Abstract: In a transportable display module for a plurality of containers, a base member supports a first layer of containers, and a plurality of layers each comprising a tier sheet alternate with a plurality of layers of containers. The tier sheets are identical, with a circumferential skirt surrounding each tier sheet. The top surface of each tier sheet includes an array of container bottom receiving recesses. The bottom surface includes an array of container top receiving recesses disposed concentric with the bottom receiving recesses. Each tier sheet has about its circumferential skirt an outwardly extending flange, and the module is surrounded by plastic film. The base member is a single piece including an upper portion having an additional one of the tier sheets, with a lower portion affixed thereto and including a plurality of supporting legs. Overlay sheets provide for loading other forms of containers, and a cap sheet enabling stacking of multiple modules is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns assemblies or displays of plastic bottle carriers. Bottle carriers are assembled for palletization or display on an assembly plate having upstanding prongs which fit into corresponding sockets in the base of adjacent bottle carriers. The prongs and sockets are such that when the assembly is subjected to lateral pressure, for example, by palletizing machinery each prong is gripped in its socket so that the bottle carriers and the plate are an assembled unit. Preferably when no under lateral pressure, the prongs are freely slidable in the socket.

Abstract: An electric hotplate has a hot plate body and plugging pieces for connection to connecting members of supply lines. A stacking aid is provided for receiving a plurality of hotplates in a multilayer stack, the stacking aid having pallet plates providing receptacles for receiving the plugging pieces of each single hotplate laterally outside of each single hotplate.

Abstract: A simple device for separating pans of food stored in a vertical array, preventing the contents of the pan below from contacting the bottom of the pan above. The pan stacking device is used two at a time along with conventional food storage pans as commonly found in the food preparation industry. The ends of the devices include preferably intermittent or staggered shoulders for fitting snugly to the flange rims of the pan below and the outer surface of the pan above, thereby maintaining the stacked pans in relatively sturdy, stable position. The preferred embodiment of the pan stacking device is adjustable so as to fit food storage pans and containers of various sizes.

Abstract: Sausages leaving a sausage-making machine as a string are arranged into groups suitable for packing by transferring them onto a conveyor belt, subsequently orienting them with their respective longitudinal axis extending obliquely with respect to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt and thereafter restraining the sausages to turn them to a transverse orientation relative to the conveying direction so they can be discharged in groups.

Abstract: A modular cooler that is made of individually insulated modular cooler compartment units that can be stacked together to make a custom sized cooler for any occasion needed. The basic unit is a cylindrical bottom container having specific interlocking structure on its top edge. A tubular compartment unit having mating interlocking structure on its bottom edge is detachably engaged with the interlocking structure of the bottom container unit. A locking ring surrounds both of these interlocking structures and by rotating it a short predetermined distance the two units can be locked together or unlocked. One form of locking ring has a solid central wall that forms it into a compartment divider. Additional units can be stacked together by using additional tubular compartment units and locking rings. A disc-shaped top cover has interlocking structure on its bottom edge. O-rings are positioned between the interlocking structures to make the adjacent compartment watertight and airtight.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking one computer control unit of a certain type on top of another computer control unit of the same type comprising a plurality of walls which are secured together to form a frame having a central opening. Each of the walls has an outer surface, an inner surface, a top side and a bottom side. Reinforcing members are secured to at least a plurality of the inner surfaces for adding strength to the open frame. The reinforcing members have a top surface and a bottom surface so that the open frame may be positioned over the top portion of one computer control unit so that the bottom surface contacts at least a portion of the one computer control unit and the other computer control unit may be positioned on the top surface of the reinforcing members. All of the components are formed from metal and are secured together in the desired relationship by welding.

Abstract: A nesting rim member mountable in circumscribing composite relation to the stacking end of a walled container. The rim includes an outer vertical flange portion which tapers inward from an upper edge to a nesting ledge. An inverted U-shaped channel portion beneath the nesting ledge extends over the container sidewalls which are recessed at their corners to receive pronged corner clips, if necessary. Each clip mates with the rim member when pressed onto the container walls. A U-shaped channel orthogonally projects inward of the container. The rim member may be extruded and pieced to the container walls or molded as a continuous ring.

Abstract: A separator holder structure for the quick loading of yarn would spools in dyeing machines, drying machines or other processing devices. The structure consists of a frame forming latticed tray which is divided internally into housings in each of which is secured, with the possibility of a limited vertical movement, a separator adapted to keep the yarn wound spools centered within the respective housing and to ensure hydraulic tightness between the vertically stacked elements in each column of spools when multiple structures are stacked. The possibility of movement of ht eseparators permits a quick stacking of the spools on horizontal layers, as the expedient allows the correct setting of separators, in individually loose manner, to ensure hydraulic tightness of same at the two ends of spools on which the yarn is wound.

Abstract: A stacker device for packages of a plurality of identical plastic or paper containers supported in a tray or box, for the purpose of providing compressive load-bearing capability of the package. The stacker is composed essentially of stiff sheet material laminated together into a unique structure which is collapsible for ease of storage and shipment and feeding into automated packaging equipment. It functions to impart load-bearing strength to the package and serves as a divider or partition for separating at least some of the containers.

Abstract: For the transportation-storage and assembly stacking of electric hotplates (2), a stacking air has pallet plates (10) to be arranged in superimposed manner in stacking layers and which can be directly stacked in one another for storage and which are in the form of deep drawn plastic plate parts with grid-distributed flat shells (19), which in each case projecting beyond the open side with the cooking surface (4) receive in centering manner the lower part of an electric hotplate (2) and are supported with respect to the cooking surfaces of the adjacent stacking layer by means of a slide preventing means (31), but are otherwise contact-free. Thus, on a support pallet and protected by a packing sleeve it is possible to stack a very large number of hotplates (2) in a stable manner, with the same orientation and therefore having good assembly access.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of packaging kiwifruit in packaging means formed or provided with one or more pockets therein, the method including locating at least one kiwifruit in at least one pocket, so that the longitudinal axis of the kiwifruit are substantially vertical or upright. In one form of the invention, the method uses packaging means in the form of a tray including a plurality of juxtaposed pockets, each pocket having at least one deformable nipple on the base thereof. The invention also provides packaging means for kiwifruit which include at least one pocket, the pocket being adapted to house at least one kiwifruit in a position such that the longitudinal axis thereof is substantially vertical or upright. In a preferred form of the invention, the packaging means is in the form of a tray incorporating a plurality of juxtaposed pockets. At least one pocket is provided with at least one deformable nipple on its base.

Abstract: A bracket for strenghtening a carton which has a bottom wall, side walls, an end flap and interior flaps, for holding the flaps and for supporting additional cartons in a stack of cartons, comprising a flange parallel to the bottom wall and a pair of members perpendicular to the bottom wall joined by the flange and extending substantially throughout the height of the carton to resist the bending and twisting of the carton. The members are each positioned to substantially enclose one of the corners of the carton and to abut an edge, perpendicular to the bottom wall, of one of the side walls and the end flap. Tabs are provided to align a stack and to lock the carton top closed.

Abstract: A stackable container assembly includes a plurality of equal diameter cylindrical containers. A connector for securing the containers in coaxial stacked relation includes first and second cylindrical side walls which intersect at a transverse circular partition. Circular undercut grooves are provided on each of the side walls and are dimensioned to frictionally engage top and bottom peripheral rims on the containers. The connector may form a removable lid for one of the containers and may be utilized to package snack food items for marketing.

Abstract: The present invention is a rack for shipping sun roof modules including a bottom wall having a width and length and an upstanding end wall at each end of the length of the bottom wall. A pair of laterally spaced channel members extend upwardly along each end wall and an insert extends longitudinally and having ends disposed within longitudinally opposed channel members and adapted to receive sun roof modules placed thereon. The insert includes means for allowing successive inserts to be stacked with a sun roof module contained therebetween.

Abstract: In combination with a carton stacked pallet, a collar is disclosed for indexing to an interstitial layer of cartons on the pallet for stabilizing the palletized stack of cartons above and below the collar both during and after palletization. The collar preferably consists of a continuous piece of corrugated board having a length corresponding to the circumference of the four sides of the palletized load to be enclosed. The corrugated board of the collar is folded and fitted to each of the four sides of the palletized cartons. A gusset member protrudes normally inward from each of the four collar sides for entrapment between the interstitial layers of the of cartons of the palletized load of cartons. At the palletizing site, the band is unfolded into a rectangular carton surrounding configuration with the folded gussets disposed to the inside.

Abstract: A lightweight paint carrier system for use with artist's acrylic paint containers or bottles of a fixed size and cylindrical shape. A number of generally circular trays are provided with a central post. The trays nest together with one tray nesting atop another to form either a single layer assembly or two or three layer assembly. The trays of the second and higher layers mount onto the post of the tray below and are supported therefrom in a cantilever fashion. The trays are of two types--a base which includes an artist's water basin surrounded by twelve wells for receiving the bottom of the bottles and an intermediate layer tray which has wells uniformly distributed on its upper surface for receiving eighteen of the paint containers. A top is provided for either the one base tray or the stack of nested trays and a handle having a rod of a length sized to accommodate a single tray stack or a multiple stack array is provided.

Abstract: The stackable low depth bottle case of the present invention includes four side walls and a bottom portion. A plurality of upwardly projecting hollow columns extend upwardly within the side walls. The columns, walls, and bottom portion define a plurality of bottle retaining pockets. The bottle retaining pockets have flat surfaces to permit retention of bottles without base indentations and to permit rotation of petaloid bottles. The columns extend upwardly from the base portion a distance approximately one third of the height of the bottles to be retained. The columns may be hollow to permit empty cases to stack top to bottom. The lower surface of the bottom portion has circular concave portions with central retaining openings to facilitate stacking of loaded cases top to bottom. When a case is disposed on a lower filled case, the bottle tops of the lower case are guided toward the central retaining openings by the circular concave portions.

Abstract: A spacer tray 2 for containers 32 is formed of a moldable sheet material and is shaped to provide a plurality of container-bottom receptacles 4. Each container-bottom receptacle 4 is shaped to receive at least a part of a bottom portion of a container 32. A container spacer wall 30 is located between each pair of adjacent container-bottom receptacles 4 to maintain bottom portions of containers seated in the receptacles spaced apart from one another. The spacer tray includes a plurality of container-loading-guide-pin caps 36 which permit end portions of container-loading guide pins 78--from a high-speed spacer-tray loading machine, for example--to project into and fit within the interiors of the caps for locating the spacer tray 2 and for reinforcing the caps for guiding bottom portions of containers 32 into container-bottom receptacles 4 during loading of the spacer tray.

Abstract: In air conditioning supply carrier and organizer including a lower tray, an upper tray and an intermediate tray in stacked relation, each tray being of substantially similar area and configuration wherein the interior of each tray is separated by septums into a plurality of compartments and wherein an upstanding handle on the lower tray extends through openings in the intermediate and upper trays for orienting the trays in stacked relation and for carrying either one, two or all three trays at one time to a job site.

Abstract: A bottle tote for temporary storage and transport of empty beverage containers includes a planar base with four upright members extending fixedly therefrom to free ends lying in a common plane. The upright members support a plurality of track structures, each adapted to receive an open-topped tray having dividers for holding the containers. A foldable and adjustable handle structure is attached to the uppermost track, and a plurality of rod-like members are selectively engageable with the free ends of the upright members to permit vertical stacking of two totes of the same design.

Abstract: Combustion of horizontally-stacked fireplace logs is expedited and facilitated by maintaining the adjacent logs in a spaced-apart relationship, at least until proper combustion of the individual logs has been initiated. This enables the surfaces of the individual logs to rapidly reach combustion temperatures upon exposure to open flames from paper or other burning tinder or exposure to an underlying bed of glowing embers. The spacing of the logs can be readily accomplished by use of spacer devices. Preferred devices are members having a generally Y-shaped configuration in vertical cross-section so that the member has (i) a trunk portion adapted to be interposed in an upright position between two adjacent laterally positioned logs to provide spacing therebetween, and (ii) a pair of upwardly and outwardly extending arms forming an upper surface adapted to support or cradle another such log above, between and spaced from those two laterally positioned logs.

Abstract: A stacking system for containers placed in a shipping carton. The system includes at least one layer of containers and preferably multiple layers of containers with each container of each layer held in nonmoveable relationship between upper and lower trays of identical configuration. Each tray includes a plurality of compartments spaced from one another at equal intervals adapted to receive the bottom portions of the containers and a plurality of conical recesses adapted to receive the conical tops of the containers. The compartments are formed on the top sides of the trays and the conical recesses are formed on the bottom sides of the trays. Thus each tray can be used to lock either the conical tops of each layer of containers of the bottom portions of a layer of containers. The containers are spaced apart and kept from lateral movement at both their tops and their bottoms. The edges of the trays have locking flanges to hold the trays in the cartons.

Abstract: A support rail system for use in supporting individual components having different longitudinal lengths, such as audio and video home entertainment components, in a vertical stack of such components with the front panels of the components flush with one another, includes support rails for interposition between adjacent upper and lower components and having a longitudinal extent long enough to project beyond the rear of a longitudinally shorter component which supports a longitudinally longer component so that the longer component will be supported fully upon the support rail which, in turn, will be supported by the shorter component in a stable, aesthetically pleasing stack.

Abstract: A keg board for use in stacking beer kegs and the like in an upright orientation during storage and transporation of the kegs comprising: a generally planar surface for engaging and supporting a generally planar end surface of each keg; and pockets operatively associated with the planar surface for limiting relative lateral shifting movement of the kegs such as caused by shocks and vibration associated with transporting of the kegs.

Abstract: A preformed wire spacer for spacing nested formed galvanized metal material pieces having a nestable profile and wherein at least two stacks of the nested material pieces are disposed and secured in side-by-side relationship to form a bundle. The spacer comprises a metal wire treated with a corrosive resistant coating and formed of similar profile as the cross-section of at least part of the profile of two of the material pieces when positioned in side-by-side relationship. The spacer has a cross-section to provide reduced contact with the surface of opposed nested ones of the pieces when positioned therebetween whereby to provide air flow and minimum water retention between the nested material pieces to substantially reduce the formation of white rust.

Abstract: A container comprises a body having a base and a side wall extending upwardly from the base. Support means is provided which is selectively movable between a first position in which a further container can be stacked inside the body, and a second position in which the support means can support a further container above the base.

Abstract: A flexible intermediate bulk container (1) is provided with a stabilizing cradle (2) having supporting members (4a, 4b) spaced to permit the container (1) to sag into the space between the supporting members (4a, 4b) to depth substantially equal to the height of the cradle (2).

Abstract: Attachment plates which are constructed to slidably interlock with various items including containers, housings, walls, fixtures and other entities in which the sliding interlocking connection includes male and female dovetailed, longitudinally wedge shaped structures with the attachment plates being capable of connecting various items, articles, containers and the like with the attachment plate including a support structure to enable the connected items to be carried or effectively supported, handled and the like with the wedge shaped configuration of the dovetailed connection providing a positive and secure interconnection between the attachment plate and the item connected thereto. The items or articles, such as containers or the like, are constructed with the wedge shaped tapered dovetailed connection facilities on surface portions thereof to enable a plurality of the items to be connected to each other or connected to the attachment plate.

Abstract: A bracket for strengthening a carton which has a bottom wall, side walls, an end flap and interior flaps, for holding the flaps and for supporting additional cartons in a stack of cartons, comprising a flange parallel to the bottom wall and a pair of members perpendicular to the bottom wall joined by the flange and extending substantially throughout the height of the carton to resist the bending and twisting of the carton. The members are each positioned to substantially enclose one of the corners of the carton and to abut an edge, perpendicular to the bottom wall, of one of the side walls and the end flap. Tabs are provided to align a stack and to lock the carton top closed.

Abstract: Skeleton packs that are designed for compression loading where such packs are themselves to be grouped, as in pallet loads, having a base to receive the primary packages and a rear member to take vertical load.

Abstract: A tote and storage container of the variety used for filing and archive purposes comprising a rectangular body folded from corrugated plastic, a combined handgrip and stacking frame member, and a lid unit which may be selectively removed from or hingedly mounted to the container. The combined handgrip and stacking frame reinforces the handgrip openings in the container body and the top corners of the container walls, provides a stacking shoulder allowing containers without lids to be stacked, and has a retaining rim to keep a vertical column of like containers stacked without the containers sliding off the top or becoming misaligned. The lid unit may be securely attached to the container to support heavy loads when the container is inverted, may be pivoted open or closed along a hinge line, or may be completely removed.

Abstract: A cardboard box or tray corner fastening device which includes pins to extend down into the flutes of the cardboard at a corner either across or with the line of the flutes. The pins extend from a planar support which provides a support surface for stacking further boxes or trays. A plate bears on the outside of the box near the pins to assist with retention of the pins.

Abstract: A package assembly includes a pallet, an outer shell supported on the pallet, and a plurality of inner cells disposed within the outer shell. A plurality of package elements are utilized to separate and support a stack of video glass funnel parts within each inner cell. The upper pyramidal surface of a package element has step means formed therein for receiving and supporting the edge of a larger end of a glass funnel part, while a lower surface of the pyramidal element is configured to receive and mate with upper surfaces of the contoured sides of a glass funnel part. Stiffening support posts may be disposed in the corners of the inner cells. A cover has a top panel and downwardly depending side walls which extend around the upper edges of the sides of the outer shell.

Abstract: A housing consists of modular housing units 1 which can be stacked one above another and beside each other and which are provided with mechanically stable sidewalls 11. Between the sidewalls 11 of vertically adjacent housing units 1, a slot is formed which takes up variations and irregularities in the adjacent sidewall edges and permits mechanically stable connection and simultaneous electrical connections to laterally adjacent housing units 1. The housing does not have a separate frame for the accommodation of the circuit boards. Horizontal locking plates 12 connect the sidewalls 11 and provide both guide rails for the circuit boards and cooling openings.

Abstract: A package insert between two layers of articles comprises a rigid plate formed with openings spanned by at least one and preferably two flexible and advantageously elastic films which are deformed when upper articles are stacked on lower articles through the openings to nest the articles in place.

Abstract: A returnable skid for coiled products employs separator posts that are storable within other components. The same assembly that mounts the posts during use also cooperates with the corresponding assembly of a like skid to interengage them in stacked condition. Both of these features facilitate transport of the empty skids. The construction provided minimizes the amount of extraneous packaging materials that are required to maintain the coils of product in place on the skid and to properly protect them, and the coils can be disposed either standing upright or lying flat on the skid.

Abstract: Stackable box for receiving objects, provided with a bottom, whether or not detachable, and upright side walls comprising side and transverse walls which join each other in corner points, the box being provided with detachable extension pieces having legs extending upwardly from the side walls, each extension piece also being provided with a pair of wings, each wing extending parallel to the side walls joining each other in a relevant corner point and taken up at least with their bottom ends in recesses made in said side walls.

Abstract: A structural assembly for interchangeably and supportably mounting electrical components of the type having snap-action mounts includes a pair of longitudinally-extending slide rails integral with a base wall of a housing. The slide rails have snap-fastening elements situated above the base wall, and bounding therewith channels in which the snap-action mounts are lockingly received with snap-action. Longitudinal grooves are provided on outer and interior surfaces of the base wall, as well as on side and end walls of the housing for receiving additional assembly parts.

Abstract: A one piece, paperboard, combination display tray-connector device having upwardly extending front and side walls and downwardly extending rear and side walls and being adapted to be used alone on a counter as display tray, for holding articles, or as a connector for interconnecting other containers or similar devices in a vertically stacked display arrangement.

Abstract: A pallet-type package and system and tray therefore are provided that utilize reusable structural components of bobbins and trays. The pallet-type package has a bottom pallet layer on top of which is located at least one tray constituting the first tray layer on top of which is a layer of a plurality of nestable bobbins of yarn where subsequent layers of trays and bobbins of yarn alternate to allow the bobbins to nest through apertures in the tray. The tray of the pallet-type package positively positions the base of each bobbin in a recess having one aperture for each bobbin of yarn through which the top of the bobbin from the underlaying layer of bobbins of yarn penetrates to nest with the cavity in the base of the overlaying layer of bobbins of yarn. In addition, the tray also has material handling receiving means and has reinforcing means sufficient to provide longitudinal and transverse strength to the tray.

Abstract: A system for stacking two similar sized containers on a low level, flat car or trailer of a predetermined size is provided. The containers include fittings at all their corners to receive locking devices. Angular members include locking devices and are dimensioned to overlap two adjacent fittings only of the stacked containers with the twist locking devices locking the angular members to the corner fittings of the top or bottom container to restrict movements between the containers.

Abstract: Means for coupling together two assemblies wherein each assembly includes a hole in which a bracket can be inserted, with the brackets being held together by a lock. Additionally, the assemblies are coupled together by a rotatable locking plate which cannot be rotated to disconnect the assemblies when the brackets and lock are in place.

Abstract: A case in which stacks of dough rising pans are held, the case being divided into vertical compartments for the stacks, an access opening on top of the case for placement of the pans thereinto, caster wheels under the case and handles on a side to pull the case and move it from place to place.

Abstract: Paperboard containers for shipping and display have been invented that utilize the various parts of the container. Columns of containers possess excellent stacking strength and stability because rigid relationships exist between the containers. The rigid relationships are derived from good connections between the parts of the containers and the contents within. Since only a part of the contents are needed to develop column strength and stability, the contents are displayed.

Abstract: Means for coupling together two assemblies wherein the first assembly has an end wall formed by a first apertured plate, and the second assembly includes an end wall to which is secured a rotatable end plate. The rotatable end plate carries clamping means which can engage and clamp to apertures in the first apertured plate of the first assembly, whereby the two assemblies are coupled together. In using the apparatus, the two assemblies are positioned adjacent to each other with the rotatable plate and first apertured plate in alignment and the clamping means on the rotatable plate engaging apertures in the first apertured plate. Rotation of the rotatable plate then locks the assemblies together.

Abstract: A device for automatically securing a cargo container to a support such as a deck of a vehicle or a second container with which the first container is to be stacked. The device includes a base having a projecting shear block received in the locking opening of the container. A head rotates between an unlocked or loading position in which the head moves through the locking opening and a locked position in which the container is secured. Automatic entry and release are provided by a spring within the base biasing the head to the locked position but permitting movement to the unlocked position when torque is applied by engagement of the container with a cam surface on the head. Visible indication of the locked position and positive locking of the head in the locked position may be provided.

Abstract: A top insertion, tray stacking wire with coplanar feet extending outwardly in opposite directions at the bottom of the wire with a prong extending laterally outward from the end of each foot at a substantial angle to the plane of the feet. The wire is held in a horizontal disposition for insertion of the feet and attached prongs into a slot aperture in the top edge of a corrugated paperboard tray and the like having a double wall construction. The wire includes a U-shaped body attached to the divergent feet wherein the legs thereof resiliently separate from one another to abut the ends of the slot aperture with the divergent wire feet projecting underneath the ends of the aperture. While the U-shaped body is being pivoted to assume a vertical orientation, the prongs bite into the corrugations of the adjacent wall, simultaneously pressing the pivoting feet into firm engagement against the wall adjacent thereto whereby the stacking wire is maintained in a firm, upright disposition.

Abstract: Open-faced cartons of the corrugated paper type and corner holders therefor having stacking lugs for cooperating with the apertured bottom of another like carton to preclude lateral movement between a pair of cartons when one is stacked on the other are disclosed. In one preferred form, each corner holder comprises inner and outer sidewall engaging flanges interconnected by a "U" shaped portion to be disposed in a carton sidewall slot with a lug in the form of a relatively flat blade and a pair of reinforcing gussets extending upwardly into the bottom of a superadjacent tray. Two such carton sidewall slot engaging clasps interconnected by a generally flat rib may be employed at each corner around an open carton face to hold the carton material in its folded position, provide a support surface for a superadjacent tray and to prevent lateral movement of that superadjacent tray on the support surface. Column joining tie sheets especially suited to use with such cartons and corner holders are also disclosed.

Abstract: The can stacker is in the form of a flexible resilient split ring of elastic memory-retaining material such as rubber or plastic, capable of being opened to accommodate the rims of cans of various diameters. The ring includes a generally vertical, annular split rim and a number of separate, spaced, generally horizontal fins adapted collectively to support a can. The fins extend radially inwardly from the rim on opposite sides of the split and are connected to the inner margin of the rim at about the vertical mid point thereof by preferably narrow stems bearing annular recesses on their upper and lower surfaces. The recesses and the rim inner surfaces form can rim-receiving grooves. The fins may be tapered inwardly to facilitate closing the rim to accommodate smaller diameter cans. The can stacker is adapted to loosely receive the rims of a pair of cans to be vertically stacked.