Having Vertical Projecting Element Or Recess For Interlock Patents (Class 206/509)
  • Publication number: 20100084304
    Abstract: A tray, such as for baked goods, includes a base and a pair of opposed side walls extending upward from side edges of the base. A front wall and a rear wall extend upward from a front edge and a rear edge of the base. The front wall and rear wall each have at least a portion that is shorter than the side walls. The front wall and rear wall each include an inner wall portion spaced inwardly of an outer wall portion. The front wall and rear wall each including at least one portion of reduced width at an upper edge of the front wall and the rear wall. The portion of reduced width accommodates the notches of a similar tray cross stacked thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: Mauricio D. Cavalcante
  • Patent number: 7690856
    Abstract: A connection device for connecting objects. The connection device includes a first elongated element with a first groove and a locking portion, a second elongated element with a second groove and a through hole, a spring member and a pin connected to the spring member, and an actuating member adapted for actuating the spring member and moving the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Praktisk Teknologi AS
    Inventor: Vidar Mortensen
  • Patent number: 7686179
    Abstract: A receptacle includes a pouch-like body having an opening, a cover pivotally connected to a side face defining the opening so as to close selectively the opening and a seat detachably connected to a bottom face of the pouch-like body to allow the pouch-like body to be slanted relative to a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Ching-Tzu Chen
  • Patent number: 7686167
    Abstract: A container for transporting and displaying baked products. The container can be stacked in a 0° and 180° stacking configuration, and when in the former, utilizes stacking feet projections to provide additional strength for carrying heavier products, and to substantially prevent lateral motion of the stacked containers. Further, the containers comprise curved stacking feet and stacking receptacles so that when containers are stacked in the 180° stacking configuration, they can be more easily removed. The containers further include substantially non-glossy, non-smooth areas that allow stickers to be more easily removed, and to reduce errors in counting containers by automated counting equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Orbis Canada Limited
    Inventor: Edward L. Stahl
  • Publication number: 20100065458
    Abstract: A tray system for storing and transporting specimens, such as slides and paraffin blocks, includes a first tray having a top face with a first portion including a plurality of first compartments and a second portion adjacent the first portion including a plurality of second compartments, a width of the first compartments greater than a width of the second compartments. A top rim extends upwardly from the top face along a periphery of the first portion, and a bottom rim extends downwardly from an opposed bottom face about a perimeter corresponding to the periphery of the first portion on the top face. A second tray has a top face including a plurality of generally rectangular compartments each including flanges extending only partially across the compartment. A top rim extends upwardly around a perimeter of the top face, and a bottom rim extends downwardly around a perimeter of a bottom face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Myers, Peter Lucas, Albert Shih, Scott Miller
  • Patent number: 7661528
    Abstract: Food containers formed of sheet plastic are latchably stackable on one another. Each container has base (14) and lid (16) elements, with one of them having an outer rim part with a pair of long handle sections (80, 82) that can be pivoted up to form a handle assembly for carrying the container. The sections that form handles are formed in the lid element (16) rather than in the base element (14), so a person does not have to contend with long bouncing sections if the person eats a meal out of the base. One of the elements has vertically undercut grooves (50) and the other element has horizontal projections (52) that slide into and along the grooves. The grooved element has vertical passages (120) along which the projections can move vertically until they can slide into and along the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: PWP Industries
    Inventors: Terry Vovan, Leon D. Rosen
  • Publication number: 20100025281
    Abstract: A container configured to be stacked adjacent to a second container is provided. The container includes a sidewall having a first end, an end wall having a peripheral edge, a seam coupling the peripheral edge of the end wall to the first end of the sidewall, and an alignment feature coupled to the seam. The alignment feature includes an inner surface. The alignment feature is positioned relative to the seam such that, when the container is stacked adjacent to the second container, the inner surface of the alignment feature contacts an outer surface of a seam of the second container, the contact resisting lateral movement of the container relative to the second container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Gerald Baker, Thomas Murphy
  • Publication number: 20100018889
    Abstract: A stackable container assembly that is particularly suited for packaging heavy bulk products such as paint includes a container having a main body and a removable lid having an upstanding rim portion that has an upper surface. The container has a flexible bottom portion that has a lower surface that includes at least one support surface for supporting the container assembly on an underlying horizontal surface. The lower surface further includes at least one projection that is disposed radially inwardly from the support surface. The flexible bottom portion is advantageously configured so that the projection will flex radially downwardly and outwardly into a position that is adjacent to an upstanding rim portion of an underlying container assembly when the container assembly is stacked on top of another container assembly. This ensures accurate registration and positioning of the container assemblies during stacking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Lawrence Korpanty, Kevin D. Himes, John E. Denner, David B. Clements
  • Publication number: 20100006629
    Abstract: A container assembly is disclosed. The container assembly includes a tube portion including a plurality of sides. The container assembly further includes a base portion including a bottom panel and a plurality of flaps extending from the bottom panel. The plurality of flaps overlap a portion of the plurality of sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Charles E. Bettinger, Allen Keller, Kerry Wall
  • Patent number: 7644828
    Abstract: A container has an open top end and a closed bottom end. A chamber is provided between the top and bottom ends. The top end is formed as a neck. The bottom end is formed as a recess. The neck and recess are essentially cylindrical. The neck and recess have a common axis and an essentially common length and diameter. The recess is adapted to receive a neck of another similarly configured bottle/container system. The neck is adapted to be coupled to a recess of another similarly configured bottle/container system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventor: Steven Klein
  • Publication number: 20100000900
    Abstract: A tray includes a base having opposed front and rear walls and opposed side walls. The front and rear walls are shorter to provide access to products stored on the tray when in a stacked configuration. The tray includes reinforced intersections between the front and rear walls and side walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventor: Jon P. Hassell
  • Patent number: 7637372
    Abstract: A stackable display case for protecting products which are unable to support a compressive load. Such display case provides improved protection of products during shipping and sale. Such display cases are loaded with products, stacked three or more cases high, two per layer, on a pallet at a production facility before being shipped to warehouse style and other retail outlets. Such display cases allow products to be sold directly from pallets and require a minimal amount of manual labor compared to prior art shipping displays. Such display case provides visibility and accessibility from four sides of pallets, and from at least three sides of each display case. Such a display case requires substantially less manual labor at a manufacturing and shipping facility, and almost no manual labor at the point of sale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Wayne Keel, Garrett William Kohl, David Charlton McFadden, III
  • Patent number: 7637373
    Abstract: A container configured to support a second identical container in a stacked relationship, comprising a base including a plurality of spaced apart members, the spaced apart members including at least one stacking member, and at least one container support member, wherein each of the at least one container support member is configured for engaging and supporting one of the at least one stacking member of the second identical container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Norseman Plastics, Ltd
    Inventor: Edward L. Stahl
  • Publication number: 20090308779
    Abstract: A tray has a bottom panel, side and end panels and top shoulders at opposed ends of the tray. The tray is covered by a separate sleeve that extends across the top of the tray and down opposed sides and across the bottom of the tray. The trays may be stacked with an upper tray resting on the shoulders of the lower tray. The sleeve is a sleeve for the stack of trays with the side panels of the sleeve sized for different numbers of trays in the stack. There may be frictional tabs in the side panels of the tray or trays which have frictional engagement with the side panels of the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Weyerhaeuser Co.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Philips
  • Publication number: 20090301926
    Abstract: A slip sheet is thermoformed as a single-piece plastic sheet body to include a lower surface with a first set of features and an upper surface with a second set of features. The slip sheet is to be positioned between adjacent layers of stacked containers such that the first set of features interfaces directly with container tops and the second set of features supports the container bottoms. The slip sheet includes a hinge that allows one portion of the sheet body to be pivoted relative to another portion of the sheet body to provide access to a lower layer of containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Sean T. Ogburn
  • Publication number: 20090288976
    Abstract: A packaging body for a honeycomb structure including two trays formed with a pocket having a shape complementary to an end face portion of a honeycomb structure and a shallow box-like tray pack surrounding from the outside and containing the one on the side of a lower end face portion of the honeycomb structure of the two trays, the packaging body for a honeycomb structure enables a lateral access from a side (side face) so that a robot arm and hand can easily put in or take out the honeycomb structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Koji SHIRAKI, Toru HOSOI
  • Patent number: 7621421
    Abstract: Stackable bin includes a housing defining a receptacle and having two pair of opposed walls defining an opening at a front leading into the receptacle, at least one pair of which have an inward taper with respect to a central axis of the housing. A partitioning structure is removably insertable into the receptacle through the opening and partitions the receptacle into a plurality of storage compartments. The partitioning structure has an inward taper corresponding to the inward taper of the opposed walls and frictionally engages the opposed walls to hinder unintentional removal of the partitioning structure from the receptacle. The removability of the partitioning structure enables the receptacle to be selectively partitioned into smaller storage spaces than a storage space without the partitioning structure which would occupy the entire receptacle. Use of the partitioning structure would be dependent on the objects sought to be stored by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Inventor: Abraham Ohayon
  • Patent number: 7621403
    Abstract: A liquid cosmetic product retail unit includes a container and a plurality of dispensers disposed in the container. The container is dimensioned to fit onto a shelf in a retail store and includes a base, a lid and a plurality of receptacles formed in at least one of the base and the lid. A method for offering for sale a liquid cosmetic product is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Peter Althoff, Jason Tilk, John William Nottingham, John Richard Nottingham, John Wilford Spirk, Jr., Jay Tapper, Patrick Coyne, Ian Stuart Midgley, Dean Michael Limb
  • Publication number: 20090287144
    Abstract: A cup having a rim and candy coating disposed about the rim. The coating has a flavored layer applied to the rim as a liquid having an acid component, sugar, and flavoring, and a sugar crystal layer applied to the flavored layer before it hardens. The cup may include a projection extending radially into the cup's interior. The projection includes a support surface for supporting a portion of a like cup inserted into the cup's interior and determining a depth of insertion of the like cup into the cup. The cup may include a plurality of spaced apart spacer projections extending radially into the interior of the cup, abutting the sidewall of the like cup inserted into the cup's interior, and thereby spacing the coating of the cup from the sidewall of the like cup. A method of and device for manufacturing the cup are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: KIDKUPZ LLC
    Inventors: Jill Malkin, Geoffrey J. Addeo
  • Patent number: 7607550
    Abstract: Portable and stackable multipurpose containers are disclosed. The containers have an oval base and an oval top in communication with sides of the wall extending perpendicularly from the base. The oval top is slidably positioned to open from both sides, which are perpendicular to the oval sides; the top is slidable. The multipurpose container is adapted for storing nails, screws, and similar items useful to craftsmen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Steelworks Hardware, LLC
    Inventors: Pei-Ying Lin, Chanwa Nguy
  • Publication number: 20090255885
    Abstract: A laboratory ware dispenser has a receptacle defining a space and at least one laboratory ware magazine for containing items of laboratory ware and including a plurality of apertures. The space defined by the receptacle is configured to receive the laboratory ware magazine. The receptacle has at least one aperture dimensioned such that at least one but not all of the apertures of the laboratory ware magazine are registerable with the aperture of the receptacle upon relative rotation of the receptacle and laboratory ware magazine. A laboratory ware magazine has an annular support member defining a space for containing a plurality of items of laboratory ware and a plurality of apertures arranged around a circumference of the annular support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicants: ALBA SCIENTIFIC SERVICES LIMITED, BERG DESIGN LIMITED
    Inventors: Galen Milne, Andrew Sinclair Sherriff, William Graham Rennie, Valerie Undrill
  • Patent number: 7588150
    Abstract: A wafer-retaining cushion sheet (5) has a wafer suction-adhering surface (5C) formed on a surface thereof, which adheres by suction to a semiconductor wafer (W). A wafer tray (1) is provided with a plurality of bottom openings (17) opening to the reverse side of the wafer-retaining cushion sheet (5), an air chamber (16) communicating with the bottom openings, and an air inlet (11) for supplying pressurized air into the air chamber (16) from the outside. Consequently, when pressurized air is supplied into the air chamber (16) through the air inlet (11) to increase the air pressure in the air chamber (16), the wafer-retaining cushion sheet (5) is elastically deformed into an inflated form at regions facing the bottom openings (17), thus causing separation between the semiconductor wafer (W) and at least a part of the wafer suction-adhering surface (5C) of the wafer-retaining cushion sheet (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Miraial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Kasama
  • Publication number: 20090223854
    Abstract: A low depth tray for bottles is provided which includes a first pair of opposed walls, a second pair of opposed walls attached to the first pair of opposed walls to form a wall structure, and a base attached to the wall structure. At least one interior column projects upwardly within the wall structure, where the interior column has a height less than the height of bottles loaded in the tray. A plurality of interior divider walls of double-walled construction project upwardly from the base and extend between the one or more interior columns and the wall structure. Together, the divider walls, interior columns, base, and outer wall structure define a plurality of bottle retaining pockets, where each pocket includes at least one divider wall and is sized to receive a single bottle therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Publication number: 20090223853
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an interlocking container that has a wing provided on the exterior wall of a container body containing contents and fixes the other container body interlocked above the container body by means of the wing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: LOCK & LOCK Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Chang Ho Kim
  • Publication number: 20090211941
    Abstract: A container comprises a clamshell-like shape. The container includes a hinge positioned low on a viewing face and opens high on the rear end. The interior of the container is shaped so as to present its contents at a desirable viewing angle, the container intended to provide an unobstructed view through the viewing face. The container may comprise a closing mechanism at the rear end to hold the container closed. The container can contain products for sale, including cookies, slices of pound cake, other baked goods, and other products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: PWP INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: Ira Maroofian, Tim Oberloier
  • Patent number: 7578410
    Abstract: A low-depth bottle crate has a peripheral wall with upper and lower portions that extends upwardly from a crate bottom. The upper portions include a plurality of substantially U-shaped cut-outs and a plurality of columns defined between the U-shaped cut-outs. A notch may be defined along the external top surface of the plurality of columns. A nesting rib that fits within the notch when the crate is nested may be positioned within the inner area of the plurality of columns. Handle cut-outs in the lower portion of the opposing end walls may define handle bars that extend between two of the plurality of columns. These two columns may include a part that extends above the top surface of the handle bar, the part including an inwardly angled surface. Radius supports may be disposed on the inner surface of the handle to prevent retained bottles from leaning out of the crate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Norseman Plastics Limited
    Inventors: Edward Stahl, Roy Hammett
  • Publication number: 20090206095
    Abstract: A thermally insulating transportation box, including a base part, two longitudinal side parts, two transverse side parts and at least one top part, which parts bound a transportation space and are produced from a thermally insulating material. The longitudinal side parts and the transverse side parts are pivotably mounted on the base part about pivot axes which each run parallel to the base part, so that they can be folded open from a folded-together arrangement, which extends parallel to the base part, into an arrangement which is perpendicular to this and in which they bound the transportation space, and the transportation space can subsequently be closed by the at least one cover part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Udo Overath
  • Publication number: 20090178989
    Abstract: A storage bin having two side walls, each having an upper channel and a lower channel. The upper and lower channels have a point of entry that is partially blocked by a tab. The storage bin also has a pair of feet, which are insertable into the upper channels to stack the bins, or the lower channels to nest the bins. The tabs partially block the points of entry and act as a barrier to inhibit removal of the feet from the channels. Removal of the feet from the channels generally requires a vertical force to lift the feet over the tab and a horizontal force to slide the feet out of the channel. The channel and tab configuration therefore reduces the risk that the bins will fall into one another, tip over and separate or crack from placing unnecessary stress on the side walls of the bin when inserting and removing the feet from the channel. These as well as other features of the storage bin, are described more fully below.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Ronald David Accuardi
  • Publication number: 20090178947
    Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a stackable storage tray that includes a bottom having an upper surface and a lower surface and an edge extending around the perimeter of the bottom. The tray also possesses a hollow stacking post functionally attached to the bottom in a position that is offset from the center of the bottom as well as a receiving hole defined by the lower surface and extending into the hollow stacking post. The tray may be stacked to form a stacked storage device in which individual trays are rotatable by inserting the hollow stacking post of a lower stacked tray into a receiving hole of an upper tray. In preferred embodiments, the stacking post and receiving hole are tapered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Umbra LLC
    Inventor: Jason Nip
  • Publication number: 20090178946
    Abstract: A container assembly for the storage and transport of goods, the assembly including a first portion having an interior with a substantially flat interior bottom surface. The assembly further includes a second portion pivotally connected to the first portion. The first portion has an outer surface that includes a first stacking pattern and the second portion has an outer surface that includes a second stacking pattern which is different from the first stacking pattern and configured to engage the first stacking pattern enabling the container assembly to be bi-directionally stacked on another of the container assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Hardigg Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher H. Patstone, Joseph C. Strzegowski, JR., Stephen R. Smiaroski, David Jenny
  • Patent number: 7556152
    Abstract: A tray intended for the packaging of at least one article. The tray includes two parts connected together by an articulation zone enabling the tray parts to pivot relative to each other about an axis X. A first tray part forms at least one open compartment. One of the two parts includes at least two fastening means capable of engaging with two counterpart fastening means formed on the other of the two parts so as to hold both parts in a first position in which the compartment formed by the first part delimits together with the second part a closed recess capable of receiving an article. One of the two parts is also provided with at least two indentations configured to receive, in a second position of the two parts, the fastening means of a second identical tray positioned against the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: L'oreal
    Inventor: Bernard Lechelle
  • Publication number: 20090159481
    Abstract: A system is provided for stacking mail having an escort assembly for handling each mailpiece. The system comprises a containment device, a transport mechanism and a detachment mechanism. The containment device includes a base, vertical walls extending from the base and an open end for accepting the mailpieces therein. The containment device, furthermore, has a slot formed in at least one of the vertical walls thereof. The transport mechanism includes first and second transport segment, the first transport segment conveying escort assemblies and respective mailpieces over an open end of the containment device and the second transport segment lowering the escort assemblies and respective mailpieces into the open end of the containment device. The transport mechanism furthermore aligns the edges of the mailpieces along one of the vertical walls of the containment device and positions the escort assembly through the slot of the containment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Denis J. STEMMLE
  • Patent number: 7549539
    Abstract: A low depth tray for bottles is provided which includes a first pair of opposed walls, a second pair of opposed walls attached to the first pair of opposed walls to form a wall structure, and a base attached to the wall structure. At least one interior column projects upwardly within the wall structure, where the interior column has a height less than the height of bottles loaded in the tray. A plurality of interior divider walls of double-walled construction project upwardly from the base and extend between the one or more interior columns and the wall structure. Together, the divider walls, interior columns, base, and outer wall structure define a plurality of bottle retaining pockets, where each pocket includes at least one divider wall and is sized to receive a single bottle therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Publication number: 20090152804
    Abstract: A system is provided for stacking mail having an escort assembly for handling each mailpiece. The system comprises a containment device, a transport mechanism and a detachment mechanism. The containment device includes a base, vertical walls extending from the base and an open end for accepting the mailpieces therein, The containment device, furthermore, has a slot formed in at least one of the vertical walls thereof. The transport mechanism includes first and second transport segment, the first transport segment conveying escort assemblies and respective mailpieces over an open end of the containment device and the second transport segment lowering the escort assemblies and respective mailpieces into the open end of the containment device, The transport mechanism furthermore aligns the edges of the mailpieces along one of the vertical walls of the containment device and positions the escort assembly through the slot of the containment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Denis J. STEMMLE
  • Publication number: 20090152158
    Abstract: A carrier tray having a plurality of compartments separated by a plurality of dividers. Each carrier tray has a plurality of stacking pins on a top portion and a plurality of pin holes on a bottom portion. Each stacking pin is located in an area approximately adjacent to each pin hole such that, for a given set of a stacking pin and a pin hole, the stacking pin is slightly offset relative to the pin hole. When stacking the carrier trays to form a stacked configuration of carrier trays, each carrier tray is rotated 180° relative to a carrier tray immediately below and a carrier tray immediately above the carrier tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: PENINSULA PACKAGING, LLC
    Inventors: Allen Kidd, Stephen P. Zapatka, Theodore M. Behrmann, Edward V. Byrne
  • Patent number: 7546921
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a container for shipping, storing and handling a plurality of items. More particularly, the present invention relates to a container for shipping, storing and handling a plurality of items, wherein the items are held securely in place so as to prevent damage thereto during transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: John A. Evans, Marty Patrickus, Darcy Meyer
  • Patent number: 7537119
    Abstract: Stackable container apparatus and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Environmental Container Systems
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Publication number: 20090127152
    Abstract: The invention relates to a modular container consisting of a plurality of elementary containers (1) stacked sequentially into one another. The elementary containers (1) comprise a recessed (5) [sic] base (4) for receiving a neck (2). Nesting elements (6, 7) assemble peripheral ramps (8, 9) in nested cooperation capable of assembling together the elementary containers (1) by rotating their axial junction, and end-of-travel stops (10, 11, 14, 15) of said rotation in snap-on cooperation which constitute means of locking the assembly of the elementary containers (1) from rotation, and which are capable of preventing spontaneous reverse rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Mohammed Bou-Mezrag
  • Patent number: 7530462
    Abstract: A wafer storage container includes an outer peripheral portion located outside an outer peripheral edge of a wafer, and a placing portion which extends from a position lower than an uppermost surface of the outer peripheral portion to a radial inside of the wafer and on which the wafer is placed at a position lower than the uppermost surface of the outer peripheral portion. The placing portion includes a first inclined surface which descends toward the radial inside of the wafer and can be brought into contact with only the outer peripheral edge of the wafer when the wafer is placed and a second inclined surface which is on a rear side of the first inclined surface, ascends toward the radial inside of the wafer, and can be brought into contact with only the outer peripheral edge of a lower wafer when a plurality of wafer storage containers are stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Toshitsugu Yajima, Toshiyuki Kamada
  • Publication number: 20090101701
    Abstract: A plurality of cartons, preferably fabricated from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard, and particularly of tray or wrapper-style construction, are provided, having integral lid constructions, and outer overlap panels, operably associated with the at least one top panel, to enable articulation of the carton into a substantially completed structure, without interfering with the subsequent articulation of the at least one top panel to enable loading of the carton subsequent to articulation and affixation of the outer overlap panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventor: Michael McLeod
  • Patent number: 7520399
    Abstract: A plastic container includes an upper portion having a mouth defining an opening into the container. A shoulder region extends from the upper portion. A sidewall portion extends from the shoulder region to a base portion. The base portion closes off an end of the container. The sidewall portion is defined in part by at least two vacuum panels formed therein. The vacuum panels are movable to accommodate vacuum forces generated within the container resulting from heating and cooling of its contents. The shoulder region and the base portion each define an interlocking structure suitable to achieve a nesting relationship with complementary mating surfaces of an adjacent container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Amcor Limited
    Inventors: Michael T. Lane, Dan Weissmann
  • Publication number: 20090090647
    Abstract: An apparatus for containing and conducting flowable materials, including liquids, pourable solids, or gases, the apparatus having mateable dovetails on four sides, and mateable screw engagements at the top and bottom. The screw engagements are operative to maintain a sealed connection between successive containers, and contain barriers which are adapted to be removed, whereby the material may flow from one interconnected container to the next, in the manner of piping. A lateral connection may additionally be formed by mating portions at the leading and trailing ends of vertically connected containers. A perpendicular connection is formed by interlocking an engaged cap of a first container with a lateral interlocking portion of a like container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Rahul Panchal, Christopher Grivalsky, Kit Morris, Matthew Grossman, Ilayes Urban
  • Patent number: 7506757
    Abstract: At least one first poker chip case is provided which includes a case body having a cavity, an opening to the cavity, a bottom outer surface, and a case lid operative to close the opening. The case lid includes a top outer surface. The cavity includes at least one cavity wall and a plurality of divider accepting slots spaced apart along the at least one cavity wall. At least one divider is operative to slide into any one of the plurality of divider accepting slots. The cavity is operative to support a plurality of poker chips therein in stacked relation. The top outer surface and the bottom outer surface include interlocking features which are operative to co-operatively engage respectively with at least two bottom surfaces and at least two top outer surfaces of further cases placed above and under the at least one first case in stacked relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Triple Hook Productions LLC
    Inventors: Brad D. Ater, Sean K. Barker, Jarrod M. Zvara
  • Patent number: 7503455
    Abstract: A stackable container that can be stacked with containers of various sizes, and that increases available storage volume without increasing weight. The stackable container includes a plurality of sidewalls and an integrally-formed bottom wall. The sidewalls have respective top edges which define a top opening and rim. At least one recess is formed in the bottom wall and extends exteriorly of the container beyond a plane of the bottom wall, and is defined by a perimeter support in the plane of the bottom wall. The recess is dimensioned for being received into a top opening of a second container with a rim of the second container being positioned on the perimeter support of the container for maintaining the container and the second container in stacked alignment with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Schaefer Systems International, Inc.
    Inventor: Clinton McDade
  • Patent number: 7500563
    Abstract: An improved walk-in storage and moving container comprises protrusions extending upward from the corners of a top wall of the container. The protrusions facilitate the stacking of one such storage container on top of another by aiding in aligning the storage containers relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Inventors: Patrick George Baehler, Darrell Haire, Larry Hartog
  • Publication number: 20090058025
    Abstract: “SHOP BASKET TO BE ATTACHED TO SUPERMARKET CAR”. Utility Model Patent to a shop basket to be attached to supermarket car, which comprises a rectangular, hollow and one piece basket with central handle (2) to ease when it is taken, two supports (3) to attach it to the supermarket car, a crease (1) at each one of its side walls to allow the easy placement of goods in the basket, and semi-hollow circles (4) at its bottom, to engrave the basket owner data with a pointed tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Livia Maria Rolim De Oliveira
  • Publication number: 20090038987
    Abstract: A loading tray 13 supports at least one thin plate safely and reliably. It comprises a first loading portion 18, provided on one side thereof, on which at least one thin plate is loaded; a second loading portion 19, provided on the other side thereof, fitted to the first loading portion 18 of adjacent loading tray 13 to form a housing space sealed off from the external environment, for sandwiching the thin plate within the housing space, and for loading the thin plate on the loading tray when the loading tray is placed upside-down; a hook 30, provided on one side thereof, for coupling with an adjacent loading tray 13; and a hook locking mechanism 31, provided on the other side thereof, for coupling with the hook 30 of an adjacent loading tray 13. As many loading trays 13 as the number of the thin plate is stacked to constitute a thin plate container 11. The thin plate container 11 can support the thin plate from both upper and lower sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: MIRAIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Hyobu
  • Patent number: 7481327
    Abstract: A combined storage basket allowing firm combination secured in position with bolts in prefabricated bolting holes for easy combination includes a base, a back, and two side grid panels; the basket has an open front; the base panel is placed on the bottom skirt of the back panel, the back panel slides into and is then bolted to inner side skirts of both side panels; and the back panel and the base panel are secured with bolts to both side panels; a rectangular frame in a width greater than that of the base panel is disposed beneath the base panel; and a vertical frame in ? shape is disposed to the back of each side panel with the top of vertical frame at a level higher than that of the top of the side panel to allow stacking up of multiple units of the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventor: Hsi Ming Cheng
  • Patent number: 7467714
    Abstract: The container stack includes a plurality of stacked containers and separator elements having open portions, with the outside containers in each level received in an opening. The outside openings engage the outer surface of the outside containers and press the outside containers inwardly to secure the containers in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Slat, Richard C. Darr, James R. Steinke, Michael E. Greyerbiehl, Brett A. Sigurdson
  • Patent number: 7438185
    Abstract: The invention concerns a tray having an integral latch that mates to a boss of an adjacent tray to form a stable stack. The latch may be incorporated into any type of tray, basket, or other container for storing articles. Multiple containers may be stacked together without the use of a detachable clip. Also disclosed is a tray that includes an array of posts extending downward to support the tray on a flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Peak Plastic and Metal Products (International) Limited
    Inventors: Thi Q. Ho, David M. Christensen