing and dispensing a first chemical into the swimming pool water. At least a second enclosed, selectively openable hollow body portion is included for containing and dispensing at least a second chemical into the swimming pool water. The first hollow body portion and the at least a second hollow body portion are selectively detachably interengaged with one another. The first hollow body portion and the at least a second hollow body portion are selectively detachably interengaged with one another, to thereby provide a way to simultaneously introduce at least two separately stored chemicals into the water of the swimming pool.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1993Date of Patent: April 18, 1995Inventor: Harry W. Newhard
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Patent number: 5356031Abstract: A device for supporting printing paper for the printers of computers and computer terminals, the printing paper being present in the form of a stacked continuous paper web. The device includes an upwardly open box having a flat bottom part and upstanding side walls, the latter being removable from the bottom part, the bottom part being flat and rectangular and provided along two mutually opposing side edges with centrally positioned, longitudinally extending projections of which each extend from a respective side edge through a distance which corresponds to the thickness of the upstanding walls, and which projections are intended to directly support two of the vertical side walls which in turn support the other two vertical side walls.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1993Date of Patent: October 18, 1994Inventor: Bjorn Jondelius
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Patent number: 5335771Abstract: A system for storing integrated circuits in a stacked relationship comprising integrated circuit storage trays and spacer trays. Each integrated circuit storage tray has a storage pocket area for containing an integrated circuit. When portions of the integrated circuit protrude beyond the overall profile of the storage tray, a spacer tray can be interposed between adjacent storage trays. The spacer tray elevates an adjacent storage tray to clear the protruding portions of the integrated circuit. The spacer tray also includes tabs or other structures for overlying portions of each integrated circuit in an adjacent storage tray thereby to retain the integrated circuits within the storage tray.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1993Date of Patent: August 9, 1994Assignee: R. H. Murphy Company, Inc.Inventor: Robert H. Murphy
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Patent number: 5270772Abstract: In order to reduce the amount of time and labor normally necessary for delivery of a large-sized image-forming apparatus, the apparatus is constructed with a body formed of divided blocks, each of which has a height which is less than each of the width, the depth and the height of the assembled body. The divided blocks are connected with each other such that they are vertically separable. In addition, the respective divided blocks are provided with handles for carrying them with the height dimension thereof oriented horizontally.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1992Date of Patent: December 14, 1993Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kazunori Akiyama
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Patent number: 5267663Abstract: A collapsible shipping container formed on a supporting pallet and made up of a base and cover tray, separator members and rectilinear partition tubes, all made of sheet material such as corrugated paper. The separator members are made up of a pair of trays fixed to each other to form a cover for a lower layer of partition members and a receiving tray for an upper layer of partition members. All of the sheet material elements are foldable for stacking in a folded condition in the order in which they are used for movement as a unit to the packing area where packing is accomplished by removing layers of the folded components in the order of which they are used to erect an interlocked shipping container in which the various layers of material resist shifting relative to each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1992Date of Patent: December 7, 1993Inventor: Howard J. Dykhouse
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Patent number: 5147044Abstract: A stackable container has an open top and a substantially open front defined by a flange, with a transparent cover securable over the front opening to allow viewing of the contents of the container. The container has a removable lid with formed structures for stacking additional containers thereon, with the cover hinged from the lid. The container also has strengthening ribs which are incorporated in the sides and back of the container, with the ribs providing complementary recesses for nesting the containers when empty.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1991Date of Patent: September 15, 1992Assignee: Tucker Housewares, Inc.Inventor: Frank J. DiSesa, Jr.
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Patent number: 5117979Abstract: The subject invention comprises a tool tray having top and bottom surfaces, with side walls extending upwardly from the bottom surface to the top surface. An intermediately disposed handle extends upwardly between the side walls of the tray, and has a horizontal gripping portion and supportive end portions. A profile passageway is also provided to extend through the bottom surface of the tray in communication with the hand opening, whereby upon stacking positionment of the bottom surface of one of the trays upon the top surface of a substantially like configured second tray, the handle gripping portion of the second tray projects through the profiled passageway of the first tray into close underlying proximity with the handle gripping portion of the first tray. So positioned, the handle gripping portions nest and can be simultaneously lifted from the confines of a toolbox in single handed fashion.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1991Date of Patent: June 2, 1992Assignee: Rubbermaid IncorporatedInventor: Keith Brightbill
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Patent number: 5060820Abstract: A plate capable of being grasped simultaneously along with a beverage container using just one hand. Attached to the bottom surface of the food bearing member of the plate is a member or members which, when deployed, enable the user to place the plate over a beverage container and grasp both the beverage container and the plate member with one hand, thus freeing the other hand for other tasks, such as manipulating the food or greeting.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1990Date of Patent: October 29, 1991Inventor: Gergory J. Boerner
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Patent number: 5050756Abstract: Parts receptacles adapted to the shape of the parts are used for receiving the latter. A plurality of parts receptacles are positioned in an intermediate frame, while several intermediate frames are positioned in a base frame. The connection of the parts, parts receptacles, intermediate frames and base frames to one another takes place in positve and/or non-positive manner. Through this subdivision of the apparatus into the indicated components, flexible adaptation to material flow functions in plants and equipment is possible, independently of whether handling of the parts takes place manually, semi-automatically or fully automatically. An additional frame for the base frame is used for stacker transportation purposes.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1990Date of Patent: September 24, 1991Assignee: Lista AGInventors: Uwe G. Tielker, Heinz-Georg Pater