Abstract: A container comprising a lid comprising a central portion and a circumferential rim, the rim comprising an aperture at least at one location around a perimeter of the rim; and a body comprising a base and lateral walls extending up from the base and ending up in a rim, the rim comprising a knob at least at one location thereof; wherein, in a closed position of the lid over the body, the knob is received in the aperture and is seen emerging from the aperture, and, upon lifting the lid up from the closed position for the first time, the knob disengages from the aperture, thus deforming at least one of the aperture and the rim of the lid, the deformed part testifying of a first opening of the container.

Abstract: A method for unlatching a latch on a container includes providing a lifting arm for lifting a latched container. Moving the latched container from a first position to a second position with the lifting arm and unlatching the container by flexing the latch on the container by moving the container from the first position to the second position. The latch includes a first member which is pivotably mounted to a lid. A second member is adapted to selectively engage a projection on a body of the container. An arch member connects the first member to the second member and a handle extends in the direction opposite to the direction in which the arch member extends. The step of deflecting the handle is by movement of the moving member to the flex the latch.

Abstract: A container and a method of fabrication thereof, the container comprising a base; a plurality of sidewalls extending from the base to a top opening, adjacent sidewalls being connected together by a corner; a plurality of flow leaders extending across the base, each flow leader extending along a surface of a respective sidewall up to a distance from the top opening, each flow leader having a thickness greater than a wall thickness of the base and a wall thickness of the respective sidewall; and a plurality of corner portions extending along a height of a respective corner, the corner portion increasing a wall thickness of each corner to a wail thickness substantially greater than the wall thickness of the sidewalls.

Abstract: A wheel for mounting to an axle of a wheeled product, the wheel comprising an axle receiving bore extending from a front wall to a rear wall of the wheel; the axle receiving bore comprising at least one finger integral with the wheel and extending towards the front wall of the wheel, the finger comprising a detent facing inwardly into the axle receiving bore, the finger being adapted to be flexed from an insertion position to a locking position and from a locking position into an unlocking position, the finger being flexed outwards in the insertion position as the axle is inserted within the axle receiving bore, and the finger being flexed inwards to insert the detent into a notch of the axle once the axle is inserted in the axle receiving bore in the locking position; and the finger being flexed outwards thereby disengaging the detent from the notch in the unlocking position.

Abstract: A container comprising a base, first opposed side walls and second opposed side walls, wherein at least one of the base and side walls comprises a combination of a frame part and a liner part, the frame part forming between about 10% and 100% of a surface of the at least one of said base and opposed side walls. The present container allows air flow within the container and a minimised weight, while achieving a target resistance in torsion and compression, and a customized physical protection of the goods intended to be packed and handled therein.

Abstract: A cart has a container body and a lid rotatably affixed to the container body so as to be selectively rotated between an open position and a closed position. A latch has a first end adapted to be rotatably affixed to the lid. A second end is adapted to engage the container body. The first end is connected to the second end by an arched member, the arched member is capable of flexure when a force is applied at a concave surface of the arched member.

Abstract: A container comprising a lid comprising a central portion and a circumferential rim, the rim comprising an aperture at least at one location around a perimeter of the rim; and a body comprising a base and lateral walls extending up from the base and ending up in a rim, the rim comprising a knob at least at one location thereof; wherein, in a closed position of the lid over the body, the knob is received in the aperture and is seen emerging from the aperture, and, upon lifting the lid up from the closed position for the first time, the knob disengages from the aperture, thus deforming at least one of the aperture and the rim of the lid, the deformed part testifying of a first opening of the container.

Abstract: A collapsible poultry crate comprising a base defining a peripheral edge; a plurality of side walls, each side wall being mounted on the base along a respective portion of the peripheral edge for pivoting movement relative to the base each side wall pivoting between a closed position and an open position; each side wall having a respective top surface, two or more tabs extending from a respective top surface of the side walls; and a plurality of end walls, each end wall being mounted on the base along a respective portion of the peripheral edge for pivoting movement relative to the base; the base having a width and a length such that M poultry crates arranged in a predetermined pattern exhibit a footprint substantially the same as the footprint of N meat crates disposed in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plastic container which is substantially impervious to oxygen comprising the steps of corona treating a raw stock of polypropylene film; coating a first side of said raw stock of polypropylene film with an aqueous oxygen barrier solution; placing the film in an injection mold; and injection molding a polypropylene material into the mold to bring the polypropylene material in direct contact with the aqueous oxygen barrier solution. An oxygen resistant container has a floor. A sidewall extends from the floor. An oxygen barrier material is disposed on a film. The film is disposed on the container so that the oxygen barrier material is in direct contact with the sidewall. The oxygen barrier material is one of a nano-silicate and a nano-clay.

Abstract: A cart has a container body and a lid rotatably affixed to the container body so as to be selectively rotated between an open position and a closed position. A latch has a first end adapted to be rotatably affixed to the lid. A second end is adapted to engage the container body. The first end is connected to the second end by an arched member, the arched member is capable of flexure when a force is applied at a concave surface of the arched member.

Abstract: A system for unlatching a latched container includes a body. A lid is rotatably affixed to the body and movable between a first position and a second position. A latch is pivotably mounted on the lid for selectively locking the lid in the closed position, the latch having a first member adapted to be pivotably mounted to the lid and a second member adapted to selectively engage a projection on the housing. An arched member connects the first member to the second member. A lifting arm has a proximal end, adapted to be affixed to a truck, and distal end. A container manipulating assembly is affixed to the arm at the distal end. The container manipulating assembly includes a grabber member for engaging a container disposed therein. A moving member moves between a first position and a second position, the moving member unlatching the container by moving from the first position to the second position when the lifting arm moves the container.

Abstract: A container that comprises first and second sidewalls and first and second end walls connected to a base. At least one of the base, respective sidewalls, or respective end wall is formed of a material that has a high thermal conductivity. At least each of the sidewalls or each of the end walls may be provided with venting to promote air flow. The first and second end walls and the first and second sidewalls are pivotally connected to the base.

Abstract: A geothermal heat pump has a pump. A tubing conveys a fluid from the pump and adapted to transfer energy between the fluid and the ambient environment as the fluid travels through the tubing. The tubing has a high thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing of a plastic container which is substantially impervious to oxygen by providing a bottom film oxygen barrier, the film oxygen barrier having an area greater than the area of a floor of the plastic container; providing a side oxygen barrier film, the side oxygen barrier film being dimensioned to circumscribe a sidewall of the plastic container and having a length greater than the length of the plastic container. A mold has a floor and a sidewall, the mold having a groove extending below the floor and dimensioned to receive an excess length of the side oxygen barrier film therein, and the bottom oxygen barrier film being dimensioned to extend at least partially across said groove. The film oxygen barriers are placed within the mold and a plastic container is injection molded within the cavity. An oxygen resistant container has a floor. A sidewall extends from the floor. An oxygen barrier material is disposed on the floor and sidewall.

Abstract: A resealing lid has a web. A skirt depends from the web. At least a first projection and a second projection are formed on the web. The first projection is spaced from the second projection. Each of the first projection and the second projection are adapted to selectively engage a retaining member on the lid. A tear line formed in the skirt removes a portion of the skirt. A remaining portion of the skirt connects the first projection to the second projection.

Abstract: A molded running board provided with a support portion and a top portion is described herein. The support portion is made of plastic material and provided with reinforcing ribs and the top portion is made of a plastic material that is advantageously compatible with the plastic material forming the support portion. A method for the assembly of such a molded running board is also described herein. This method includes the welding of a top portion to a support portion via the use of a thin strand of plastic material compatible with material used in the top portion and the support portion and metallic particles in an electromagnetic press, for example.

Abstract: A lid includes a cover surface. A wall depends from the surface. A membrane has an uppermost surface and a bottommost surface and a first layer. The uppermost surface of the membrane is affixed to the cover surface and the bottommost layer is adapted to be affixed to a container. The strength of the bond with which the bottommost layer affixes to a container is greater than the strength of the bond by which the uppermost layer is affixed to the cover surface.