Abstract: A collapsible container having thick corrugated walls with double crease corners. The double crease corners define two 45° angles instead of one 90° to allow the container to maintain a generally rectangular shape and reduce the tendency of the side panels to bias outward when the container is filled with a flowable material.

Abstract: A stackable, collapsible container for flowable materials. The container utilizes an outer container and a flexible inner liner retained by a base, a top and a plurality of support poles. The support poles are retained in a plurality of holes in the base provided with a plurality of wedges to secure the holes against lateral movement. Providing wedges within tapered holes facilitates the compression molding of the depth of holes required for adequately supporting the support poles.

Abstract: A stackable collapsible container for flowable materials. The container has a flexible outer skin and rigid support, having a top frame and bottom frame connected by poles. The top frame and bottom frame are designed for mating engagement when the containers are stacked, as well as for mating engagement when the containers are broken down for transport. The top frame and bottom frame are provided with similar perimeters to prevent undesired movement and contact between adjacent top frame when the containers are filled and transported.

Abstract: A container evacuation system is provided for viscous flowable materials such as grease, paste or flowable powders. The container system includes a lightweight, rigid exterior, such as a cardboard container. Provided within the container is a flexible containment system constructed of polyethylene sheets or the like. The flexible containment system is provided with a plurality of weldments to create at least two pockets, wherein one pocket contains the flowable material and a second pocket is available to be filled with air, to allow air provided to the second pocket to force the flowable material from the first pocket out through a drain. The system includes a weldment which curves around at least a portion of the drain to crease a funnel which focuses flowable material toward the drain, while reducing the likelihood of a portion of the flexible containment system from obstructing the movement of flowable material out of the first pocket through the drain.

Abstract: A stackable collapsible container for flowable materials. The container has a flexible outer skin and rigid support, having a top frame and bottom frame connected by poles. The top frame and bottom frame are designed for mating engagement when the containers are stacked, as well as for mating engagement when the containers are broken down for transport. The top frame and bottom frame are provided with similar perimeters to prevent undesired movement and contact between adjacent top frame when the containers are filled and transported.

Abstract: A lightweight, collapsible container is provided for storing and transporting flowable materials on an irregularly shaped rectangular pallet. The container is provided with interlocking panels across the bottom, which are maintained in position by hydrostatic pressure generated by flowable material positioned within a flexible bag provided within the container. The top of the container is allowed to orient into its hydrostatically biased equilateral orientation, and provided with an equilateral octangular lid. This construction maintains the container bottom width substantially less than it length, with a minimum of support structures and materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing a fluent material includes a fluent material containing bag with a valve; a container having a bottom and a discharge region beneath the bottom, the container containing the bag so that the valve drains the bag from the discharge region; and a pallet for supporting the container without interfering with the discharge region. Also, a method for using the apparatus by preparing to empty the container, which includes the steps of: removing a first knock-out portion; bending a bendable portion of the container into a receiving region of the pallet; removing a second knock-out portion; and pulling a portion of the valve through openings created by removing the first and second knock-out portions so that pad member holding the valve fits with the bendable portion of the container. In this way, a discharge region is formed beneath the bottom of the container from which the valve drains the bag.

Abstract: Apparatus having a valve for a container intended to hold liquid. The valve includes an inner conduit which can be easily assembled through flexible fingers of an outer sleeve. The inner conduit both moves axially relative to the outer sleeve between open and closed positions and circumferentially so that the inner conduit can be threaded with respect to a mating hose. A tab which functions to stop the valve in the closed position, as well as in the open position, includes tamper-evident structure.

Abstract: A lightweight beam is formed from a single sheet of cardboard, and a pallet is constructed using the lightweight beam. A number of folds are pre-scored on the sheet of cardboard, forming a diagonal panel, a securable panel on one side of the diagonal panel, and a plurality of structural panels on the other side of the panel. The beam is assembled by folding the securable panel in a first direction and then folding the structural panels in a second direction using a rolling action, thus simplifying the assembly of the beam. The beam has double-walled sides to provide strength in the vertical direction in the pallet. The beam is provided with interlocking tabs which prevent the beam from disassembling, and which avoid the need for adhesives.

Abstract: Apparatus having a valve for a container intended to hold liquid. The valve includes an inner conduit which can be easily assembled through flexible fingers of an outer sleeve. The inner conduit both moves axially relative to the outer sleeve between open and closed positions and circumferentially so that the inner conduit can be threaded with respect to a mating hose. A tab which functions to stop the valve in the closed position, as well as in the open position, includes tamper-evident structure.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge foot grounding device made from a unitary piece of essentially planar conductive sheet material so that it includes, integrally connected, first and second leg portions and a connecting portion. The two leg portions form substantially a 90.degree. angle with each other, and the connecting portion projects away from the second leg portion so that it and the leg portion form substantially a 135.degree. angle with each other. Appropriate apertures in the leg portions and slits in the connecting portion provide attachment of the two leg portions into a generally cup-shaped configuration adapted to receive the heel or toe of a wearer's foot, and of the connecting portion to the cup so that, when the cup is placed on a wearer's foot, the connecting portion can be wrapped around the leg and attached to hold the cup in place.

Abstract: A buckle for securing a conductive strap has a conductive base for skin contact and a non-conductive cover partially attached to the base, the base having upwardly extending sides and the cover downwardly extending sides encapsulating the sides of the base. A conductive attachment element is on the cover and a conductive clip member is within the cover in electrical conduct with the attachment means and with the base continuously when the cover is closed and open.

Abstract: A buckle for securing a conductive strap comprises: a conductive base for skin contact and a non-conductive cover pivotally attached to the base, the base having upwardly extending sides and the cover downwardly extending sides encapsulating the sides of the base, conductive attachment means on the cover and a conductive clip member within the cover in electrical conduct with the attachment means and with the base when the cover is closed.

Abstract: A static control garment having torso and limb covering portions with first electrically conductive means in the garment positioned at a limb covering portion adapted to attach to a conductive strap, that encircles a limb of the body, second electrically conductive means in the garment positioned at a torso covering portion adapted to attach to electrical grounding means, and third electrically conductive means interconnecting the first and second electrically conductive means.

Abstract: A grounding device for dissipating electrostatic voltages from the body of a wearer comprises: a pair of grounding straps of equal length joined together at right angles at their ends; a pair of fastener straps extending from the grounding strap ends at about 45.degree.; and an elongated tongue of conductive elastomer having a resistivity of about 1.times.10.sup.6 ohm per square, the tongue being connected to one of the grounding strap ends and the fastener at such end; the length of the grounding straps being selected such that with one strap against a shoe counter, the other extends under the heel of the shoe.