Axially Extending Only Patents (Class 220/671)
  • Publication number: 20030209554
    Abstract: A disposable fragrance-carrier composition retainer for retaining fragrance-carrier compositions during heating, facilitating the removal of one fragrance-carrier composition and its quick replacement with a different fragrance-carrier composition, and allowing for easy disposal of the composition byproducts. The fragrance-carrier composition retainer includes, among other elements, a continuous base and at least one sidewall. The retainer is generally shaped to hold the wide variety of commercially available fragrance-carrier compositions, including tart type candles, wax potpourri wafers, and heat activated liquid potpourri, and is configured to be received by the multitude of fragrance-carrier composition heating devices more commonly known as tart burners or potpourri heaters. The at least one sidewall is proximally joined to, or formed with, the base at a sidewall bottom edge and has a distal sidewall top edge and may include at least one removal tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Janis DeStefano, Patricia McGaffee
  • Patent number: 6599460
    Abstract: During injection molding of a thin-wall plastic product, such as a drink cup, the formation of void-based irregularities is prevented in a thin-wall portion of the product formed within a zone of a thin-wall cavity section that is located between adjoining flow chambers, in which zone the thickness of the thin-wall cavity section increases in the general direction of flow within the flow chambers adjoining such zone. Such void-based irregularity formation is prevented by dimensioning the mold cavity so that the thickness increases in such direction at less than a threshold rate. The flow chambers do not extend to a rim portion of the thin-wall cavity section; and the respective inscribed-sphere dimensions of the adjoining flow chambers within a terminal zone of the thin-wall cavity section adjacent a rim portion of the mold cavity are less than the respective inscribed-sphere dimensions of upstream portions of the adjoining flow chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Sorensen Research and Develpoment Trust
    Inventors: Paul Philip Brown, Jens Ole Sorensen
  • Publication number: 20030121917
    Abstract: The container assembly is adapted for high speed packaging of perishable items. The container is formed with ribbed walls to add rigidity to the structure. The reinforcing ribs are perforated to allow air to circulate through the packaged goods. The ribs are shaped to maintain the perforations open during stacking and shipping. The mouth of the container has a peripheral flange. The flange has integral hinged closures for securing a separate top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Frank A. Fore, Robert S. Fore
  • Patent number: 6554154
    Abstract: A container sidewall, such as for a cup or the like, made of a thermoplastic material is disclosed. The container utilizing the present invention is preferably designed having a closed bottom wall at one end, an open top at the opposite end, and the present sidewall extending between the bottom wall and the open top to define a height. The sidewall has a top portion adjacent the open top of the container, a first set of annular ribs disposed adjacent the top portion, a second set of annular ribs, a middle portion disposed between the first set and second set of annular ribs, and a bottom portion disposed adjacent the closed bottom wall of the container. The double band of ribs provide an increase in the strength-to-weight ratio of the container over single band prior art designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Solo Cup Company
    Inventors: Rajendra R. Chauhan, John S. Gitschlag
  • Publication number: 20030052133
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a container comprises a basket and a lid. The basket has a base, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of endwalls. The base, pair of sidewalls, and pair of endwalls are integrally connected. The pair of sidewalls and the pair of endwalls integrally extend outwardly to form a first latching portion. The base forms a concave channel, a first concave region, and a second concave region. The concave channel extends along a major axis of the base. The first concave region extends from the concave channel to one of the pair of sidewalls, and the second concave region extends from the concave channel to the other of the pair of sidewalls. At least one of the sidewalls and endwall intersections forms a wall ventilation aperture. The lid is connected to the first latching portion of the base. The lid has a second latching portion corresponding to the first latching portion of the base. The first and second latching portions are adapted to retain the lid and the basket in a closed relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hayes, Brian J. Cammarata, William J. Loiselle
  • Patent number: 6526699
    Abstract: A water holding and dispersing apparatus for catching and retaining rainwater for later watering usage. The water holding and dispersing apparatus includes a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The housing comprises a substantially rigid material. A supply pipe is positioned nearer the top wall than the bottom wall and has a first end fluidly coupled to the housing. A second end of the supply pipe is fluidly coupled to a gutter of a dwelling such that water in the gutter will flow into the housing through the supply pipe. A first drainage pipe is fluidly coupled to the first side wall and is located generally adjacent to the bottom wall. The first drainage pipe has a valve thereon for selectively opening and closing the first drainage pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Steve J. Foglio, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6497333
    Abstract: A container is provided which includes a top portion having an opening and a side wall extending from the top portion to an end portion of the side wall. A bottom portion is connected with the end portion of the side wall such that the top portion, the side wall and the bottom portion define an interior space of the container. At least one groove is formed in the side wall. The at least one groove includes a central arc portion and end arc portions. The central arc portion is substantially concave relative to a longitudinal axis of the container. The end arc portions are substantially convex relative to the longitudinal axis of the container. The end arc portions are formed adjacent ends of the central arc portion and communicate with an outer surface of the side wall. Desirably, the at least one groove includes a plurality of grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Paradigm Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Ellis, Aleksey Zats, Thomas G. Barlics, Henry H. Nyman
  • Patent number: 6401955
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container assembly comprising a first container unit and a second container unit. The first container unit is used to receive articles. The two container units are connected by fastener members. The first container unit is spaced apart from the second container unit to define a distance for isolation. The second container unit has a transversely corrugated section formed on a lower portion of the container unit to allow the user to easily hold the container assembly, to strengthen the support of the container assembly and to increase the capacity of the container assembly. In consideration of convenience and environmental protection, after the container assembly is used, the two container units can be separated. The first container unit can be thrown away, and the second container unit can be used again to connect to a new first container unit. The container assembly is therefore economic and convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Chun-Tse Yang
  • Patent number: 6347810
    Abstract: A file including a spine (2), from the longitudinal sides (3, 4) of which extend two lateral faces (5, 6) whereof the distal ends are shaped to form convergent wings (7, 8), and a closing means (9a, 9b) so as to ensure the stability of said file in a vertical position because of the fact that its body closes back on itself, wherein a plurality of reinforcing ribs (10A, 10B et 14) are provided in sunken or protuberant form on at least one of its lateral faces (5, 6) so as to increase the rigidity of the whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Achat et Distribution d'Article de Classement, SA
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Dottel
  • Patent number: 6318030
    Abstract: A double depth crypt vault having two casket compartments, and which permits the placement of two caskets in the same crypt. A center dividing shelf separates the lower casket compartment from the upper casket compartment. The upper crypt compartment has a cover portion designated the vault lid which is configured to mate with and be sealed to the upper edge of the crypt vault. The double depth crypt vault can be formed and integrally molded as a unit out of a heavy-duty plastic material. Optionally, the double depth crypt vault may have tapered walls for added strength and stability for shipping purposes. Ground augers may be employed with the double depth crypt vault to prevent upward floatation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventors: Ralph E. McClure, Eugene Jenkins
  • Patent number: 6293458
    Abstract: This invention relates to a disposable foil pan having a continuous wall and a top ridge surrounding the pan. The wall has at least 10 spaced wall segmented flutes. There are preferably an equal number of segmented flutes on opposite sides of the pan i.e. 3 on each side and 2 on each end of a rectangular or oval pan. The wall segmented flutes having a combined width equal to at least 35% of the length of the wall. Each wall segmented flute has an indented surface facing an inside of the pan, and a raised surface forming the outer wall of the pan. The segmented flutes preferably have a segment length of 0.75 to 2.0 inches and a segmented depth of about ⅛ to ⅜ inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Handi-Foil Corporation
    Inventor: Norton Sarnoff
  • Patent number: 6276556
    Abstract: A product stuffer has a bucket train, a carton conveyor which, at a stuffing station, parallels the bucket train and is arranged for conveying a carton adjacent to, and in registration with, an outlet end of a bucket in the bucket train, and a product pusher train which, at the stuffing station, parallels said bucket train and is arranged for providing a product pusher adjacent to, and in registration with, an inlet end of a bucket in the bucket train. Each bucket in the bucket train is open-ended and has a floor with a plurality of parallel grooves which slope toward one sidewall of the bucket and a ceiling with a plurality of parallel grooves which slope away from the one sidewall. Consequently, products in a sheaf of upstanding products inserted into the bucket are urged to lean over as the sheaf is pushed through the bucket so that a shingled sheaf of products leaves the bucket. The shingled sheaf may be stuffed into a carton having a lesser height than that of a sheaf of upstanding products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Langen Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Istvan Ungar
  • Patent number: 6244454
    Abstract: A multilayered thin container (1) comprises a cylindrical body (2) and a neck or mouth portion (3) for cap-fitting which is integrally formed by extrusion and blow-molding, and comprises an outer layer (A) composed of a high-rigidity resin (i) having an elastic modulus of 2,000 to 23,000 kg/cm2 and an inner layer (B) composed of a low-rigidity resin (ii) having an elastic modulus of not more than 1,000 kg/cm2. When extruding to form the parison, the amount of the high-rigidity resin (i) extruded for a portion corresponding to the neck portion (3) is increased as compared to that corresponding to the cylindrical body (2), so that the neck portion (3) can be set to a higher rigidity than that of the cylindrical body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Hanshin Kasei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsunemi Yoshioka, Hiroshi Morisaki
  • Patent number: 6241117
    Abstract: A pressure differential containment structure, including a vacuum chamber and a pressure vessel, for operation in the pressure range of 1 to 2 atmospheres of pressure differential, using relatively thin wall material and incorporating strengthening members by folding or forming the walls of the containment structure itself. The structural configuration of the preferred embodiment is of rectilinear geometry with four lateral walls and two end walls. Each lateral wall component is preferably fabricated from at least one sheet, such as stainless steel, aluminum, or synthetic material including polymers and composites, to comprise reinforcing ribs or corrugations transverse to the longitudinal direction of the wall and include transverse flanges at each end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventors: Steven R. Wickins, John E. Schumacher, III, Carl E. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6213326
    Abstract: A container having a grip ring. The grip ring is located between a dome portion and a body portion of the container and has an inset grip surface for receiving a thumb and fingers. The grip ring is located and sized relative to the dome and body portions, such that, when the container is grasped about the grip ring, the container contents can be poured in a balanced and facile manner. In addition, the location and configuration of the grip ring provides the container with circumferential hoop strength which resists unwanted ovalization distortion of the dome and body portion of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: John E. Denner, Richard K. Ogg, Sheldon E. Yourist
  • Patent number: 6164474
    Abstract: A bottle for storing and dispensing contents comprises at least one grip portion for improving a user's grip on the bottle. The grip portion is situated on the side of the bottle and extends at least partially along the height of the bottle and comprises a recessed grip panel formed in the side of the bottle adapted to receive the user's fingers and the grip panel is tapered at an angle with respect to the vertical direction. Preferably, the back of the bottle is thinner than the front so that a user can grip the bottle from the back. Preferably, there are a plurality of ribs inclined at a first angle with respect to the horizontal direction and a plurality of cross-hatch ribs inclined at a second angle, the second angle differing from the first at approximately ninety degrees and the ribs forming a lattice arrangement. Preferably, the bottle further comprises a plurality of ridges, situated on the side wall of the bottle for providing strength and rigidity to the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jizu John Cheng, Jeffrey D. Krich
  • Patent number: 6126034
    Abstract: Lightweight beverage containers disclosed herein require less metal per container, exhibit less earing and have one or more of the following features: 1) a reduced seam between the can end and the can body, 2) a side wall having vertically disposed alternating portions of relatively thicker and relatively thinner metal, 3) a can end dimensioned to fit within the domed bottom of a vertically adjacent similar can when stacked, 4) a can body produced from an acircular blank dimensioned to produce said can body without ears, and 5) a can body produced from a cup having a variable radius between the side of said cup and the bottom thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Alcan Aluminum Corporation
    Inventors: Craig L. Borden, McKay C. Brown, Edmund T. Gillest, David P. Lieb
  • Patent number: 6112925
    Abstract: Pressurized plastic container having the appearance of ribs but with substantially reduced creep and without delamination, i.e., having an enhanced shelf life compared to prior art ribbed containers. In multilayer containers, the scribe lines reduce delamination of the layer structure so as to avoid loss of transparency and/or barrier properties. The reduction in creep is particularly useful for smaller volume containers having a greater surface area to volume ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Continental PET Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Nahill, Suppayan M. Krishnakumar, Wayne N. Collette
  • Patent number: 6077579
    Abstract: A container for a product of a liquid-to-pasty consistency, having at least one longitudinal strip which is of a color and/or appearance different from a color and/or appearance of a remainder of the container and which is delimited by two lateral edges. The lateral edges of the longitudinal strip or strips are situated substantially within longitudinal grooves so as to conceal any variations of width of the longitudinal strip. The container can be constructed of thermoplastic material in an injection molding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Vincent De Laforcade
  • Patent number: 6053352
    Abstract: A sleeve protector with an air insulating central gripping portion and an upper rim flange. The sleeve is enhanced by an upper protective stacking shoulder immediately below the rim flange, gripping points inwardly directed about the lower opening of the sleeve, the formation of insulating air channels or pockets with both vertical and lateral components, and the use of a transparent material for a viewing of underlying cup indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Dopaco, Inc.
    Inventor: Liming Cai
  • Patent number: 6016932
    Abstract: A blow molded, thin walled plastic container for filling with a liquid whose temperature is elevated above ambient. The container includes a first portion of a first diameter, a second portion of a second diameter, and reduced diameter region between the first and second portions. The reduced diameter portion extends circumferentially around the container and a plurality of ribs which are located to extend between the first and second portions. The ribs form reinforcing members in the reduced diameter portion and increase the top load capabilities of the container. The first and second portions can both be formed in the shoulder portion of the container or one in the shoulder portion and one in the sidewall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Schmalbach-Lubeca AG
    Inventors: Kevin D. Gaydosh, Richard J. Steih, Michael T. Lane
  • Patent number: 5988417
    Abstract: A plastic container that is designed for optimal strength and lightweighting characteristics includes a finish portion, a bottom portion that has a plurality of support feet and a corresponding number of grooves defined between the support feet, and a main body portion. According to one feature of the container, the main body portion has at least one groove defined in its smooth label area that is oriented so as to have an axial component and so as to extend to near a bottom of the label portion for permitting condensate to drain from the label portion. This reduces the potential for condensation-induced label delamination. According to another feature of the container, the main body portion further has a tapered neck portion that has a plurality of undulating grooves defined therein to provide structural reinforcement. The main body of the container also has a lower end that is configured so as to have a number of generally axially extending channels that extend toward the bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jizu J. Cheng, Jeffrey D. Krich
  • Patent number: 5979695
    Abstract: The container has a substantially conical body (1) and a mouth or cup of larger-diameter (5). It may be provided with grooves (3), a closure cap (10), ribs or notches (7) for a better coupling of the cornet (8), an orifice for holding the spoon, truncation (2) and/or corrugation of the conical body, as well as various geometrical configurations. A plurality of systems for rising the cornet as well as means for holding complementary serviettes and wafers. The container also includes a system for channeling the ice-cream dripping. It applies to ice-cream cornets. It offers an new presentation of a consumption product, giving it a better look and attraction for the consumer with regards to the shape, color and size, causing a new sensation and commodity to the consumer when eating the ice-cream. It also contributes to better salubrity, hygiene and cleanliness when manipulating and consuming the products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventors: Arcadio Martinez Valls, Juan Garcia Benau, Rocio Cabedo Trigueros, Rosa Maria Bolos Perez
  • Patent number: 5916611
    Abstract: An edible food container has a hollow body having an interior wall and an exterior wall and having a generally flat bottom portion and an open top. The body has a concave curve side opposite to the convex side and has at least one elongated groove on the interior wall extending from adjacent the bottom portion to the body open top so that an edible container can be filled with a fluid material for later freezing and a plurality of containers can be nested together for dispensing from a vending machine. A method of making a frozen edible product includes selecting the edible container apparatus, filling the selected container with an edible fluid while allowing air to escape through the groove on the interior wall of the container, and freezing the edible fluid material in the edible container to provide an edible frozen product, such as ice cream and the like, which can be nested for dispensing from a vending machine or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: Burt J. Bell
  • Patent number: 5899355
    Abstract: A metal container has a bottom wall and a side wall provided with a low relief pattern of shallow grooves or creases to define outwardly convex panels. The grooves or creases have a depth between 0.3 and 3% of the radius of the side wall which has thickness between 3 and 30% of the radius of the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Carnaudmetal box ( Holdings) USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Charles Claydon, Christopher Paul Ramsey
  • Patent number: 5860549
    Abstract: A container for housing a food dish includes a receiving shell defining a first cavity and a cover shell that is releasably lockable to the receiving shell for providing a cover with a second cavity over the first cavity. The cover shell has side walls with inward projections for entrapping the food dish seated within the receiving shell when the cover shell is releasably locked to the receiving shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Genpak, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Allers, Edward W. Rider, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5758791
    Abstract: In a plastic food container including a lid and a base, a latching mechanism includes a first continuous rim along a periphery of the lid and a second continuous rim along a periphery of the base. The first rim includes an inner female member, a central male member, and an outer latching member. The central male member encompasses and is integrally connected to the inner female member, and the outer latching member encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the central male member. The second rim is adapted to latch with the first rim. The second rim includes an inner male member and an outer female member. The outer female member encompasses and is integrally connected to the inner male member. The outer female member includes an outer peripheral wall forming a plurality of spaced inwardly-projecting tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Raj K. Mangla
  • Patent number: 5755349
    Abstract: A freight container of generally cuboidal shape includes a pair of sides which define lateral extremities of the container and extend between ends of the container. The exterior surfaces of the pair of sides are spaced apart by a greater distance along their middle portions than along their end portions which are joined to the ends of the container, whereby the overall exterior width of the container is less at the end portions than at the middle portions. The internal width measured between the middle portions of the sides is more than 2400 mm but the overall thickness of each of the middle portions of the sides is less than 25 mm and the overall exterior width measured at the middle portions of the sides is less than 2470 mm. The container therefore has increased capacity for a given size of each end and is able to be located side-by-side with conventional container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Cargo Unit Containers Ltd.
    Inventor: Anthony Brundle
  • Patent number: 5752603
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reservoir for at least one capsule for oral administration which comprises a substance which is dangerous for the environment, in particular a radioactive composition, which reservoir can be enclosed within an at least substantially cylindrical shielding sleeve, has a closed bottom and can be closed at its open upper end by means of a cap, the reservoir internally comprising a plurality of longitudinal ribs. The reservoir is prefereably constructed so that it is locked against rotation within the shielding sleeve. The invention further relates to a shielded holder comprising the last-mentioned locked reservoir and a shielding sleeve having a bottom portion with an internal cross-section which is triangular to dodecagonal or forms a segment of a circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Mathijs Faber
  • Patent number: 5740934
    Abstract: An improved plastic container of the type suitable for containing carbonated beverages. The container is provided with a central section, an upper section including a typically threaded neck portion, and a lower end or base section typically including radially arrayed concave foot portions to support the container in an upright position. The horizontal cross-section of the central section manifests the configuration thereof to include a plurality of juxtaposed generally flat panels which upon pressurization of the container tend to blend together to form a circular cross-sectional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Plastic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Brady
  • Patent number: 5718933
    Abstract: A container for storing a food product and a sauce therefor having a lower section for containing the food product and an upper section for containing the sauce. The container includes a tab which can be pulled to allow air into the upper section to release the sauce from the upper section and the food product from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: BC-USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry Fultz
  • Patent number: 5704503
    Abstract: A panel design for a hot-fillable plastic container has a tall and slender panel section. The panel configuration provides increased resistance to longitudinal bending and hoop failure, yet provides good hoop flexibility to maximize vacuum panel movement. The panel section has a substantially cylindrical circumference with a plurality of vacuum panels symmetrically disposed about the panel circumference, post walls between the vacuum panels, and land areas above and below the vacuum panels. The ratio of vacuum panel height D to panel diameter C is on the order of 0.85 to 1.05. Longitudinal post ribs are provided in the post walls. The land areas above and below the vacuum panels are of a height E greater than on the order of 0.45 inch, and the ratio of the land area height E to panel diameter C is on the order of greater than 0.1. Circumferential hoop ribs are provided in the land areas to prevent ovalization and hoop collapse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Continental PET Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Suppayan M. Krishnakumar, Wayne N. Collette
  • Patent number: 5699932
    Abstract: A metal container has a bottom wall and side wall provided with a low relief pattern of shallow grooves or creases to define outwardly convex panels. The grooves or creases have a depth between 0.3 and 3% of the radius of the side wall which has a thickness between 3 and 30% of the radius of grooves. A method and apparatus are described in which the pattern of grooves and panels is formed progressively by a pinch pressure imposed by a mandrel inside the container body and an arcuate rail provided with teeth to define grooves. Preferably, the pinch pressure sets the cross-sectional shape of the groove pulling the panels to shape by elastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Carnaudmetalbox (Holdings) USA Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Charles Claydon, Christopher Paul Ramsey
  • Patent number: 5685453
    Abstract: A food packaging container is presented having a cover and a base. The cover has a top and a first side wall. The top contains a central portion and a peripheral shoulder, where the shoulder encompasses the central portion. The first side wall extends downward from the shoulder and encompasses the top wall. The first side wall also has at least two generally vertical and outwardly directed ribs repeating in a predetermined rib pattern, where the one rib is generally pointed at an outermost portion thereof, and the second rib is generally fiat at an outermost portion thereof. The two ribs form generally vertical furrows that interconnect adjacent fibs. The base has a bottom and a second side wall which encompasses and extends upward from the bottom. The base is adapted to engage the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Goins, Stephen A. Smith, Matthew O. Banach, Daniel R. Proper
  • Patent number: 5671855
    Abstract: A high strength industrial storage tank is provided. The tank includes a pair of opposed sidewalls, a pair of opposed end walls, each end wall interconnecting the sidewalls, and a floor connected to the sidewalls and the end walls. Each of the sidewalls and end walls includes a series of alternating vertically extending outer members and vertically extending grooves. Each groove extends toward the interior of the tank and includes a bottom and two sides. Each groove further includes an inner arcuate portion that is arched toward the interior of the tank and has a substantially constant radius of from about 3.0 to about 4.5 inches. The structure of the sidewalls makes it relatively easy to clean the tank and apply and maintain paint and other protective coatings on the surfaces of the tank. The tank can optionally include structure that makes it suitable for storing liquids and other fluids and/or structure that makes it compatible with roll-off transport trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Spade Leasing, Inc.
    Inventors: Eddy Norman, Jr., Billy Steve Brown
  • Patent number: 5638983
    Abstract: A sleeve pack to be used with a pallet base and cover to form a container for shipping bulk goods, the sleeve pack comprising four continuous vertical sidewalls arranged in a rectangular configuration, at least one of the sidewalls having at least one vertically oriented flute rod inserted between two faces of corrugated plastic and within one flute of at least one wall for improved strength. The flute rod has an upholding means on the top of the flute rod for preventing the flute rod from falling through the flute of the sleeve pack sidewall. A channel shaped retainer covers and is secured to the upper portion of the sidewalls containing flute rods in order to secure the flute rods between the two faces of plastic of the sidewall and prevent the flute rods from falling out of the flutes when the sleeve pack is inverted. The upholding means of the flute rods are supported by vertically oriented corrugations between the face plies of the sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Bradford Company
    Inventor: Donald J. Bazany
  • Patent number: 5562221
    Abstract: A bottle (10, 110) is made of flexible material which can be folded or rolled up into a deformed configuration of limited dimensions. The bottle comprises, between the pouring neck (14, 114) and side walls (15, 115), elements which engage with a fastening element (17, 117) which can be fitted onto the bottle to keep it in the deformed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Inventor: Giacomo Beniacar
  • Patent number: 5529794
    Abstract: A container for storing a food product and a sauce therefor having a lower section for containing the food product and an upper section for containing the sauce. The container may be manipulated to release the sauce from the upper section and the food product from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: BC-USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry Fultz
  • Patent number: 5509561
    Abstract: A container includes bottom and side walls defined by a first longitudinally-extending channel member open at the top, a pivotal lid defined by a second longitudinally-extending channel member open at the bottom and pivotally mounted to one longitudinal edge of the first channel member, and end walls defined by a pair of end plates having slots on their inner faces receiving the ends of the first channel member, and recesses on their inner faces receiving the ends of the second channel member and permitting it to pivot with respect to the first channel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Scitex Corporation Ltd.
    Inventor: Dan Kanterovitch
  • Patent number: 5477974
    Abstract: A pack for flowable contents, such as liquids, has tubular side walls, a bottom and a top wall, and is formed of a deep-drawable plastics material. The top includes a vertically upstanding, externally threaded collar and defines a pouring opening which is closable by a threaded top. The pack is formed by two half shells, and a seam passes around the pack in a longitudinal plane and extends nearly to the top free upper edge of the collar. The seam is interrupted in the top by the pouring opening and projects outwardly from diametrically opposite sides of the pack. According to a method for forming the pack of the invention, the collar is formed by two collar halves which are joined together at the seam. Threads are formed on the collar and the upper free edge includes an annular sealing surface for a correspondingly formed screw top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Wilhelm Reil, Heiko Bub, Bernhard Korus, Gottfried Pusch
  • Patent number: 5465865
    Abstract: A stackable composite container consists of a cylindrical inner container having walls of a thickness capable of fully supporting the pressures of any contained liquid and an outer container enclosing the inner container and being of rectangular cross-section and of a strength adequate for withstanding stacking pressures but inadequate for withstanding the pressures of the contained liquid in the absence of the inner container. The outer container is provided with a plurality of spaced inwardly projecting ribs in supportive contact with the outer wall of the inner container. The base of the outer container has fork-lift tine pockets. There is a means for filling the inner container, and a means for emptying the inner container, both means being accessible from the outer container exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventor: Ian R. Coombes
  • Patent number: 5464115
    Abstract: The present invention is a footlocker of molded plastic construction which includes a bin having a storage cavity and a lid hinged to the bin for enclosing the storage cavity. Two plastic latches are used to secure the lid in its closed relation above the bin. Each of the latches includes a face plate with a front surface which preferably has graphic indicia molded therein. In order to lock the lid in its closed position and thereby safeguard the contents of the bin, the footlocker preferably includes a padlock hasp. In order to hold the lid open in any position, the footlocker includes a lid stay mechanism connected between the lid and the bin. The bin has a plurality of continuously molded feet and the top surface of the lid a plurality of stacking depressions molded therein for receiving the feet and thereby enabling multiple footlockers to be stacked on top of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Tisbo, Stephen P. Whitehead, Michael G. Uffner
  • Patent number: 5441150
    Abstract: A container for memory modules comprising a generally rectangular shape with a lid and tray with a multitude of finger-like protrusions forming vertical slots therebetween for receiving memory modules. The interior is formed such that a cavity may be created above and below the memory modules contained inside providing a buffer region, which protects the contents from damage when the exterior of the container is subjected to physical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Ma Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Abraham C. Ma
  • Patent number: 5415339
    Abstract: A drinking cup having bottom and sidewalls which define a liquid holding cavity. The sidewalls include a plurality of vertical ribs which are formed therein with an open base disposed toward the liquid holding cavity. The ribs are present in sufficient numbers to assure that the surfaces of the ribs are the primary contact point between the user's hand and the cup. The sidewall construction provides both improved insulation and strength characteristics. The cup finds particular use with geriatric users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventor: Jeremy C. Howard
  • Patent number: 5413244
    Abstract: A sheet metal can body 1 comprises an end wall 2 and a tubular side wall 3 which includes a plurality of flexible panels 4 recessed within the cylindrical envelope of the side wall and extending between plain cylindrical end portions 5 of the side wall. Each panel 4 is formed of a plurality of flutes 6 defined laterally on each side by a convex rib 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Carnaudmetalbox plc
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ramsey
  • Patent number: 5395009
    Abstract: A plastic box has vertical walls and a bottom, the walls having openings in the form of slits which have their inner edges set outwardly at the bases of respective inwardly diverging troughs to minimize the contact of the contained fruits or vegetables with the inner edges of the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Gebr. Otto KG
    Inventors: Volker Kessler, Anton Bacher
  • Patent number: 5287959
    Abstract: A domed container. The container includes a receptacle and dome cover therefore having locking means for releasably locking the cover to the receptacle. The receptacle includes a bottom wall having a top surface delimited by an upstanding rib and terminating in an outwardly extending resilient rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl P. Hansen, Raj K. Mangla, Raul Matos, Dennis Oberdorf, Chris Olenski
  • Patent number: 5279442
    Abstract: A drawn and ironed container body is provided having a plurality of alternating inward and outward segments around the circumference of the stripper bulge and extending through at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of the bulge whereby the minimum column strength of a sampling of such containers is substantially increased. An apparatus for reforming a drawn and ironed container body is also provided, comprising inner and outer members positionable in opposing relation with each other, with at least a portion of the bulge positioned therebetween, the inner and outer members being capable of radial movement relative to each other to form alternating inward and outward segments around the circumference of the bulge and extending through at least a portion of the longitudinal extent thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: K. Reed Jentzsch, Terre R. Reingardt
  • Patent number: 5269473
    Abstract: A stand for a shredder has its frame members fully accommodated in recesses open to the rear of a paper collector so that the stand is not visible from the front or sides. The paper shredder-cutter unit is mounted on the stand only so that the collector can be removed and does not have a supporting function. The appearance of the integrated assembly of paper shredder, collector and stand is similar to that of a cabinet-type paper shredder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Geha-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Willi Strohmeyer, Knut Bliesener
  • Patent number: 5261558
    Abstract: A metal can body for a beverage can comprises a bottom end wall 2 and a generally cylindrical side wall 3; the side wall comprising a bottom portion 4 connected to the bottom wall, a central portion 5 extending upwardly from the bottom portion, and a top portion 6 extending upwardly from the central portion and terminating in an open end. The top portion 6 and bottom portion 4 are of greater wall thickness than the central portion 5 and are respectively connected to the central portion through upper and lower annular zones 7, 8 of reducing wall thickness. The side wall is provided with a plurality of parallel externally convex longitudinal ribs 10 equally spaced around the circumference and terminating within the zones 7, 8 of reducing wall thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: CarnaudMetalbox PLC
    Inventor: Paul C. Claydon