Abstract: Described herein are collapsible containers for transportation of cargo, and methods of using them. The containers may include textured bottom surfaces to facilitate positive engagement with a conveyor. In some embodiments, the containers include secure locking mechanisms that prevent inadvertent unlocking while also permitting one-handed operation. In some embodiments, the containers include adapters to facilitate discharge of liquid cargo.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cup having a sidewall with transparent and graphic areas that display at least one image in a composite form when a second identical cup is stacked within the first cup in a specific orientation. The sidewall has at least two sections, each extending vertically from an upper portion to a lower portion of the sidewall. The first section includes at least one graphic area with a corresponding transparent area positioned adjacent to and above the graphic area. The second section includes at least one graphic area. The graphic area in the first section consists of a lower part of an image and the graphic area in the second section includes an upper part of the image. The transparent area is sized and shaped to match that of the graphic area in the second section and is positioned at a higher location along the sidewall than that of the graphic area of the second section.

Abstract: A multifunction appetizer tray system includes a tray base including a base member and an upward protruding peg with a knob; a plurality of trays, each including a tray member with a serving area and a drinking glass holder, which is a cut out in the tray member, such that each tray can be attached to the peg with the drinking glass holder and rotated to a stored position, and such that the trays can be used as a personal appetizer plate with a stemmed drinking glass positioned in the drinking glass holder.

Abstract: Provided is a wine glass comprising a separate top portion and a bottom portion that can be joined together to form a single wine glass. The top portion has a drinking rim opposite a lower rim and the top portion has an enclosed bottom opposite and upper rim. The lower rim of the top portion and the upper rim of the bottom portion join together to form a leak-proof drinking vessel or cup of the wine glass. When separated, the top portion and bottom portion can be nested together. Additionally, a plurality of such wine glasses can be nested together, so that a large number of wine glasses can be packaged together for economical storage and shipping. The wine glass can be disposable and biodegradable or compostable, as examples.

Abstract: A spill-resistant container has a low center of gravity and a wide base to increase its stability and prevent being overturned. The container has a wide bottom, a top less wide than the bottom and ribs, channels and/or coating to facilitate gripping of the container. The base of the container has a removably attachable and bottom to facilitate stacking and cleaning of the containers. The neck region and body design of the container allows stacking of the containers when stored.

Abstract: A high density nesting packaging container has first and second preformed, rigid U-shaped members each having a U-shaped cross-section. The U-shaped members are configured to fit into one another to form a rectangular cross-section container. Each of the U-shaped members has a base wall and opposing side walls, the intersection of the base and side walls being rigid. The base wall has a thickness. A narrow slit is formed in the base wall, extending longitudinally along the base wall and formed from an inner surface of the wall into the thickness of the base wall. The base wall is foldable along the slit so as to form a generally W-configuration cross-section. The thus W-configuration, U-shaped members are nestable with each other. When the U-shaped member is unfolded to the U-shaped cross-section, the opposing surfaces formed by the slit abut one another to maintain the crate in the U-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: A high density nesting packaging element is a preformed, rigid U-shaped member. The U-shaped member has a base wall and upstanding opposing side walls, in which the intersection of the base and side walls is rigid. The base wall has a thickness and a narrow slit is formed in the base wall, extending longitudinally along the base wall. The slit is formed from an inner surface of the wall into the thickness of the base wall. The base wall is foldable along the slit so as to form a generally W-shaped configuration cross-section. When folded into the W-shaped configuration, the members are nestable with each other. When the member is unfolded to the U-shaped cross-section, the opposing surfaces formed by the slit abut one another to maintain the member in the U-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A set of one-piece containers constructed so that each of the containers has a peripheral side wall which is arranged to permit movement of each container from an extended position to a collapsed position by reason of a telescoping relationship between the various sections of the peripheral side wall. The set of containers is constructed so that the outermost and innermost dimensions of the peripheral side walls are such that, in the collapsed position, the containers are nestable one within another to provide for low-volume storage of the entire set of containers between uses.

Abstract: A collapsible container includes a base two ends and one or two sides. Two pairs of lifting element guide formations are connected to the base. The ends are displaceable relative to the base between an erect condition in which they extend upwardly from opposed ends of the base and a collapsed condition in which they are generally parallel with the base. The ends have a width which is less than the spacing between the lifting element guide formations in a pair such that when two or more of the containers are arranged in a stack, in their collapsed conditions, ends of one container are positioned between the lifting element guide formations of a container positioned immediately above said one container in a stack.

Abstract: A high density nesting packaging element is a preformed, rigid U-shaped member. The U-shaped member has a base wall and upstanding opposing side walls, in which the intersection of the base and side walls is rigid. The base wall has a thickness and a narrow slit is formed in the base wall, extending longitudinally along the base wall. The slit is formed from an inner surface of the wall into the thickness of the base wall. The base wall is foldable along the slit so as to form a generally W-shaped configuration cross-section. When folded into the W-shaped configuration, the members are nestable with each other. When the member is unfolded to the U-shaped cross-section, the opposing surfaces formed by the slit abut one another to maintain the member in the U-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A high density nesting packaging container has first and second preformed, rigid U-shaped members each having a U-shaped cross-section. The U-shaped members are configured to fit into one another to form a rectangular cross-section container. Each of the U-shaped members has a base wall and opposing side walls, the intersection of the base and side walls being rigid. The base wall has a thickness. A narrow slit is formed in the base wall, extending longitudinally along the base wall and formed from an inner surface of the wall into the thickness of the base wall. The base wall is foldable along the slit so as to form a generally W-configuration cross-section. The thus W-configuration, U-shaped members are nestable with each other. When the U-shaped member is unfolded to the U-shaped cross-section, the opposing surfaces formed by the slit abut one another to maintain the crate in the U-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: Stackable stemware provides nestably stackable respective upper and lower portions wherein the lower portions include at least one reinforcing rib to limit the stacking depth of similar lower portions when nestably stacked.

Abstract: A stackable refuse cart includes a container, an axle, a set of wheels. The container includes first and second axle supports. The first axle support supports the axle in an operative position to rotatably support the container. The second axle support supports the axle in a stowage position enabling the container to be stacked with other containers without interference from the axles. In one embodiment, the second axle support includes a recess defined in the floor of the container. In another embodiment, the second axle support includes a pair of supports that hold the axle against a sidewall within the container. In yet another embodiment, the second axle support is a cradle integral with the container handle.

Abstract: A container (1) with collapsible sides (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 5a, 5b), wherein at least one side (3a) is provided with at least one pivotally mounted lock handle (12) with a lock pin (13) that can, while protruding from the side (3a), be introduced into an opening (14) in an abutting side (3d), wherein the lock pin (13) can, by turning of the lock handle (12), be caused to lockingly engage with the opening (14). The lock handle (12) is pivotally mounted in such a manner that in this locking position as well as in its resting position in which the lock pin does not engage with the opening (14) is situated substantially along the side (3a), while in other positions it protrudes considerably from the side (3a). The lock handle (12) is provided with a spring mechanism that will, irrespective of the position of the lock handle, influence it with a force in a direction towards its locking and resting positions.

Abstract: A collapsible display container includes abase and a pair of opposed side walls each pivotably attached to the base. The side walls are orientable between an assembled position and a second position. At least one of the side walls includes a display member which is mounted to it. The display member is movable between an open position and a closed position. Thus, when the display member is in the open position and the at least one side wall is in the assembled position, the interior of the container is accessible through the at least one side wall.

Abstract: A packing member formed as a U-shaped channel comprises a base (1a) and two side legs (1b, 1c). The base is provided with a longitudinal folding line (2′) near its median line. The folding line divides the bases into two parts which are pivotable about the folding line. When the two parts are pivoted away from each other with the legs flared outward, the U-channel structure will be transformed into a substantially W-shaped structure to facilitate stacking for storage and/or shipping of the packing member.

Abstract: A stackable container with internal divider includes a container body having a tapered sidewall and base panel is particularly suitable for use with crushed ice drinks. First and second divider panels are movable between a stacking mode and a use mode. In the stacking mode, the first and second divider panels are substantially parallel, and are bent to conform to the inside surface of the sidewall of the container body. In the stacking mode, the container bodies may stacked in a nested manner, in which the inside surface of a lower cup contacts the outside surface of an upper cup, and the first and second divider panels of the lower cup are carried in the stacking mode configuration between the two cups. In the use mode, the first and second divider panels are oriented substantially perpendicularly to each other. In the use mode, four quarter cavities are defined within the cavity defined within the container body.

Abstract: A packaging member comprises a base member and a pair of side members hingedly attached to opposite sides of the base member such that the side members can be alternatively and selectively disposed in two different positions with respect to the base member. In particular, the side members can be disposed perpendicular to the base member, or alternatively the side members can be disposed at predetermined angled positions with respect to the base member. When disposed perpendicularly to the base member, the packaging member has a substantially U-shaped configuration enabling the packaging member to serve as an edge protector, whereas when the side members are disposed at their angled positions with respect to the base member, the packaging member has a substantially trapezoidal configuration enabling stacking or nesting of the packaging member along with other similar packaging members so as to optimize storage, shipping, and handling or transportation costs.

Abstract: A stack (31) of cup-shaped containers (2, 4, 6) coaxially inserted one inside another is described, each with a side wall (32) on one end of which a base (33) is arranged, and on the other end a flange (1), wherein the container (2, 4, 6) is composed of a flexible material and the flange (1) is substantially stiffer than the side wall (32) and the base (33). In order to make such a stack (31) more easy to manufacture and to take apart, it is provided according to the invention that apart from the outermost cup-shaped container (4), each inner container (2) is partially radially folded, and that the degree of folding gradually increases towards the innermost cup-shaped container (2).

Abstract: A nestable container comprises a base which comprises two base halves joined along a hinge line, as well as walls which are upright with respect to the base and in which breaks are provided in such a way that the container halves defined by the base halves are hingeable with respect to one another between a closed position and an open position in which the container is nestable. The hinge line runs obliquely with respect to at least one of the walls.

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.

Abstract: A height extension for use on top of a crate having a wall structure which extends the height of the wall structure of the crate to more stably retain containers. The extension of the present invention can be used with nestable and stackable crates to increase the heights of the crates without expensive replacement of the crates. It is particularly well suited for use with crates holding taller or differently shaped bottles. The extension also does not interfere with the nesting and stacking capabilities of the crates so that handling is not effected in any way since crates equipped with extensions are compatible with existing crates.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising an integrally molded plastic cup nestable with indentically formed plastic cups. The mouth of the cup is formed with a threaded portion and a circumferential lip portion therebeneath. The threaded portion may be matingly engaged with a threaded cap, or if desired, the threaded portion may be removed and the lip portion may be matingly engaged with a snap-on cap. Thus a cup with two alternative types of closure means may be manufactured from a single mold and a single inventory can be kept for orders of either type of closure. Air passage means are formed in a surface of the cup wall to permit air to flow therethrough when identical cups are nested thereby preventing difficulty in removing one cup from another due to air pressure differentials inside the nested cups created during storage temperature differentials and during separation of nested cups.

Abstract: In a plastic molded tote box having one lid or opposed lids that will shingle with other lids in the open position when the box and like boxes are nested, the maximum horizontal dimension for the shingled lids, as measured outwardly from the adjacent box side wall (lid flare), is reduced by tapering the lid rib structure toward the hinge, and/or by tapering the outboard lid skirt toward the hinge, and/or by flaring one or more lid flanges, particularly the inboard flange. The latter two structural features permit increased nesting of the lid side skirts or channels, which in the closed position of the lid overlie the box side walls.

Abstract: A container is formed of a rigid, flat base, a rigid cover, and four vertically arranged, flat wall forming panels that are connected together along their adjacent vertical edges by hinge-like corner connectors and whose upper and lower edges are removably held in corresponding grooves formed in the base and cover. The panels are made of plastic extruded into parallel, spaced apart rigid sheets that are interconnected by numerous, spaced apart, transverse strips whose opposite ends are integral with the sheets. Each corner has a flat, sheet-like base strip that is integrally formed with a flexible center and rigid opposite edge sections that extend along the length of the connector base. Each of the opposite edge sections has an integral T-shaped rib extending along its length. The ribs are inserted endwise into elongated vertical slots formed in the endmost strips of the adjacent panel edges for fastening the connectors to the panels.

Abstract: A container for door panels or other articles includes a sling divider having transverse support rods equally spaced along a flexible web. The ends of the rods are received in vertically staggered pairs of side wall pockets so that web sections form slings of different depths relative to the top of the container and thus allow the laterally projecting portions of the articles to deform the web and overlap to accommodate more articles in a container of given length. In the preferred embodiment, the container is rectangular with longer side and shorter end walls, and is nestable with nesting stops that establish a nesting space between the bottom walls of two nested containers, and the support rods are long enough to extend between the side walls but are shorter than the distance between the end walls so the sling divider can be removed, turned, and stored in the nesting space.

Abstract: A lightweight, readily assembled and disassembled reel for transporting and dispensing material such as flexible tubing or electrical conduct or is disclosed. The reel comprises a pair of flanges, each flange having connected thereto a plurality of spaced apart tubes. The tubes attached to each flange detachably connect with the opposite flange to provide, when connected, a support surface between the flanges for the material being transported and, when disconnected, the ability to be superimposed or stacked on each other for compact storage and shipment. Preferably, a flexible sheet of sheet metal, cardboard, fiberboard or the like is placed over the tubes and/or flange surfaces to protect the material placed on the reel during shipment.

Abstract: A nestable load pallet or roller pallet comprising at least two opposed pallet side frames wherein said opposed pallet sides are pivotably connected to a horizontal connection along one of their vertical side edges, and a horizontal pallet deck is pivotably mounted to said horizontal connection between said pallet side frames. The pallet deck and pallet side frames are automatically and positively forced outwardly and inwardly by manual upward and downward movement of the pallet deck by means of a spiral guide and guide follower. The pallet deck can be locked in the vertical position while the side frames are in a diverged position whereby the load pallet can be nested with other load pallets.

Abstract: A container having side walls mounted on a bottom panel for swinging movement between an upright position and an inclined position. Latch members movably mounted near the upper end of each side wall co-operate with the latch members of the adjoining walls normally to retain the latter walls in the upright position. Latch means in each side wall releasably interconnect the latch members of each side wall and is operable to release these latch members to allow the adjoining walls to move towards the inclined positions. Spring means to swing the side walls to the inclined positions when said walls are released.

Abstract: A refuse container designed for use with a refuse collection system having a dumping arm wherein the configuration of the container allows the grip of the dumping arm to slightly squeeze one portion of the container to maintain a tight grip during the dumping or emptying motion of the container by the arm. Included in the container are strengthening portions which control deflection to produce a gripping cup or restraint in the container when engaged by the dumping arm. The strengthening portions are also designed in one embodiment of the invention to provide additional restraint to compensate for the greater inertia forces experienced on certain portions of the container during the transfer motion of the container by the dumping arm when lifting and dumping the refuse.

Abstract: In a plastic molded tote box having one lid or opposed lids that will shingle with other lids in the open position when the box and like boxes are nested, the maximum horizontal dimension for the shingled lids, as measured outwardly from the adjacent box side wall (lid flare), is reduced by tapering the lid rib structure toward the hinge, and/or by tapering the outboard lid skirt toward the hinge, and/or by flaring one or more lid flanges, particularly the inboard flange. The latter two structural features permit increased nesting of the lid side skirts or channels, which in the closed position of the lid overlie the box side walls.