Abstract: A clamping device for conveyor belts has a pair of crossbars disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor belt and clamping bars each disposed between a respective crossbar and the conveyor belt. The device is mounted through the clamping bars and a hydraulic unit such as deformable hoses or an array of piston-and-cylinder units is braced between one of the clamping bars and the respective crossbar.

Abstract: This invention is a combination can crusher and exercise device. A spring loaded jaw means acts as an exerciser for the user thereof while at the same time being adaptable for use as a can crusher. The present invention has the additional feature of being self-adjustable for either short or tall cans, particularly cans of the beer and soft drink type.

Abstract: A trash compactor is provided with a ram having a single inclined surface so that on the ram's downward compacting stroke a horizontal force is created through the trash acting on the bin wall to press the bin against a retaining bar thereby preventing "walking" or horizontal movement of the bin.

Abstract: A machine for crushing metal cans into rectangular blocks or bales wherein cans are fed through a precrusher, which flattens and rips open the cans to drain liquids therefrom and leaves protruding torn tabs and flaps that facilitate bonding of the cans into a self-sustaining bale. The flattened cans are collected in a charging bin until a predetermined weight is reached; then the cans are released into a bale-forming chamber, which is closed by a hinged door forming an initial compression member. A ram then compresses the cans longitudinally in the chamber, the ram having ribs on the compression face to form grooves in the bale for future stack-retaining straps. A sliding door opens the end of the baling chamber for ejection of the formed bale by continued extension of the ram.

Abstract: Crushing apparatus for crushing containers which includes a tray on which the container is received and which can be positioned along side the housing of a crushing unit. A wiper panel is operated to move the container off the tray and into the crushing unit and onto a lower crushing platen. An upper crushing platen is then stroked down to crush the container. Following crushing, the lower platen is slid away from the crushing unit housing and the crushed container falls to a collection location.

Abstract: An impact crushing apparatus, primarily adapted to crush aluminum or steel beverage cans, which is powered by manual forces assisted by resulant inertia which achieves axial compression of metal containers between parallel surfaces supported on a stationary base and moveable ramming assembly. The subject device has a ram with attached slide appendage which appendage is adapted to reciprocate through base, and has a ramming head on one end and a handle for securing firm grasp of said ramming assembly on the opposite, upper end.

Abstract: A transportable bagging apparatus for continual, sequential loading of individual bales of agricultural products such as grass, alfalfa, corn stalks, hay, etc., into plastic tubing. The apparatus can be towed by an ordinary farm tractor or other vehicle, and can be loaded with any fork-type bale carrier or loader. A removably mounted bracket delivers plastic tubing from a roll over one of opposite open ends of a vertically positioned, pivotally mounted drum on the apparatus. When the entire roll of plastic tubing is gathered over the drum outer surface and tied over one of the drum's opposite open ends, the drum is then pivoted to a horizontal operating position with the opposite open end facing a bale engaged by a carriage. The engaged bale activates a hydraulic cylinder to force a telescoping ram against the opposite face of the carriage. This causes the engaged bale to enter the drum and load into the plastic tubing.

Abstract: A baling press having a main pressing box of rectangular shape with a side pressing box along one edge. The side pressing box has a plunger for moving material into the main pressing box. A hopper is above the boxes and between the hopper and the boxes is a pre-pressing unit having a pair of doors, each in the form of a quarter section of a cylinder which press material from the hopper downwardly into the boxes for subsequent compression and removal by a pressing plunger which moves along the longitudinal axis of the main box.

Abstract: An improved trash receptacle is provided according to this invention. This invention is particularly directed to trash containers of the type having a top assembly which attaches to the open perimeter of a container wherein the top assembly pivotably mounts a swinging door which permits access to the interior cavity of the container. The improvement comprises the addition of releasable pivot means permitting the door to be released from its pivotable engagement with the top frame such that the top can be pushed downwardly into the interior cavity of the container by the user, thereby compacting trash material therein. Once the user has completed the compaction step, the door is re-engageable with the top frame.

Abstract: A refuse packaging assembly of the kind comprising a refuse press having a pressing plunger which is axially movable in a pressing box, and a container which is adapted to be connected to the outlet end of the pressing box in order to be filled with refuse by the plunger, the container having a closure plug which is uncoupled from the container and coupled to the plunger for movement therewith when the container is connected to the press. The container carries at least one spring loaded pin which is biased into a coupling aperture in the closure plug to couple the two together, and the plunger carries at least one weaker spring loaded pin which aligns with the coupling aperture when the container is moved into position for connection to the press and the plunger is moved to a coupling position.

Abstract: A stock baler comprising a container having a bottom floor, two side walls, a stationary end wall and a movable end wall and a pair of side rams positioned in the side wall adjacent to the stationary end wall. Both the movable end wall and the pair of side rams include means to advance and retract one another respectively. The stationary end wall and the movable end wall have mating V-shaped grooves in which the open portion of the groove mates with the open end of the other groove, and the apex of each V-shaped groove is positioned on substantially the same horizontal plane. The pair of side rams are shaped to advance and retract within the mating V-shaped grooves.

Abstract: A compacting device located forwardly of a body, especially a close body of a high capacity semitrailer which received by gravity, through an opening formed in a forward upper part of the body, mainly household or industrial waste products as well as any other products of low density. The device compresses two parts moveable one with respect to each other which includes a compacting shield capable of moving above the bottom of the body and an apron capable of moving above the shield, with controls to control the motions of the shield and the apron, and two other moveable supporting parts including supporting a carriage and a slider supporting the controls, in the first phase move, and the motion of the shield and the apron, in a second time phase move, for total ejection of the waste products after transportation to a dump site.

Abstract: A uniform-pressure press apparatus has a single or a plurality of liquid-in-pressure equalizing chambers independently provided in at least one of a pressure-receiving frame and a movable table to allow an operation surface to serve as a floating plate, thereby to correct any deflection produced in the pressure-receiving frame and the movable table.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a lengthening rod and for reel pressing, in connection with loading of spring core reels on each spindle of a dyeing basket or package carrier, wherein the reels (R) are slipped onto said spindle and onto an auxiliary lengthening rod and then pressed to the height of said spindle, comprises gripping means for gripping the lengthening rod, said means including jaws movable between a closed position and an open position, said jaws having gripping seats of suitable shape to grasp said lengthening rod; means for moving said jaws in a direction according to the axis of said spindle; and means for moving said jaws transversely of said direction. The apparatus further comprises a pressing device including pressing tabs.

Abstract: Method and apparatus which reduces the charger height and the total cycle time when packing leaf or stripped tobacco by the two fill approach. When the first fill is completed, an air pressure differential is established across the tobacco in the charger from top to bottom, the pressure differential compacting the tobacco to make room for the second fill. The second fill is then supplied and the two fills are compacted into the compression chamber by the packer ram. The air pressure differential is established by providing a volume of air under pressure between the press head of the ram and the tobacco of the first fill and withdrawing air from the bottom of the charger, and withdrawal of air is continued during the second fill and the compression stroke of the ram.

Abstract: An electrically actuated can crusher having a housing, a motor mounted within the housing and a shaft rotatable by the motor and downwardly driven thereby having a crush plate thereon. The housing also includes a bottom crush plate allowing a can to be crushed to be placed in the housing between the crush plates. The housing includes an access door which, when in the open position, deactivates the motor. In this manner, when the door is closed, the motor can be activated to lower the shaft crush plate to crush a can placed therebetween. The shaft crush plate may include a lever movable in a slot in the housing to align the shaft crush plate in its movement and a reversing switch may be provided in the lever and slot to reverse the direction of movement of the shaft crush plate after crushing of a can.

Abstract: A manually operable apparatus is provided for crushing metal cans and unscrewing lids of jars. The apparatus is comprised of a base, a guide rising upwardly from the base, an overhead assembly which slidably engages the guide, and a handle adapted to cause vertical movement of the overhead assembly. A can or jar to be acted upon is positioned upright upon the base. Forceful downward movement of the overhead assembly accomplishes the desired effect.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in assembling wooden trusses and girders by holding wooden members in proper location and orientation while fastener plates are pressed into place. A frame supports an adjustable grid for supporting a clamp table at the location of each joint between wooden members, and a tower, moveable along the length of the frame, carries an articulated boom supporting an upper clamp assembly which is matable with each clamp table to press fastener plates into opposite sides of the wooden members to join them together. The apparatus is extendable and includes a wheeled undercarriage which is removeable.

Abstract: A soft drink can crusher, including a piston slidable in a cylinder, and a motor drive for a connecting rod pushing the piston against a metal can placed in one end of the cylinder and crushing the can against an anvil.

Abstract: A one-step, manually operated apparatus for one-handed flattening and folding of cylindrical crushable containers, so as to enable them to be stored in a smaller space when they are in their normal dimensions, and to flatten them in a manner that the vendor identification marks are readily discernible after flattening.

Abstract: An apparatus for compacting refuse providing an ability to compact refuse in a drum or in a bag or providing for the compaction of drums themselves which are unwanted. The apparatus provides a supportive frame having a platform on the frame upon which a drum or bag can be supported at its bottom. A provided jacket assembly can be opened for placement about the drum or bag, the jacket after closure supporting the drum or bag about its sides during compaction. A hydraulic ram having an attached compacting disk is supported vertically above the support platform and during operation compacts refuse within the jacket and in the drum or bag as desired maximizing the quantity of trash contained within a particular drum or bag for later disposal. During the compacting operation, a drum or bag is supported on its bottom by the platform on its side by the jacket and the trash is compacted from above by the compaction disk. When a bag is used, the jacket assembly supports compaction. By leaving the lid on a drum (as e.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for setting metal molds on a press bolster are disclosed. A plurality of spaced bearing units are arranged in a press bolster wherein freely rotatable main large balls of the bearing units protrude at their tops slightly above a level of an upper surface of the bolster so as to cooperate to freely slidably support a combined set of an upper and a lower molds placed thereon, for positional adjustment of the molds to a desired exact position on the bolster.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning the flanges of cans. After fruit has been deposited in cans being carried by a conveyor, pistons that are slidably carried by a second conveyor are caused to enter each can. Each piston is so constructed that it severs fruit material on the can flange and compresses the fruit therein.

Abstract: A trash compactor system which includes a trash compactor unit, a compaction receptacle and a trash deposit door disposed above the receptacle to enable trash to be desposited in the system. The door is automatically opened when a person approaches the compactor to deposit waste material therein by pressure being applied to a mat switch positioned on the floor adjacent the compactor. The compactor member compacts waste in the receptacle by passing through a compaction cycle. When pressure is removed from the switch, a predetermined time period has elapsed and the waste deposit door is closed, the compaction cycle is initiated. At this time, mechanical locks within the compactor are forced against the door, preventing the door from being opened during the compaction cycle. The mechanical locks are released after the compaction cycle is completed.

Abstract: A refuse compactor of the type having a receptacle drawer removably contained within a cabinet wherein refuse is compacted by a ram to a fraction of its normal volume. The ram includes a refuse-compressing platen actuated through a toggle linkage to which force is applied by a single screw driven by an electric motor coupled to the screw through a reduction drive. The screw, motor and drive train are carried as a unit by the toggle linkage and move bodily therewith. Improvements are provided in the cabinet, receptacle drawer, compacting mechanism and mounting framework for the same which embody many structural and operational simplification features greatly reducing the size, weight and cost of the compactor.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for the "in-field" production of compact bales of fibrous material, particularly picked cotton, the apparatus including a bin into which the fibrous material can be deposited, a series of beaters near one end of the bin which are capable of dispersing the fibrous material, a movable wall for moving the fibrous material in the bin towards the beaters, a duct extending from at a point near the beaters to a baling hopper, a blower for creating an air stream for conveying the dispersed fibrous material through the duct, and a press ram for compacting the dispersed fibrous material in the baling hopper into compact bales.

Abstract: The waste collecting apparatus includes a container with a movable wall which rises during accumulation of waste within a container and which compacts the waste within the container. Outlets for the exhaust of the carrier medium are provided in the stationary wall of the container in one embodiment or in the movable wall in a second embodiment. Compressed air may also be delivered to the container in a pulsed manner so as to impart a tamping action to the movable wall during a filling operation.

Abstract: A can crusher is composed of two basic components. A base member is mountable to a stationary surface and a lever is pivotably mounted to the base. The base includes a stationary anvil surface for receiving the side wall of a can. An inclined stationary abutment surface is affixed to the base surface to receive and abut one end of a can. The abutment surface is inclined at an acute angle to the anvil surface. An elongated lever is pivoted to the base end opposite the inclined abutment surface. The lever includes a flat crusher surface thereon for engaging a can end opposite the end presently engaging the inclined abutment surface. The lever can be manually operated to crush the can by initially moving the can axially against the inclined abutment surface. This folds the engaged end over. The remaining end is folded over by the crusher surface. The folding action may continue until the two can ends are crushed flat against the previously cylindrically can side wall.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for receiving and processing used containers including an enclosure with a rotatable carrier having one or more container receiving stations therein. Means are provided for detecting the presence of a container inserted into the receiving station. Means are also provided for crushing a container accepted for processing by the apparatus comprising a fixed crushing jaw and a movable crushing jaw adapted for dual engagement with a container to provide two stages of crushing.

Abstract: Equipment for compacting trash consisting of packaging materials and easily compressed wastes, such as cardboard, light plastic and wood packings, paper, wastes of blanks and wood, plastic and metal chips held in containers open at the top using a compacting roller entering the container and therein circularly revolving on the trash and held by a post reaching above the container, this roller performing a relative motion with respect to the container during the compaction while the contents are rising is desired to be so designed as to suffice with relatively few parts, that it be resistant to malfunction and suited to receive bulky trash.

Abstract: A baling press has a filler opening and workpiece in which a press piston is movable between retracted and compressing positions. Elongated flexible warning bands or cords, preferably elastic, are attached to the press piston and engage apparatus on the housing for extension between the piston and an edge of the filler opening to provide warning against inserting material through the filler opening. The engaging apparatus on the housing may comprise a tension arrangement to maintain the warning bands or cords taut at all positions of the piston. The tensioning apparatus may comprise a spring-loaded arrangment or an arrangement wherein the bands or cords extend about one or more rollers and are tensioned by a weight. Only a limited area of the filler opening is covered in order to provide manual access therethrough. The bands or cords may be arranged in crossing or in parallel relation.

Abstract: The towel cabinet of the present invention includes a first compartment for storing and dispensing clean, unused paper towels, and a second storage compartment for receiving and storing used paper towels. The two compartments are connected by a manual control which, when actuated, opens a door in the first compartment to permit a clean towel to be exposed and removed and at the same time actuates a panel in the second compartment which compresses used towels into the second compartment. An elevator is provided in the second compartment for adjusting the floorplate of the second compartment as more and more towels are compacted into it, and a corridor is provided between the door in the first compartment and the panel in the second compartment into which the clean towels are dispensed and disposed for retrieval by the operator and into which the used towel is discharged for movement by the panel into the second compartment.

Abstract: A portable can crushing device particularly suitable for crushing aluminum cans. The can crushing device is comprised of a housing having a carriage with an abutment movable towards a fixed abutment supported by the housing. The carriage is mounted for horizontal movement in slots in the housing and is moved toward the abutment by means of an eccentric cam, which has a curvature such that maximum force is applied to the can during the first few inches of travel, then a lesser force at higher speed is applied to complete the crushing of the can. The cam is provided by the edge of a rotably mounted plate engaging a roller on the carriage with the plate having a handle or lever for rotating the cam and applying the force. Aluminum cans placed between the carriage and end wall are crushed by rotating the handle up to apply a force through the cam to the carriage to crush the cans down to approximately less than one-fifth (1/5) their full size.

Abstract: Apparatus for expelling air from pockets between superimposed sheets of successive stacks has a brush or roller which can be lowered onto the topmost sheet of a stack while the leader of the stack is pulled along a stationary support by a tongs. The brush or roller urges successive increments of the lowermost sheet of the moving stack against a stationary or rotary anvil whereby the pockets of air are eliminated in automatic response to forward movement of the stack with the tongs. Expulsion of air from the stacks enhances their shape-retaining ability during transport toward the next processing station or stations as well as at such stations. The brush or roller is mounted on pivotable arms which can be rocked back and forth by one or more levers which are pivotable by a cam and follower assembly receiving motion from the main prime mover of the machine or production line wherein the stacks are formed and/or processed.

Abstract: A transfer vehicle with a special clamping mechanism for clamping a stack of signatures supported on a stacker, and for maintaining clamping engagement with the stack as the transfer vehicle moves the stack to a delivery position. The clamping mechanism can bring an end board over to the stacker, and deposits the end board on the stacker as the clamping mechanism engages a stack. The clamping mechanism also has independently movable clamp members that can move to different coextents in applying pressures to different portions of a stack of signatures during the clamping process. Still further, the clamping mechanism is designed to positively contain a signature stack that is removed from a stacker.

Abstract: An apparatus for compacting refuse in a drum or in a bag, or of drums themselves, is provided with a frame mounted above a platform. The platform provides a base supporting a cylindrical jacket which encloses the media to be compacted. The jacket is mounted upon a movable platform, which is positioned under a compaction disk connected to a hydraulic ram during the compacting operation and removed from under the compaction disk, when the refuse is loaded into the jacket or removed from it. The platform slides from the operating zone eliminating hazardous conditions for an operator in case if the compaction disk accidentally descends during a non-operation. The jacket can be opened for loading of refuse within its walls and can be closed prior to positioning of the jacket under the compaction disk.

Abstract: A distribution device for a butter filling system is disclosed. The distribution device receives fluent pressurized butter from a butter filling system, distributes the butter and discharges it from a plurality of outlets into a carton being filled. The distribution outlets are disposed about the periphery of the device to insure uniform filling of the carton.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing elongate brush cuttings, such as those resulting from the pruning of almond trees. The method comprises collecting the cuttings, loading them into the compaction chamber of a packer, moving a plunger longitudinally through the chamber to compress the cuttings and force them into an orientation extending generally normal to the direction of plunger travel, and discharging the cuttings from one end of the chamber while maintaining said orientation. The apparatus comprises a wheel supported chassis which carries a transfer packer and a crane supported grapple for loading cuttings into the packer. The packer has an open topped hopper into which the cuttings are charged. The plunger moves through the hopper to compress cuttings received therein and force said cuttings through a discharge opening in one side of the hopper.

Abstract: The recycling machine is provided with a baling chamber having a cyclable hydraulic ram. The ram cycles continuously, and each time it retracts, no more than a predetermined number of cans are admitted to the baling chamber for crushing and adding to the bale therein. A counting mechanism is provided as well as a mechanism for separating steel cans before baling.

Abstract: Apparatus for changing press cauls of a heated press used for fabricating a finished board. A plurality of rods having mandrels are arranged adjacent the longitudinal sides of said cauls and removably positioned in a corresponding plurality of receiving loops secured to each caul. The cauls may then be moved vertically with respect to their platens. Clamps are used to secure each caul to their respective platens. Conveyor belts are used to insert a new caul pack into the press after removal of the old cauls. The conveyor belts are secured to a plurality of arms having suction pickup means and holders used to remove a protective intermediate layer between the cauls for completing the insertion operation.

Abstract: A fluid actuated press is defined by two interlinked box shaped members having open sides with the upper member fixed and the lower member moveable with respect to the upper member. The top wall of the moveable member is positioned between the top and bottom walls of the fixed member and the space between the top wall of the moveable member and the bottom wall of the fixed member defines an expandable fluid chamber to receive pressurized fluid. When pressurized fluid is introduced into the chamber it expands the fluid chamber driving the moveable member in an upward direction toward the top wall of the fixed member and to apply a compressive force to a work piece positioned between the upper wall of the fixed member and the top wall of the moveable member. The walls of the boxed shaped member are reinforced with parallel bars which are notched or provided with tabs at the ends thereof to interlock with the bars of the adjacent connecting wall to oppose relative outward movement.

Abstract: The invention concerns a container (1) for receiving rubbish, with a closure plate (3) disposed on an end, which plate can be mated with a rubbish injection device (4) having a hopper (5) and a ram (6). The closure plate (3) is made in two parts, the upper part (8) limiting a free space being vertically movable, and the lower part (9) limiting the filling opening being horizontally movable. The lower part (9) of the closure plate (3) can be connected with the face (16) of the ram (6) and thus serves as a front plate of the ram (6).

Abstract: An hydraulic cylinder having a plurality of piston rods is disclosed. The cylinder comprises a cylindrical hollow member having a pair of end members to enclose the cylinder, a piston positioned between the end members is supported by a plurality of rods. An end of the rods is affixed to a base of a press supporting the piston in a fixed relationship to the base. The cylinder is movable along the rods and the piston, and a die is attached to the press having a movable portion attached to the cylinder end member and a fixed portion attached to the base. Movement of the cylinder in a first direction closes the die on a workpiece, and movement of the cylinder in a counter direction opens the die.

Abstract: The wood baler of the present invention comprises a rectangular frame adapted to receive a plurality of split pieces of wood. A pressure member is movably mounted to the frame so as to move toward and away from one of the end frame members. Hydraulic cylinders are connected to the pressure member for causing it to move toward the opposite frame member, thereby compressing the wood so that it can be bound together in a bale. One of the upper or lower frame members is movable from a first position to a second position which increases the distance between the upper and lower frame members. This permits release of the bale after it has been secured together.

Abstract: A press pad comprising a laminated core, made by sandwiching a hard cushion layer formed either by impregnating a porous elastic sheet with a binder and subsequently setting it or by sandwiching one or more rigid sheets of a high thermal conductivity between a plurality of porous elastic sheets individually impregnated with said binder and subsequently treated for setting thereof between two rigid sheets of a high thermal conductivity and soft cushion layers of porous elastic sheet bonded to both surfaces of said laminated core to be united with the latter as a body; which is useful for the manufacture of printed circuit boards, laminated sheets and so forth and which shows improved durability or heat-up property.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for evacuating and compacting filled aerosol cans. The cans are manually placed into a feed chute and sensing means are provided to confirm proper can orientation and to permit gravity feed of the can into a crushing mechanism. A hydraulic ram pushes the can against a stator plate. A punch reciprocates through an opening in the stator plate puncturing the bottom of the can so that the contents discharge into a receiver where the liquid contents are separated from the propellent and recovered. An air logic means controls the sequencing of the operative steps. The apparatus can be used in an explosive area.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for setting metal molds on a press bolster are disclosed. A plurality of spaced bearing units are arranged in a press bolster wherein freely rotatable main large balls of the bearing units protrude at their tops slightly above a level of an upper surface of the bolster so as to cooperate to freely slidably support a combined set of an upper and a lower molds placed thereon, for positional adjustment of the molds to a desired exact position on the bolster.

Abstract: A can crusher for axially crushing an empty can of the type having a recessed top and bottom and a pour hole in the top, the pour hole appearing when the tab is removed to empty the can. The present invention comprises first and second members having a hinge at one end for connecting the members in a hinged fashion. One of the members comprises a protrusion arranged for engaging the can bottom, preferably by protruding into the recessed bottom of the can. The other member comprises a pour hole protrusion for engaging the top of the can by protruding into the pour hole. The two protrusions are positioned on the respective members so that the can may be retained between the two members as the can is axially crushed by moving the unhinged ends of the members toward one another.

Abstract: An anti-jam blade assembly is provided on a packer-ejector blade of a refuse vehicle. The packer-ejector blade comprises a superstructure to which there is attached a downwardly inclined face. The superstructure and downwardly inclined face are reciprocated within a refuse vehicle receptacle. The anti-jam blade assembly to which this invention pertains comprises box-like elements hingedly attached to the superstructure and the blade assembly. The box-like elements are spaced apart and hingedly attached by brackets or the like to the downwardly inclined face. Springs are used to maintain the box-like elements in upward orientation and in the same plane as the superstructure. Upon an article becoming positioned between the box-like elements and the roof of the vehicle receptacle, the box-like elements will pivot forwardly thus decreasing pressure on the article and preventing jamming of the blade assembly.

Abstract: A frame forms a container having four vertical sides and a flat bottom plate. A hydraulically raised and lowered gate forms one of the sides. Wet hides are stacked on a pallet commonly used with a forklift. The gate is raised, and the loaded pallet placed on the bottom plate. The gate is lowered, and fillers are extended through side openings in the pallet into voids between the pallet top and bottom. A platen above the hides is hydraulically pressed downward within the container to compress the hides. A selected pressure on the hides is maintained for a desired compression period. The fillers within the voids limit deflections of the pallet top during compression of the hides, and consequently prevent damage to the pallet. The fillers are withdrawn, the gate raised, and the loaded pallet removed. The compressed, dry, cohesive hide bundles have a flat top and flat, vertical sides and are more efficiently packed for shipping.