Abstract: A lightweight horizontal dispensing container comprising a pallet base, a pallet cover and opposed side walls of plastic material extending between the pallet base and the pallet cover may be stacked on top of similar pallet covers or below similar pallet bases. Opposed rectangular frames are secured to the sleeve and define openings on opposed sides of the horizontal dispensing container. Dunnage provides horizontal access to parts inside the container. This container enables a horizontal dispensing container to be stacked above or below conventional pallet load.

Abstract: A trash container that can conform a trash bag to the trash container's interior comprising a container having an interior surface for receiving a trash bag; a suction opening disposed in the container for allowing fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the container when a suction force is applied to the suction opening; a conduit carried by the container's interior surface in fluid communication with the suction opening; a plurality of air channels extending between an interior air passage and an exterior of the conduit to allow air to flow into the interior air passage of the conduit; whereby, air may be drawn through the plurality of air channels into the interior air passage and evacuated through the suction opening, thereby causing the trash bag to conform to the interior surface when a suction force is applied to the suction opening.

Abstract: A collapsible container with latches provides a more consistent knockdown force in more situations. At least one of the engaging surfaces of the latch is curved outwardly toward the other engaging surface. This provides substantially tangential contact between the surfaces, even when the wall is deformed slightly by the knockdown force. The tangential contact provides consistent frictional force resisting the knockdown force.

Abstract: A suction free waste receptacle apparatus provided in a plurality of embodiments, the apparatus providing suction relief whereby a flexible trash bag suction to the apparatus is negated, thereby affording easier bag placement and removal from the apparatus. The apparatus prevents spillage of trash and liquids from a leaking bag. The apparatus combines rigidity with light weight using a reinforcing rib structure.

Abstract: A container clearly indicates that it has been opened after a store clerk loads food into the base of the container and closes a covering of the container onto the base. The covering (16) includes a peripheral cover portion (22) that becomes fixed to a peripheral base portion (32) when the clerk initially closes the container. To thereafter open the container, a person forcefully lifts a tab (30) on the covering to tear the covering along a long tear line (26) that separates the peripheral cover portion (22) from a lid (24) formed by a radially inner covering portion. The base (12) is fixed to the peripheral covering portion (22), and together they form a base device (40). After the lid has been torn free of the peripheral covering portion, the lid can be closed and latched to the base device and then can be easily opened again.

Abstract: A bucket apparatus includes a housing that has a bottom wall and a peripheral wall that is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. The peripheral wall has an upper edge defining an opening into an interior of the housing. A dividing wall is positioned in the housing and divides the interior into a first section and a second section. The dividing wall is attached to the bottom wall. At least one handle is pivotally coupled to the housing.

Abstract: Transport packaging, capable of being erected or folded, and when erected serving as a shipper for commercial packaging of goods. The packaging is defined by a structural framework [100] capable of carrying a sheath, film wrap or cover, or other materials of vessel-forming character to hold and protect products to be transported within the framework. The framework when erected provides contents-receptive configuration to protect the packing and its contents against the stresses of filling, storage, distribution, merchandising and use of the packaging. The framework has a plurality of horizontal and vertical members [102, 103, 105, 106, 107, 108, 110, 111], wherein horizontal members define lengthwise structural elements and the vertical members define upright structural elements, together defining an exoskeleton having windowed open frame panels of the framework joined pivotally at lower and fixedly/securely at upper corners defined by the upright structural elements.

Abstract: A storage is provided for an interactive display system that both provides a graphic display and responds to objects disposed proximate to or in contact with a display surface. Due to a limited available volume within a housing of the interactive display system, the storage is provided either external to the housing, or within a peripheral portion of the housing so as not to interfere with the operation of the interactive display system. In one embodiment, a sheet of flexible material is coupled to an exterior surface of the housing. Elastomeric edges of the sheet are pulled away from the housing to provide access to a volume disposed between the sheet and the external surface of the housing. In another embodiment, pockets are formed within a sheet hung from a backing, adjacent to the external surface. Yet another embodiment includes a drawer within a peripheral portion of the display.

Abstract: The lid for an article of cookware is comprised of two separable components, the first being an outer annulus that rests on the rim of the cookware article, the second being a solid lid with a handle that rests on the inner circumference of the annulus. Preferably, the outer annulus is curved upwards to act as a splash and spatter guard when the solid lid removed for stirring the contents of the cooking vessel.

Abstract: A plastic paint can having a closure with a circular aperture which releasably receives an all plastic tint plug having a circular pull ring. The tint plug is made locally more deformable to provide a progressive release by means of a well of thin material formed within the recessed center deck of the tint plug adjacent the rim structure and a pair of symmetrically arranged slots opening externally of the rim structure surface.

Abstract: Portable and stackable multipurpose containers are disclosed. The containers have an oval base and an oval top in communication with sides of the wall extending perpendicularly from the base. The oval top is slidably positioned to open from both sides, which are perpendicular to the oval sides; the top is slidable. The multipurpose container is adapted for storing nails, screws, and similar items useful to craftsmen.

Abstract: A modular housing unit is fabricated from an intermodal cargo container. The rectangular box comprising the cargo container is cut into three sections. A right triangular section is fabricated from a center portion. The remaining portion is folded to form a “L”-shaped structure. The triangular section is reinserted into the vertex of the “L” to form a substantially triangular housing unit. A door is cut therein to provide means for entering the building. Intermodal cargo containers ranging from 20-53 feet in length can thus be employed to provide up to 424 square feet of living space.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a container and handle assembly comprising a container having at least one anchor having a portion embedded in a body of the container. The anchor has an unembedded portion with an attachment site. The assembly further comprises a handle formed separately from the container, where the handle has a mating attachment site for engaging the attachment site of the unembedded portion of the anchor. Also disclosed are methods of forming a container having at least one anchor partially embedded therein.

Abstract: A collapsible goods container has a rectangular base panel (10) with two hinge lines (37,38) extending between the width edges (17,18), parallel to the length edges (15,16) and disposed in the central region of the base panel. A first side wall (11) is hinged to a first length edge (15) of the base panel, the height of the side wall being not greater than one half of the length of a width edge (17) of the base panel. A second side wall (12) is connected to the first side wall (11) by opposed pairs of end walls (13,14) hinged to the side walls, each end wall having a fold line (23) disposed substantially centrally between the first and second side walls and substantially parallel to the common edges of the respective end and side walls. Fasteners (44) are provided to connect together the base panel and the adjacent edge of the second side wall, when the container is fully erected.

Abstract: A retaining support member for a fuel filler pipe of a vehicle includes a connecting portion for connection to the fuel filler pipe. The retaining support member also includes a body portion connected to the connecting portion for retention to structure of the vehicle and for supporting the fuel filler pipe off of the structure of the vehicle.

Abstract: A dual-container package includes a closure having a body with a first annular wall extending from the body, a second annular wall extending from the body within the first annular wall, a first dispensing opening extending through the body from between the first and second annular walls, and a second dispensing opening extending through the body from within the second annular wall. A first container is mounted to the closure by the first annular wall, and a second container is disposed within the first container and mounted to the closure by the second annular wall. The containers and the annular walls have structure for holding the containers in a predetermined angular orientation with respect to each other. In the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, this structure includes internal beads on the annular walls received by snap fit within external channels on the neck finishes of the containers.

Abstract: The present invention includes a collapsible container defined by a continuous rigid structure and an interior liner that is uniformly affixed thereto. The continuous rigid structure is preferably four-sided such that it defines four continuous surfaces of a cube. The continuous rigid structure is collapsible due to at least one scoring line defined on at least one surface thereof. The liner is integrally affixed to each of the four sides and additionally provides a fifth side that forms the bottom of the container. A protective cover is secured to the exterior of the continuous rigid structure for protecting the contained materials against the elements. The cover can be selectively sealed for rendering the container of the present invention substantially impervious to the elements.

Abstract: A method is provided for storing a cooked food in a flexible-walled container having an opening. The method includes placing a quantity of food in a flexible-walled container and submerging at least a portion of the container in a liquid with the opening being located so that liquid does not enter the opening. At least the lower portion of the container is maintained in the liquid and the food is maintained in the container below the surface of the liquid. The liquid collapses the container to seal the container. The temperature of the liquid may be maintained at a non-ambient temperature to heat or cool the food as it is stored. The method may also include storing the food adjacent a work surface, or at a remote main vat and transporting the rack to the work surface at which a serving that includes the food is prepared.

Abstract: A can end having a countersink bead, an inclined chuck wall and a strong seam, resists distortion from its circular profile when subjected to thermal processing or when packaging carbonated beverages. This high hoop strength affects the manner in which the can end ultimately fails when placed under extreme abuse conditions, even if buckle pressure performance is within industry specified standards. The can end of the invention has control features introduced which control the failure mode while maintaining specified buckle pressure performance. In one embodiment, the can end has a two part wall and a control feature that comprises expansion of the countersink bead to act as a trigger for local peaking, together with a groove in the chuck wall which prevents the peaking force from being concentrated at a single point which could result in leaking by the production of a pin hole.

Abstract: A multi-use intermodal container for transporting cargo comprises compartments, each having both a hopper for discharging particulate material from the bottom of the compartments and a floor above the hopper for supporting standard freight thereon. The floor is arranged to allow passage of particulate material therethrough so that the compartments can be used either for bulk material transport or standard cargo/freight. A door in the side wall provides access to store cargo on the floor of the compartment and a roof hatch provides access to store bulk materials in the compartment for subsequent removal through the hopper.