Having Specified Means For Lateral Stacking Patents (Class 206/504)
  • Patent number: 5251748
    Abstract: A method of attaching two containers wherein two containers faced toward each other are secured by cooperation of at least one tab on the front wall of one container and at least one slot on the front wall of the other container, and the dual container structure formed thereby. The slot and tab act to securely attach the two containers such that the containers may easily be separated for later sale as independent units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated
    Inventors: John M. Adams, Christopher N. Chance, James A. DeBlasio, Donald H. Evers, Michael A. Kirby, Reginald W. Newsome, Robert E. Talley
  • Patent number: 5228590
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a carton for storing, dispensing, and displaying adhesives, caulks, sealants, and other articles in tube form. The carton has two apertures, an upper aperture and a lower aperture. The upper aperture is used for loading the articles into the carton. The lower aperture opens into a trough into which the articles are dispensed and displayed. The bottom wall of the carton is inclined causing the articles stored therein to roll towards the lower aperture and be dispensed into a trough. The carton uses a trough notch to allow easy removal of the articles from the trough. Preferably, the carton has a notch in the lower portion of the front wall to allow easy access to the articles to be dispensed in order to free jammed or otherwise displaced articles. The carton also preferably has correspondingly positioned holes in the top, bottom, and side walls for receipt of a fastener means such that a series of two or more cartons may be securely affixed side by side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Inventors: John Blasko, Mark Longo
  • Patent number: 5224596
    Abstract: A syringe carrier comprising an elongate member with a plurality of bores thereon for retaining the capped needles of syringes is described. The elongate member is capable of holding a number of syringes and corresponding indicia for each syringe. The syringes are retained within inclined bores on the member, which allows for the easy removal and replacement of the syringe needle, without the need to hold the syringe cap with one's hand. The device can safely carry a number of syringes, as well as allow for the safe removal and insertion of the needle from the syringe cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventor: Kerry Kruger
  • Patent number: 5222602
    Abstract: An improved packing construction for a series of light bulbs, mainly comprising packing frames capable of accommodating long series of light bulbs on the side ends of which frames are provided crossly symmetrical male and female dovetail slots and some equidistantly separated trapezoidal tabs among which are seated the bases of long series of light bulbs. This construction further comprises connecting members which lock the bases of two adjacent light bulbs individually mounting on two mutually stacked packing frames to prevent bulbs from clash and keep the two stacked packing frames firm. When an exhibition is desired, the stacked frames can be converted into a plane frame assembly by means of the engagement of the male and the female dovetail slots of a packing frame with those of the other. It indeed is a practical useful packing construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Inventor: Nan W. Liao
  • Patent number: 5184836
    Abstract: A quadrilateral refuse container (2) comprising a bottom (8) and four sidewalls (6) extending upwardly therefrom and terminating in an upper rim (64). The container further comprises a handle (52) extending outward from at least one side of the container, the handle having two parallel spaced apart sideplates (54), each sideplate having a lower edge profile for defining a downwardly concave recess (62). When one container is stacked inside a like-configured second container, the upper rim of the bottom container is nested within the handle sideplate recesses of the top container, and the sidewalls of the underlying container are held in a fixed vertical orientation. Recesses (49) are further provided within sidewalls (6) of the container, adapted to receive handle projections from a like configured second container, whereby the containers can be stored in a side by side abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products Inc.
    Inventors: Howard W. Andrews, Jr., Paul E. Delmerico, Greg P. Terek
  • Patent number: 5184722
    Abstract: A keeping case for a cassette is provided. The keeping case includes an inner case pivotally connected to an outer case by a point hinge. Connecting bodies are provided for connecting one such keeping case to another keeping case adjacent thereto. The connected keeping cases are able to stand freely and to enable access to cassettes stored therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Inventors: Han-Jin Shin, Joong-Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 5183278
    Abstract: The invention relates to a waste management system with interlocking portions to connect various refuse containers. The refuse containers are designated for holding different types of garbage, glass, paper, metal, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Inventor: Merle W. Wade, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5167336
    Abstract: A stackable container (1) partially defined by two spaced apart side walls (3), a portion (5) of each said side wall converging inwardly toward the other side wall to define a surface profile on each side wall which is a mirror image of a corresponding part of the other side wall whereby like containers (1) can be stacked in an overlapping manner to form a closed packed array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Impact International Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Dusan S. Lajovic
  • Patent number: 5160027
    Abstract: The casing includes a closed bottom, an open top, two long opposed side walls, a short side wall interconnecting the two long opposed side walls and an opening opposite the short side wall. Each of the long opposed walls has an exterior face on which an elongated dovetail projection and dovetail groove are alternately provided. The dovetail projection of one of the long side walls is capable of being received in the dovetail groove of the other long side wall, and vice versa. The short side wall has a top portion higher the height of the long opposed wall from which a pair of resilient tabs extends. Each of the resilient tabs has a round projection extending one opposite the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Inventor: Hans Wu
  • Patent number: 5158191
    Abstract: A dual container is disclosed having two bottles which are releasably interlocked together in side-by-side relation by a mortise and tenon. The bottles are held together to prevent undesired relative movement between the two bottles. A single cap covers both bottles. The cap has a separate outlet for each bottle which may be opened independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Plastic Processing Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry A. Douglas, Godfried Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5154295
    Abstract: This invention is directed towards a means and method for interconnecting containers into structures, such as toys, displays or furniture as well as to provide packaging alternatives. The invention particularly relates to modifying a conventional six-pack of beverage cans so as to form the aforesaid structure without the use of additional components. Beverage cans are specifically utilized as said containers. The containers themselves have been modified such that they may be fastened together in a vertical manner without requiring any collars or other types of independent connecting means. "Connectors" have been provided for connecting the cans together in a side by side relationship. The interconnected containers form functional or promotional structures or a combination thereof as well as providing for packaging alternatives. Consequently, this serves as both a conservation and marketing aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Inventor: Theodore A. Stoner
  • Patent number: 5137146
    Abstract: The present invention provides a nestable hat box comprising an upper lid member and a lower base member, each of the members having an identical upstanding hollow portion of decreasing cross-section in the vertical direction, each said portion being open at the bottom and said portions being in vertical alignment and a peripheral wall vertically separating said upper and lower members to provide a space between the upper surface of the upstanding portion of the lower member and the lower surface of the upstanding portion of the upper member to accommodate a hat disposed on said upstanding portion of the lower member, said hat box being nestable with similar hat boxes by means of the hollow, open upstanding portion in the base member accommodating the upstanding portion of the upper lid member of another similar hat box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Inventor: Patricia G. Stonehouse
  • Patent number: 5135116
    Abstract: A package container for liquid products. The package includes a larger container and a smaller container. The smaller container is insertable into a recess formed within the larger container, permitting the larger and smaller containers to be joined together. The smaller container may also be shaped so as to insert within the cap of the larger container. The containers may further be packaged by placing the smaller container within a shell defined on a face of the larger container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventor: Franco Panzetti
  • Patent number: 5115916
    Abstract: A package of personal care commodities comprised of a plurality of separate containers each charged with a supply of a care commodity and sectionally configured individually as a triangular truncated wedge. The individual containers are capable of being arranged and detachably retained together in a nested relation when assembled to collectively form either a compact enclosing package unit of square cross-section or a relatively flat section that can be conveniently stored or hand carried for travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Stuart Jacobson Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Beasley, Pierre F. Dinand
  • Patent number: 5105948
    Abstract: A molded, stackable and nestable beverage can tray having tapered side walls and end walls, contoured window openings in both the side walls and end walls, and having contoured window openings in both side walls and end walls to snugly contain the cans is disclosed. The bottom length and width dimensions of the tray are less than the sum of the diameters of rows of can placed in the tray. Trays according to the invention have 3:2 length-to-width ratio for cross-tying stacks, and have a tray bottom design having generally diamond-shaped standoffs projecting downwardly from the bottom of the tray to lock onto the tops of the cans contained in the tray immediately beneath the can tray. The trays include can bottom seating rings capable of receiving and centering cans having a range of the bottom diameter dimensions. Trays according to the invention have side walls and end walls which are tapered at an angle of preferably 10.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Piper Casepro
    Inventors: Peter M. Morris, Robert C. Allabaugh
  • Patent number: 5099968
    Abstract: A suitcase assembly consisting of at least two suitcase components each of which having a generally rectangular configuration. Projections and/or recesses are provided on each of the suitcase components for detachably connecting the suitcase components in vertically overlapping relationship and also in side-by-side relationship. The projections and/or recesses for connecting the suitcase components have opposing flat surface portions and opposing unclaimed surface portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Inventor: Takeshi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 5096063
    Abstract: An interlocking flange assembly for spools includes a first multi-sided end plate. A plurality of interlocking male channel members are provided on adjacent pairs of sides of the first end plate and a plurality of female channel members are provided on the remaining sides of the end plate diametrically opposite the sides with the male channel members. The assembly includes a second multiple sided end plate that is identical to the first multiple sided end plate. The first and second end plates are secured to opposite ends of a spool. Once the flange assembly is attached to the opposite ends of a spool, a plurality of a spool and end plates may be interconnected for storage or transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Schreiter
  • Patent number: 5088619
    Abstract: An improved container for supporting compact discs in an orientation slightly offset from the horizontal, one above the other, comprising a main body portion having parallel vertical side walls, parallel horizontal upper and lower walls coupled to the side walls along their edges, and a back wall for defining a chamber therewithin; a purality of holes in each of the walls; a plurality of insert panels removably positioned within the chamber with the upper and lower edges of the panels being receivable in recesses formed in the upper and lower walls adjacent to the side walls and with shelves extending inwardly from the panels a predetermined distance for supporting the edges of the compact discs thereon, the shelves being angled with respect to the upper and lower walls of the main body; and dowels receivable in the holes of adjacent containers to removably secure a plurality of containers with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventor: Robert A. Shank
  • Patent number: 5084040
    Abstract: A lyophilization container device comprising a top end having at least one lyophilization port axially extending upward and defining a generally polygonally oval shape. The device includes a bottom end having generally the same shape as the top and having preferably a substantially flat bottom. Also included is a wall portion sealed to the top and bottom end to define the container, with the wall portion having an inside surface which is drug compatible and has sufficient buckle strength to withstand vertical force during stopper seating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: The West Company, Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven T. Sutter
  • Patent number: 5078270
    Abstract: Apparatus defining a matrix of compact disc containers wherein an I-shaped support beam mounts a rectangular matrix of the containers wherein each container defines a cavity therewithin with a retainer flange securing a compact disc positioned within a transparent sleeve within each container. A cover flap prevents environmental contamination of dust and debris from entering each sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Inventor: Bernard C. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5071001
    Abstract: An apparatus for the storage and transport of used and unused beverage containers is provided, wherein a matrix of tubular housings are arranged in a plurality of rows, including a central web directed orthogonally and medially of the tubes to secure the tubes together, with the web including a handle at a forwardmost end thereof. The web includes a rear projection, wherein the rear projection includes a plurality of tether lines, with the tether lines fixedly mounting lid members at equal spacings therealong for securement removably to upper terminal end portions of each tube. Lower portions of each tube include bottom lids, wherein the bottom lids are provided for containment of the beverage containers therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Inventor: Raymond W. Ryman, III
  • Patent number: 5065875
    Abstract: A double container comprised of a first larger container into which is removably nested a second smaller container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Revlon, Inc.
    Inventor: Nancy P. Balavich
  • Patent number: 5054636
    Abstract: A clamping device for detachably joining together drums to be stored one above the other and/or side by side is formed as a block-shaped clamping device consisting of flexible material and containing at least two open incisions. Preferably, the clamping is of approximately cubic shape and the open incisions respectively become wider as viewed toward the inside. The widened zones have preferably cross-section shaped like arcuate segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Inventor: Karl Netzer
  • Patent number: 5031774
    Abstract: A molded, stackable and nestable beverage can tray having tapered side walls and end walls, contoured window openings in both the side walls and end walls, and having contoured window openings in both the side walls and end walls to snugly contain the cans is disclosed. The bottom length and width dimensions of the tray are less than the sum of the diameters of rows of cans placed in the tray. Trays according to the invention have a 3:2 length-to-width ratio for cross-tying stacks, and have a tray bottom design having generally diamond-shaped standoffs projecting downwardly from the bottom of the tray to lock onto the tops of the cans contained in the tray immediately beneath the can tray. The trays include can bottom seating rings capable of receiving and centering cans having a range of bottom diameter dimensions. Trays according to the invention have side walls and end walls which are tapered at an angle of preferably 10.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Paper Casepro
    Inventors: Peter M. Morris, Robert C. Allabaugh
  • Patent number: 5007540
    Abstract: A package of personal care commodities comprised of a plurality of separate containers each charged with a supply of a care commodity and sectionally configured individually as a triangular truncated wedge. The individual containers are capable of being arranged and detachably retained together in a nested relation when assembled to collectively form either a compact enclosing package unit of square cross-section or a relatively flat section that can be conveniently stored or hand carried for travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: Stuart Jacobson Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Beasley, Pierre F. Dinand
  • Patent number: 4982858
    Abstract: Containers are provided with externally positioned interlock means to engage the corresponding interlock means of other identical containers. This causes the containers to be temporarily retained together without relative motion transverse to their axes except for possible rotational motion about their axes. Additionally, relative motion parallel to their axes can be prevented. Significant advantages are achieved by this when the containers are being processed along a conveyor system, and when they are stacked in large stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Inventor: John W. von Holdt
  • Patent number: 4971200
    Abstract: A series of lights are mounted in side-by-side relation on a plastic support module. A second module is partially positioned in overlapping relation with the first module and a pair of holes on the second module are positioned onto the upper ends of a pair of posts on the first module, with the electrical wires of the lights on the first module being clamped between the overlapping module areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventors: Chen-Hsien Huang, Chia-Ho Chen
  • Patent number: 4966298
    Abstract: A container is made of a substantially flexible material. A circumferentially extending array of longitudinally extending teeth are carried by the container and spaced from each other by recesses of a shape proportioned to receive identically-shaped teeth of an adjacent container of similar shape. The teeth each define a transversely enlarged, radially outer portion relation to a radially inner portion. The portions are proportioned to permit snap-fit, locking engagement of a tooth of the container between a pair of teeth of the adjacent container of similar shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Inventor: John W. Von Holdt
  • Patent number: 4942975
    Abstract: A container connector for interconnecting a pair of shipping containers to n essence form a single container of a larger size. There are to be utilized a plurality of these container connectors to secure together a pair of shipping containers. Each container connector comprises a grab bar and a position bar. Interconnecting the grab bar and position bar are a pair of threaded bolts. The threaded bolts are to be operable independently so that the position bar can be located at a skewed angle relative to the grab bar during installation of the container connector. Once the grab bar and the position bar are correctly installed, the bolts are rotated to cause the position bar to be moved in an outward direction from the grab bar to cause the grab bar to tightly engage with the side wall of a pair of aligned openings formed within the shipping containers which are located in a closely spaced, almost abutting, relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: The United State of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Mark E. Capron, James F. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 4940137
    Abstract: A carrier (10) for a six pack (20) of beverage containers (14) has rings (12) interconnected by strips (16) and (18). The rings (12) fit around the beverage containers (14) in a friction fit. The strips (16, 18) are severed from adjacent rings (12) to remove one of the beverage containers (14) from the six pack (20). The ring (12) is moved so that it extends partially below bottom (24) of the container (14) so that the ring (12) will function as a coaster by supporting the container (14) above a surface (26) to prevent condensation on the container (14) from contacting the surface (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Inventor: Albert H. Straub
  • Bin
    Patent number: 4936615
    Abstract: A bin having a base and a plurality of side walls. The base is provided with tunnels to allow the tines of a fork lift truck to engage and lift the bin. The side walls are reinforced in regions which are respectively associated with the tunnels and which each extend in an upward direction from the associated tunnel to the upper rim of the bin. As a result, when a stack of such bins is lifted by a fork lift truck, the upward lift from the tines is transmitted upwardly through the reinforced regions of the different bins in the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignees: Graham John Boyce, Graham Keith Preece
    Inventor: James N. Moore
  • Patent number: 4911321
    Abstract: A method of combining at least two layers each having a odd number of ISO-containers by detachable coupling of corner fittings wherein two adjacent corner fittings of two containers of one layer and one of the corner fittings of a container from the other layer are aligned and the lateral anchoring opening of the aligned corner fittings of the one layer are bound by coupling elements which prevent a displacement of the containers parallel to the planes of their sidewalls relative to each other as well as normal to the planes of their sidewalls and absorb sharing forces. The upper and lower anchoring openings of the aligned corner fittings of the containers situated in different layers are coupled by middle twist locks which essentially prevent a displacement of the containers parallel to the plane of their base surfaces relative to one another as well as normal to the plane of their base surfaces and absorb sharing forced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventor: Dieter Borchardt
  • Patent number: 4886239
    Abstract: This ice cube maker is an ice cube molding cup or container with closed sides and bottom, and open top closed by a hinged cover on which is a flat, flexible handle. The cover is secured in place by quickly engageable and disengageable catch members. Lateral quick attachment and detachment members permit a multiplicity of cups to be arranged in a planar array. Cups of different sizes and shapes may be laterally attached in the planar array. The cups may have internal partitions defining chambers to make more than one ice cube in each cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Inventor: Stephanie J. Stimmel
  • Patent number: 4884713
    Abstract: An article organizer having article-holding components releasably attached to a central base member by hook and loop fastening material operating in shear. The organizer has a central base member adapted to sit on a desk, table, or the like. A vertical mounting member is carried by the base member for pivotal motion about a vertical axis. A first portion of a hook and loop fastening system is carried by the vertical mounting member on a plurality of attachment fins. A plurality of article-holding components are provided for mounting on the attachment fins. The component each including hook and loop mounting means for interacting with the first portion to releasably attach the components to the first portion in shear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Velcro Industries, B.V.
    Inventor: Michael D. Handler
  • Patent number: 4872557
    Abstract: A nestable, stackable container is formed from a container body having a forward portion with a convex surface adapted to mate with the concave surface of the rearward portion of the next adjacent container. The container also has rasied male die parts on its top wall adapted to mate with indented, female die parts on the bottom wall of an upwardly adjacent container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Transphase Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Ames
  • Patent number: 4863222
    Abstract: Arrangement constituted by a stack of boxes intended to contain drawers, in particular for the storage of audio and video recording tapes. The boxes have different dimensions. The widths and heights of the boxes are dimensioned to adapt to the contents and to allow a large number of combinations. On their upper side, the boxes comprise profiled ribs on which are fitted grooves of matching profile provided on a lower side of the boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Gefitec S.A.
    Inventor: Patrick P. P. Posso
  • Patent number: 4813542
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system for stacking cases in a nesting relationship. A number of cases, each substantially identical to the other are configured to permit stacking in a nested relationship in a number of directions. Each such case includes corner brackets with recesses and protrusions which interact with complementary brackets on adjacent cases. Corner brackets in cooperation with other edge brackets also permit stacking in a nested relationship when the covers for these cases are removed and the orientation of the cases is shifted. A latching means is also provided to secure the cover in place without adversely affecting the latching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Anvil Cases, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin W. Thompson, James A. Scott, Timothy C. Jennings, Joseph Neves, Ronald W. Phenicie, Margaret H. Murphy
  • Patent number: 4799592
    Abstract: Stackable crates of synthetic material for bottles, especially wine bottles, having a compartmental subdivision for the accommodation of one bottle each in one compartment, first supporting surfaces for stacking the crates one upon another in a vertical position, second supporting surfaces at at least two opposite side walls for stacking the crates in a horizontal position, with each compartment comprising portions of elastically shapable material adapted to be brought into engagement with the bottle wall at circumferentially spaced intervals, and with two sizes of crates provided, of which the smaller crates--measured outside--are half the length of the greater crates but the same width, and in that the second supporting surface are arranged in such a manner that the supporting surfaces of the smaller crates may respectively be supported by supporting surfaces of both halves of the side walls of the greater crates, and the greater crates may respectively be supported in the horizontal position while being re
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: Gustav Hessmert KG
    Inventor: Gustav-Adolf Hessmert
  • Patent number: 4796410
    Abstract: A container for a portable automobile ramp, the ramp including a platform having opposite ends and an upper surface for supporting an automobile tire, a leg extending downwardly from one end of the platform, and a ramp extending at an incline downwardly from the other end of the platform, and the container comprising a body portion for enclosing the platform of the automobile ramp, the body portion including opposite ends, a leg portion for enclosing the leg of the automobile ramp, the leg portion being integrally connected to the body portion and extending generally perpendicularly from one end of the body portion, and a ramp portion for enclosing the ramp of the automobile ramp, the ramp portion being integrally connected to the body portion and extending obliquely from the opposite end of the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventor: Philip L. Lundman
  • Patent number: 4760921
    Abstract: A modular storage system is made from at least two stackable storage receptacles of one-piece molded plastic construction. Each receptacle has a plurality of T-shaped locking tabs formed integrally with the basket. Each tab is adapted to pivot from an as-molded position to a position in which it releaseably engages an overhead receptacle, as well as to a position in which it releaseably engages an adjacent receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Inventor: Vito Licari
  • Patent number: 4742912
    Abstract: A package assembly in which two plate members define two planer surfaces disposed in an overlapping, engaging relationship. One of the plate members has a protruding portion which, together with the other plate member, defines an enclosure for the article to be packaged. A flange extends around the margins of the other plate member to define a cavity for receiving the protrusion of an adjacent plate member when the package assemblies are disposed in a stacked, or nested, relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Inventor: Noel Lee
  • Patent number: 4739897
    Abstract: A holder for a remote control unit is provided and consists of a floor panel disposed between and spanning a pair of spaced side panels, a front panel and a rear panel forming therebetween a remote control unit receiving compartment to receive and position the remote control unit. A lower compartment is formed beneath the floor panel so that batteries for the remote control unit can be stored within. A pair of holders can be secured together in a back-to-back relationship for holding two remote control units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Inventor: Lorraine M. Butler
  • Patent number: 4728504
    Abstract: A medical instruments sterilization container (10) includes a housing (12) and a removable dome-shaped lid (14) having a filtered inlet port (18) disposed therethrough for permitting the passage of gas or steam into housing (12). A removable tray (16) is adapted to be disposed within housing (12) to hold various instruments to be sterilized and includes apertures (24) formed on the bottom of the tray for permitting condensate to drain therefrom. The bottom surface of housing (12) is sloped to two locations centered on opposite sides thereof and includes filtered outlet ports (40, 42) positioned at the two locations to permit discharged air and condensate to exit housing (12). Pedestals (30) are secured on the bottom surface of housing (12) to facilitate stacking of a plurality of sterilization containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Inventor: Robert L. Nichols
  • Patent number: 4708253
    Abstract: A multiple container package includes four containers which each have a polyhedral body portion with an elongated neck portion. The body portion of each container has lateral polygonal side walls, spaced apart front and rear walls a top shoulder and bottom wall. A recess which is perpendicular to the neck extends either in the front wall or the rear wall and receives the neck of an adjacent container. Four containers can be mated together to form a package having a polyhedron volume with the volume being substantially filled by the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Universal Symetrics Corporation
    Inventor: Juris M. Mednis
  • Patent number: 4685565
    Abstract: An interconnectable beverage container system has tongue and groove members spaced at regular intervals about the periphery of the body of each container. The tongue members each have a front surface and a pair of oppositely disposed axially extending undercut sides, and the groove members each have a pair of oppositely disposed undercut axially extending projections defining a void or groove. The tongue member slides snugly into a respective groove member of another container. Neck plates or neck flanges have lobes that extend radially outward substantially to the periphery of the container, with cutouts between successive lobes. The respective cutouts of a cluster of containers combine to form fingerholes for lifting the cluster of containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Inventor: Michael Sparling
  • Patent number: 4678081
    Abstract: A magazine for recording tape cassettes for use in vehicles has a plurality of chambers, each for the reception of a cassette and each having an opening corresponding to the cassette's smallest cross-section. The chambers have cantilevered spring leaves arranged at their top walls which leaves carry locking members including plates with cam-like edges projecting downwardly so as to engage the hub openings of the cassette reels to lock the reels and retain the cassettes in the chambers and to force them against their bottom support. The chambers further have resilient guide straps disposed at one of their sides so as to project into the chambers and engage and force the cassettes therein into firm engagement with the opposite chamber side walls, all chambers being formed by drawer-like building elements stacked on top of one another and compressed within the magazine housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Herbert Richter, Metallwaren-Apparatebau GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Herbert Richter
  • Patent number: 4673094
    Abstract: A mateable bottle having a hollow L-shaped body is disclosed which has a neck portion formed as a neck rib in an inner front wall surface of the body. The neck terminates in a stub spout which has a large diameter opening, opening into the interior of the hollow body. A concave recess, provided in an outer front wall surface, is shaped to receive a neck rib of a mated container. Outer surfaces of two mated bottles are provided with planar and perpendicular surfaces so that a rectangular solid is formed when the two bottles are mated to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: Universal Symetrics Corporation
    Inventor: Juris M. Mednis
  • Patent number: 4671412
    Abstract: A stackable plastic bottle for enabling a pyramidal display of several such bottles includes a generally cylindrical main body portion whose height and diameter will vary depending on the volume to be created internally and a neck portion which has gradually tapering sides and extends upwardly from the main body portion terminating in a generally cylindrical spout and outlet opening. Oppositely disposed in the neck portion is a pair of receiving recesses which are defined along their lower surface by a substantially horizontal shelf and inwardly therefrom by an upwardly extending peripheral wall. Each recess is sized and arranged such that it is capable of receiving part of the main body portion of a corresponding stackable bottle such that by proper spacing of the bottles row after row, they may be arranged in a pyramidal display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Inventor: Robert L. Gatten
  • Patent number: 4640423
    Abstract: A container package comprises a plurality of individual containers which each have a hollow polygonal body from which an elongated hollow neck extends. Each hollow body has side walls, a bottom wall and a top shoulder wall. A recess is provided either in the bottom wall or one of the side walls for receiving the neck of an adjacent container in the package. The containers are mated together and form a polyhedron. The containers may have interior volumes which are different from each other so that the containers contain different amounts of materials or may have identical volumes but be shaped differently from each other. At least one of the recesses may also contain a secondary container which, together with a neck of another container, substantially fill the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Universal Symetrics Corporation
    Inventor: Juris M. Mednis
  • Patent number: 4621716
    Abstract: A baggage set comprises in combination, a plurality of substantially parallelpipedic case elements of different sizes, at least one prismatic sloping case element, and at least one stepped case element having a side configured to present a stepped profile. The combination, when stacked in a predetermined manner, permits the baggage set to fill a volume dimensioned to substantially match that of a storage compartment of a particular vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Inventor: Klaus Rienacker