Having Vertical Projecting Element Or Recess For Interlock Patents (Class 206/509)
  • Publication number: 20030213836
    Abstract: A tongue shaped friction lock is integrally formed in a dust cover or a bottom panel of an open-topped container and positioned to capture the stacking tabs of an adjacent open-topped container. The friction lock provides a small opening through which a stacking tab may be inserted, while at the same time pushing up a locking flap, which pivots up and frictionally engages the stacking tab. A strip of reinforcing tape is embedded within the dust cover and allows one to remove and reuse the dust cover without tearing the tongue lock or the surrounding portions of the dust cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: Stanley L. Fry
  • Publication number: 20030209593
    Abstract: A stackable container formed from a unitary blank pre-cut and pre-scored with an improved design directed at providing material cost savings while achieving stacking stability and related benefits. The container includes a base with two sets of opposing walls. The first set of walls each include a first panel attached at a lower edge to the base and a second panel attached at an upper edge to the first panel and thereby forming at least one stacking tab having a two-ply thickness. The second set of opposing walls each include an outer panel attached to the base; two center flaps, each attached to the corresponding side edge of the first panel thereby forming a corner; and two inner flaps, each attached the corresponding center flap. The container further includes four reinforcement panels, each attached to the adjacent side edge of the corresponding second panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Johan H. Schilling
  • Publication number: 20030209557
    Abstract: A universal lid for industrial or commercial large size solid waste containers, has a ribbed single layer central portion and a peripheral edge having a hollow double wall boxed configuration. The boxed perimeter may have a predetermined height such as approximately one inch, and the lid is provided with hinge lugs having a vertical extent substantially more but not more than twice than said predetermined height. In addition, the lids have substantial symmetry so that the lids may be stacked and nested with alternate lids oriented in opposite front-to-back directions. With this type of lid, the advantages of both single layer and double layer lid constructions may be realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Craig V. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6644882
    Abstract: A folder includes a spine having a base and first and second spine hinge portions. The spine defines a longitudinal axis and has an exterior surface that is curved around the longitudinal axis. The folder also includes a first cover having a first cover hinge portion pivotably attached to the first spine hinge portion. The first cover has a first curved portion with an exterior surface that is curved around the longitudinal axis. The folder further includes a second cover having a second cover hinge portion pivotably attached to the second spine hinge portion. The second cover has a second curved portion with an exterior surface that is curved around the longitudinal axis. The spine and the first and second curved portions together define a generally rounded contour around the longitudinal axis when the folder is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: ACCO Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian Francis Brown, Timothy John Parsey, Timothy Edward McKeown, Fred Edward Cecala
  • Patent number: 6644494
    Abstract: A hinged container includes a basket having a base, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of endwalls. The pair of sidewalls and the pair of endwalls integrally extend outwardly to form a first latching portion. A concave channel, a first concave region, and a second concave region are all formed in the base. The concave channel extends along a major axis of the base, while the first concave region extends from the concave channel to one of the pair of sidewalls, and the second concave region extends from the concave channel to the other of the pair of sidewalls. A lid is hingedly connected to the first latching portion. The lid includes a second latching portion corresponding to the first latching portion. The first and second latching portions lock together to retain the lid and the basket in a closed relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hayes, Brian J. Cammarata, William Loiselle
  • Publication number: 20030205495
    Abstract: A tray having prestress sections including a domed shaped bottom and a merchandising window. The window includes a surface parallel to the dome shaped bottom. When the tray is subjected to a load, the dome and the surface of the merchandising window become substantially planar. The front of the tray also includes vertically extending corners that are angled inwardly toward one another from an outer top end to an inner lower end when the tray is empty. When the tray is loaded, the corners deflect toward a vertically extending parallel relationship with respect to one another. The corners adjacent the rear of the tray are fixed relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Donald Verna, Richard C. Kruyer
  • Patent number: 6641032
    Abstract: A stackable container formed from a unitary blank pre-cut and pre-scored with an improved design directed at providing material cost savings while achieving stacking stability and related benefits. The container includes a base with two sets of opposing walls. The first set of walls each include a first panel attached at a lower edge to the base and a second panel attached at an upper edge to the first panel and thereby forming at least one stacking tab having a two-ply thickness. The second set of opposing walls each include an outer panel attached to the base; two center flaps, each attached to the corresponding side edge of the first panel thereby forming a corner; and two inner flaps, each attached the corresponding center flap. The container further includes four reinforcement panels, each attached to the adjacent side edge of the corresponding second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Fruit Growers Supply Company
    Inventor: Johan H. Schilling
  • Patent number: 6640975
    Abstract: A box or container, formed from a single blank, with a group of protruding tabs and corresponding bottom apertures which act together to urge, and maintain, the alignment of an upper box on top of a lower box during the stacking of similar boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Conagra Grocery Products Company
    Inventors: James A. Bennett, Bradley Heath, Jody Hamabata
  • Publication number: 20030196926
    Abstract: A blow molded container having a multi-functional base which enables use of the container in both hot-fill operations and pasteurization/retort operations and enables efficient vertical stacking of like containers. To this end, a portion of the base is capable of flexing upwardly and/or downwardly in response to variations in pressures in a filled and sealed container. Structurally, the base has a continuous or discontinuous concave outer annular wall forming a continuous or discontinuous standing ring and an inner annular wall functioning as a flex panel. The inner annular wall connects outwardly to a plurality of radial webs extending at an elevation above the standing ring and connects inwardly to a central dimple. Preferably, the inner periphery of the annular wall is heat-set and biaxially oriented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: John W. Tobias, Richard K. Ogg, Greg Trude
  • Publication number: 20030188986
    Abstract: The present invention relates to containers, and more specifically, to plastic containers. The containers described herein may be applied to any use, but they are particularly useful for storing paint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Arun M. Wylie
  • Publication number: 20030183549
    Abstract: A multi-purpose tray including a front, a back, a first side, a second side, and a bottom. The tray can include beams extending from the front of the tray and slots defined in the back of the tray. When two trays are stacked in opposite directions with respect to one another, the beams are received by the slots. The tray also includes a domed bottom. The domed bottom has a convex profile with respect to the interior of the tray and can include transverse ribs or longitudinal ribs. The tray also includes drain apertures positioned along the front and back of the tray. The drain apertures can enhance cleaning of the tray by communicating fluid from channels defined by the front and back. The tray also includes a stop for projection for limiting sliding movement of a top tray relative to a bottom tray when two trays are stacked in a similar orientation with respect to one another. The tray also includes handles in the first and second side and a gripping portion on one of the first and second handles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Donald Verna, Douglas T. Cox, Douglas Hood
  • Patent number: 6626286
    Abstract: A container including a body incorporating at least one cell able to receive an ammunition element, the body also having two side faces as well as a lower face and an upper face having matching shapes forming a Positioning device allowing one container to be positioned with respect to another one stacked onto it, the container also incorporating a joining device allowing the container to be linked to another container stacked onto it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Claude Boutet, Thierry Fougeroux
  • Publication number: 20030173396
    Abstract: A container for carrying produce is reinforced with at least one cross beam extending longitudinally across the upper side of the container and supported by the container's side walls. The cross beam is supported by die cut recesses in the upper edge of opposing side walls or by extensions extending from the sides of the cross beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: William J. Naughton, Benjamin W. Quaintance, Pamela J. Riggins, Brian D. Smith, Donald A. Leith
  • Publication number: 20030173360
    Abstract: A packaging system for at least one electrical service device is described, which has a transparent packaging configuration. At least one service device is accommodated in the transparent packaging configuration. The transparent packaging configuration has a container. The container has two side walls that accommodate the service device between them. As viewed from the outside, one of the side walls has a depression and the other of the side walls has a protuberance. When a plurality of containers are aligned in a row, one beside another, the protuberance (21) of the first container engages in the depression (20) of the adjacent container, so that the two containers are connected to each other frictionally or with a form locking connection, releasably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Klaus Rack, Michael Rosch, Rene Claudinon
  • Patent number: 6607199
    Abstract: A dolly and a tray and dolly assembly are provided. The dolly has a floor with upper and lower surfaces and with one or more features such that when the tray floor is received on the dolly floor, the feature interlocks the tray with the dolly. One feature is a plurality of protruding members extending upwardly from the dolly floor upper surface into openings in the tray floor to interlock the tray with the dolly. Another features is the presence of dolly side wall locking portions configured to abut and mate with corresponding tray side wall bottom locking portions on the tray to interlock the dolly with the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Robert V. Gruber
  • Publication number: 20030150764
    Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a single-piece containerboard blank is provided having a bottom panel with a side edge, an end edge and a truncated corner edge extending between the side edge and the corner edge. A side panel is hingedly attached to the bottom panel along the side edge. An adjacent edge of the side panel is a side panel end edge. An internal corner stacking tab assembly is hingedly attached to the side panel at the side panel end edge along a first fold line. The internal corner stacking tab assembly includes a plurality of segments hingedly connected at a second fold line and a third fold line. A tab extends from an edge of the internal corner stacking tab assembly. The tab is positioned substantially transverse of the third fold line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Alex D. Bevier
  • Publication number: 20030146272
    Abstract: A tray-type container 10 includes a bottom wall 20, longitudinally-extending outer side walls 22, and laterally-extending end walls 24, the outer side walls 22 and the end walls 24 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 20 to form an inner cavity 26. As erected, the outer side walls 22 include a plurality of spaced-apart stacking tabs 28A-28D, and the bottom wall forms a plurality of spaced-apart apertures 60, 70, 80, 82, 86, and 88 for receiving the stacking tabs 28A-28D of like or similar containers. A plurality of tray-type containers 10 may be unitized in several stacked configurations utilizing the stacking tabs 28 and apertures 60, 70, 80, 82, 86, and 88. Typically, the plurality of unitized containers 10 are placed upon a shipping pallet or slip sheet, or placed within a shipping container to facilitate shipping by large carriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: David Kent
  • Patent number: 6588612
    Abstract: Stackable plastic container including side portions having at least one of protrusions and depressions which nest with one of matching protrusions and depressions of a second container, and with the bottom portion including depressions which nest with the pouring spout and handle of a second container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Dorn, Richard A. Lovelace, Jr., John P. Reynolds, Richard C. Darr
  • Patent number: 6585090
    Abstract: A shock resistant carrying case in which to transport fragile equipment (e.g. a portable computer) having a body that is configured to facilitate a stable, close together stacking of a plurality of such carrying cases side-by-side and one above the other in an array of rows and columns that is suitable for storage and/or shipment. The carrying case has a pair of wheels located at one end of a base thereof and a pair of locking feet projecting from the opposite end of the base. The carrying case also has a first pair of interlocking cavities formed in one end of a lid thereof and a second pair of interlocking cavities formed in the opposite end of the lid. The pair of wheels and the pair of locking feet from the base of a first carrying case are received within respective ones of the first and second pairs of interlocking cavities formed in the lid of an adjacently positioned carrying case, whereby the first and adjacent carrying cases are held in face-to-face interlocking engagement with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen C. Harvey
  • Patent number: 6585123
    Abstract: Biaxially oriented, hollow plastic bottle of thermoplastic material having an improved base. The base includes an outer supporting annular rim for supporting the bottle on a surface and an inwardly extending portion of the base, wherein the space between the central portion of the base and the outer supporting rim includes a plurality of struts extending radially from the central portion of the base towards the annular rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc A. Pedmo, Richard C. Darr
  • Patent number: 6581772
    Abstract: A container has a bottom panel, side walls, and end walls, with the bottom panel having recesses for accepting stacking tabs The side walls are provided with stacking tabs which are tapered inwardly so as to align with the recesses in the bottom panel of a second container. The inwardly tapered tabs allow for easy stacking without the tabs being deformed when containers are stacked atop one another. To improve strength, the side and end walls are disposed approximately at right angles to the bottom panel. Multiple plies of material are used along the container walls to increase container strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventor: Carl M. Noland
  • Publication number: 20030111468
    Abstract: A beverage container includes a cup having a configuration suitable for nesting and a cap removably covering a top opening of the cup. The cup is provided above a bottom with a predetermined length of diameter-reduced section, and the cap is provided near a top center with a round recess for fitly engaging with the diameter-reduced section of the cup. The cap may be removed from the loaded cup and positioned on a tabletop with the round recess facing upward, so that the diameter-reduced section of the cup may be inserted into the round recess of the cap to stably hold the cup to an upright position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: I-Mei Foods Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teng Chau Kao
  • Publication number: 20030098256
    Abstract: A storage box structure includes a first plate, a second plate, a third plate, a fourth plate, a fifth plate, a sixth plate and a seventh plate which are integrally formed and connected with each other, thereby decreasing cost of fabrication. In addition, the storage box structure may be assembled and disassembled easily, quickly and conveniently, thereby facilitating the user assembling and disassembling the storage box structure. Further, multiple storage box structures may be combined with each other in a laminated manner rigidly and stably, thereby reducing the space of storage. Further, the storage box structure is expanded into a planar sheet when not in use, thereby reducing the space of storage, and thereby decreasing cost of transportation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Chin-Ho Lu
  • Patent number: 6564946
    Abstract: A containment device for retaining semiconductor wafers having a first housing member having a frame with inner and outer walls normal to the frame having a gapped relation. The inner wall receives the semiconductor wafers. A second housing member securably attachable to the first housing member by plural latches has a frame forming the top of the device. Each latch has a hook secured to the first housing member passing through a hole in the second housing member and releasably secured within the hole by the hook. In a second embodiment, the latches and holes are replaced with a plurality of rotatable latch members each having a hook at the distal end for engagement with a hole in the second housing member, secured to the first housing member and rotatable about a hinge. One wall of the first embodiment is replaced with a soft liner which absorbs shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Lee Lewis, Kurodearimasu Takeshi Hirose, Jeffrey Wilson, James Dove, Michael Hayden
  • Patent number: 6547072
    Abstract: A guidewire holder is provided that stores a coiled guidewire substantially immersed in a storage fluid and allows for a facilitated retrieval of the guidewire. The guidewire holder is generally configured as a shallow pan in a circular shape with an outer periphery to retain the coiled guidewire. The outer periphery includes a concave inner wall and a set of ribs that generally retain the coiled guidewire on the outer periphery. An access area is provided to suspend a portion of the guidewire away from the outer periphery to enable a medical practitioner to reach into the guidewire holder and grasp a portion of the guidewire in order to easily extract the coiled guidewire from the holder. An inner periphery reduces the amount of storage fluid needed to immerse the guidewire and is used in combination with the outer periphery to provide a location for comfortably holding the guidewire holder. Multiple holders may be coupled together so as to be stacked on top of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Whiting, Jim Mottola, Fred Lampropoulos
  • Publication number: 20030062406
    Abstract: A container for carrying hot pizzas and the like, comprising a box (1) made of cardboard or of a similar material, having a base (2) and a lid (3) connected to the base (2) in such a way that it can be opened and re-closed. The lid (3) has breather openings (16) and at least one pair of raised parts (13) set at a distance apart, which project upwards and have the function, during use, of spacer supports for a similar box superimposed in a stacked condition on the lid (3). The raised parts conveniently consist of elongated tubular elements (13) which are integral with the lid (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: FILIPPO LIZZIO
    Inventor: Filippo Lizzio
  • Publication number: 20030062365
    Abstract: A food container preferably for heated food, has a lid member and a base member. The base member has complimentary embossed portions in the bottom of the base member to engage a complimentary indented portion in the top surface of the lid member. The retaining mechanism allows containers to be stacked so as to secure each container while allowing steam to escape from the lid of a container. Also, a fluid return system retains fluid in the container and promotes flow of fluid into the bottom of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Anchor Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin R. Krueger
  • Patent number: 6536192
    Abstract: A plastic canister for storing and shipping drill bits, especially roller cone drill bit, has a pin-holder built into the lid of the canister for ease of field dressing the bit. The lid and body of the container are slip fit to one another and indexed to each other for positive positioning in their relationship. Safety features include the use of a conductive plastic polymer, a non-rolling base, mating protrusions and recesses for stacking, recessed areas for strapping, and welded loop handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Relocation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William W. King, William C. Saxman, Jeffery Peck, James S. Dahlem, Karl D. Knecht, Lee M. Smith, Margaret L. Parks, Mike Jeziorski, Patsy A. Jenner
  • Publication number: 20030047479
    Abstract: The nature of the invention described herein is a training dish that will aid in maintaining food on a utensil and stop food from sliding off of the dish. The training dish comprises a feature that allows the dish to be stacked one on top of the other for the purposes of micro waving two or more entrees at one time, transporting the training dish with and/or without containing food, and for storage. Said feature also provides a mechanical disadvantage toward the tendency to tip when a utensil applies a force against the upper training wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Steven E. Miller
  • Patent number: 6527122
    Abstract: Stackable display bins for supporting quantities of cylindrical articles such as tubes of caulk and the like have U-shaped interiors that are accessible through U-shaped front openings. The bins have generally rectangular front, rear and side walls that connect with a symmetrically curved bottom wall to define their U-shaped interiors. The front, rear and side walls extend substantially vertically so they can directly underlie and overlie the front, rear and side walls of other identically configured bins in a vertically stacked array of bins. Removable extenders connect with the bins near front ends of the right and left side walls for pivotally mounting doors at locations spaced forwardly from the U-shaped openings for supporting signs that identify the contents of the bins. Methods of utilizing single bins and pairs of bins with short and long doors and removable interior partitions to display quantities of relatively large and relatively smaller sized tubes of caulk also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Bintek, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis P. Taylor, Anthony V. Sainato
  • Publication number: 20030038051
    Abstract: A box or container, formed from a single blank, with a group of protruding tabs and corresponding bottom apertures which act together to urge, and maintain, the alignment of an upper box on top of a lower box during the stacking of similar boxes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: James A. Bennett, Bradley Heath, Jody Hamabata
  • Publication number: 20030024845
    Abstract: A crate is provided for holding and transporting products such as plastic milk containers. In accordance with one aspect, a tighter lateral tolerance or fit is provided to stabilize and strengthen telescopic stacking of crates by contouring an inner surface of the side walls to provide a smaller dimension in the opening of the crate, such as by selectively removing or reducing any outward taper or draft of the side walls. In accordance with another aspect, loading forces are directly transferred to a bottom drag rail by forming the side walls to position at least a portion of the side wall inner surface over the drag rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Justin M. Smyers, Trenton M. Overholt
  • Patent number: 6513705
    Abstract: A preferably one-piece fold-and-glue container has corners reinforced by extensions that fold over and compress self-erecting bellows or gusset corner joints, and cutouts in each of the four front, back and end walls. The corrugated paperboard panels of a single flat blank define a bottom, opposite front and back walls and longitudinally opposite end walls. The joints have bellows panels integral with the front, back and end walls, joined at folds oriented diagonally and being glued to one of the adjacent walls to pull one another perpendicular to the bottom when erected. The end walls have an outer end wall panel integrally extending from the bottom and joined adjacent to the front or back to an extension having a protruding tab at its free end for locking into the bottom when the extension is folded over the gusset joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Pack ‘N’ Stack
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: 6502698
    Abstract: A tray-type container 10 is provided that includes a bottom wall 20, longitudinally-extending outer side walls 22, and laterally-extending end walls 24. The outer side walls 22 and the end walls 24 extend upwardly from the bottom wall 20 to form an inner cavity 26. As assembled, the outer side walls 22 include a plurality of spaced-apart stacking tabs 28. A plurality of tray-type containers 10 may be aggregated in a stacked configuration utilizing the stacking tabs 28, and placed upon a shipping pallet or slip sheet, or placed within a shipping container to facilitate shipping by large carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventors: David J. McKenna, Herbert D. Muise
  • Publication number: 20020190113
    Abstract: A foldable container is formed from a single blank of sheet material which has stacking shoulders, reinforced corners side panels and display panels. The container includes a bottom section delimited by pairs of upright end panels and side panels. Two of the side panels are foldably connected to peripheral segments of the bottom section, pre-glued and cooperate with the latter to form an open top product-accommodating compartment. The top edges of each of the side panels include shoulders for supporting a container stacked thereon and positioning tabs that extend upwardly and fit into corresponding openings in the bottom of the upper container. The lateral edge of each end panel and adjacent side panel has foldably connected thereto a corner-reinforcing member and create shopping accessibility from the front of the container. The reinforcing member includes a first section connected to the end panel edge and being secured in partially overlying relation with the interior surface of the adjacent side panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: James K. Holdsworth, Ramon Morell
  • Publication number: 20020179701
    Abstract: A tote box is disclosed which incorporates a box, four corner enhancers and a top rail which is secured over the top edge of the erected walls of the box. The walls of the box are held together with the corner enhancers without the benefit of any mechanical fasteners such as rivets or the like. The top rail is secured onto the box by a hook which engages tabs extending outwardly from the walls of the box or clips secured to the box walls. The top rail has a vertical lip which facilitates stacking multiple tote boxes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: BRADFORD COMPANY
    Inventors: Donald J. Bazany, Judson A. Bradford
  • Publication number: 20020179481
    Abstract: A container has a bottom panel, side walls, and end walls, with the bottom panel having recesses for accepting stacking tabs The side walls are provided with stacking tabs which are tapered inwardly so as to align with the recesses in the bottom panel of a second container. The inwardly tapered tabs allow for easy stacking without the tabs being deformed when containers are stacked atop one another. To improve strength, the side and end walls are disposed approximately at right angles to the bottom panel. Multiple plies of material are used along the container walls to increase container strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventor: Carl M. Noland
  • Patent number: 6488200
    Abstract: A crate-tray, for transporting and displaying goods that cannot be easily stacked. The crate-tray comprising a tray-deck having edges along the perimeter of the tray-deck; a plurality of tray-walls formed along the tray-deck edges; and a plurality of tabs with a corresponding plurality of hinges, the tabs incised on the tray-deck and positioned with the corresponding hinges generally along the edges of the tray-deck, the tabs capable of opening from the deck to an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Cherokee Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Jensen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6481619
    Abstract: A produce container comprises a bottom wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a front wall, and a back wall. The front and back walls are reinforced along their tops by partial rollovers, each of which comprises two flanges—a center flange and a major flange—hingedly attached to the wall being reinforced. Each rollover is formed by first folding the center flange slightly away from the major flange and then folding the major flange downward toward the corresponding wall. Folding the major flange captures the center flange and at the same time forms doubled, indexed stacking tabs whose tops are formed along the axis about which the major flap is folded. The corners where the side walls and front and back walls join are reinforced by corner structures, with the corner structures extending along a portion of each of the joining walls so that the corners are reinforced along each wall with at least two layers of vertically-corrugated paperboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventor: Keith A. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6475432
    Abstract: A device for use in carrying and supporting a work piece before, during, and after a treatment process. The device can be used for both shipping and treating the work piece, and the device will not adversely affect the work piece during the treatment process. The device comprises at least one plate which has at least one relieved region for holding a work piece. The plate has a density the same as or very similar to the density of the work piece, so that the plate and work piece together have a substantially uniform density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Ion Beam Applications, Inc.
    Inventor: Victor J. Balmer
  • Patent number: 6474477
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip package carrier assembly is provided with a tray component having depending support legs that support multiple semiconductor chip packages in open package pockets, with a cover component having depending clamping legs in open package pockets that register with the tray component open package pockets, and with snap latches that securely and removably join the cover component to the tray component in a manner whereby each contained semiconductor chip package is locked by the depending support legs and depending clamping legs in a fixed position with respect to the tray and cover components throughout all spatial orientations of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Ching T. Chang
  • Patent number: 6471402
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses stackable bag containers 12 having opposing mating rigid planar elements 14, 15 disposed on the interior of the bags contiguous to the walls of the bag 12 having impressed therein interlocking curvilinear grooves 16, 17 extending across the rigid element 14, 15 and terminating spaced away from the periphery edge 20 of the rigid planar element 14, 15. Bag locking device 26 are provided. Embodiments utilizing corrugated walls 30, circular indentions 32 and cross line indentions are also disclosed along with an embodiment providing a sanitary storage bag for use with a conventional flowable product dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: Jeff Burns
  • Publication number: 20020148845
    Abstract: A selectively detachable container lid includes a center panel and a peripheral sealing lip surrounding the panel. The peripheral sealing lip has a generally inverted U-shaped cross section so as to define a channel into which a bowl rim fits. The lid also includes at least one ridge formed between the panel and the peripheral sealing lip. The ridge is interrupted by at least one gap. The ridge and the peripheral sealing lip partially overlap when viewed in a direction substantially normal to the panel. The ridge also abuts the bowl when the lid is placed loosely on the bowl. Also disclosed is a container that includes such a lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: JEFFREY J. ZETTLE, DAVID A. SMITH, DONALD E. HODGE, ERIC SCHAPER, PETER T. EVERS
  • Patent number: 6464418
    Abstract: A dockable storage container for storing solids, powders, liquids and the like includes a housing defining a storage chamber having an opening to provide access to the storage chamber, a cap for closing the opening to the storage chamber and a unisex docking mechanism for releasably docking with a structurally identical unisex docking mechanism of another container so that the containers align with each other when they are docked. A method of refreshing eye makeup includes providing eye makeup liquid remover disposed within a first hollow container and having a first applicator disposed therein, providing eye makeup refreshing powder disposed within a second hollow container connected to the first hollow container and having a second applicator disposed therein, applying the eye makeup remover with the first applicator to remove unwanted makeup, and applying the eye makeup refreshing powder with the second applicator to refresh areas contacted with the eye makeup remover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventors: Shelly M. Visser, Debra B. Visser, Nori Johansen
  • Patent number: 6460758
    Abstract: A corrugated board tray has stacking lugs extending from double thickness side walls. The stacking lug is formed from an integral upward extension of only the outer one of the side wall panels. The lug is folded inwardly and secured to the inside of the side wall. Corresponding slots are formed at the junction of the side wall and the base to receive the stacking lugs of a lower tray. Half-size trays may include stacking lugs and slots formed in the end walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: SCA Packaging Limited
    Inventors: Jason M. Fenton, Michael C. Chapman, William E. Burr
  • Patent number: 6446807
    Abstract: An assembly of stacked modular containers for handling, transporting and storing microscope specimen slides is described. The side walls of the rectangular-shaped containers have slide interconnections so that the containers may be longitudinally slid relative to one another. A releasable locking arrangement is provided on the extension of one of the other container walls to prevent unwarranted longitudinal sliding movement of the containers and to retain them in a secured stack formation. The extension of the container wall is made flexible to enable manual disengagement of locking members on the extension to thereby allow the sliding of containers for insertion or removal of slides into and from the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: 3088081 Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: André Lafond, Yanick Bertin
  • Patent number: 6443358
    Abstract: A stackable container formed from a single-piece blank pre-cut and pre-scored with an improved design directed at providing material cost savings while achieving stacking stability and related benefits. The container includes a base with two sets of opposing walls. Each wall of the first set incorporates a first panel and a second panel. The first panel is foldably attached at a lower edge to the base and is hinged at an upper edge to the second panel, wherein the upper edge also defines a shoulder. Each wall of the first set further incorporates at least one stacking tab that extends beyond the shoulder. The stacking tabs are two-ply and have a tab base and a sequencing panel. The tab base extend from the first panel and is foldably attached to the sequencing panel, wherein the tab base and the sequencing panel are formed from material cut from the second panel, thereby providing the benefits of two-ply stacking tabs and two-ply walls without expanding size requirements of the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Fruit Growers Supply Company
    Inventor: Johan H. Schilling
  • Publication number: 20020096447
    Abstract: An assembly of stacked modular containers for handling, transporting and storing microscope specimen slides is described. The side walls of the rectangular-shaped containers have slide interconnections so that the containers may be longitudinally slid relative to one another. A releasable locking arrangement is provided on the extension of one of the other container walls to prevent unwarranted longitudinal sliding movement of the containers and to retain them in a secured stack formation. The extension of the container wall is made flexible to enable manual disengagement of locking members on the extension to thereby allow the sliding of containers for insertion or removal of slides into and from the containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: 3088081 CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Andre Lafond, Yanick Bertin
  • Patent number: 6419112
    Abstract: A spill resistant lid includes a sealing bead in pressure contact with the inside wall of a container to be closed when the lid is in sealing position with respect to the container to substantially seal the container. The lid includes a first cylindrical wall and a second cylindrical wall spaced apart to form a receiving channel for the top of a container to be sealed. A ridge extends into the channel from the first cylindrical wall to hold the lid in place. The sealing bead extends into the channel from the second cylindrical wall. A central lid portion closes the area inside the second cylindrical wall and applies sealing pressure to the bead. In a preferred embodiment a third cylindrical wall in the central lid portion is joined to the second cylindrical wall by a web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Farmarte, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Bruce, Robert C. Warrer, Herbert B. Farmer
  • Publication number: 20020066676
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for jewelry organization is provided which has a body which is specially designed to avoid tangling of jewelry items and to house all types of jewelry at once, in an appealing fashion. The apparatus includes a body having an upper and lower surface, and at least one compartment formed in the upper surface defined as a channel sized to receive one or more items of jewelry. Each piece of jewelry is laid out along the path of the channel and does not mix or tangle with other pieces of jewelry. The upper surface of the body has an upwardly protruding knob. The knob may be frustoconical in shape and can hold at least one ring. The presently preferred knob is located in the center of the upper surface. The lower surface of the body may have a recess which is sized to receive a knob on a second jewelry organizer. The knob nests into the recess of another jewelry organizer so that the organizers can be stacked on top of one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Shannon Morris