Having Specified Means For Nesting Instead Of Stacking Patents (Class 206/505)
  • Patent number: 6095333
    Abstract: A bucket that children cannot put over their head, having a bottom wall, side walls, a removable lid and a non-pivoting U-shaped handle. The side walls project upwardly from the bottom wall and form an opening having circumscribing edges. The removable lid fits in the circumscribing edges for closing the bucket. The non-pivoting U-shaped handle has opposite side legs slidably mounted onto the side walls. The U-shaped handle also has stopping means for limiting sliding of the handle between a first position where the U-shaped handle bears against the lid when the same is fitted in the circumscribing edges and a second position where the U-shaped handle extends away from the lid and thus makes it possible to remove the lid from the circumscribing edges. Thus, the U-shaped handle, both in first and second positions, divides the opening into two smaller openings which are smaller than a child's head, thus children cannot put the bucket over their head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Ritvik Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Victor J. Bertrand
  • Patent number: 6089373
    Abstract: An open-topped container (which may be lidded) is generally rectangular, having long sides (12) and short sides (14). The outer surfaces of the walls (12, 14) are provided with formations, at locations (20), which may engage formations on an adjacent like container to limit relative vertical movement of the containers and thus improve stability of stacks, when stacks are placed alongside each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: McKechnie UK Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Christopher Cope
  • Patent number: 6089370
    Abstract: A system and method for storing and packing items are provided. Trays are provided with overlapping recesses conforming in shape at least partially to the perimeter of the items. The items are nested one within another on each tray, and each tray is nestingly engageable with other trays. Nesting thus occurs in at least two dimensions, and packing efficiency is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Peak Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Muhammad Zahur Mughal
  • Patent number: 6084395
    Abstract: The stackable plastic cover allows a series of covers to be stacked into a column. This is achieved by increasing the sidewall taper to allow the inside of one cover to nest down over the outside of the adjacent cover. Conical projections on the outside of the tapered wall surface provide a stop for the adjacent cover to rest upon and additional conical projections are placed above the stops to prevent scratching of the covers and wall sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick L. Thiel
  • Patent number: 6056138
    Abstract: A triple sealed container, comprising a base portion and a lid portion. The base consisting of a unitary component including a bottom portion attached to an upwardly extending perimeter wall, which is flurther connected to a peripherally extending rim having an inner and outer edge. The lid also consists of a unitary component, with a downwardly extending wall, which is connected to a peripherally extending rim also having an inner and outer edge. The base edge and the lid edge are correspondingly shaped to be mateable. The lid rim is also correspondingly shaped to engage the base rim. The contact of the edges and the rims form three main seals. The first seal is a result of the contact between the exterior edges of the base edge and the lid edge. The second seal is a result of contact between the interior edges of the base edge and the lid edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Newspring Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Chen
  • Patent number: 6041931
    Abstract: A lidded container for lobsters or like crustacean comprises a container formed of plastics material having sidewalls, endwalls and a bottom wall and a lid formed of plastics material which is adapted to be hingedly secured to the container sidewalls to move between an open position and a close position. The lid has a top wall formed of a series of upwardly projecting ribs defining wells to receive and retain therein ice which, when melted, passes through perforations in the bottom faces of the wells to circulate about the lobsters. The water then exits through apertures in the sidewalls, endwalls and bottom wall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: IPL Inc.
    Inventor: Michel Jacques
  • Patent number: 6006912
    Abstract: A nestable crate for bottles having an upright retainer wall surrounding a horizontally disposed floor. The retainer wall has an upper portion, a lower portion, a vertically disposed interior surface and an exterior surface. A plurality of tangency pads are integrally formed in the upper portion of the retainer wall of its interior surface. A nesting window is formed in the interior surface of the retainer wall below each tangency pad. The crate accommodates both single bottles placed in the crate separated as well as bottle-filled cartons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Alpha Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick James McGrath
  • Patent number: 5975289
    Abstract: A container includes two container halves and a hinge connecting the two container halves so that the two container halves can be pivoted between a folded up position and a folded down position. In the folded up position the container includes a bottom, four side walls and an upper filling opening and is stackable on another like container in the folded up position, and in the folded down position the container is nestable with another like container in the folded down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: GRAPHA-Holding AG
    Inventor: Heinz Linder
  • Patent number: 5964353
    Abstract: Carrier tape (12) is disclosed which absorbs kinetic energy and protects the leads (34, 34') of electronic circuit components (32) from bending or being otherwise damaged in an industry drop test. The components (32) are supported in pockets (22) by platforms (40) which are free of ridges extending above the bottoms of the components (32). The free ends of the leads (34) simultaneously engage ramp portions (42) of the pocket sidewalls (24) which are inclined upwardly and outwardly from the pocket bottoms (26) to center the components (32) in the pockets (22). The pockets (22) are of a size to sandwich the components (32) against the platforms (40) when the carrier tape (12) is in a stacked arrangement such as by being wound on a reel (58). The pocket bottoms (26) include undercuts (54) allowing the pocket bottoms (26) in an upper layer to sandwich two different components (32) in two circumferentially adjacent pockets (22) of the lower layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Ilinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert N. Hamlin
  • Patent number: 5916611
    Abstract: An edible food container has a hollow body having an interior wall and an exterior wall and having a generally flat bottom portion and an open top. The body has a concave curve side opposite to the convex side and has at least one elongated groove on the interior wall extending from adjacent the bottom portion to the body open top so that an edible container can be filled with a fluid material for later freezing and a plurality of containers can be nested together for dispensing from a vending machine. A method of making a frozen edible product includes selecting the edible container apparatus, filling the selected container with an edible fluid while allowing air to escape through the groove on the interior wall of the container, and freezing the edible fluid material in the edible container to provide an edible frozen product, such as ice cream and the like, which can be nested for dispensing from a vending machine or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: Burt J. Bell
  • Patent number: 5896992
    Abstract: A bakery tray having a substantially rectangular floor has a retainer wall extending along a periphery of the floor. The retainer wall includes a front wall opposing a rear wall, and a first side wall opposing a second side wall. Two feet are spaced apart horizontally on the first side wall, and two feet are horizontally spaced apart on the second side wall. A first pair of nesting pockets are disposed along the exterior surface of the first side wall above the feet on the same wall; and a second pair of nesting pockets are disposed along an interior surface of the second side wall above the feet on the same wall. When bakery trays of a like configuration are stacked, the feet on the first side wall of a top tray seat within the nesting pockets on the second side wall, and the feet on the second side wall seat within the first nesting pockets on the first side wall of a bottom tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Alpha Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick James McGrath
  • Patent number: 5769229
    Abstract: A set of different sized container assemblies, each container assembly consisting of a container and a matching lid, are disclosed in which same size containers nest, same size containers stack, and each smaller size container assembly is received within a larger container assembly, each lid having generally downwardly depending flange means which are radically spaced to receive the upper wall portion of an associated container, the assembly including cam means which assist in the assembly of a container to its associated lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Andress, Dale V. Rude, Dick E. VanKeuren
  • Patent number: 5752602
    Abstract: A stackable and nestable container having a bottom surface, a first pair of opposed end walls integrally joined with the bottom surface and extending upwardly away therefrom, and a second pair of opposed side walls integrally joined with the bottom surface and extending upwardly away therefrom. The first and second pairs of opposed end walls and side walls are integrally joined with each other along common end surfaces thereof to form with the bottom surface a substantially rectangular open top container. Each of the end walls and side walls includes a pair of column sections, and each of the column sections includes a recessed portion, an inner shelf and a lower column support. Each of the end walls and side walls further includes a pair of stacking sections, and each of the stacking sections includes a stacking foot and a stacking shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Rehrig-Pacific Company Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Robert Ackermann, William Patrick Apps, Glenn McCord Phillips
  • Patent number: 5733616
    Abstract: A consumable container is molded from a composition comprising 40 to 90 weight % of an asphalt and 10 to 60 weight % of a polymer material, which advantageously can include a first polymer such as PP that imparts heat resistance and a second polymer such as EVA that imparts toughness and impact resistance. This molded asphalt/polymer material preferably has an unnotched Izod impact strength of at least 2 joules. The container is consumable--it can be melted along with roofing asphalt held in the container without adversely affecting the properties of the asphalt and without requiring undue mixing. The composition also can be used to reduce fumes normally emitted from a kettle of molten asphalt, e.g., as measured by a reduction of the visual opacity of the fumes by at least 25%, a reduction of the hydrocarbon emissions of the fumes by at least 20%, or a reduction of the total suspended particulates emissions of the fumes by at least 15%. The container may be used, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Janicki, Donn R. Vermilion, Kevin P. Gallagher, Frederick H. Ponn, Michael R. Franzen, Jorge A. Marzari, Jay W. Keating, David C. Trumbore, Steven G. Harris, Edward Mirra, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5671857
    Abstract: A blank for a collapsible container formed from a single molding of plastics material and comprising a bottom wall, side-and end wall panels hinged to the bottom wall so that the wall panels can be erected from a collapsed to an upright position, and complementary locking member provided at adjacent end portions of the side-and end wall panels for securing the wall panels in upright position, the blank being adapted to be stacked unto like blanks for shipment and storage, the wall panels include formations which project beyond the interior surfaces of the wall panels and corresponding recesses are provided on the exterior surfaces of the wall panels and arranged to receive the projecting formations of a like blank positioned below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Strombergs Plast A.S.
    Inventor: Per Sigmund Stromberg
  • Patent number: 5660279
    Abstract: A stackable case for retaining and transporting bottles including outer side walls forming an outer shell having a longitudinal axis and a horizontal axis, a case bottom disposed substantially within the outer shell, and a plurality of supports for supporting the outer surfaces of the bottles and which, in combination with the outer shell and the case bottom, define a plurality of bottle retaining pockets. A first receiving structure extends above the height of a top surface of one of the side walls and has a first longitudinal recess and a first transverse recess for cross-stacking with an upper identical case by receiving a side wall of the upper identical case when the lower cross-stacking case is empty. A second receiving structure having a second longitudinal recess along the longitudinal axis of the case and a second transverse recess along an axis parallel to the transverse axis of the case is also provided in a preferred embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Gerald R. Koefelda
  • Patent number: 5617953
    Abstract: A stack of containers is formed from a container system. The system includes a plurality of open-topped containers each adapted to be selectively stackable or nestable with like containers. First containers are of relatively large plan. Second containers are of smaller plan. Thus, large containers can stack or nest with large containers. Small containers can stack or nest with small containers. Additionally, small containers are adapted to allow two smaller containers to form a layer in the stack which includes at least one larger container. The smaller containers are supported at the edges of the large container and reach toward the middle, where they engage one another to form a locked cantilever-style bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: McKechnie UK Limited
    Inventor: Andrew C. Cope
  • Patent number: 5607075
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conical lidded drum made of thermoplastic.To avoid step-like changes in diameter or hollow borders as a stacking rim on the outer drum body, according to the invention, a second upset surface flange (12) is formed out in the region of the upper third of the drum (34) on the outer wall of the drum body (10). Advantageously, the conical drum wall (14) extends linearly in a straight line from the upper first surface flange (20) down to the vicinity of the drum base (18) over the entire periphery and in drum longitudinal direction. A third upset surface flange may be provided as a bottom rolling ring (38) in the transition region from drum wall to drum base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Mauser-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Marten Burgdorf, Dietmar Przytulla
  • Patent number: 5573118
    Abstract: A nestable open head container has a generally circular tapered sidewall and an enlarged diameter nesting ring which prevents the lids of adjacent containers from contacting each other during shipping and provides a nesting seat adjacent the top of the sidewall. When inserting a second container into a first container to nest them, the nesting seat of the second container contacts the rim of the first container to limit the depth of insertion of the second container. This maintains a gap between the containers when nested and substantially reduces the frictional engagement between them. A banding channel is formed in the container to receive a substantially inextensible band that releasably secures at least two containers adjacent to each other for increased stability of a package of containers during shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: Harley L. Cramer, Robert A. Huebner, Stephen E. Kipp, Gary J. Toska
  • Patent number: 5564805
    Abstract: A plastic storage container with wheel assemblies having an axle pin rotatably fixed to the container, a secure lid latch having a double-wall construction to ease opening and closing as well as an offset hinge to allow protection of the latch during distribution, and an internal tray having dependent flanges which mate to the storage container to prevent the walls of the storage container from splaying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Contico International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Dickinson
  • Patent number: 5555996
    Abstract: A box or container assembly formed of plastics material and particularly adapted for use in a beverage syrup supply system is covered by opposed lid members whose exposed surface contains an organization of channel-defining projections for stacking superposed containers optionally in columnar- or cross-stacked array. A hinge arrangement effects release from the container of any lid subjected to an excessive lateral force and enables the lids, when open, to be held against the container body with minimal lateral flair for compact nesting. Various forms of access openings are described for accessing a syrup bag spigot and for attaching same when the container assembly forms part of a beverage syrup supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Arne Lang-Ree, William P. Apps, Jeff Ackermann
  • Patent number: 5533623
    Abstract: A package of nested paperboard trays each formed from a unitary blank and having extension tabs on side panels for engaging a subjacent tray for restricting the amount of nesting, thereby improving the ease of mechanically or manually extricating individual trays from the package incident to a filling operation during which product is placed within the individual trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Oak Tree Packaging Corporation
    Inventor: Edward F. Fischer
  • Patent number: 5511684
    Abstract: A container assembly includes a plastic tub having a flexible sidewall which allows a bottom wall of the tub to be pushed toward the tub upper end, to dislodge contents of the container assembly. An outer housing surrounds the tub sidewall and is joined to the upper end of the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.
    Inventor: Edmund A. Weaver, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5503275
    Abstract: The invention relates to packaging crate for transport and storage of light vegetables, having the form of a slightly truncated rectangular parallelipiped open towards the top and including five walls delimiting the five other faces of the paralellipiped, and defining the bottom 1, and the four side 2, 3, 4, 5 walls of the cram, and provided with stacking and nesting means 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a.According to the present invention this packaging crate is made of the association of a rigid framework delimited by two lower 1a and upper 6a peripheral belts, joined by four angled spacer columns 7, 8, 9, 10 to filling pannels formed with spaced slats in a latticework structure with lower rigidity than the elements which constitute the aforementionel frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventor: Jacques Fesquet
  • Patent number: 5501336
    Abstract: Generic goods-containing crate that can be stacked during use and can be partially interlocked to form a pack during storage, which has the particularity that it comprises a central tray-like body which has a bottom that is delimited, along its perimeter, by inner side walls which are tilted outwards from the bottom towards the upper edge. At least portions of outer side walls extend from the upper edge, surround the inner side walls, and are inclined outwards from the upper edge towards the free edge. Stacking and reinforcement blocks are furthermore provided which can be arranged in an active position, in which they join the lower ends of the inner side walls and of the at least portions of outer side walls, and in a packing position, in which they arrange themselves below the bottom. The crate is configured so that it has the same overall dimensions both during use and when the crates are packed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Proge Plast Engineering S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giuseppe De Maria
  • Patent number: 5499715
    Abstract: A stackable container for computer media, such as floppy disks or the like. The container comprises a base and a removable cover. During ordinary use of the container, the cover fits in an upright orientation securely atop the base to provide closure of the container. The cover is constructed so that when it is removed and inverted, it nests in the base of the container. Thus, during packing and shipment (or storage) of the container, the cover is removed and inverted and nested in the base. The cover, which is typically made of clear styrene, is relatively brittle, and the ability to nest the cover in the base, which is typically made of a more resilient plastic, provides protection from physical damage to the cover during shipment. Also, the base is constructed to at least partially nest in the inverted cover, so that multiple containers can be packed and shipped more compactly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Brauner-Nemeth, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley M. Nemeth
  • Patent number: 5489038
    Abstract: A box-like container for transporting packaged fruits and vegetables has a bottom whose central member can be pulled upwardly to cause the flaps at the bottoms of the side walls to be pulled upwardly and inwardly and the side walls to be pulled inwardly into a frustopyramital configuration enabling the box to be nested in a like box. Film hinges are provided between the side walls of a rectangular frame which itself is hollow and of rectangular cross section. Other film hinges are provided between the flaps and a central member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Franz Delbrouck GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Delbrouck
  • Patent number: 5465843
    Abstract: 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 lower wall portion is of double-walled construction with the hollow pylons integrally formed the double-walled lower portion. The pylons are angled toward the interior of the crate and tapered to be smaller in cross section at the top and larger near the lower wall portion so as to allow pylons of empty crates to nest within one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Gerald R. Koefelda
  • Patent number: 5445273
    Abstract: A low depth nestable tray for holding cans of similar capacities and body diameters but with varying top and bottom rim diameters. The tray has structural features that prevent spreading or fraying of the walls. The tray comprises a floor, a band around the periphery of the tray and columns interconnecting the band to the floor. Nesting ledges are disposed on columns and on corner posts of the wall structure. The ledges are equal in height and act as supports for the weight of a stack of nested empty trays which prevents the walls from having to support the weight and results in the walls maintaining their shape and structural integrity. The floor is configured with support areas for the containers and has features for accommodating bottom rims of varying diameters. The support areas have a circular groove for engaging the bottoms of cans and the bottom surface of the floor has downwardly projecting redoubts for facilitating stacking and handling of trays loaded with cans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Patent number: 5445397
    Abstract: A stackable refuse container system includes multiple stackable containers, each of which may be designated for holding a particular recyclable material. The containers are vertically stacked and a cart can be provided for transporting the stacked assembly to and from a curb. Each container may include a removable lid, a front portion of the lid being hingably attached to provide access to the container and a second portion formed to engage and support a bottom of a complementary container. Each container also has sockets for receiving the feet of another container when a lid is not used. Thus, containers can be stacked one upon another, with the lids on or off, and mounted on the cart if one is used. The containers an be provided, for separating recyclable from non-recyclable materials at the point of origin without taking up substantial space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Tucker Housewares, Inc.
    Inventor: David Evans
  • Patent number: 5403633
    Abstract: A conical hollow tube body of paper or another organic molding material is made by forming a conical hollow tube body member having a narrow end and a wide end, and producing a spacing formation by making at least one dimple on an inside in the area of the narrow end by forming a projection in a wall of the body member immediately upon completion of the body member from an outside of the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Christian Maer GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Michael Jenisch
  • Patent number: 5395365
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed package is provided for the administration of a solution or other liquid to a patient. The package includes a blow molded container, cap, and releasable cover. The cap accommodates piercing of the cap and container with a draining spike. The cap has one or more self-closing seals or liners and can be disposed on the container so as to permit penetration of the cap and container by a piercing spike without contacting the parting line of the molded container. The cap includes a special structure for guiding the spike at the initiation of the piercing process, and the cap has an improved structure for sealingly engaging the spike upon insertion. As the container is drained, one of the container walls collapses toward the other to facilitate the draining process and provide a convenient shape for subsequent handling and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Automatic Liquid Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard H. Weiler, Henry Komendowski
  • Patent number: 5372257
    Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a stackable tray which is formed of a body of rigid plastic material with a bottom wall integrally formed with opposite side walls and front and rear walls; each side wall is provided with an upper edge flange which is engageable in a recessed area defined in the lower edge of a superposed similarly constructed tray. The location of the recessed area with respect to the upper edge flange is such as to force outwardly the side walls during stacking engagement thus causing internal stresses in the bottom wall which counteract the sagging which occurs when loads are supported on the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: IPL Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice Beauchamp, Michel Lanoue
  • Patent number: 5360114
    Abstract: A nestable transport container, particularly of plastics material has a preferably rectangular bottom and outwardly inclined side walls which are integrally connected to and extend upwardly from the bottom. The upper edges of the side walls define a container opening. The transport container includes stacking flaps as well as cover halves for closing the container opening. The stacking flaps have border ledges, wherein the cover halves rest on the border ledges when the container opening is closed. In the closed state of the transport container, the upper surfaces of the cover halves are slightly lower than the stacking surfaces of the stacking flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Fritz Schafer Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventor: Karl Adolf Weidt
  • Patent number: 5354247
    Abstract: A modular step exercise unit includes a plurality of individual steps. Each step is in the form of a base having a horizontal platform which comprises the upper surface of the base with depending sides forming an apron which terminates in a plane parallel to the platform so that the apron can be placed directly on a support surface, such as a floor. The steps may be made of differing size so that during storage or even in certain use conditions, steps which are not being used can be stored within the periphery of the apron of the largest step. A multi-level step can be formed by mounting a smaller step on a larger step. The individual steps could be used abutting each other or spaced from each other to provide a multi-level arrangement which includes individual steps and the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventor: William T. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 5344021
    Abstract: A shipping crate suitable for containing loose materials and for vacuum molded fabrication from thermo-formable polymer materials is constructed with denticulated end walls for alternative column stacking or nesting. Spades and receptacles in side and end walls, respectively, are spaced for meshing and interlocking laterally adjacent containers in parallel columns. End wall denticulations provide column stacking support surfaces above the crate contents when alternate end stacked and nest stacking when ends with the same dentil sequence are vertically aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Formall, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry H. Rose
  • Patent number: 5344022
    Abstract: A stackable, nestable, multi-level tray or basket useful for storing and transporting baked goods is provided which includes a floor and a pair of upstanding side walls configured for stacking identical trays as well as allowing the stacking of a tray with smaller, overall dimensions. The structure enables identical trays to slide on to each other in stacked or nested configurations. A multi-level tray includes sidewalls with a plurality of upright stacking posts extending from the floor to a vertical strip of material. Each stacking post flares out at its top end to a cantilevered, extending flat portion. Trays of smaller overall dimensions than the disclosed tray can be advantageously stacked on these extending flat portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Piper Industries of Texas, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward L. Stahl
  • Patent number: 5332114
    Abstract: A container for containing automatic transmissions or the like comprises first and second cases which are identical in shape. A first group of coupling portions are possessed by each case, which establish a coupling of the first and second cases when the first and second cases are mated in a front-to-front mating manner. A second group of coupling portions are possessed by each case, which establish a coupling of the first and second cases when the first and second cases are mated in a back-to-back mating manner. A third group of coupling portions are possessed by each case, which establish a coupling of the first and second cases when the first and second cases are mated in a front-to-back mating manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Jatco Corporation
    Inventors: Yasumasa Sano, Takao Ohsugi
  • Patent number: 5323925
    Abstract: Reusable plastic trays of a "low-depth" design for storing and transporting beverage containers and for nesting when empty. The side structure of the tray defined by a rail, whose upper rim is otherwise prone to be overridden in "shingling" relation by an adjacent tray when the trays are disposed for filling, is provided with cam means adapted to engage the side structure of an adjacent tray and thereby prevent a shingling relation from occurring. The disclosed tray design includes a strut arrangement on each rectangular side in which the lower end of each strut is inclined and adapted to engage a cooperatively inclined surface on the side structure to tend to urge the side structure in an inward direction, thus to prevent spreading of the side structure during nesting of the trays. The structural relationship between the cam means and the strut arrangement prevents interference of one with the other in the performance of their respective operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Patent number: 5305884
    Abstract: A dual purpose low depth nestable tray for holding either cans or bottles of similar capacities with structural features that prevent spreading or fraying of the walls. The tray comprises a floor, a band around the periphery of the tray and columns interconnecting the band to the floor. A nesting nub is disposed on the floor and nesting ledges are disposed on at least one column along each side of the wall structure. The nub and ledges are equal in height and act as supports for the weight of a stack of nested empty trays which prevents the walls from having to support the weight and results in the walls maintaining their shape and structural integrity. The floor is configured with support areas for the containers and has features for accommodating both bottles and cans. The support areas have a circular groove for engaging the bottoms of cans and the bottom surface of the floor has downwardly projecting redoubts for facilitating stacking and handling of trays loaded with cans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Jonathan A. Kalin
  • Patent number: 5275288
    Abstract: The present invention is a wire cake rack for supporting either tubular or rectangular cakes while they cool. The wire cake rack can be either a round cake rack for supporting tubular cakes, e.g. Bundt cakes or a rectangular cake rack for supporting rectangular cakes, e.g. pound cakes. The round cake rack is made with sides in the shape of an open top cylinder that are manufactured integrally with a bottom that is concentric with the sides. The bottom has a greater diameter than the diameter of the sides. The bottom has handles on diametrically opposite edges of the bottom. The rectangular cake rack is made with sides in the shape of an open top rectangular box that are manufactured integrally with a bottom that is axially aligned with the sides. The bottom extends a predetermined distance beyond the sides. The bottom has handles on the two edges of the bottom that are longer than the other two edges of the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Inventor: Ella-Winn M. Lockett
  • Patent number: 5267649
    Abstract: For cylindrical fluid containers, a nestable tray including a support floor having a top surface which is generally open across the entire length and width thereof. The top surface has a plurality of support areas for supporting thereon an array of upright cylindrical fluid containers such that the containers are directly adjacent to one another. A wall assembly is secured to and extends generally up from the floor and is dimensioned so that the containers when supported on the floor extend above the top of the wall assembly in a low-depth arrangement. The wall assembly has a substantial lower wall part adjacent the floor and a substantial upper wall part generally above the lower wall part and having an inward surface. The upper wall part is substantially vertical at least along the inward surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Co., Inc.
    Inventors: William Apps, Arne Lang-Ree
  • Patent number: 5176284
    Abstract: In a plastic container, including a base and a thin flexible perimetric side wall extending from the base and terminating in a perimetric rim, the side wall includes a perimetric ledge extending generally in a lateral direction; an upper perimetric wall section extending between an outer edge of the ledge and the rim; a lower perimetric wall section extending toward the base from an inner edge of the ledge; and a perimetric series of longitudinal ribs closely spaced about all of the ledge and extending between the ledge and one of said wall sections for reinforcing the container against extreme flexure when the container is lifted by being gripped at the upper wall section by a thumb and finger while the container contains a substantial weight of material. The ribs are recessed from a brink of the ledge and have an exposed edge that extends between the ledge and the one wall section at an angle that is less than an angle between the ledge and the one wall section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Primtec
    Inventor: Jens O. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 5174752
    Abstract: A support unit, e.g. a setter, is designed for convenience of stacking both in use and in the stored condition. Each unit (10, 20, 20A) is of circular plan outline and has a rim (13) having alternate upwardly-and downwardly-disposed castellations (14 and 15 respectively) whereby a pair of units (20, 20A) can be stacked closely together with their upper castellations (24, 24A) contiguous and their lower castellations (25, 25A) contiguous or can be stacked in the `use` position with the lower castellations (25A) of an upper unit (20A) resting on the upper castellations (24) of a lower unit (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Foseco International Limited
    Inventor: Robert Chadwick
  • Patent number: 5163587
    Abstract: A syrup delivery system including a plurality of open-top, sturdy plastic containers and syrup bags. Each bag is positionable in a separate container with the bag spigot thereof extending accessible out through a container end opening. The open gridwork bottom of the container slopes to the container end opening so that the syrup in the bag can drain more completely out through the spigot with the container supported on a flat level surface. The containers have top locking posts, bottom stacking feet, and undulating-like sides. With the containers aligned so that their end openings face the same direction, the containers can be stacked one on top of the other with the posts of the bottom container engaging up into the feet of the top container. To unstack, the top container is tilted forward, the posts and feet thereby disengage, and the tilted top container easily slid down the sloping front lip of the lower container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignees: Rehrig-Pacific Co., Pepsi-Cola Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Arne Lang-Ree, W. Joseph Yelder
  • Patent number: 5150804
    Abstract: In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the invention provides a rotationally resistive pail, pail support and coupling. The apparatus includes a pail, and a lid for closing the pail in a closing position, and for supporting the pail in a supporting and locking position. The pail has notches in the base of the pail. The lid has corresponding lugs for vertical interlocking and rotationally resistive engagement with the notches when the lid is in the supporting position. When the lid is in the supporting position, the lid supports the pail vertically and laterally, and the mating engagement of the lid and pail resists relative rotation between the lid and the pail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Inventors: Oscar Blanchet, Donald Mills
  • Patent number: 5131708
    Abstract: A handling system configured for use with a receptacle having a bottom, sides and a flange. The system has a bail for supporting the receptacle, a guide for guiding the bail, and a stop structure for retaining the bail within the guide. The bail is freely movable within the guide and is movable between two positions. In the first position, the bail extends above the flange in a carrying position. In the second position, the bail extends below the flange in a stowed position. The bail is preferably comprised of two substantially parallel legs connected by a base. The two legs each include a bias structure preferably in the form of a deviation by which the base of the bail is held against an adjacent wall of the receptacle when the bail is in the stowed position. The legs of the bail pass through guide openings in the flange of the receptacle and attach to the stop structure. In the stowed position, the stop structure substantially covers the guide openings in the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: The Vollrath Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Dirk E. Denzin
  • Patent number: 5129535
    Abstract: A trash container (10) includes a base container portion (11) and a cover (12). The base container portion (11) includes a front wall (15), a rear wall (16) and two side walls (13, 14) all extending upwardly from a bottom surface (17) to an upper rim (19) defining an open top (18). The side wall (13) is provided with outboard ribs (24, 25) having inboard beads (26, 27) thereon. The other side wall (14) is provided with inboard ribs (30, 31) having outboard beads (32, 33) thereon. The beads (26, 27) engage the beads (32, 33) of a like container (10A) to attach the container (10) to the like container (10A).The cover (12) has a peripheral rim made up of a front U-shaped ledge (40) and a rear U-shaped ledge (43). A generally horizontal opening (49) is formed within the rear U-shaped ledge (43) and a trash receiving ramp (50) is positioned below the opening (49). A hood (53) extends upwardly from the front U-shaped ledge (40) and defines a second opening (52) which extends partially above the opening (49).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventor: John L. Hradisky
  • Patent number: 5078278
    Abstract: A stackable modular unit for a storage structure for flat objects, having two lateral, mutually distanced, wall members to which are attached or with which are integral at least two bottom members and at least one top member. The bottom and top members define supporting and guiding surfaces for the object, the lateral walls are provided with cut-outs in their lower portions, the upper edges of the walls and the cut-outs so configured as to permit, in the stacked state of the units, the nesting of the upper portion of each lateral wall of each unit in the cut-out of the corresponding wall of the next-higher of the stacked units. Any one of the objects, when introduced into, and slid onto the bottom members of, the nth of the stacked units, mechanically joins the nth unit to the (nth-1) unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Inventor: John Edmark
  • Patent number: RE34217
    Abstract: A stackable modular unit for a storage structure for flat objects, having two lateral, mutually distanced, wall members to which are attached or with which are integral at least two bottom members and at least one top member. The bottom and top members define supporting and guiding surfaces for the object, the lateral walls are provided with cut-outs in their lower portions, the upper edges of the walls and the cut-outs so configured as to permit, in the stacked state of the units, the nesting of the upper portion of each lateral wall of each unit in the cut-out of the corresponding wall of the next-higher of the stacked units. Any one of the objects, when introduced into, and slid onto the bottom members of, the nth of the stacked units, mechanically joins the nth unit to the (nth-1) unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Inventor: John Edmark