Having Defined Means To Limit Extent Of Nesting Patents (Class 206/519)
  • Patent number: 5105948
    Abstract: A molded, stackable and nestable beverage can tray having tapered side walls and end walls, contoured window openings in both the side walls and end walls, and having contoured window openings in both side walls and end walls to snugly contain the cans is disclosed. The bottom length and width dimensions of the tray are less than the sum of the diameters of rows of can placed in the tray. Trays according to the invention have 3:2 length-to-width ratio for cross-tying stacks, and have a tray bottom design having generally diamond-shaped standoffs projecting downwardly from the bottom of the tray to lock onto the tops of the cans contained in the tray immediately beneath the can tray. The trays include can bottom seating rings capable of receiving and centering cans having a range of the bottom diameter dimensions. Trays according to the invention have side walls and end walls which are tapered at an angle of preferably 10.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Piper Casepro
    Inventors: Peter M. Morris, Robert C. Allabaugh
  • Patent number: 5105947
    Abstract: A two-piece plastic container for handling and storing large quantities of bulk material such as food products comprises a unitary molded plastic liquid-tight single wall tank having a bottom wall and four upwardly extending side walls, and a replaceable pallet base mounted to the tank for supporting the tank and for providing spaces for entry of tines of a forklift truck or a pallet jack. The container is provided with gussets at the top of the walls of the container that support the lip, and is also provided with corner nesting stops located at each corner of the upper end of the container to facilitate nesting of containers. A lid fits over the container lip and has a skirt that is blended inwardly towards the lip so as not to catch on a lip or lid of an adjacent container. The lid also has recesses in its top surface that facilitate the stacking of containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Plastech International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Wise
  • Patent number: 5096083
    Abstract: A polyethylene shipping drum especially suited for shipping hazardous materials is disclosed. The drum comprises a molded container and closure which are threadably connected to each other to form a seal therebetween. A thread lock is provided for the threaded connection between the container and closure. The container has a plurality of indentations in the side wall thereof to provide ledges for stacking the containers one inside the other in a stable, nested relationship. An annular rim is provided on the closure with an inclined annular surface for retaining the sealing gasket in a groove without adhesives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Essef Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Shaw, J. Tad Heyman, Laurence M. Bierce
  • Patent number: 5092479
    Abstract: A rigid one-piece merchandizing container made of synthetic plastic sheet is provided. The merchandizing container is suitable for storing food products such as sandwich type products within warming ovens useful in self-serve food store operations. The merchandizing container includes a sealing peripheral lip structure, an especially flexible hinge portion, and a locking assembly that ensures closure of the merchandizing container until the locking assembly is precisely manipulated through an unlocking procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Cindy M. Wells
  • Patent number: 5071008
    Abstract: A container (10) is capable of being stacked on or nested within a like container (10A). The container includes a bottom (14), with a front wall (11), a rear wall (12) and two side walls (13) extending upwardly from the bottom (14) to an upper rim (15) thereby forming the container (10) with an open top. The side walls (13) taper away from each other as they extend upwardly from the bottom (14) to the rim (15) and are each provided with outer depressions (20, 21) forming inner projections (22, 23). The top of each of the inner projections (22, 23) is formed as a ledge (32) which includes an upper step (33) and a lower step (34). A rib (35) extends upwardly from each lower step (34). Sockets (36) are formed in the bottom (14) and the socket (36A) of the like container (10A) is alignable with and receives the ribs (35) of the container (10) so that the containers (10, 10A) may be stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventor: John L. Hradisky
  • Patent number: 5058744
    Abstract: An improved synthetic resin dunnage element (10) for use in packaging and shipping of fluorescent tubes (76,78) is provided which is specifically designed to be of minimum fore and aft length while still providing maximum protection against tube breakage. The support (10) is of integral, thermoformed construction and advantageously includes alternating upwarding and downwardly opening and diverging wall sections (68,70,70a) with the fowardmost downwardly opening section (70a) being of lesser width, greater radius and vertically lower in position than the associated rearward sections (70). In this fashion the forwardmost sections (79a) engage the fluorescent tube end caps (82) whereas the sections 70 engage the glass tube body. Provision of such specialized, different downwardly opening wall sections (70,70a) allows the support (10) to be manufactured using substantially less starting sheet material as compared with prior supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: The Lawrence Paper Company
    Inventor: David E. Creaden
  • Patent number: 5040682
    Abstract: A system for reconfigurating generally cylindrical, open-top containers that are formed from deformable metal utilizes a press to force bottom portions of upwardly opening, substantially cylindrical containers into a die to carry out drawing operations that alter bottom and side wall portions of the containers to elongate the containers and to provide the containers with tapered, fluted side portions that enable the reconfigured containers to be nested for empty shipment and storage in a minimum of space. As a part of the container reconfiguration process, each container is provided with a plurality of vertically extending "flutes" that extend along the side walls of the reconfigured containers, and with at least one ring-like formation that serves to enhance container strength, container stability and/or container handling characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Berwick Container Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Palisin, Jr., Raymond J. Keller
  • Patent number: 5035327
    Abstract: A receptacle adaptable for nested stacking which has a bottom and walls which cooperate to form an open-topped well having rounded corners defined by a first radius. The receptacle includes a plurality of stop structures for limiting depth of insertion of adjacent receptacles in a nested orientation, which stop structures are preferably located at the corners of the well and comprise an integrally formed depression and an associated shelf in each corner.The shelf is generally planar and generally horizontal and has a boundary adjacent the well which is defined by a second radius, larger than the first radius which defines the corners.The depression has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion preferably depends outwardly of the well substantially from the boundary of the shelf and extends beyond a vertical line intersecting the boundary. The first portion is pitched outward of the vertical line from the boundary of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: The Vollrath Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk E. Denzin, Robert E. Lull, Alan J. Schommer
  • Patent number: 5031774
    Abstract: A molded, stackable and nestable beverage can tray having tapered side walls and end walls, contoured window openings in both the side walls and end walls, and having contoured window openings in both the side walls and end walls to snugly contain the cans is disclosed. The bottom length and width dimensions of the tray are less than the sum of the diameters of rows of cans placed in the tray. Trays according to the invention have a 3:2 length-to-width ratio for cross-tying stacks, and have a tray bottom design having generally diamond-shaped standoffs projecting downwardly from the bottom of the tray to lock onto the tops of the cans contained in the tray immediately beneath the can tray. The trays include can bottom seating rings capable of receiving and centering cans having a range of bottom diameter dimensions. Trays according to the invention have side walls and end walls which are tapered at an angle of preferably 10.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Paper Casepro
    Inventors: Peter M. Morris, Robert C. Allabaugh
  • Patent number: 5029725
    Abstract: A flange assembly of a molded plastic container which is multi-sided. Each side terminates at its upper edge in the flange assembly and the flange assembly includes an inner support flange to which a closure may be bonded. Outwardly of the support flange is an upstanding shock absorbing bead which additionally functions to center the closure on the container. The bead includes an inner leg which is integrally connected to the support flange and an outer leg with the inner leg being joined to the outer leg by a deformable bight portion. When dropped on the side, the package formed of the closed container will have the shock of the impact of striking a surface, such as a floor, absorbed by the deformation of the bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Continental Can Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Roth
  • Patent number: 5016751
    Abstract: Fluorescent tube-supporting dunnage elements (10) are provided which are designed to ensure easy machine-dispensibility thereof by preventing complete nesting of a stack of interfitted supports (10). The supports (10) are integral, thermo-formed bodies presently a plurality of elongated, open-top, juxtaposed tube-receiving recesses (24) each presenting alternating, upwardly and downwardly opening and diverging wall sections (52,54) interconnected by short upright walls (56). The walls (56) are provided with outwardly extending, upwardly opening arcuate ridges (58) which prevent complete nesting of stacked supports (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Lawrence Paper Company
    Inventor: David E. Creaden
  • Patent number: 5012928
    Abstract: This invention relates to a resealable package for holding goods which may be perishable such as cheese. A tray is structured to hold the goods and a cover fits over the top of the tray to seal and reclose the package as goods are removed. The empty tray is stackable for shipment in nested fashion and includes a ledge to space the trays to facilitate separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Borden, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Proffitt, Dale S. Richardson
  • Patent number: 4998622
    Abstract: A plastic pail (23) and a plastic lid (22) are constructed at their rims so that the lid securely seals and catches in. Pockets to receive a carrying handle are part of a cylindrical ring (28) which surrounds the pail wall concentrically. This ring is drawn down arcuately at two diametrically opposite points (25), so that it is possible to grip and remove the lid (23) there, and a circular alignment of pails stacked nested without lids is simultaneously possible by this means.In a particular construction the recesses formed by the arcuately down-drawn parts of the ring are covered by tear-off bridges (40) which are fastened to the ring radially outside the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Inventor: Alfred Drack
  • Patent number: 4993577
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a microwave container comprising a receptacle having a foodstuff hermetically sealed therein by means of a metal lid and a collar which is of annular configuration and adapted to located over the rim of the receptacle when the hermetically sealed lid is removed therefrom, the collar being provided with a means whereby, in use, any edge of the metal lid remaining after removal is shielded from microwave radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: General Foods Limited
    Inventors: Christopher J. Griffin, David W. Helps, Gerard M. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 4969813
    Abstract: A nestable plastic trash container having integrally bonded upper and lower plastic lifter bar members for automated dumping operation by conventional semi-automatic dumping apparatus is fabricated by initially preforming the lifter bar members by blow molding, inserting the preformed lifter bar members into respective recesses in another blow mold apparatus for forming the main body of the container, and then blow molding the main container body while simultaneously bonding it to the preformed lifter bar members. The insert-receiving recesses of the container body blow mold apparatus and the preformed lifter bar members respectively have compatible end-to-end convex arcuate surfaces which abut in sealing relation during the blow molding of the container body to prevent escape of the plastic material into the insert-receiving recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Zarn, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman C. Lee, Thomas E. Douglas
  • Patent number: 4967908
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting articles comprising a transporting well having a generally planar polygonal bottom and a plurality of walls, each of which walls being joined substantially at its upper extremity by a substantially rigid bead structure which defines a peripheral channel adjacent the plurality of walls outboard of the well. The channel is bounded by the plurality of walls, by a web extending substantially from the upper extremities of the walls, and by a skirt depending from the web. The skirt extends a greater distance from the web in the vicinity of the corners of the well than elsewhere. The apparatus includes a channel-filling structure substantially at the center of each section of longer skirt length for precluding jamming during stacking, and stand-off ridges on the outboard side of each wall for limiting the expanse of contact area between the walls and abutting planar surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: The Vollrath Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William I. Kessler
  • Patent number: 4936448
    Abstract: A bowl for storing tubing such as a catheter is provided. The bowl includes a bottom wall and a side wall having an inner surface formed integrally with the bottom wall. The side wall extends generally perpendicularly from the bottom wall. An inwardly extending retaining member is integrally provided on the inner surface of the side wall to retain the catheter in the bowl. In a preferred embodiment, the bowl is nestable with similar bowls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Vollrath Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Joan Holloway
  • Patent number: 4909393
    Abstract: A system for reconfiguring generally cylindrical, open-top containers that are formed from deformable metal utilizes a press to force bottom portions of a container into a die to carry out a drawing operation that alters bottom and side wall portions of the containers to elongate the containers and to provide the containers with tapered, fluted side portions that enable the reconfigured containers to be nested for empty shipment and storage in a minimum of space. As containers are reconfigured, the decrease that results in fluid-carrying capacity as side wall portions are fluted and folded inwardly is compensated for, at least in large part, by elongating the containers as by folding peripheral portions of their bottom walls upwardly to serve as extensions of their side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Berwick Container Corp.
    Inventor: Stephen P. Palisin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4905833
    Abstract: A nestable and stackable container is provided with the bottom, end walls and side walls fixedly secured to each other to form a unitary structure. The container further comprises a plurality of alternately inwardly and outwardly offset portions on the side walls extending upwardly from the bottom, the inwardly offset portions each having a generally horizontal shoulder defining its upper edge. A stacking shelf is mounted on each side wall for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the side wall at a location below and outwardly of the wall from the shoulder. The stacking shelf is pivotal about the axis, between a stacking position wherein the shelf overlies and projects inwardly of the shoulder, and a nesting position wherein the shelf is inclined upwardly and outwardly of the shoulder. A stacking rail is formed at the bottom of each opposed side wall, with the rail being receivable in a recess formed in the stacking shelf when the shelf is in its stacking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Pinckney Molded Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Elsmer W. Kreeger, Robert V. Cheeseman
  • Patent number: 4886184
    Abstract: A plastic container lid is formed by injection molding and comprises a sheet-like main body portion with a downwardly-open hollow upwardly-extending annular projection extending around the periphery of the body portion, the annular projection having an inner wall extending upwardly from the periphery of the body portion, a top wall extending radially outwardly from the top of the inner wall and an outer wall extending downwardly from the outer periphery of the top wall, with the inner and outer walls being substantially equal in height. An annular skirt portion which extends outwardly from the lower end of the outer wall and curves to extend downwardly to a lower annular edge. The skirt portion has an internal annular rib extending around and projecting inwardly from the inner surface of the skirt portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: Hamelin Group Inc.
    Inventor: Arto Chamourian
  • Patent number: 4883188
    Abstract: According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method and apparatus for forming base cups for plastic bottles is disclosed wherein a hollow body is blow molded and then cut in half to form two base cups. The side wall of the body is molded with a pair of outwardly extending projections such that when stacking a plurality of base cups, the projection of one cup engages the top lip of the adjacent lower cup thereby making denesting of the top easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Barth
  • Patent number: 4880126
    Abstract: A cup-shaped bottle base is provided with four upright, circumferentially spaced apart centrally projecting flanges that have downwardly and centrally inclined upper edges which act as ramps or skids to prevent the lower end of a similar base from becoming jammed inside it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Inventor: Dennis C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4877151
    Abstract: A thin walled, plastic, disposable lid is provided having a generally circular closure wall including an integral peripheral skirt depending from the rim portion thereof. The closure wall is divided into a central portion and an annular outer portion with the annular outer portion lying in a plane below that of the central portion. The two portions are connected by way of a U-shaped recess which has a bottom wall lying in a plane below that of the annular outer portion. A plurality of lug members extend downwardly from the bottom wall and are positioned at predetermined segments of the bottom wall. The lug members also extend downwardly a predesigned distance so as to position the bottom wall of the recess of a first lid in a stack coplanar with the central portion of the lid on which the first lid rests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Rush, Phillip D. Scalvini, Reinhold Gerber
  • Patent number: 4867313
    Abstract: A cup for coffee, or similar drinks, formed of synthetic thermoplastics material comprises a portion (3, 3', 3") provided with a base (5, 5') and a shoulder (7) having a collar (8, 8') ending in a flare (14) at the top (9) of the cup, a portion (4, 4', 4") running from this top which is provided with a shoulder (11) which is, in turn, connected to a lower edge (13) by means of a section of wall (12, 12'), in which the shoulder (7) rests at least partly on the flare (14) in a plane other than that which includes the top (9) of an identical cup placed beneath it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: I.S.A.P. SpA (Industrie Specializzate Articoli Plastici)
    Inventor: Pietro Padovani
  • Patent number: 4863094
    Abstract: A nestable, two-part tray including a lower part having tapered side walls and a bottom made of waterproof material, having an open top surrounded by a shoulder and having a vertically standing rim connected to the outer extremity of the shoulder, the second part of the tray being a flat element such as corrugated cardboard having dimensions such that it fits within the rim and has its edges resting on the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Inventors: Marvin D. Morrow, Michael S. Bisbiglia
  • Patent number: 4852738
    Abstract: A disposable dental tray includes a disposable tray body defining four utility compartments. Three of the utility compartments are disposed along a first side of the tray body, the fourth utility compartment being disposed along a second side of the tray body. All four of the utility compartments have relatively flat bases and are defined by integrally formed ridges extending upwardly from the compartment bases. Each compartment is surrounded by a defining ridge, interior defining ridges being offset from each other so that no interior ridge extends completely across the tray. The tray body further includes an instrument compartment defined by an encircling ridge extending upwardly from the base of the instrument compartment. The instrument compartment has integrally formed therein a series of grooves for holding dental instruments, which grooves are elevated above the base of the instrument compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: HealthPak, Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Craig, Brian L. Wilt
  • Patent number: 4848580
    Abstract: A container for handling and storing large quantities of bulk material such as food products, comprises a unitary molded plastic liquid-tight single wall tank or tub having a bottom and four upwardly extending walls, corner nesting stops located at each corner at the upper end of the container, a lip along the upper edges of the walls, and gussets at the top of the walls supporting the lip. A lid fits over the container lip and has a skirt that is blended inwardly toward the lip so as not to catch on a lip or lid of an adjacent container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Plastech International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Wise
  • Patent number: 4832212
    Abstract: The invention is a stackable and stable, disposable drinking cup which, by virtue of a base wider than its top, and by virtue of an inner ridge upon the wall of the inverted cone which forms the base, provides for resistance to tipping and the ability to stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventor: Clifford Askinazi
  • Patent number: 4832202
    Abstract: A nestable container which is constructed so that when formed into a stack the ribs formed in the outer surface of one container rest on an inner shoulder of the container below it in the stack, the angle of inclination of the ribs being the same as the angle of inclination of the inner surface of the side wall portion which it abuts of the container below it in the stack, and the outer surface of one container adjacent to the base engaging the inner surface of the side wall portion of the container below it in the stack to form a powder seal. The cups when nested together to form a stack are freely rotatable one inside the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: General Foods Limited
    Inventors: Alec T. Newman, David Rhodes, Bryan C. Lack
  • Patent number: 4828112
    Abstract: A metal transport pan having front, rear and end side walls extending downwardly with a slight inward taper and which are joined at curved corners, the lower parts of which have a similar taper and a top flange extending outwardly from the top of the side walls. Each of the curved corners has a nontapered section extending downwardly from the top flange generally at a right angle thereto to provide an outwardly protruding ridge whereby the spaced-apart ridges define a plurality of nesting surfaces for engagement with the top flange of a subjacent pan to limit the extent to which one pan may nest into the other and prevent contact between the side walls of the nested pans to maintain the stacked pans in nonjamming relation. The nontapered sections of the curved corners are formed at the same time as a conventional pan-forming draw is being performed in order to avoid any additional manufacturing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Polar Ware Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Vollrath, Christopher R. Vollrath
  • Patent number: 4823952
    Abstract: A front cover is provided with an open area to accommodate visual displays, keyboards, switches, joy sticks and the like. A back cover, nestingly interfitting therewith, is closed, but provided with a recess, encompassing most of its back area. One or more identical nesting interfitting intermediate frames may be nested and stacked between the back cover and the front cover to form a package of any desired volume. The frames, back cover, and front cover are provided with means for mounting functional elements such as electrical circuit boards. The front cover and intermediate frames are provided with peripheral circumferential ribs. These ribs, and the slots therebetween, provide for a great variety of ways to mount the package, as does the rear recess in the back plate. The front cover may be identical or nearly identical to the intermediate frames. Functional elements may be mounted to the covers and frames during manufacture such that the covers and frames act as protective carriers during manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Termiflex Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Fletcher, Charles M. Ault, Dennis O. Sawyer
  • Patent number: 4817801
    Abstract: A two-piece package for paper baking cups of conventional manufacture includes a plastic container having a base provided by a planar annular section with outer circumference and a recessed, circular inner portion and a shaped sidewall extending generally axially from the base outer circumference. The planar annular section which is at least 1/8 and preferably about 1/4 inch in radial width strengthens the base. The sidewall includes a first frustoconical portion having a height 80% or less and preferably 2/3 or less than the nominal height of paper baking cups received in the container. The sidewall further includes a circumferential lip at the mouth. A cover is provided with a plurality of regularly spaced indentations which are sharply radiused to mechanically engage with the lip of the container. Both the container and cover are provided with denesting structures for automated handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventor: William E. Schwaikert
  • Patent number: 4811860
    Abstract: A straw is combined with a cup or cup lid to form a nestable and disposable liquid refreshment receptacle or cover therefor. The straw and cup or cup lid are integrally molded to form a one-piece member therefore do not require separate dispensing or subsequent assembly. The straw/lid and straw/cup combinations are made nestable for high density distribution and storage as required for high volume or fast food applications. The straw/lid includes a dual-taper upper drinking extension and a single taper lower liquid engaging member. A recess is formed between cylindrical walls forming the drinking extension into which the drinking extension of an adjacent straw/lid is matingly received or nested during stacking. Further, respective lower liquid engaging members are received with one-another to permit nesting. In similar manner the straw/cups are nestable. Each cup defines a longitudinal recess along its outer side to receive the integrally formed straw of an adjacent cup during stacking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: SCCS, Incorporated
    Inventors: Carl C. Sorenson, Scott W. Clausen
  • Patent number: 4793516
    Abstract: A packaging container for a liquid and more specifically for coffee milk has a container proper having a bottom opening and a bottom cap to seal the bottom opening of the container proper after the container is filled. The container proper having a sectional shape suitable for stacking containers in each other, a top plane having a planar dimension and shape suitable for supporting the container stably when it is turned upside down and being provided with a pouring opening having a lid with hinge action given by a light-gage hinge portion formed at one end of the lid. The lid having a vertical flange at the inside face, whose lower end is connected integrally with a peripheral edge of the pouring opening with an easily broken light-gage portion formed therebetween. The easily broken light-gage portion being provided by forming a score at a connecting portion and the deepest point of the score being positioned outwardly of an outside face of the vertical flange of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Kishimoto Sangyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Niwa, Mikio Ishimoto
  • Patent number: 4784282
    Abstract: A method of seaming a preformed end closure to a preformed container body of a drum or the like for forming a seam of reduced radial projection relative to the sidewall of the container body. At the start of seaming the end closure is in driving engagement with a rotating chuck and flanges of the end closure and container body are in overlying relation. The skirt of the end closure is radially spaced from the sidewall of the chuck and driving engagement therebetween is effected in the annular curved connecting zone between the skirt and recessed transverse central portion of the end closure. The skirt flares from the central portion to the flange thereof and is preferably at least in part frustoconical or has an annular step. The sidewall of the container body is centered on the skirt of the end closure and is spaced a radial distance from the chuck sidewall substantially greater than the thickness of the sheet metal of the end closure of the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Gallay S.A.
    Inventors: Lucien F. Le Bret, Robert Saada
  • Patent number: 4756425
    Abstract: A plastic tank for handling and storing large quantities of bulk material such as cucumbers in brine comprises a molded plastic tank having a bottom and four upwardly extending walls, a lip along the upper edges of the four walls, the walls including corner nesting stops for facilitating nesting and unnesting of the tank in a similar tank by limiting the distance an upper nesting tank extends into a lower nesting tank, the walls further including gussets extending from the walls of the tank to the outer portion of the lip for supporting the lip at the top of the four walls and for guiding a tank being lowered next to an adjacent tank into proper position, an interference ear at each of the lower corners of the tank to protect against tanks jamming together when nesting, the bottom of the tank including three parallel downwardly extending, hollow runners forming support members for the tank, the runners extending across the bottom of the tank, spaces formed at the ends of the runners for entry of tines of a fo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Plastech International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Wise
  • Patent number: 4747510
    Abstract: A disposable plastic lid including a depending skirt formed with stacking, sealing and snap rings, and a pull tab at the lowermost edge of the skirt. The lid is formed such that the plastic is uniaxially oriented in a first direction and the tab is located to initiate a tear in a second direction transverse to the first direction. Tearing is also facilitated by notching the pull tab at either end thereof, and by providing a surface projection interrupting the snap ring in an area immediately adjacent the pull tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Fort Howard Cup Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony C. Mack
  • Patent number: 4718555
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a carrying tray and, more particularly, to a tray which securely holds hot and cold drink cups of various sizes, and is adaptable to hold other items. A plurality of gripping elements in a cup receiving cavity grip and retain a chime-bottomed cup. A flat-bottomed cup is stably supported on a platform in the cup receiving cavity. Various inserts may be selectively used to more stably retain tall cups or to retain other items, such as ice cream cones and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Fort Howard Cup Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher P. Amberg
  • Patent number: 4714164
    Abstract: A carton blank and method for forming a liquid-tight tapered container having a denesting tab. When the blank is folded and sealed to form an open-topped tapered container, a destacking tab is formed as a result of abhesion. The tab facilitates destacking a single container from a stack of like containers prior to their filling and final closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Nimco Corporation
    Inventor: George Bachner
  • Patent number: 4705172
    Abstract: An improved stackable lid design for placement onto a container by automated processing machinery is disclosed. The design includes an alignment notch extending into a rim portion of the lid. The notch serves to keep individual lids in a stack of such lids in proper rotational alignment. The notch also enables a user to properly orient a stack of such lids within the processing machinery. The notch can be sized to receive an end user's finger for effecting removal of the lid from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Gage Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Gage
  • Patent number: 4660734
    Abstract: A steam table pan having a reinforcing gusset in the flange corner segment that rigidifies the corner segment thereby better retaining the configuration of the corner segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: The Vollrath Company
    Inventors: Dennis J. Heaney, Wm. Bruce Reiter
  • Patent number: 4657141
    Abstract: A molded thin-walled hollow, stackable plastic product, having an open top, a closed bottom and side walls; wherein the side walls include a series of circumferential sections joined by circumferential strips, with the upper of two adjacent wall sections having a greater diameter than the lower adjacent wall section to thereby define a circumferential ridge at the bottom of each upper wall section. The circumferential strip joining a pair of the wall sections is a circumferential isthmus having an isthmus distance, which is the minimum distance between the mold parts defining the isthmus, that is significantly shorter than the predominant thickness of the adjacent wall sections. The isthmuses, which are aligned at an acute angle with respect to each of the joined wall sections, improve the rigidity of the molded thin-walled hollow product. The wall sections include a plurality of spaced protruding ridges extending between adjacent circumferential strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Primtec
    Inventor: Jens O. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 4648522
    Abstract: A barrel for holding, handling, or storing large quantities of bulk material such as meat and other food products features a seamless, one-piece plastic construction with integrally formed recessed handles for lifting or moving the barrel and integrally formed gussets to strengthen the barrel, and with nesting stop surfaces for nesting empty barrels, and with stacking surfaces and a lid for stacking filled barrels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Plastech International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Wise
  • Patent number: 4610351
    Abstract: A nestable vending-type cup of thermoplastic material comprised of a base having an integral peripheral upstanding wall which together with the base forms a liquid reservoir. The free end of the wall is turned over to form an outwardly and downwardly extending collar which extends circumjacent the upper part of the upwardly extending portion of the wall and is spaced therefrom. The collar is so constructed that when gripped by a user, it remains spaced from the upwardly extending portion of the wall. The collar is provided with strengthening features consisting of an outwardly and downwardly inclined shoulder and indents defined with vertical walls lying in radial planes to increase the rigidity of the collar. The construction of the cup provides a cup which is comfortably and easily held by the user when it contains hot beverages and which is also economic to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: General Foods Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert E. Coles, Alec T. Newman
  • Patent number: 4602715
    Abstract: A shipping container for electronic components includes first and second container portions. The second container portion is designed for engagement by the first container portion either as a lid or in nested configuration to minimize the vertical height of the two container portions for empty shipping and storage. The first container portion includes grooved interior side walls and partitions engageable in the grooves to reduce the interior size of the first container portion according to the dictates of the component to be shipped. The interior partitions include layers of resilient foam material which form fit to surface features of the component being shipped. The exterior of the first container portion is grooved to provide handgrips, and one pair of opposed walls of the first container portion extends below the level of the container floor to provide feet for stacking multiple containers, to add shock-absorbing capacity to the container, and to provide a recess within which to engage a hand truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: Aero Mayflower Transit Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul H. Sarver, Donald K. Sears, Gary A. Robbins
  • Patent number: 4572374
    Abstract: A four-walled, open-topped container having a lid is disclosed in which the lid is insertable into the container for storage along and against one wall of the container. The lid for the container is generally planar and has a trapezoidal shape and the four walls of the container are generally planar, are interconnected, and are joined to a bottom. A rim for engaging the lid is defined by the upper ends of the four walls. The rim is trapezoidal in shape to conform to the lid and has long and short parallel opposed sides and two converging opposed sides. The four walls converge inwardly from the rim to the bottom to a sufficient degree to permit a container to nest within a like container. In addition, the convergence of the walls which define the opposed converging sides of the rim is appropriate to permit the lid to be inserted into the container along and against the wall defining the long parallel side of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Inventor: Karl M. Sirotkin
  • Patent number: 4572373
    Abstract: A pileable cup provided with a lid, particularly intended for portioning medicine in solid state, consists of an outer wall conically tapering from an open bottom, the outer wall at an upper edge being folded into an inner wall conically tapering towards the open bottom, which inner wall merges into a closed bottom which is spaced apart from said open bottom inside the outer wall. The lid abuts adhesively but removeably against said upper edge and forms together with the inner wall and the closed bottom a space for the medicine. Inside the upper edge the lid is provided with an underlayer of a non-adhesive material. The lid preferably consists of a layer of white paper provided with an adhesive material and an underpaper which can be silicone-treated. Data of patients and kinds of medicine can easily and quickly be printed or otherwise marked on the lids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Inventor: Jan-Erik Johansson
  • Patent number: 4548348
    Abstract: A disposable cup assembly comprising an integral thermoplastic thin-walled liner having a sidewall of truncated substantially right circular conical shape and having a closed bottom wall, for receiving the beverage. The assembly also includes an integral thermoplastic thin-walled holder for receiving the liner with the holder also having a sidewall of substantially truncated right circular conical shape. The liner and holder include releasable interlocking means for retaining a liner in the holder. The sidewall of the liner has a greater angle of convergence with its axis than does the sidewall of the holder, to form a thermally insulative air pocket beneath the level of the interlocking means. Furthermore, the holder is symmetrical about any plane containing its longitudinal axis so that a plurality of the holders substantially fully telescopically nest in a stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: Solo Cup Company
    Inventor: Jack D. Clements
  • Patent number: 4544062
    Abstract: A magnetic recording tape cartridge comprising a spring plate member for rotatably supporting tape reels, with one or more projected members formed on one face of the spring plate so as to provide a gap between two spring plates when they are stacked to ensure to take the spring plate one by one from the stacked spring plates in a manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshimi Maehara
  • Patent number: RE33608
    Abstract: A molded thin-walled hollow, stackable plastic product, having an open top, a closed bottom and side walls; wherein the side walls include a series of circumferential sections joined by circumferential strips, with the upper of two adjacent wall sections having a greater diameter than the lower adjacent wall section to thereby define a circumferential ridge at the bottom of each upper wall section. The circumferential strip joining a pair of the wall sections is a circumferential isthmus having an isthmus distance, which is the minimum distance between the mold parts defining the isthmus, that is significantly shorter than the predominant thickness of the adjacent wall sections. The isthmuses, which are aligned at an acute angle with respect to each of the joined wall sections, improve the rigidity of the molded thin-walled hollow product. The wall sections include a plurality of spaced protruding ridges extending between adjacent circumferential strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Primtec
    Inventor: Jens O. Sorensen