Structural Features For Vertical Stacking, I.e., Similar Receptacles Patents (Class 206/503)
  • Patent number: 7439056
    Abstract: Devices and methods for performing assays on materials, particularly biological materials, are provided. The devices and methods make use of self-sealing members, which can be applied to a flat surface to form wells to facilitate immobilization of materials on the flat surface, then removed to yield a flat surface that facilitates the performance of processes on and/or detection of the immobilized material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Surface Logix Inc.
    Inventors: David Duffy, Gregory Kirk, Stewart Campbell, Olivier Schueller, Melina Agosto, Enoch Kim
  • Publication number: 20080245690
    Abstract: Package and method of flat-packing multiple pocketed spring core assemblies wherein a stack of multiple pocketed spring assemblies are trapped between a pair of wooden frames. After compression of the stack including the wooden frames, bands are tightly wrapped around the compressed stack. Loops of wire are then inserted through the stack and wrapped about at least one cross element of the frame on each side of the stack. Each loop of wire is pulled taut and its opposite ends connected together so as to prevent the center portion of the stack from ballooning outwardly after removal of compression forces on the rigid frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: L&P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Kelly M. Knewtson, William B. York
  • Publication number: 20080230427
    Abstract: A substantially cube-shaped device for safely stacking one keg on top of another comprised of three groups of bars, each of the first group of bars being substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the other groups of bars, each of the second group of bars being substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the other groups of bars, and each of the third group of bars being substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the other groups of bars and a plurality of locking members, each locking member positioned at a meeting point of one bar from each of the three groups. The kegs can be used to store and/or transport any liquid, and can further include a rubber coating or pad to prevent damaging the device and/or the kegs. The device can also further include additional support members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: James T. Muth
  • Publication number: 20080128433
    Abstract: The subject application is directed to an insulating product storage container. The container is a double-walled cup, including an inner cup member and an outer cup member, with the inner cup member sized to fit within the outer cup member. A heat-insulating space is formed by the interior surface of the outer cup member and the exterior surface of the inner cup member. The inner and outer cup members further each include a circumferential lip protruding outwardly with respect to the interior of the double-walled cup. The lips of the inner and outer cup members are welded together so as to form a sealed insulating space thereby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Mike STAUFFER, Ian Arnold, David A. Cassese
  • Patent number: 7380685
    Abstract: Containers, lids, and sleeve structures are disclosed. Particularly, sleeve structures configured for insulating, stabilizing, or both insulating and stabilizing a container are disclosed. Further, a sleeve structure including a plurality of circumferentially adjacent, longitudinally extending sections and a sleeve structure including one or more frustoconical regions are disclosed. Containers, lids, and sleeve structures including at least one stabilizing feature are disclosed. Assemblies including a lower container, associated lid and sleeve structure, wherein at least one of the lower container, the lid, or the sleeve structure includes at least one stabilizing feature for engaging at least a portion of a sleeve structure associated with an upper container, wherein the upper container is positioned longitudinally above and is substantially aligned or centered with respect to a lower container, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventors: Michael J. Simmons, Jack Simmons, John M. Simmons, Tom M. Simmons, David M. Simmons
  • Publication number: 20080116098
    Abstract: A rigid polymer food container system for holding fruit and vegetables is described. The system essentially comprises a lid and a tray with complementary mating rims that when assembled together form an airtight seal and which is further releaseably lockable to each other. Additionally, an opening formed into either the lid and/or tray member to permit the flow of air, the opening being further covered with a gas-permeable membrane that is held to the plastic surface by an adhesive. The opening permits some level of oxygenation to delay senescence of the food product and the gas-permeable membrane contributes to minimize bacterial infection and fluid leakage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: PWP Industries
    Inventors: Ira Marooflan, Terry Vovan
  • Publication number: 20080116099
    Abstract: A tray includes a plurality of elongated pockets, such as for receiving raw bread dough therein. In one embodiment, the pockets are defined by a lower wall and adjacent side walls, and the lower walls and side walls are spaced away from a base wall of the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Eduardo Garcia
  • Patent number: 7371563
    Abstract: Devices and methods for performing assays on materials, particularly biological materials, are provided. The devices and methods make use of self-sealing members, which can be applied to a flat surface to form wells to facilitate immobilization of materials on the flat surface, then removed to yield a flat surface that facilitates the performance of processes on and/or detection of the immobilized material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Surface Logix, Inc.
    Inventors: David Duffy, Gregory L. Kirk, Stewart Campbell, Olivier Schueller, Melina Amber Agosto, Enoch Kim
  • Patent number: 7350789
    Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly, or kit, of injection molded components having integrated connectors which combine to form a storage container having a plurality of snap-in spherical roller assemblies and a cooperating lid member. The storage container components are formed of injection molded plastic and include integrally formed connectors to interlock with one another without the need for separate fasteners. The integrated assembly of the bottom storage container panel and the spherical roller assemblies simplifies storage container construction and minimizes the number of components required to complete the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Uffner, Robert Kopp
  • Patent number: 7331453
    Abstract: A transportation case is provided for an automotive engine, transmission, or the like. The transportation case includes a one-piece molded plastic base and a one-piece molded plastic lid. The base includes a substantial uniform wall thickness and comprises an outer peripheral wall connected to a formed bottom to provide an upwardly opening space. The formed bottom defines a wall for receiving an automotive engine, transmission, or the like, and has opposite longitudinally extending feet for resting on a support surface and a fork lift opening between the feet. The lid includes a substantially uniform wall thickness comprising an outer peripheral wall connected to a top wall. The lid outer peripheral wall is received on the base outer peripheral wall to close the upwardly opening space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventors: James P. Burra, Susan A. Sherman, Carlos A. Castrejon
  • Publication number: 20080035035
    Abstract: Provided is a security unit comprising at least one security container conjoined to at least one appliance unit. A security container comprises a base, a closure, and an engagement element. The closure is affixable to the base and is lockably and releaseably attached to the base by an engagement element. The appliance unit may be any common appliance including, but not limited to a refrigerator. The security unit is optionally fireproof and waterproof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Suzanna L. Stone
  • Patent number: 7314136
    Abstract: A fluid container having a generally tetrahedral shape configured for interleaved packaging, and having a conduit with a seal at one end. The container is formed from either a rigid material, such as a blow-molded polymer, or a semi-rigid material, including pliant sheet material in one or more plies. It may include a recess in its base to improve container rigidity and stability. The seal at one end of the conduit can be either a fitment, or a frangible closure, and may include a tab to facilitate opening. Also, a multi-pack of items and a method for assembling a multi-pack of items for the efficient use of shelf space. A first plurality of generally tetrahedral items is arranged in a hexagonal footprint, and is interleaved with a second plurality of similarly arranged tetrahedral items. A small void space within the resulting multi-pack may be optionally used to carry another object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Super Chill Beverage Croup Inc.
    Inventor: Roland E. Stefandl
  • Patent number: 7314148
    Abstract: Containers, lids, and sleeve structures are disclosed. Particularly, sleeve structures configured for insulating, stabilizing, or both insulating and stabilizing a container are disclosed. Further, a sleeve structure including a plurality of circumferentially adjacent, longitudinally extending sections and a sleeve structure including one or more frustoconical regions are disclosed. Containers, lids, and sleeve structures including at least one stabilizing feature are disclosed. Assemblies including a lower container, associated lid and sleeve structure, wherein at least one of the lower container, the lid, or the sleeve structure includes at least one stabilizing feature for engaging at least a portion of a sleeve structure associated with an upper container, wherein the upper container is positioned longitudinally above and is substantially aligned or centered with respect to a lower container, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventors: Michael J. Simmons, Jack Simmons, John M. Simmons, Tom M. Simmons, David M. Simmons
  • Publication number: 20070295639
    Abstract: The present invention provides a packaging assembly for displaying and shipping a packaged product, the packaging assembly comprising a display pack having one or more product chambers for containing the packaged product and a box that houses the display pack, the box including a front panel having a product window disposed therein for revealing the packaged products contained within the display pack, wherein the front panel includes a lip around a perimeter of the product window that prevents the display pack from being removed from the box through the product window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Jeffrie Green, Ron S. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 7311202
    Abstract: A combinative cabinet includes a cabinet body formed with five sideboards with an open front side. An upper, a lower, a right and a left sideboard are respectively provided with two dovetail-shaped projections spaced apart by a same shaped groove or two same-shaped grooves spaced apart with a dovetail-shaped projection, and an L-shaped groove respectively formed at two rear corners of the upper, the lower, the right and the left sideboard. Then plural sets of two assembled cabinet bodies are combined together by juxtaposing and superposing modes, and this assembling method is repeatedly used for forming a large mass of plural combinative cabinets assembled together with convenience, fastness and stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Feng-Kuei Chen
  • Patent number: 7311217
    Abstract: A nestable display crate for bottle carriers having a floor and a wall structure with that is designed to reveal the labels on the bottle carriers. The wall structure is of double thickness and comprises a lower wall portion adjacent the floor and a plurality of integrally formed contoured upper wall portions extending upward from the lower wall portion. The wall structure is hollow throughout allowing the contoured upper wall portions to be received within the lower wall portion of a crate nested thereabove. The contoured upper wall portions are tapered to be smaller in cross section at the top and larger near the lower wall portion to enable easy nesting and to avoid nested crates from becoming wedged together due to interference. The upper wall portions are in the shape of gear teeth that are spaced along the opposing sidewalls and endwalls of the crate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: William Patrick Apps
  • Publication number: 20070284282
    Abstract: A wafer storage container includes an outer peripheral portion located outside an outer peripheral edge of a wafer, and a placing portion which extends from a position lower than an uppermost surface of the outer peripheral portion to a radial inside of the wafer and on which the wafer is placed at a position lower than the uppermost surface of the outer peripheral portion. The placing portion includes a first inclined surface which descends toward the radial inside of the wafer and can be brought into contact with only the outer peripheral edge of the wafer when the wafer is placed and a second inclined surface which is on a rear side of the first inclined surface, ascends toward the radial inside of the wafer, and can be brought into contact with only the outer peripheral edge of a lower wafer when a plurality of wafer storage containers are stacked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Toshitsugu Yajima, Toshiyuki Kamada
  • Publication number: 20070272590
    Abstract: A packaging structure is provided. The packaging structure is used to package at least two semiconductor elements. The packaging structure includes a flexible film. The flexible film has a contacting surface. The at least two semiconductor elements are placed on the contacting surface. The contacting surface has slight stickiness such that the positions of the at least two semiconductor elements relative to the contacting surface can be held.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: AU OPTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Te-Hai Tseng, Jin-Shr Huang
  • Publication number: 20070193912
    Abstract: A package 10 can be piled up in a multistage condition. The package 10 includes a base 12 for supporting a side portion 11c of a honeycomb structure 11 so as to house a honeycomb structure by lying its long axis in parallel with a horizontal direction; a protection member 13 for surrounding the honeycomb structure 11 and the base 12 from the side; and a box for housing the honeycomb structure 11, the base 12, and the protection member 13.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Shiraki, Takuya Sato, Kunikazu Hamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7179246
    Abstract: A stack of absorbent articles includes at least a first absorbent article and a second absorbent article adjacent in the stack, each article being individually wrapped in a wrapping cover with a container part and a lid part releasably attached to the outside of the container part. The lid part on the second absorbent article is attached to the wrapping cover of the first absorbent article by a releasable attachment which is stronger than the attachment between the lid part and the container part on the wrapping cover of the second absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Roy Hansson
  • Patent number: 7152749
    Abstract: A shipping container for a motorized vehicle comprises a base frame and a top frame, each constructed of rigid tubing. The base frame has a plurality of tire rests on which respective wheels of the motorized vehicle will be placed. In addition, the base frame has a plurality of base sockets located at respective corners thereof. Each of the base sockets is oriented in an upward direction. The top frame of the shipping container includes a plurality of top sockets located at respective corners thereof. The top sockets are oriented in a downward direction so as to be opposed to the base sockets. A plurality of elongate posts respectively extend between each opposed pair of sockets such that the top frame will be supported in spaced apart relation from the base frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignees: Tech-Source, Inc., Wright Metal Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Beck
  • Patent number: 7128997
    Abstract: Representative embodiments provide for a fuel activation device including a fuel storage chamber configured to store a plurality of fuel pellets arranged as a stack. A fuel dispensing device is configured to transport a fuel pellet to a fuel activation chamber. A spring is configured to advance the fuel pellets toward the fuel dispensing device as one or more fuel pellets are removed from the stack. A fuel initiator is configured to activate a release of hydrogen gas from the transported fuel pellet. The fuel activation device is configured to provide the hydrogen gas to a fuel cell through a gas vent. A method is provided including providing a plurality of fuel pellets arranged as a spring-loaded stack, transporting a fuel pellet from the stack, activating a release of hydrogen gas from the transported fuel pellet, and providing the hydrogen gas to a fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Philip H. Harding, Louis C. Barinaga, John C. Greeven, Paul H. McClelland, Joseph W. Tsang, Makarand Gore
  • Patent number: 7097054
    Abstract: A shipping container for a motorized vehicle comprises a base frame and a top frame, each constructed of rigid tubing. The base frame has a plurality of tire rests on which respective wheels of the motorized vehicle will be placed. In addition, the base frame has a plurality of base sockets located at respective corners thereof. Each of the base sockets is oriented in an upward direction. The top frame of the shipping container includes a plurality of top sockets located at respective corners thereof. The top sockets are oriented in a downward direction so as to be opposed to the base sockets. A plurality of elongate posts respectively extend between each opposed pair of sockets such that the top frame will be supported in spaced apart relation from the base frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignees: Tech-Source, Inc., Wright Metal Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Beck
  • Patent number: 7090078
    Abstract: A shipping frame assembly for transporting an object. The shipping frame assembly has at least one pallet adapted to receive the object and at least one coupling member removably mounted to the pallet, for securing the object to the pallet. The pallet includes a support member, which has at least one first cut-out portion. The coupling member has at least one second cut-out portion. When the coupling member is mounted to the pallet, the first cut out portion and second cut portion cooperatively form an aperture adapted to securely fasten the object to the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventor: Jules C. Gits
  • Patent number: 7059476
    Abstract: A first construction of a tray for electronic parts according to the present invention is provided with an engaging cut-out corner portion which is formed by cutting a corner portion of a table-like flat portion which is arranged diagonally with respect to a-cut-out corner portion. A second construction of a tray for electronic parts according to the present invention is provided with a pawl engaging protruding portion which is formed on a step-like peripheral edge portion above a cut-out portion. In a third construction of a tray for electronic parts according to the present invention, when two trays are stacked up so that the top faces thereof face each other, an engaging first-shaped protrusion which is formed around a predetermined pocket of one tray engages an engaging second-shaped protrusion which is formed around a predetermined pocket of the other tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hisayoshi Kunii, Koji Koga, Reikichi Hatori
  • Patent number: 7048116
    Abstract: A CD case has a drawer which may be pulled out by a handle for access to a CD. The drawer can be easily inserted during production, and multiple drawers can be stacked in stable manner. A front wall engages in a groove in a drawer stacked on top of it to provide stability. A CD is retained in a seat by a retainer having opposed gripping retainer elements. A CD is released by a user pressing a button, causing arm branches to pull together because of configuration of a resilient anchorage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Dualbox Limited
    Inventors: John Hegarty, Dominic Southgate
  • Patent number: 7036666
    Abstract: A beverage tray has a floor with peripheral, upstanding side and end walls for holding a plurality of containers of beverage, for example in six-packs. The floor has a plurality of downwardly projecting detents on its bottom surface for cooperation with the tops of beverage containers in a sub-adjacent tray to impede free sliding movement of an upper tray over the beverage containers in a sub-adjacent tray to enable stable stacking of the trays, while at the same time enabling the upper tray to be slid over the cans in the lower tray to remove the upper tray from a stack of trays. The detents are rectilinear and present spaced, opposed, parallel, straight detents that define detent sets surrounding bottle top receiving areas. The upper edge of the side wall is smoothly sinusoidally curved to define spaced, alternating upper side wall sections and recessed areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Norseman Plastics, LTD
    Inventor: Roy Hammett
  • Patent number: 7011381
    Abstract: A relatively tall embodiment of a lottery ticket dispenser with a small footprint is fitted onto the countertop of a check-out counter of a retail store. The dispenser includes a housing, the top of which is flat so as to provide a convenient place for customers to write checks with the tickets being displayed immediately below being highly visible to the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: GIECH Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Roberts, David B. Petch
  • Patent number: 7000765
    Abstract: A container having corner regions with hollow bodies is provided. Locking devices are provided that are received in the corner regions. Electrically driven, rotatable and displaceable locking mechanisms are respectively disposed in corners of the container. For a lower region of each locking mechanism, a locking member is provided that is adapted to engage in corresponding hollow bodies, disposed on upper corner regions of a comparable container disposed there below and adapted to receive locking devices, for interlocking the containers, sensors and signal emitters are disposed in the container for indicating a respective position of one of the locking mechanisms in a corner of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Lepus Vermögensverwaltung GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Hase, Götz Cönen
  • Patent number: 6991108
    Abstract: A device for storing surgical instruments and/or implants, the device including at least one dish-shaped instrument tray (4) and a sealable lid (1) that is located on the top (6) of the tray. Each instrument tray (4) has a base (9) with a preferably rectangular outline and lateral walls (16) that are attached and extend vertically relative to the base (9) from the base underside (7). The instrument trays (4) can be stacked. The lid (1) includes two displaceable closure mechanisms (3) having lower locking elements (12) that are directed towards the underside of the lid (13). In addition, each instrument tray (4) has displaceable locking device (10), with which an instrument tray (4) can be detachably fixed to an instrument tray (4) lying immediately below. The locking device (10) includes upper locking elements (11) that are directed towards the top (6) and lower locking elements (12) that are directed towards the underside (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Mathys Medizinaltechnik AG
    Inventors: Gianni Rorato, Silvin Jancic, Marcel Suter
  • Patent number: 6971521
    Abstract: A packaging system for multiple discrete foodstuffs includes a first container having a first opening, a removable element closing the first opening and a first outer shape and first dimension; a second container having a second opening, a removable element closing the second opening and a second outer shape and second dimension, the first container being stacked atop the second container; and, a binder at least partially encircling and removably securely holding the first and second containers together to form a multi-container combination with a main outer shape and main dimension substantially identical to the first and second outer shapes and dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Pinyot
  • Patent number: 6945416
    Abstract: An item is stored by placing the item within an opaque sleeve with opposed open ends and inserting into each of the open ends a bottle holding a consumable liquid. The bottles fit snug within the sleeve and each bottle is independently removable from the sleeve and reinsertable therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: Robert C. Manno
  • Patent number: 6939516
    Abstract: A multi-well plate cover and assembly comprises a lid and a gasket. The lid is formed of a resilient material and configured to apply a compressive spring force to the surface of the gasket to seal the wells in a multi-well plate when the cover is secured to the multi-well plate. The lid has members for mechanical manipulation and for attachment to the multi-well plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: John P. Hall, Andrew P. Muser, Kenneth W. Whitley
  • Patent number: 6932234
    Abstract: A cup-shaped receptacle has an outer bead in its opening area for clipping on a plastic lid, which has a circumferentially continuous clamping groove for receiving the bead. The clamping groove is continued outwards by an elastically deformable constriction, and inwards by an outer wall of a circumferentially continuous, U-shaped lid recess, whose U-web of is situated below the height position of the constriction and whose inner leg wall forms a part of a dome wall of a dome which extends upwardly beyond the height position. The lid recess extends downwards beyond the height position and has an outer diameter at its outer surface which is adapted to the inner diameter of the receptacle wall such that the lid recess functions at least as a centring and guide projection for the lid-clip-on action, which projection slidingly co-operates with the receptacle wall already at least while the bead passes the constriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Seda S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianfranco D'Amato
  • Patent number: 6896848
    Abstract: A microplate cover assembly which is compatible with manual workstations or robotic handling systems used for high throughput screening. The cover assembly includes a cover, a pressure plate and a layer of sealing material. The cover is shaped such that when it is engaged with a microplate, the cover exerts a compressive force on the pressure plate, which in turn disperses the force in a substantially uniform manner across the layer of sealing material. The cover and pressure plate also include laterally-extending tabs which allow it to be engaged with or disengaged from a microplate in a fully automated fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: TekCel, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian D. Warhurst, Andrew F. Zaayenga
  • Patent number: 6851555
    Abstract: A piggy back shipping/storage package, a bracket for use in building the package, and method for building the package. The bracket has an article attachment lug for being attached to the top of a lower article mounted on a lower pallet, and a pallet supporting platform for supporting the bottom of an upper pallet on which an upper article is supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: ERMCO
    Inventors: Ali A. Ghafourian, Clinton D. Thornton
  • Patent number: 6840378
    Abstract: A connection structure of a storage compartment consists of handles stored into a storage part provided at a top board member of the storage compartment; engaging pieces arranged at a base board and engages with means for engaged in the storage compartment located below due to a spring power of a spring in case that the handles are laid flat at a vertical state respectively; means for traction to connect to the handles and engaging piece respectively; and the engaging piece, in case that the storage compartments having same form are piled up respectively, interlocks a movement of the handles in a case that the handle installed with the storage compartment located above is brought at a standing-up state and rotates in a moving direction against the spring power of the spring, so that it can connect or dissociate automatically by only operating the handle prepared in the top board member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Toguchi
  • Publication number: 20040262186
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for inexpensively storing a quantity of packages awaiting transfer to a manufacturing process station includes a dispenser for quickly removing the packages from the container and directly into a secondary receptacle which is particularly adapted for feeding the packages to the process station. The provision of an inexpensive container to hold the packages is advantageous in that the more expensive secondary receptacles are not tied up for the sole purpose of holding packages which are awaiting the next process station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Ger Reynolds, Trevor O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20040238396
    Abstract: A flower box assembly comprising an inner box and an inner box holder, the inner box having a bottom wall and at least one closed sidewall, such that it is at least partly fillable with water, the inner box holder having at least one sidewall and an open lower side and upper side, the inner box being provided with means with the aid of which the inner box is detachably connectible with the inner box holder, while, preferably, the inner box holder and the inner box are so designed that onto an assembly of an inner box holder and an inner box, a second inner box holder is placeable in inverted position, the downwardly directed upper side of the second inner box holder engaging an upper side of the inner box, or the upper side of the first inner box holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Johannes Theodorus Maria Slingerland, Antonius Johanna Maria Loverbos, Hendricus Bernardus Johannes Lamboo, Bernardus Johannes Leonardus Lamboo
  • Publication number: 20040222120
    Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable plate (10) with a handle portion (15) along a portion of its circumference, said disposable plate capable of being stacked upon like disposable plates to form a stack (20), which handle portion provides support for holding the plate and means for taking hold of and separating the plate when stacked with other disposable plates. One aspect of the invention provides an apparatus and method of nesting or stacking a plurality of disposable plates together to form a stack (20), wherein the handle portions of such disposable plates are circumferentially spaced or staggered such that no handle portion (e.g., 24A, 24B, 24C) rests substantially upon the handle portion of the plate immediately adjacent to it in the stack, to permit efficient separation of such disposable plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Matthew Sommer
  • Publication number: 20040217034
    Abstract: A packaging system consisting of a sheet, capable of being sealed around food or other contents to form a bag or package containing the contents. The sheet and resulting package has an integral handle fastened across the top side that allows for the horizontal storage and transport of food products and other goods. The package optionally has perforations and/or pockets for the insertion and removal of contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Craig Urman
  • Publication number: 20040206655
    Abstract: A kit for storing computer discs. The kit includes sheets of die-stamped card stock each of which are folded to form a CD or a DVD holder. The kit also includes a special stackable and expandable disc storage unit. Preferably, the user's computer prints labels on the holder identifying the contents of the CD or DVD. The software programming the computer utilizes may be provided on a CD or it can be downloaded from a WEB site. The disc storage unit is made up of a number of disc storage shelves of an elongated male tab and an elongated female receptor wherein the tabs and the receptor mate respectively with receptors and tabs on adjacent shelves to form the stackable and expandable storage unit. Preferably, the kit also includes end support pieces for preventing the disc storage shelves from sliding relative to each other while stacked. The compact disc holder is inserted into a stackable disc storage unit for storage and display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventor: David W. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20040188307
    Abstract: A shipping container for a motorized vehicle comprises a base frame and a top frame, each constructed of rigid tubing. The base frame has a plurality of tire rests on which respective wheels of the motorized vehicle will be placed. In addition, the base frame has a plurality of base sockets located at respective corners thereof. Each of the base sockets is oriented in an upward direction. The top frame of the shipping container includes a plurality of top sockets located at respective corners thereof. The top sockets are oriented in a downward direction so as to be opposed to the base sockets. A plurality of elongate posts respectively extend between each opposed pair of sockets such that the top frame will be supported in spaced apart relation from the base frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Mark J. Beck
  • Publication number: 20040173493
    Abstract: An article-transport tray includes a floor, two side walls, and two end walls which cooperate to form an interior regions sized to contain bags of food or other articles. A partial cover is coupled to the side walls and is arranged to overlie the floor. The cover provides a top opening into the interior region formed in the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Ray Pope, Nate Marsh, Stan Knierim
  • Publication number: 20040159572
    Abstract: The present invention provides a taco tray transportation device for housing a plurality of taco trays. The device includes a plurality of side walls, and a top and bottom surface. The plurality of side walls and the top and bottom surfaces are attached together in such a manner to provide access to the interior space of the transportation device. Each of the taco trays positioned inside of the interior of the transportation device are configured in such a manner so that when a first taco tray is stacked on top of a second taco tray there is a clearance between the bottom of the first taco tray and the top wall of the second taco tray sufficient to prevent tortillas positioned in tortilla receiving areas of the second taco tray from touching the bottom of the first taco tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Jonathan Nash,, Aaron R. Easley
  • Publication number: 20040149617
    Abstract: A plastic barrel for storing and transporting liquid, granular and pulverous materials. The barrel includes a conical, stackable barrel body and a closing cover for the upper filling opening. The wall of the barrel body has in the area of the bottom of the barrel inwardly directed stacking cams which are formed from the wall of the barrel body and are provided with support surfaces for supporting the barrel bottom of another barrel body stacked in the barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Udo Schutz
  • Publication number: 20040144670
    Abstract: A tray system composed of a vertical stack of trays especially adapted to contain, and protect surgical instruments being carried from a sterilizer to an operating site. The trays may have various heights and be arranged in any order in the stack. Each tray includes a plurality of latches, each latch having an arm swingably mounted to the tray and terminated by a projection spaced a selected distance D1 above the tray rim or top when the latch is swung to its latching position. Each tray also includes a corresponding plurality of latching surfaces located under the latches on that tray. The distance D2 between the seating surfaces and latching surfaces of each tray corresponds substantially to the distance D1 of that tray. This enables the latch arms of each tray to be latched to the latching surfaces of an overlying tray in the stack or to a cover so as to form a closed compact transportable package. Different latch embodiments for securing the trays together are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Edward D. Riley
  • Publication number: 20040140237
    Abstract: A new container construction and the process and apparatus for its manufacture includes a unique metal can body design having a circumferential concave formation in an inverted frusto-conical section adjacent the generally flat body bottom end, a unique stabilizing and reinforcing base attached to the can body in the area of the inverted frusto-conical section as well as the method and apparatus for forming the can body including the circumferential formation. The container, with the body of a generally more uniform thickness throughout, among other things, allows significant reduction in metal weight. The base, which may or may not have a protrusion mating with the concave formation provides, among other things, a significantly increased container stability, stackability and can serve as a means for concealing indicia useful in promotions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: Donald L. Brownewell
  • Publication number: 20040140238
    Abstract: A stacking crate for bottles has a plurality of tapered pylons extending upward from a periphery of a floor. A rib extends downwardly in the interior of a cavity in each pylon. Each pylon further includes a slot in an upper surface of the pylon substantially aligned with the rib. When similar crates are nested, the ribs in the pylons of one crate will rest in the slots in the upper surface of the pylons of the lower crate, thus permitting the crates to be nested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Jon P. Hassell, William P. Apps, Gerald R. Koefelda
  • Publication number: 20040129595
    Abstract: A sterilization case assembly including a plurality of sterilization cases having a first sterilization case and a second sterilization case. The second sterilization case is stacked upon the first sterilization case in a vertical direction. The second sterilization case is offset from the first sterilization case in a direction transverse to the vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Gary T. Dane, Daniel L. Sands, Jason K. Hawkes