Patents by Inventor William P. Apps

William P. Apps has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • PLASTIC BEER KEG
    Publication number: 20120111874
    Abstract: A plastic keg includes a liner including a neck portion and a body portion. A lid having an opening is disposed at least partially over the liner. The liner is disposed in an outer container having a wall with at least one locking rib projecting therefrom. The locking rib angles downward and the lid secured to the outer container by the at least one locking rib. Optionally, a locking ring securing the neck portion of the liner to the lid may be configured to release the liner when the filled keg is dropped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Stackable low depth tray
    Patent number: 8146746
    Abstract: A tray for storing and transporting bottles according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a base and a plurality of corner columns and side columns extending upwardly from the base, including center side columns. The center side columns and the corner columns having outer ledges defining a nesting height of the tray, such that the side walls of a similar tray nested thereon would contact and rest on the outer ledges of the center side columns and the corner columns. According to another, independent feature of the present invention, the noncenter side columns are offset inwardly relative to adjacent columns. This accommodates the handle of the tray in a ninety-degree cross-stacked configuration. As another optional feature, end columns are offset inwardly relative to adjacent corner columns in order to accommodate the handle of a similar tray nested thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • PALLET ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20120073479
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes a top deck having a top deck upper surface and a top deck lower surface and also having a first predetermined fire retardancy. A bottom deck having a bottom deck upper surface and a bottom deck lower surface, and also having a second predetermined fire retardancy. A column extending between the top deck and bottom deck, the column having an other fire retardancy lower than at least one of the first and second fire retardancies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Dumpster
    Patent number: 8141921
    Abstract: Several embodiments of plastic dumpsters with improved strength and durability are disclosed. In one embodiment, gussets connect pockets to bevel walls, connecting the side walls to front and rear walls of the dumpster. The bevel walls are stronger than the side walls of the dumpster. Other embodiments disclose gussets integral with front and rear walls of the dumpster for improved strength. Other embodiments disclose removable, separately formed sleeves that are secured to the sides of the dumpster to form pockets for receiving the forks of a truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Jon P. Hassell
  • Nestable crate for containers
    Patent number: 8123034
    Abstract: A nestable crate for bottles includes a floor portion having a floor top surface, a floor bottom surface and a plurality of bottle support areas. A wall structure is connected to the floor portion and forms a containment area therewith. The wall structure has a peripherally extending upper band portion with an interior surface and an exterior surface, and also has a single-walled lower wall construction comprising adjacent column members which extend between the upper band the and floor portion. The wall structure includes sidewalls and end walls, and adjacent column members have curved facing surfaces extending inwardly into the containment area. The inner surface of the upper band portion, one of the plurality of bottle support areas, and the facing surfaces define a plurality of bottle receiving pockets extending around the periphery of the wall structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Robert V. Gruber
  • Rack for containers
    Patent number: 8100273
    Abstract: A rack for securing containers includes a plurality of bays into which one or more containers are received. An expandable, inflatable chamber is disposed adjacent each bay and selectively expands into the chamber to secure the containers within the bay. When installed on a vehicle, a pump may be activated automatically based upon a vehicle operating state or whenever the door is closed. Activation of the pump inflates the expandable chambers, thereby locking containers in place in the bays. This prevents movement and vibration and reduces damage to the bottles during transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Pallet assembly
    Patent number: 8091487
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes a top deck having a top deck upper surface and a top deck lower surface and also having a first predetermined fire retardancy. A bottom deck having a bottom deck upper surface and a bottom deck lower surface, and also having a second predetermined fire retardancy. A column extending between the top deck and bottom deck, the column having an other fire retardancy lower than at least one of the first and second fire retardancies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Bottle crate
    Patent number: 8056753
    Abstract: A nestable crate for bottles which includes a floor member and first and second pairs of opposed sidewalls integrally formed with the floor member. Each sidewall includes a side band member which is defined by a centrally disposed upper edge and lower edge. The lower edge is spaced above the floor member by a predetermined distance to define a sidewall nesting area therebelow. The upper and lower edges each contoured downwardly to form a corner band portion having a corner upper edge and corner lower edge, wherein each nesting area matingly receives a corresponding side band member of a crate nested subjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Gerald R. Koefelda, William P. Apps
  • Pallet assembly
    Patent number: 8056488
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a lower deck spaced by a plurality of columns. The weight of the pallet is reduced without significant reduction in strength by providing only a single cross beam in each of the upper and lower reinforcement members and orienting them perpendicular to one another. The reinforcement members are minimized for weight reduction and for improved performance in heat tests. The peripheral rail of the upper reinforcement member is reduced such that it rests on only an inwardly open recess on an inner corner of each of the corner columns. This reduces the size and weight of the upper reinforcement member, while still providing support to the upper deck. Additionally, the peripheral rails of both the upper and lower decks are reduced in length such that either ledge does not directly support them while the pallet is stored on a rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Justin M. Smyers, Trenton M. Overholt
  • Container
    Patent number: 8052000
    Abstract: A pallet includes a plurality of supports supporting a floor. The supports each include a plurality of columns integrally-molded with at least one runner and snap-fit to the floor. At least one wall is moveable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the floor. A hinge connecting the wall to the base includes a first axis and a second axis offset by the first axis. The hinge is locked when the wall is in the upright position to prevent rotation about the second axis but permit rotation about the first axis. A hinge assembly connects a door to the wall and includes a first hinge pin and a second hinge pin. The hinge assembly permits the door to open completely relative to the wall to a position at least substantially parallel to and adjacent the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • PLASTIC BEER KEG
    Publication number: 20110180535
    Abstract: A plastic beer keg includes an outer container and a liner having a neck portion and a body portion. A removable lid is secured over an opening of the container to enclose the liner. A locking ring secures the neck portion to the lid. The neck optionally includes a neck ring which interlocks with the opening through the lid to prevent relative rotation therebetween. The locking ring optionally includes ratcheting teeth engaging ratchet teeth on the lid to prevent inadvertent loosening of the locking ring. The liner may be suspended from the lid by the neck when empty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • SNAP-TOGETHER PALLET
    Publication number: 20110162563
    Abstract: A pallet for use with a fork lift includes a top deck, a mid-top member and a base. The top deck has a plurality of ribs extending downwardly and a plurality of column-receiving recesses formed on the underside thereof. The base includes a plurality of columns projecting substantially vertically and received within the recesses of the top deck. Snap-tabs secure the columns to the deck. A generally planar mid-top member is secured to the plurality of ribs on the deck and has a plurality of openings into which are received the plurality of columns. The mid-top member is sandwiched between the ribs of the top deck and shoulders formed on the outer periphery of the columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Sean T. Ogburn, William P. Apps, Robert V. Gruber, Jeffrey L. Wilkerson
  • NESTABLE PALLET
    Publication number: 20110139040
    Abstract: A nestable pallet includes a deck having an upper panel, a lower panel and a plurality of ribs extending perpendicularly from the upper panel to the lower panel. The upper panel further includes a plurality of openings for receiving feet of a similar pallet when nested. The lower panel further includes a plurality of feet extending downward from the deck, each foot having a cavity defined therein lined within one of the plurality of openings in the upper panel. Each cavity is configured to receive a foot from a similar pallet when nested therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Gerald R. Koefelda, Cynthia R. Aiken
  • Low depth stackable tray
    Patent number: 7950521
    Abstract: A tray for containers, such as beverage bottles, includes a base and a plurality of interior columns extending upwardly from the base. A plurality of columns extend upwardly along at least a portion of the periphery of the tray. Side walls extend along the sides of the tray and end walls extend along the ends of the tray, the end walls connected to the side walls by corner walls. The corner walls protrude upwardly higher than the side walls and end walls and include an opening at a lower edge thereof for receiving a corner portion of an identical tray nested therebelow. In another, independent feature, dividers and/or the walls include recesses along uppermost edges to reduce the overall footprint of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Snap-together pallet
    Patent number: 7921784
    Abstract: A pallet for use with a fork lift includes a top deck, a mid-top member and a base. The top deck has a plurality of ribs extending downwardly and a plurality of column-receiving recesses formed on the underside thereof. The base includes a plurality of columns projecting substantially vertically and received within the recesses of the top deck. Snap-tabs secure the columns to the deck. A generally planar mid-top member is secured to the plurality of ribs on the deck and has a plurality of openings into which are received the plurality of columns. The mid-top member is sandwiched between the ribs of the top deck and shoulders formed on the outer periphery of the columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Sean T. Ogburn, William P. Apps, Robert V. Gruber, Jeffrey L. Wilkerson
  • Pallet assembly
    Patent number: 7918166
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a lower deck spaced by a plurality of columns. The weight of the pallet is reduced without significant reduction in strength by providing only a single cross beam in each of the upper and lower reinforcement members and orienting them perpendicular to one another. The reinforcement members are minimized for weight reduction and for improved performance in heat tests. The peripheral rail of the upper reinforcement member is reduced such that it rests on only an inwardly open recess on an inner corner of each of the corner columns. This reduces the size and weight of the upper reinforcement member, while still providing support to the upper deck. Additionally, the peripheral rails of both the upper and lower decks are reduced in length such that either ledge does not directly support them while the pallet is stored on a rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Justin M. Smyers, Trenton M. Overholt
  • PLASTIC PALLET
    Publication number: 20110073018
    Abstract: A pallet has a top deck member and a bottom deck member. The top deck member has an upper surface, and a lower surface defined by a plurality of first cross-rib members. The bottom deck member has an upper portion and runners extending downwardly therefrom in a unitary construction. The upper portion has an upper surface defined by a plurality of second cross-rib members which correspond to the first cross-rib members and securely attached to mount the top and bottom decks to each other. The runners have a lower surface and extend transversely across the pallet in a parallel orientation, and also have a plurality of upright members and support members extending between the upright members and integrally formed therewith in a unitary construction. The plurality of second cross-rib members extend generally vertically from the top deck to the lower surface of the runners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • STACKABLE LOW DEPTH TRAY
    Publication number: 20110056861
    Abstract: A tray includes a base, a pair of opposed side walls and a plurality of interior columns between the side walls. A plurality of dividers connect the interior columns to one another and to the side walls. Side columns project upward from the side walls. The side walls include an upper portion and a plurality of spaced-apart lower portions, thus reducing the weight of the tray while maintaining the stability of the tray. Optionally, the base could include a plurality of base walls connected by co-planar vertical ribs. The dividers include upper wall portions extending continuously between interior columns and/or an interior column and a side column and/or an interior column and an end column. The dividers include spaced apart lower wall portions each connected to one of the vertical ribs connected adjacent base walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Portable storage container
    Patent number: 7891491
    Abstract: A storage container has a floor and two pairs of opposed walls extending upwardly from the floor. Included is a bail member having bail ends mountable to one of the pairs of walls, and movable among nest and stack positions. Also included are mounting portions on one of the pairs of walls for receiving the bail ends. Mounting portions include an opening defining a plurality of pivot axes about which the bail member pivots, each axis oriented at substantially similar heights above the floor. When bail ends are positioned at one pivot axis, bail member is movable between the nested and a first stack positions. When bail ends are positioned at an other pivot axis, bail member is oriented in the second stack position. To move the bail member between first and second pivot axes, the bail member is raised upwardly within the opening and moved around an interference portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Cynthia R. Aiken, William P. Apps
  • PLASTIC BEER KEG
    Publication number: 20110017737
    Abstract: A plastic beer keg includes an outer container and an inner liner. A removable lid is secured over an opening to the container to enclose the liner. The liner includes a neck portion and a body portion. A head contact member transfers axial forces imparted by handling equipment away from the neck portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: William P. Apps