Molded Plastic Tray Patents (Class 206/203)
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Patent number: 11464705Abstract: A holding structure for concurrently holding a plurality of containers for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications includes a plurality of receptacles for receiving the containers therein at least in sections. The receptacles each have an open upper end for inserting the containers into the receptacles and a bottom end having a holding portion for limiting an axial movement of the containers in the receptacles. Guide portions are provided for guiding the containers as they are inserted into the receptacles. The guide portions are formed as guiding ribs extending in the longitudinal direction of the receptacles. Lead-in bevels are formed at upper ends of the guiding ribs which are inclined relative to the guiding ribs.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Schott Schweiz AGInventors: Christian Komann, Levent Kusogullari, Arne Kloke
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Patent number: 11319111Abstract: Multi-piece nestable basket sets are disclosed. In some embodiments, the basket sets comprise a handle component and a basket component. The present disclosure describes a system of shipping the components separately and assembling the components into a basket set prior to retail sale to customers. Exemplary basket components are configured to allow a first basket component to nest within a second basket component. In some embodiments, the basket sets herein can provide a centrally-located handle so that the set may be carried with one hand. A connecting mechanism is described wherein a handle component is connected to a basket component to create an integrated basket set that resists disassembly. Multiple embodiments of connecting mechanisms are described. One exemplary connecting mechanism comprises a handle component having two flanges that snap onto the base of a basket.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: AMERICAN ACCESSORIES INTERNATIONAL LLCInventor: David Zeanah
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Patent number: 10759563Abstract: A nestable crate includes a base, a pair of opposed side walls extending upward from the base, and a pair of opposed end walls extending upward from the base. The side walls and end walls include an upper band portion and a lower portion connecting the base to the upper band portion. A center structure extends from one of the end walls to the other of the end walls. The center structure includes a plurality of center column portions extending down to the base. The center structure further includes an upper handle portion partially defining a handle opening therebelow. The upper handle portion includes spaced-apart handle side walls defining openings upward of the crate.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2016Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventors: Suzanne Whitfield Clark, William P. Apps
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Patent number: 10542832Abstract: A food serving system includes a top serving portion and a bottom serving portion removably nested under the top serving portion. The bottom serving portion includes a closeable compartment with a door operatively connected to the closeable compartment to optionally occlude and unocclude an opening of the closeable compartment. A food serving system includes a serving tray including a top serving portion and a bottom serving portion. The bottom serving portion includes a closeable compartment with a door operatively connected to the closeable compartment to optionally occlude and unocclude an opening of the closeable compartment. The top serving portion is formed within the door of the bottom serving portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Inventor: Michelle Marciano
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Patent number: 10336497Abstract: A core tray is provided, comprising a body including at least one channel arranged to hold at least one core sample, wherein the body includes at least one set of handles arranged to, in use, allow a user to grip the core tray to assist in moving the core tray.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2013Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Prospectors IP Holdings Pty LimitedInventor: Robert Mark Keast
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Patent number: 10252858Abstract: The present disclosure describes a caddy for cleaning supplies combining a storage tray, integrated chute and removable storage bin for holding dirty or contaminated items. The caddy generally has an upper section with a carrying handle for holding cleaning tools and a lower section used as a storage bin for dirty or contaminated items. In operation, the upper tray is removably fastened to the lower bin wherein the tray acts as a cover for the storage bin with the sidewalls of the storage tray positioned above the lower bin. Accordingly, the entire storage bin opening is covered by the tray when the upper section is fastened thereto. Additionally, a chute extends through the storage tray for depositing dirty or contaminated materials without unfastening the upper section from the lower section. Thus, unused or otherwise clean items are separated from dirty items while still being sufficiently held in a single caddy.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2018Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Inventors: Lindsay D. Pearson, Daniel W. Ferguson
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Patent number: 10081471Abstract: A beverage carrier for holding, storing, and carrying beverages is provided. The carrier has a handle and six or more individually detachable sleeves arranged in two rows on each side of the handle. When a sleeve is detached from the carrier, with a beverage remaining within the sleeve, the sleeve serves as an insulating device for the beverage. The beverage carrier is manufactured from a template, which is a single, continuous piece of generally flat material such as cardboard or paperboard. The end sleeves of each row of sleeves is attached directly to the handle, and the middle sleeves are attached to the handle via a hinge that allows the middle sleeves to be folded into place between the end sleeves. The hinges allow the template to be made from a single piece of material without any overlapping material. Because the carrier is made from such a template, a high volume of carriers can be manufactured using automated machinery.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2015Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Inventors: T. Pike Barkerding, Robert Henry Post
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Patent number: 9023290Abstract: The invention relates to a container for a contact lens storage solution, in particular having contact lenses in said contact lens storage solution. The container has a vessel (14), which has a filling opening (20), and a first closing element (24), which can be attached to the vessel (14) and which closes the filling opening (20). The first closing element (24) has a gas supply channel (42) for a cleaning and/or sterilizing gas, which extends from at least one inlet (40) on an outer face of the first closing element (24) to at least one outlet (48) on an inner face of the first closing element (24) facing the interior of the vessel (14). On the outer face of the first closing element, said first closing element (24) has at least one venting opening (50) for the escape of gas from the vessel (14).Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Inventors: Albert Sturm, Yves Nold
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Patent number: 8636169Abstract: A tote having both a caddy and a removable mini caddy is disclosed. The removable mini caddy attaches to the caddy with a series of guide walls and guide rails that allow the removable mini caddy to be cooperatively received by the caddy. The handle of the removable mini caddy nests with the handle of the caddy while they are attached, providing the user with a single handled tote that is easy to transport and use while still having the convenience of an extra tote where objects can be temporarily removed and then replaced without the need for transferring the objects from one tote to another. The removable mini caddy may be easily removed and then replaced within the caddy while remaining securely in place during use and transport.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Casabella Holdings, LLCInventor: Andre Sampaio
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Patent number: 8636142Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 10, 2009Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventor: William P. Apps
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Patent number: 8522967Abstract: A cell tray suitable for accommodating bottles of at least two different sizes. The cell tray has a loading surface to receive bottle bottoms in a matrix-like loading pattern and holding devices to receive and lock into place bottle mouths loaded onto a similar cell tray beneath said holding devices in a stack of cell trays. The holding devices are arranged as to align with at least two separate loading patterns on the loading surface. The first loading pattern is formed by a first plurality of holding devices arranged in a matrix-like formation having a first number of rows and columns. The second loading pattern is formed by a second plurality of holding devices arranged in a matrix-like formation having a second number of rows and columns. The second number of rows and columns is at least one less than the first number of rows and columns.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2013Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: K. Hartwall Oy ABInventor: Johan Lindström
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Patent number: 8469185Abstract: A packaging structure of containers for pharmaceutical use including a main body in plastic having a bottom and side walls, positioning pins and partitions for predetermined spatial positioning of the containers, and a lid applied for closing the main body. The lid includes a membrane selectively permeable to a sterilising fluid suitable to sterilize the containers.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Inventor: Fabiano Nicoletti
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Patent number: 8448806Abstract: A crate according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a base, a pair of opposed side walls extending upward from the sides of the base and a pair of end walls extending upward from ends of the base. The end walls each include a pair of spaced apart end columns each having a side flange partially defining a bottle receiving pocket and a lower rib projecting upwardly from the base between the side flanges. A handle extends across the pair of spaced apart columns at each end wall.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2012Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventor: Jon P. Hassell
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Patent number: 8142740Abstract: A rack for an automated processing system. The rack includes a number of wells adapted to hold at least a first sample container having a first size, and a second sample container having a second size. The second size, which may be a diameter, a height, or both, is substantially different from the first size. A structure joins the wells. The rack is adapted to fit in an automated processing system that is adapted to remove both the first sample container and the second sample container from the rack.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Qiagen Gaithersburg, Inc.Inventors: Brian Austin Self, James Hal Godsey
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Patent number: 8109408Abstract: A crate according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a base, a pair of opposed side walls extending upward from the sides of the base and a pair of end walls extending upward from ends of the base. The end walls each include a pair of spaced apart end columns each having a side flange partially defining a bottle receiving pocket and a lower rib projecting upwardly from the base between the side flanges. A handle extends across the pair of spaced apart columns at each end wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventor: Jon P. Hassell
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Patent number: 7950521Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 9, 2010Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventor: William P. Apps
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Patent number: 7658278Abstract: A can tray (10) includes a floor (12) and a plurality of support members (24) extending upwardly from a periphery of the floor. A plurality of upstanding projections (18,20) extend upwardly from the floor and define can-receiving (14) areas therebetween. Each of the projections includes concave surfaces (19,21) facing the can-receiving areas. The support members are hollow, such that support members of one can tray can be nested within the support members of an identical can tray stacked thereon. The plurality of projections includes a plurality of center projections (18) along at least one of two centerlines of the tray and a plurality of non-center projections (20) not on either of the two centerlines of the tray. The center projections extend higher than the non-center projections.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2003Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventors: William P. Apps, Sean T. Ogburn
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Publication number: 20090194437Abstract: A disposable beverage cup carrier is preferably made from molded pulp, plastic or other resilient material capable of withstanding the force of four filled beverage cups while carried by integral carrying handle and preventing collapsing of the carrier and resultant spillage of the hot or cold beverage. The beverage cup carrier has a top surface, generally square in shape, of sufficient diameter capable of accommodating a integral ergonomically carrying handle. The beverage cup carrier is capable of holding one to four cups of various sizes and shapes of beverage containers providing a safe and sturdy means during transportation preventing spillage. The integral carrying handle positioned in the center of the top surface allows the user to carry up to four beverage containers with one hand providing enhanced safety and allowing a free hand for purposes of opening the door of one's automobile.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2009Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventor: Robert J. D'Agostino
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Patent number: 7562787Abstract: A beverage hold and transport system is described typically for transporting a plurality of cups of coffee or other beverages. In one system, one or more trays can be suspended from an upper tray that is adapted to be carried by a person using a single hand thereby increasing the number of beverages the person can transport. In another system, a mechanism for removably attaching a container to the bottom of the tray is provided such that any spills from the beverages contained in the tray are directed into the container and not on to a surface therebelow.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2007Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Inventor: Raymond F Serrano
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Publication number: 20080314771Abstract: A thermoformed tray includes a base wall and a plurality of side walls curving upwardly from a periphery of the base wall. A guide rail projects downward from the periphery of the base wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Daniel Barbalho, Ryan C. Meers, Sean T. Ogburn, Nathan Manuel
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Publication number: 20080257763Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for packaging bottles having a neck portion. The system includes a plate having a base on which a plurality of bottles stand in a series of rows. The system also includes a bridge having a central planar portion and a plurality of arcuate recesses extending into a periphery of the central planar portion. Each recess is sized to receive a neck portion of one of the bottles. A means of binding the bottles together is provided, wherein the means of binding creates an inwardly directed force against the bottles. The bridge counteracts the inwardly directed force and thereby maintains the bottles in an upright position on the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventor: Richard OGG
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Patent number: 6860389Abstract: A fixture for recycling bottles made of plastics, which includes a base plate and means for anchoring the bottles arranged on the upper side of the base plate and engaging in indentations provided on the bottle bottoms, and a recycling bottle made of plastics to be used with such a fixture and including an indentation on its bottle bottom. In order to facilitate handling of the bottles for recycling purposes and to enable the automated determination of possible deposits for the bottles as well as the simple and rapid recyclability of the bottles, it is provided that the anchoring means, in a sense oriented away from the upper side of the base plate, have decreasing cross sections and barb-shaped formations. Thus, the optimum support of the bottles on the fixture is safeguarded. Preferably, the base plate is located within the projection of the bottles onto the base plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Prof. Birkmayer Gesundheitsprodukte GmbHInventor: Ernest E. Kraxner
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Publication number: 20040031711Abstract: A support apparatus for receiving and supporting stacked tiers of bottles, particularly wine bottles. The support apparatus is (a) located below a first tier of layers of wine bottles, (b) placed between tiers of bottles, in case of multiple layers of bottles, and (c) secured above a top tier of layers of bottles, all to provide a stacked and secured arrangement of bottles that is suited for storage or transport. The support apparatus is preferably formed from a resinous plastic, polymeric material, such as PET. A multiple of the bottle supports combine to support a multiple layers of bottles in a tiered array. The bottle supports are manufactured in thin, nestable configurations, and are stored with a small, compact nested stack height.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2003Publication date: February 19, 2004Inventor: Joseph O'Malley
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Patent number: 6454120Abstract: A low depth bottle crate has a peripheral wall of uniform height, the peripheral wall including a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls. A longitudinal interior partition extends between the end walls and a plurality of transverse interior partitions extend between the side walls to thereby create a plurality of bottle receiving pockets within the peripheral wall. A crate bottom is connected to the peripheral wall, an upper surface of the crate bottom formed to include a bottle supporting platform for each bottle receiving pocket. The crate interior includes a plurality of columns located at intersections of the transverse partitions and the longitudinal partition, each interior column comprised of four discrete hollow posts, each having a convex surface facing radially into one of four of the bottle receiving pockets that surround each of the interior columns.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Norseman Plastics LimitedInventor: Roy Hammett
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Patent number: 6401960Abstract: A low depth bottle crate includes a peripheral wall of uniform height, the peripheral wall including a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls. A longitudinal interior partition extends between the end walls and a plurality of transverse interior partitions extend between the side walls to thereby create a plurality of bottle receiving pockets within the peripheral wall. A crate bottom is connected to the peripheral wall, an upper surface of the crate bottom formed to include a bottle supporting platform for each of the bottle receiving pockets. A plurality of interior columns are located at intersections of the transverse partitions and the longitudinal partition, each interior column having an interior surface facing radially into each of four of the bottle receiving pockets that surround each of the interior columns, the surface having a pair of vertically extending interior convex ribs adapted to provide support for a bottle loaded into the respective pocket.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Norseman Plastics LimitedInventor: Roy Hammett
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Patent number: 6345830Abstract: A portable and retractable cart primarily for transporting and dispensing beverages at selected mobile sites, then retractable to a relatively thin profile for easy storage. The cart comprises a planar, U-shaped frame member, a pair of pivotal wheels at the frame free ends, and first and second hinged and supportable platforms for transporting and dispensing the beverages.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2000Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Inventor: Danny J. Chavez
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Patent number: 6325210Abstract: A package for shipping wine bottles vertically upright. A tray is provided for the bottom of a corrugated box to receive the bottoms of bottles and a protector is provided to engage and hold the bottle necks. Both the tray and protector are formed of molded pulp. The bottles are clamped between the bottom and top of the box and held against lateral movement relative to the box by engagement of the tray and protector with the walls of the box.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2000Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Inventor: Douglass C. Henry, Jr.
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Publication number: 20010032855Abstract: A packing tray is provided for use in both cell pack and tray pack arrangements. The packing tray is unitarily formed from polystyrene foam to have a cellular structure. Cells are arranged in longitudinal rows of alternating odd and even numbers, and the cells are partially separated by cell dividers, which have at least major portions recessed within the tray.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2001Publication date: October 25, 2001Inventor: Mark A. Bergeron
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Patent number: 6290057Abstract: A bottle shipping structure made of molded fiber having two tray portions. The first portion is folded along a hinge line, and placed within a carton, defining multiple bottle receiving portions for engaging the bottle heel portions, maintaining the bottles in spaced positions away from the bottom and sides of the trays, as well as maintaining the bottles in spaced relation to each other. The second portion is folded along a hinge line and placed within the carton, over the top, neck ends of the bottles. Neck engaging finger members grab the bottle necks and limit movement thereof. Centrally within the bottle receiving portions, the bottles are held spaced away from contact with the tray portions, to prevent the likelihood of the bottle labels from becoming damaged by abrasion.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1999Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Western Pulp Products Co.Inventor: Richard B. Hurley
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Patent number: 6237758Abstract: A stackable case for retaining and transporting containers having radially outward projecting lids includes a bottom panel member having a lower surface and an upper surface with a plurality of container support areas therein. It further includes a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls integrally formed with and projecting upward from the bottom panel member, the side walls having a lower wall portion and a plurality of spaced upwardly projecting pylons which includes four corner pylons defining four corners of the case. The lower wall portion has a plurality of raised projections disposed thereon which define a lower plane sufficiently spaced from the upper surface of the bottom panel member to receive the lid of the container securely therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2000Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventor: Roger S. Hsu
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Patent number: 6131730Abstract: A stackable case for retaining and transporting containers includes outer side walls forming an outer shell, a bottom panel disposed substantially within the outer shell, and a plurality of supports for supporting the outer surfaces of the containers. The side walls include a lower wall portion and a plurality of spaced upwardly projecting pylons, where four corner pylons define the four corners of the case. At least one upwardly projecting column is generally disposed within the outer shell, and defines, in combination with the bottom panel, the side walls and the end walls, a plurality of container retaining pockets. The columns and the pylons extend above the lower wall portions. One or more retention members are also provided on the inner wall surfaces of the case in order to securely retain the container in the case during transport and storage.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1999Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventor: Roger S. Hsu
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Patent number: 6109857Abstract: A method of handling containers, for instance beverage containers, such as bottles, flasks, cans, etc. that shall be distributed to retailers in shallow trays suitable for display purposes. The trays are constructed to enable several container-loaded trays to be stacked one upon the other. Container-loaded trays are lifted by moving a number of carrier-supported grippers (9) into a corresponding number of upwardly open holes (6) provided in the tray in interspaces between the containers. The lifting devices are brought into engagement with the walls defining the holes and the tray can then be lifted and handled with the tray suspended by the carrier (8).Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1998Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Inventor: Lars Erik Trygg
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Patent number: 6079554Abstract: A tray for holding a plurality of beverage containers has a floor with a plurality of container seating areas on its top surface and structure on its bottom surface to enable a plurality of the trays loaded with containers to be stacked on top of one another in stable relationship, yet slid relatively easily on top of one another when desired. Peripheral heel protector bands extend around the periphery of the tray to protect the lower ends of containers from damage, and spacer members project upwardly from the floor between the container seating areas to maintain containers in the tray spaced from one another and prevent displacement of the containers from their seating areas when the tray is tilted. A tray sidewall includes spaced pillars extending upwardly from the periphery of the floor and supporting a top rail at their upper ends.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1998Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: International Container Systems, Inc.Inventors: Roy Hammett, Douglas H. Heilman
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Patent number: 6073793Abstract: A stackable case for retaining and transporting bottles includes outer side walls forming an outer shell, a case bottom disposed substantially within the outer shell, and a plurality of supports for supporting the outer surfaces of the bottles. The side walls include a lower wall portion and a plurality of spaced upwardly projecting pylons, where four corner pylons define the four corners of the case. At least one upwardly projecting column is generally disposed within the outer shell, and defines, in combination with the case bottom, the side walls and the end walls, a plurality of bottle retaining pockets. The columns and the pylons extend above the lower wall portions and below a top surface of the retained bottles. The end walls each include an integrally molded handle structure suspended between an upper portion of adjacent corner pylons to thereby define a generally open end wall area below the handle structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventors: William P. Apps, Philip C. Hwang
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Patent number: 5967306Abstract: A stackable bottle case includes side surfaces divided into side walls running around the bottom and supporting pillars protruding upward beyond the side walls, and a bottom for receiving the bottles. The supporting pillars in the area of the case sides extend with their outside surfaces in essentially directly flush continuation of the side wall outside surface from there upward and on a slightly inward slant. This results not only in a compact exterior but also in smooth outside surfaces of the side surfaces which firstly avoid a danger of injury during handling of the cases and secondly permit easy cleaning of the bottle case. The slight inward slant of these pillars permits uncomplicated engagement of the stacked bottle cases when they contain no bottles. In addition, this inward slant permits fast stacking because when a bottle case is placed above it is automatically centered on the bottle case below by the inward slanting pillars on all sides and then mounted in centered fashion.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1997Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Inventor: Hans Umiker
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Patent number: 5964343Abstract: A carrying plate (1) for beverage cans (5) which have a seamless transition between base and casing is described, can receiving portions (2) being provided on the upper side of the plate with resilient holding devices (3) for the beverage cans (5) distributed over the perimeter and protruding from the upper side of the plate. In order to create advantageous construction conditions, it is proposed that the resilient holding devices (3) should form gripping jaws (4) for resiliently pressing in the casing of a can, and that the can receiving portions (2) should have, as well as these resilient holding devices, rigid axial guide webs (8) for the beverage cans (5) to be received.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1998Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Steiner Technology GmbHInventor: Alfred Steiner
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Patent number: 5938011Abstract: A multiple-container package that includes a plastic tray having a base with an integral peripheral wall, a plurality of pockets in the base and flange portions extending along opposite sides of the peripheral wall. A plurality of filled and closed containers, such as beverage containers, each has a lower end received in one of the tray pockets in an upper end spaced above the tray. A canopy in the form of a thin plastic sheet engages the upper ends of the containers, and is stretched taut over the containers. The side edges of the canopy sheet are secured to the undersides of the flange portions of the tray in such a way that residual stresses in the canopy sheet, which hold the containers in the tray pockets, exert shear stresses on the securement bond between the sheet and the tray flanges. A handle in the form of a thin flexible plastic strip is secured at opposite ends to lateral ends the tray and extends over the canopy for manually carrying the tray and package in horizontal orientation.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Owens-Illinois Labels Inc.Inventors: Hank L. Holzapfel, Dennis R. Marsh
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Patent number: 5855277Abstract: A low depth, nestable display crate for bottles, preferably of single serve capacity, is integrally molded from plastic and comprises two basic components--a floor and a wall structure extending up from the floor and extending around the periphery of the floor. The floor preferably has an open lattice design and includes container support areas. The bottom surface of the floor is configured for accommodating the tops of bottles in a similar crate underneath. The wall structure comprises a lower wall portion adjacent the floor and a plurality of integrally formed pylons arranged around the periphery of the crate. The pylons are hollow and tapered so that pylons of empty crates can nest within one another. Handles are integrally formed to extend between pylons on opposing walls to provide handle bars flush with the tops of the pylons.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1997Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company, Inc.Inventors: William P. Apps, Gerald R. Koefelda
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Patent number: 5826712Abstract: A bottle package for placing bottles in a plurality of superposed layers in which the bottles are upright comprising base plates which are placed between the bottle layers to provide an efficient transport and sales package for the bottles. The base plates incorporate on one surface seats for the neck portion of a bottle, and on the other surface, cup-like seats remaining between the neck portion seats, the dimensions and shape of the cup-like seats substantially conforming to the shape of a socket in the bottle bottom portion and the seats for the neck portion including a centrally projecting protuberance having a frusto-conical shape for preventing tilting of the bottles.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1997Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Assignee: Oy Hartwall AbInventor: Veijo Aikio
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Patent number: 5819937Abstract: A bottle organizer includes a tray having a U-shaped open-ended channel for insertably receiving a plurality of food product containers such as bottles with baby formula. The tray has a bottom with a pair of upstanding U-shaped walls that have opposing spaced-apart surfaces defining the channel. Indicia is disposed at the open ends of the channel denoting an entrance and an exit respectively. Fastener elements such as suction cups may be employed to hold the tray onto a storage shelf and the length of the channel is substantially equal to the length of the plurality of bottles or containers held within the channel between its opposite ends. An ancillary storage compartment is defined in the central area between opposing surfaces of the inner wall.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1997Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Inventor: Kimberly K. Walker
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Patent number: 5785170Abstract: A beverage can tray floor has a plurality of redoubts on its bottom surface for cooperation with the rims of cans in a sub-adjacent tray to impede free sliding movement of an upper tray over the rims of cans in a sub-adjacent tray, while enabling the upper tray to be slid over the cans in the lower tray. The redoubts include at least one elongate, tapered redoubt that extends in spanning relationship to the rim of a can to facilitate initial lateral sliding movement. The tray also has peripheral heel protector bands extending around a bottom portion thereof to protect the heels of cans, and upstanding can spacer members between can seating areas to maintain cans in the tray spaced from one another and prevent displacement of the cans from their seating areas when the tray is tilted. The sidewall includes a plurality of spaced pillars extending upwardly from the floor and supporting a peripheral top rail.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1997Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Assignee: International Container Systems, Inc.Inventor: Roy Hammett
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Patent number: 5702022Abstract: The positioning compartments of a bottle crate are divided in a transverse direction by transverse dividing elements which include supporting projections with hollows halfway up, and dividing tongues which project downwards in an elastically deformable manner below them. Arranged opposite the supporting projections, on an outer wall, are supporting fingers. If the bottle crate is placed on one of the outer walls while containing bottles, each lower bottle tilts about a support formed by the supporting fingers, the bottom of the bottle being displaced in the process against the respective outer wall, and each upper bottle is likewise tilted, about a support formed by the hollows, into a position in which it is secured against sliding out of the respective positioning compartment, this tilting movement involving deformation of the respective dividing tongue. Each dividing tongue is located between the respective bottles at all times and prevents them from banging against one another.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 1996Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Assignee: Schoeller-Plast S.A.Inventor: Hans Umiker
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Patent number: 5701994Abstract: A multiple bottle package including a plastic tray including a base wall, an integral peripheral wall extending upwardly from the base wall, and an integral peripheral flange extending radially outwardly from the upper edge of the peripheral. The base wall has a plurality of bottle receiving recesses for receiving the bases of bottles. A plurality of bottles corresponding in number with the number of recesses are placed in the recesses with each bottle having a base received in a recess in the base wall of the plastic tray. Each bottle has a body portion extending upwardly from said base of said bottle, a tapered shoulder portion and a neck portion. The recesses are positioned such that the portions of said body portions of said bottles are in abutting relationship. The peripheral wall of the tray has generally vertical undulations engaging the bottles along the peripheral wall. A canopy overlies and is bonded to the tray.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1996Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Assignee: Owens-Illinois Labels Inc.Inventor: Dennis R. Marsh
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Patent number: 5673792Abstract: A bottle package for placing bottles in a plurality of superposed layers in which the bottles are upright comprising base plates which are placed between the bottle layers to provide an efficient transport and sales package for the bottles. The base plates incorporate on one surface seats the inner surfaces of which bear, for at least a portion thereof, on the mouth or neck portion of a bottle to be used in association with the base plate as the base plate is disposed on a layer of bottles, and on the other surface, cup-like seats remaining between the neck portion seats, the dimensions and shape of the cup-like seats substantially conforming to the shape of the bottom of the bottles to be used in association with the base plate for forming a package.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1995Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Assignee: Oy Hartwall AbInventor: Veijo Aikio
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Patent number: 5651459Abstract: In a bottle crate for plastic bottles, for non-returnable bottles in particular, having location members formed at the crate bottom for each bottle location department, at least one perferably annular contact member made out of a material softer than that of the carrier is arranged on at least the crate-side contact faces between each location member and bottle of the lower stack layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1995Date of Patent: July 29, 1997Assignee: Schoeller-Plast S.A.Inventor: Hans Umiker
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Patent number: 5529176Abstract: The stackable low depth bottle case of the present invention includes four side walls and a bottom portion. A plurality of upwardly projecting hollow columns extend upwardly within the side walls. The columns, walls, and bottom portion define a plurality of bottle retaining pockets. The bottle retaining pockets have flat surfaces to permit retention of bottles without base indentations and to permit rotation of petaloid bottles. The columns extend upwardly from the base portion a distance approximately one third of the height of the bottles to be retained. The columns may be hollow to permit empty cases to stack top to bottom. The lower surface of the bottom portion has circular concave portions with central retaining openings to facilitate stacking of loaded cases top to bottom. When a case is disposed on a lower filled case, the bottle tops of the lower case are guided toward the central retaining openings by the circular concave portions.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1992Date of Patent: June 25, 1996Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company, Inc.Inventors: William P. Apps, James B. Rehrig, John A. Hagan
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Patent number: 5501352Abstract: A height extension for use on top of a crate having a wall structure which extends the height of the wall structure of the crate to more stably retain containers. The extension of the present invention can be used with nestable and stackable crates to increase the heights of the crates without expensive replacement of the crates. It is particularly well suited for use with crates holding taller or differently shaped bottles. The extension also does not interfere with the nesting and stacking capabilities of the crates so that handling is not effected in any way since crates equipped with extensions are compatible with existing crates.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1993Date of Patent: March 26, 1996Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company, Inc.Inventor: William P. Apps
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Patent number: 5421477Abstract: A bottle carrier case for transporting bottles of beverage having locating means on the bottom of the case for stably stacking the case and having openings provided in the concavities for easily removing the case from overlying bottles.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1994Date of Patent: June 6, 1995Assignee: International Container Systems, INc.Inventor: Roy Hammett
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Patent number: 5405042Abstract: A full-depth bottle case and at least one divider which is releasably snapped into the floor of the case and together therewith defines a plurality (e.g., nine) of bottle receiving pockets. The pattern of pockets thereby defined and thus the case are asymmetrical about both longitudinal and lateral axes thereof. To ensure that the case is properly aligned with respect to conveyors and other case handling equipment indicator arrows are provided on the outside case walls. The divider cannot be unsnapped from the case floor simply using fingers, to deter unauthorized removal. Rather, with the case inverted, tool is actuated downward at each of the divider snap locks to unlock them so that the divider can be removed and, if desired, replaced with a different divider to accommodate different sized bottles.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1994Date of Patent: April 11, 1995Assignees: Rehrig-Pacific Company, Inc., Coca-Cola CompanyInventors: William P. Apps, Gerald R. Koefelda, Larry E. Shermer
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Patent number: 5395010Abstract: In a plastic bottle case having four side walls (4), bottom and at least one handle formed in a side wall, hollow reinforcing channels (6) closed along their periphery are formed by gas injection in the bottle case at least in certain areas.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1994Date of Patent: March 7, 1995Assignee: Schoeller International Engineering KGInventor: Hans Umiker