Having Defined Means To Limit Extent Of Nesting Patents (Class 206/519)
  • Patent number: 5671856
    Abstract: A universal stackable locking container (10) comprising a plurality of independent trays (12), in which each tray (12) can store small articles therein. Each tray (12) includes a cylindrical side wall (14) having an open top (16) with an annular rim (18) thereabout, a disc-shaped bottom wall (20) and an upstanding central barrel (22) formed on the bottom wall (20). The barrel (22) has a finger hole (24) therethrough, so that a person can insert a finger into the finger hole (24) and grip the barrel (22) to lift and carry the tray (12). A structure (26) is in each tray (12), for stacking the trays (12) one upon the other. An assembly (28) is in each tray (12) for interlocking and unlocking the trays (12) when the trays (12) are stacked one upon the other. A cover (30) fits upon the uppermost tray (12). A facility (32) is in the cover (30), for interlocking and unlocking the cover (30) to the upper most tray (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventor: Scott Lisch
  • Patent number: 5634569
    Abstract: A container including an internal carrier vertically positionable in a receptacle, guided by vertical ribs in the receptacle, and manually moved by a central handle on the carrier. The handle is hollow and releasably receives a food gripping fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Pieter K. J. DeCoster
  • Patent number: 5617972
    Abstract: There is provided a nurser liner that facilitates stacking and nesting of the liner while maximizing liner capacity. In particular, it permits a plurality of the liners to be contained within a container having limited internal space while allowing the liners to de-nest properly and individually from the container. The nurser liner includes a rim that is located at one end of the liner and a step that is located a predetermined distance from the rim. In addition, the outer walls of the liner are slightly tapered inward from the rim. The step and the tapered outer walls insure uniform spacings between nested liners for easy dispensing, optimal spacing between liners and maximum liner capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignees: Playtex Products Inc., Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Emanuel P. Morano, Anthony E. Flecknoe-Brown
  • Patent number: 5607075
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conical lidded drum made of thermoplastic.To avoid step-like changes in diameter or hollow borders as a stacking rim on the outer drum body, according to the invention, a second upset surface flange (12) is formed out in the region of the upper third of the drum (34) on the outer wall of the drum body (10). Advantageously, the conical drum wall (14) extends linearly in a straight line from the upper first surface flange (20) down to the vicinity of the drum base (18) over the entire periphery and in drum longitudinal direction. A third upset surface flange may be provided as a bottom rolling ring (38) in the transition region from drum wall to drum base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Mauser-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Marten Burgdorf, Dietmar Przytulla
  • Patent number: 5573698
    Abstract: A product dispense package suitable for employment in washing machines, comprises a stackable product container which includes a unitary molded recyclable thermoplastic container body having a closed bottom end, an opposed open top end and an upwardly and outwardly angled upstanding peripheral side wall having a stacking angle of from about 2.degree. to about 7.degree. and contained therein a compact block of detergent, cleaning agent, disinfectant and/or preservative having a powdery structure. The bottom end includes an inwardly and upwardly directed dome-shaped region therein including a handle grip portion defined in an outwardly facing side of the dome-shaped region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Ecopack GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Gunter Mandler, Wolfram Rieber, Richard Sander, J urgen Kompan
  • Patent number: 5564805
    Abstract: A plastic storage container with wheel assemblies having an axle pin rotatably fixed to the container, a secure lid latch having a double-wall construction to ease opening and closing as well as an offset hinge to allow protection of the latch during distribution, and an internal tray having dependent flanges which mate to the storage container to prevent the walls of the storage container from splaying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Contico International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Dickinson
  • Patent number: 5556599
    Abstract: A blood sample/fluid system includes a pair of tubes formed of identically shaped concentric cylinders, each closed at one end and open at the other end and having different diameters enabling the reduced diameter tube to be positioned in the enlarged diameter tube. A locking ring is positioned around the outer surface of the reduced diameter tube to provide a spacer and seal for the enlarged diameter tube. An identifying label is positioned on the outer surface of the enlarged diameter tube for providing identity for both tubes when the tubes are engaged and for the enlarged diameter tube when the reduced diameter tube is removed from the enlarged diameter tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Syed M. Ahmed
  • Patent number: 5533623
    Abstract: A package of nested paperboard trays each formed from a unitary blank and having extension tabs on side panels for engaging a subjacent tray for restricting the amount of nesting, thereby improving the ease of mechanically or manually extricating individual trays from the package incident to a filling operation during which product is placed within the individual trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Oak Tree Packaging Corporation
    Inventor: Edward F. Fischer
  • Patent number: 5515993
    Abstract: A thermoplastic hinged container having stiffened side walls and having spaced channels in a shoulder/flange seal portion of the container base and mating stiffening lugs in an opposing lid portion to prevent warping of the container during closure and provide improved sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Tenneco Plastics Company
    Inventor: Michael W. McManus
  • Patent number: 5511279
    Abstract: A paint roller pan includes a relatively deep distal paint reservoir and a relatively shallow inclined roller ramp. The proximal end of the roller ramp is provided with a downward extending flared support with distally extending feet for engaging a step ladder. The reservoir and the ramp are separated by a dam having a central notch through which paint drains from the ramp into the reservoir. An inner side wall of the pan is provided with a vertical V-shaped notch on the proximal side of the dam for engaging the arm of a paint roller with an extended handle and holding it in a vertically fixed position. Two outer side walls of the pan have notched handle receiving slots. A handle with hooked ends engages the notched slots and is movable to engage appropriate notches so that the pan is balanced when lifted with one hand regardless of how much paint it is holding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Inventor: Nicholas W. Ippolito
  • Patent number: 5505331
    Abstract: A plastic recyclable container including a container body having a bottom and a continuous sidewall. A pair of ears are positioned on the sidewall and include opposed shaped openings. A plastic handle has a connector assembly at each end including a pair of inwardly directed projections received by the openings. The projections include holding members positioned within the ears. The cross-section of the projections is shaped complementary with the ear openings ensuring that the handle can be moved to different predetermined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Rathbun Family Real Estate Group
    Inventor: W. John Rathbun
  • Patent number: 5501352
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Patent number: 5495945
    Abstract: A low-depth nestable tray for bottles which is deeply nestable with similar empty trays and is stackable or cross-stackable with similar loaded trays. The tray floor configured to receive the tops of bottles in a loaded tray therebeneath to stably support a stack of loaded trays. The tray wall structure includes nesting rib assemblies which comprise inwardly projecting, upwardly disposed nesting ledge and an outwardly projecting, downwardly disposed rib. The ledges and ribs positioned and configured relative to one another such that when the tray is nested a distance down into a similar empty tray the rib rests on the corresponding shelf or ledge of the similar empty tray, so that the load of nested trays is transmitted vertically downward and fraying of the tray wall structure is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Jonathan A. Kalin
  • Patent number: 5490595
    Abstract: A bundle-of-electric wire container can contain a bundle of electric wire P wound in a loop shape and permit drawing out of the electric wire. Containers can be stacked in a plurality of stages to increase storage efficiency and conveyance efficiency. A bundle-of-electric wire containing space is formed between core pieces and an outer cylinder, and the bundle of electric wire is protected by the outer cylinder. The container is used as one unit for the storage of a bundle of electric wire and to the feeding of the electric wire P through a conveyance. Accordingly, in the manufacturing field of a wiring harness, the bundle of electric wire can be stored and conveyed without losing its shape, for example, and done so efficiently. It is possible to improve the operating efficiency of a manufacturing line by preventing the electric wire from being tangled, for example, at the time of feeding the electric wire as well as to prevent an inferior product from being manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Sakai, Akio Shirata
  • Patent number: 5474184
    Abstract: A recyclable, reusable container includes a unitary molded thermoplastic container body having a closed bottom end, an opposed open top and a sidewall tapering upwardly and outwardly from the bottom end to the top end at a stacking angle of from about 2.degree. to about 7.degree.. The bottom includes an inwardly and upwardly directed dome-shaped region therein including a handle grip portion defined in an outwardly facing side of the dome-shaped region. The container body defines an open smoothly rounded container cavity without any undercut portions which is adapted to storably receive and completely discharge material contents placed therein for storage and dispensing. A stepped outward shoulder is provided adjacent the top end to define an outwardly stepped sidewall portion provided with external threads. An internally threaded cover member is releasably engageable over the top end of the container body to selectively close off the top opening of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Ecosan Hygiene GmbH.
    Inventors: Gunter Mandler, Wolfram Rieber, Richard Sander, Jurgen Kompan
  • Patent number: 5454470
    Abstract: A nesting, spill-resistant container consisting of an open, conical central container flaring outwardly, upwardly, the base of which is surrounded by a reverse flaring concentric open ring. At one section, a connection between the central container and the external base ring is made by an extension of the ring's wall up to and joining with the top of the central container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: Steven J. Bricker
  • Patent number: 5445397
    Abstract: A stackable refuse container system includes multiple stackable containers, each of which may be designated for holding a particular recyclable material. The containers are vertically stacked and a cart can be provided for transporting the stacked assembly to and from a curb. Each container may include a removable lid, a front portion of the lid being hingably attached to provide access to the container and a second portion formed to engage and support a bottom of a complementary container. Each container also has sockets for receiving the feet of another container when a lid is not used. Thus, containers can be stacked one upon another, with the lids on or off, and mounted on the cart if one is used. The containers an be provided, for separating recyclable from non-recyclable materials at the point of origin without taking up substantial space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Tucker Housewares, Inc.
    Inventor: David Evans
  • Patent number: 5419436
    Abstract: A molded cup having an upwardly directed article receiving area on the bottom surface thereof to receive an article therein with a cover provided over such area to normally retain the article. The cover provides the primary retention for the article and the cover is openable or removeable from the cup for access to the article. The cup is normally self supporting to remain in upright position after removal of the cover to allow its continued use as a cup. The cover is transparent to allow a person to ascertain the contents being retained. A stop arrangement is provided to prevent one cup from possibly damaging or breaking the cover on the bottom of a nested cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Kablooe Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Powell
  • Patent number: 5403633
    Abstract: A conical hollow tube body of paper or another organic molding material is made by forming a conical hollow tube body member having a narrow end and a wide end, and producing a spacing formation by making at least one dimple on an inside in the area of the narrow end by forming a projection in a wall of the body member immediately upon completion of the body member from an outside of the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Christian Maer GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Michael Jenisch
  • Patent number: 5390798
    Abstract: The present tray has a base with an imaginary center line running from front to back and evenly distanced from the left and right sides. There is a first orifice through the top of the base biased to one side of the center line. This orifice is adapted to receive a beverage vessel and includes a cutout running from the side of the base to the first orifice to permit lateral insertion of a beverage vessel into the first orifice. There is a second orifice through the top of the base which is circular in shape and biased toward one side of the center line opposite the first orifice. The second orifice is adapted to receive a food plate. There is a first notch located on the top of the base on the front of the base near the center line. This notch is adapted to receive an area between a thumb and a first finger of a user. There is a second notch which is similar and located on the top of the base on the back of the base near the center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: G'-Ka International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerard Yanuzzi
  • Patent number: 5377861
    Abstract: An injection molded closure and a container has a closure with external ribs for preventing jamming together of adjacent closures in stacked relation, and facilitating self-alignment of stacked closures. The closure has a central circular panel and a sidewall extending generally upwardly therefrom. The sidewall has upper and lower vertical portions with a lateral offset portion extending therebetween, which define a plug-like portion of the closure. Upon engagement of the closure with a container, the plug-like section is inserted into the container opening. The ribs are spaced peripherally about the outside of the closure and include an upper closure-engaging surface for contact with the rim of another closure stacked therebelow, and a lower closure-engaging surface for contact with the lateral offset portion of the other closure stacked therebelow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Landis Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: H. Richard Landis
  • Patent number: 5377858
    Abstract: A space saving rectangular container having a child resistant lid assembly wherein the rectangular container has a rectangular closure provided with a central opening. The child resistant lid assembly is removably mounted on the closure to close the opening and is positioned inwardly of the container side walls so that when placing a plurality of the containers having child resistant lid assemblies thereon in a stacked or side-by-side relationship, the child resistant lid assembly is positioned inwardly from the side wall of an adjacent container to thereby prevent damage to the lid assembly by the adjacent container during shipment and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventor: Glenn H. Morris, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5375719
    Abstract: A receptacle configured for nested stacking with a lower receptacle of the same construction includes walls intersecting at corners and with a bottom to form a well having an open top bounded by a rim. The rim lies generally in a first plane and has an inner limit adjacent the well which defines a first area larger than the bottom to facilitate nested stacking. Each wall extends in a first direction generally perpendicular with the first plane toward the bottom to a juncture. The juncture defines a second area slightly larger than the first area so that the juncture extends outward from the well an overlap distance beyond the inner limit of the rim of the lower receptacle to establish a generally line-to-line interference with the rim of the lower receptacle. The receptacle also includes a respective juncture-bump, or deviation, at each corner deviating outward from the well at each corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: The Vollrath Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Mittmann, Alan J. Schommer
  • Patent number: 5373958
    Abstract: A plastic blow molded containr and lid combination wherein the double-walled lid is screwed to the top of the container and a parallel pair of horizontal recesses are provided on opposite sides of the container wall for receiving forks of a forklift for lifting and otherwise manipulating the container with a conventional forklift. The bottom of the container is also provided with forklift access recesses for lifting and manipulating the container from the bottom with a conventional forklift. The underside of the lid is provided with a protrusion for engaging the upper end of a salvage drum within the container to confine the drum between the top and bottom of the container. An override lid lock mechanism is provided to prevent the lid from accidentally unthreading itself. In addition, central portions of the bottom of the container are recessed upwardly with respect to perimeter portions of the container bottom so that the container in an empty condition will stably rest on a surface without easily tipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Lobo Containers, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Bokmiller
  • Patent number: 5335789
    Abstract: An edge molding is adapted to trace the edges of a shipping container and be placed thereon. The edge molding is configured with a ledge for internesting another edge molding when said edge moldings are mounted on cartons, one carton internesting with another. The edge molding has a nesting rack pivotally mounted to be pivoted and rest outside of the perimeter of the edge molding and pivotal to mount at least a portion of the edge rack within the perimeter of the molding. In this latter position, the rack rests on the edge molding and is capable of supporting a shipping container nested above it without the carton substantially breaching the volume on which the container is nested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Anchor Bay Packaging Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Taravella, Edward J. Blair, Ronald S. Domanski, Joseph C. Shippell
  • Patent number: 5305884
    Abstract: A dual purpose low depth nestable tray for holding either cans or bottles of similar capacities with structural features that prevent spreading or fraying of the walls. The tray comprises a floor, a band around the periphery of the tray and columns interconnecting the band to the floor. A nesting nub is disposed on the floor and nesting ledges are disposed on at least one column along each side of the wall structure. The nub and ledges are equal in height and act as supports for the weight of a stack of nested empty trays which prevents the walls from having to support the weight and results in the walls maintaining their shape and structural integrity. The floor is configured with support areas for the containers and has features for accommodating both bottles and cans. The support areas have a circular groove for engaging the bottoms of cans and the bottom surface of the floor has downwardly projecting redoubts for facilitating stacking and handling of trays loaded with cans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Jonathan A. Kalin
  • Patent number: 5294000
    Abstract: The present invention is a tray for supporting food plates and beverage vessels. It comprises a substantially flat base structure with an orifice through the top of the base which is circular in shape and located to one end of the tray. This orifice is adapted to receive a beverage vessel. There is a second orifice through the top of the base which is circular in shape located at the opposite end of the tray from the first orifice. The second orifice is adapted to receive a food plate. There is a first notch located at the front of the base, adapted to receive an area between a thumb and a first finger when being held with the thumb on top and fingers on the bottom of the base. There is another notch located to the back of the base, adapted to receive an area between a thumb and a first finger when being held with the thumb on top and fingers on the bottom of the base. In a preferred embodiment, the second orifice has a surrounding recess tapered to receive an outer rim of a plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: G'KA! International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerard Yanuzzi
  • Patent number: 5292024
    Abstract: A pail assembly including a plastic pail and a plastic lid which can be snap fit sealed to the top of the pail. To reduce excessive outward doming of the lid and the pail floor caused by internal pail pressures, due for example to chemical reactions of hazardous material contents, rib structures are formed on and extend across the interior surfaces of both the floor and the lid. To prevent this doming the floor is also formed to be bowed upwardly at its center with a small curvature radius. A large radius connection of the floor to the pail sidewall better distributes impact stresses. A locating ring channel is formed on the lid surface and is dimensioned to receive therein the feet of two different size pails when the pails are loaded and stacked. Ribs on the outside and inside of the channel resist the tipping of the pails of either size when alternatively stacked thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald R. Koefelda, Arne Lang-Ree
  • Patent number: 5292001
    Abstract: A tray for storing articles, such as cylindrical beverage containers, in a substantially upright position includes a bottom member and four wall members interconnected to provide an enclosure for receiving the articles. Each of the wall members has a support member protruding into the enclosure from the corresponding wall member. Each support member has a support surface which is inclined upwardly from the corresponding wall member into the enclosure. A portion of the outer surface of the bottom member adjacent to each of the wall members is also inclined upwardly and is adapted to contact the corresponding support surfaces of another tray when two or more trays are nested. A plurality of external rib members are disposed on respective outer surfaces of the wall members for contacting respective inner surfaces of the wall members of another tray when two or more trays are nested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Keith A. Langenbeck
    Inventors: Keith A. Langenbeck, Jesse P. Kensinger
  • Patent number: 5287966
    Abstract: A slide-on multi-level basket useful for storing and transporting baked goods is provided which includes a floor and a pair of upstanding side walls configured for stacking identical baskets at three different levels and presenting structure enabling other, identical baskets to slide thereon into stacked or nested orientations. A multi-level basket hereof includes a slideway or rail extending along each of the side walls, the side walls being divided into inner and outer panels. Each basket includes a thin web and a wide web spaced apart and respectively proximate a front end wall and a rear end wall. The thick and thin webs are complimentarily configured with a relieved portion and a slot in each of the side walls whereby the webs can slide along the rail of a next lower, identical basket enabling the upper basket to drop into either a nested or stacked relationship according to the relative orientation of the two baskets, when superposed over the next lower, identical basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Piper Industries of Texas, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward L. Stahl
  • Patent number: 5265725
    Abstract: A multiple-media storage container and system for the organization and storage of cassettes, video cartridges and other informational media. The storage container includes an upper and a lower section adapted to be hinged together and have the upper section move between an open and a closed position. The sections are nestable within each other and secured together in pairs, prior to use by break-away tab elements. The nested, secured sections are arranged for shipping and displaying in a plurality of vertically stacked, nested pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Curtis Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Judd, Jon Rossman
  • Patent number: 5261537
    Abstract: A container used for containing powders such as a washing powder and the like has bottom stopper means for fixedly supporting another container when another container is inserted into the container. When a lot of containers are stored before containing contents therein, many can be stacked on top of one another. With these containers, the space needed for storing can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Lion Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuaki Shindo, Seiji Naruse, Fumiaki Maeda, Yuujirou Miyamoto, Toshio Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 5261199
    Abstract: A high density closed-cell foam burial vault is disclosed. The vault consists of top and bottom halves which are formed of a closed-cell foam having a density between 8-30 pounds per cubic feet. The foam is sufficiently rigid to protect a casket within the burial vault, and is also resistant to leakage of water into the vault. The foam results in a lightweight, easy to manufacture burial vault. The top and bottom halves nest within each other, such that a large number of foam burial vaults may be stored in a relatively small space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Build-A-Mold Limited
    Inventor: Horst Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5224617
    Abstract: A container adapted to securely engage a cover displaying a peripheral depending skirt comprises a body with side walls having an upper edge portion adapted to engage the skirt of the closure. The side walls include a peripheral inverted L-shaped flange. Integrally formed with the flange on two sides of the container is a downward projection including a frangible tab which must be broken to remove the cover from the container; however, the broken tabs do not hinder the reclosure of the container, nor the handling of the container. The side projections are so shaped as to allow similarly constructed containers to be nested one into the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: IPL, Inc.
    Inventor: Mario Gaudreault
  • Patent number: 5219419
    Abstract: A drinking mug constructed to nest when stacked with other mugs. A frusto-conical mug body is provided with a hollow handle which extends vertically and is spaced away from the mug body by an inverted channel beam having a web and two side flanges. When mugs are stacked, the mug bodies nest together and the handles nest together to minimize the height of the stack and thus provide a compact stack. Stacking lugs cooperate with lips on a handle connection beam to provide the stack with stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Packer Plastics, Incorporated
    Inventor: Kevin R. Prothe
  • Patent number: 5199571
    Abstract: A bucket (10) has a bottom surface (11) and opposed side walls (12, 13) as well as adjoining opposed end walls (14, 15) extending upwardly from the bottom surface (11) forming an open top defined by a rim (21). A bail (24) has one end pivotally attached to the side walls (12, 13) and the other end carries a handle (28). Spouts (18, 19) are formed at the top of each end wall (14, 15). An assembly (33, 37) is provided to hold the bail (24) in a generally horizontal position adjacent to the rim (21). When the bail is not being so held and is pivoted such that its handle (28) is adjacent to an end wall (15), its pivot length is such that when the bucket (10) is stacked with like buckets (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E), the handles (28) of the lowermost three buckets (10, 10A, 10 B) are underneath a spout (19) of the lowermost bucket (10) and the handles of the fourth and higher buckets (10C, 10D, 10E) rest in the spout of the third bucket therebelow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Stacy L. Wolff, Charles W. Craft, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5195639
    Abstract: Stackable box for storing and transportation of a number of similar objects, where the front and rear walls of the box being tapered downwards and being provided with upwards tapered webs for transversal support of the objects, the box being provided with an interior shoulder on the interior surface of the walls in the lower portion such that one box may be stacked into another and rest on the shoulder of the lower box, the bottom of the box being such that the bottom of one box may rest on the surrounding flanges provided on the top of a lower box when having correct orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: Georg Osbakk
  • Patent number: 5190157
    Abstract: A bulk wide-necked drum open topped drum made from thermoplastic synthetic material for the transport of particularly dangerous liquid or solid contents. The drum body is of a lesser and conical diameter in the base portion than in the portion adjacent the top open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Mauser Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Dietmar Przytulla
  • Patent number: 5184836
    Abstract: A quadrilateral refuse container (2) comprising a bottom (8) and four sidewalls (6) extending upwardly therefrom and terminating in an upper rim (64). The container further comprises a handle (52) extending outward from at least one side of the container, the handle having two parallel spaced apart sideplates (54), each sideplate having a lower edge profile for defining a downwardly concave recess (62). When one container is stacked inside a like-configured second container, the upper rim of the bottom container is nested within the handle sideplate recesses of the top container, and the sidewalls of the underlying container are held in a fixed vertical orientation. Recesses (49) are further provided within sidewalls (6) of the container, adapted to receive handle projections from a like configured second container, whereby the containers can be stored in a side by side abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products Inc.
    Inventors: Howard W. Andrews, Jr., Paul E. Delmerico, Greg P. Terek
  • Patent number: 5176284
    Abstract: In a plastic container, including a base and a thin flexible perimetric side wall extending from the base and terminating in a perimetric rim, the side wall includes a perimetric ledge extending generally in a lateral direction; an upper perimetric wall section extending between an outer edge of the ledge and the rim; a lower perimetric wall section extending toward the base from an inner edge of the ledge; and a perimetric series of longitudinal ribs closely spaced about all of the ledge and extending between the ledge and one of said wall sections for reinforcing the container against extreme flexure when the container is lifted by being gripped at the upper wall section by a thumb and finger while the container contains a substantial weight of material. The ribs are recessed from a brink of the ledge and have an exposed edge that extends between the ledge and the one wall section at an angle that is less than an angle between the ledge and the one wall section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Primtec
    Inventor: Jens O. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 5160031
    Abstract: An open-top container that is generally circular in cross-section and is formed from deformable metal by utilizing a press to force bottom portions of an upwardly opening workpiece into a die to carry out drawing operations that alter bottom and side wall portions of the workpiece to elongate the workpiece and to provide the workpiece with tapered, fluted side portions that enable the resulting container to be nested with a like container for empty shipment and storage in a minimum of space. As a part of the container configuration process, each container is provided with a pluraltiy of vertically extending "flutes" that extend along the side walls of the container, and with at least one ring-like formation that serves to enhance container strength, container stability and/or container handling characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Berwick Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Palisin, Jr., Raymond J. Keller
  • Patent number: 5158203
    Abstract: A circumferential rib-stiffened hollow cylinder and method for fabrication thereof featuring construction of the cylinder from complementarily shaped nestled prefabricated rings and resultant circumferential ribs which are integral with the rest of the cylinder. In one embodiment ring sections which are "L"-shaped in cross-section are axially and sequentially mated; ring sections which are "U"-shaped are axially and correspondingly integrated therewith, therein for a cylinder having internal circumferential ribs and thereout for a cylinder having external circumferential ribs. The dominant load path for the cylinder is through the reinforced cylinder elements, and the cylinder's wall-thickness-to-diameter ratio is effectively reduced, thereby allowing radial reinforcement of the ribs, reducing residual stresses and increasing strength; these advantages are especially significant for cylinders which are composite or are to be subjected to hydrostatic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Paul Coffin
  • Patent number: 5154294
    Abstract: A videocassette overlay tray comprised of a sturdy plastic composition which is inexpensive and improves sorting and storage functions of videocassettes in the duplication and manufacturing environment. The videocassette tray permits the storage of a large number of videocassettes before or after the duplication process, and the walls and recesses of the overlay tray are constructed so that the trays may be stacked one upon another in interfitting relationship with the tray fully retaining and protecting the videocassettes placed in fixed positions within the tray below. The trays are further constructed whereby each recess helps form a support apex, thus allowing a tray when full to be stacked one on top of another while resting on a storage platform or cart, and also is capable of being nested when empty in one of two possible nesting configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Technicolor Videocassette Inc.
    Inventor: Wyman Dunford
  • Patent number: 5146957
    Abstract: A tapered liquid container which is nestable with other like empty containers and a collector for receiving empty containers in nested relationship. The container has a tapered side wall, a large bottom end, and a small top dispensing end. A closable large bottom opening and a closable small top opening is formed in the bottom and top ends, respectively. A bottom closure seals the bottom opening and is removable when dispensing the liquid. A top closure is provided for sealing the top opening and is removable to permit liquid to be emptied. The collector includes an upper portion having a tapered socket for receiving an inverted empty container body with the top and bottom closures removed to permit draining of residual liquid. The tapered socket holds the container securely to permit successive containers to be inserted into the open bottom end when the bottom closure is removed of a preceding container. The containers are thus nested for consolidation and draining of residual liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Inventors: Paul Belokin, Jr., Martin P. Belokin
  • Patent number: 5131551
    Abstract: A one-piece merchandising container made of synthetic plastic sheet is provided. The merchandising container is suitable for storing food products such as sandwich type products within warming ovens useful in self-serve food store operations. The merchandising container includes an overlocking sealing peripheral lip structure, an especially flexible hinge portion, and a locking assembly that ensures closure of the merchandising container until the locking assembly is precisely manipulated through an unlocking procedure initiated by depressing a portion of the container below the locking assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Cindie M. Wells
  • Patent number: 5129535
    Abstract: A trash container (10) includes a base container portion (11) and a cover (12). The base container portion (11) includes a front wall (15), a rear wall (16) and two side walls (13, 14) all extending upwardly from a bottom surface (17) to an upper rim (19) defining an open top (18). The side wall (13) is provided with outboard ribs (24, 25) having inboard beads (26, 27) thereon. The other side wall (14) is provided with inboard ribs (30, 31) having outboard beads (32, 33) thereon. The beads (26, 27) engage the beads (32, 33) of a like container (10A) to attach the container (10) to the like container (10A).The cover (12) has a peripheral rim made up of a front U-shaped ledge (40) and a rear U-shaped ledge (43). A generally horizontal opening (49) is formed within the rear U-shaped ledge (43) and a trash receiving ramp (50) is positioned below the opening (49). A hood (53) extends upwardly from the front U-shaped ledge (40) and defines a second opening (52) which extends partially above the opening (49).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventor: John L. Hradisky
  • Patent number: 5125512
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Northwestern Bottle Co.
    Inventor: Arthur J. O'Leary
  • Patent number: 5123461
    Abstract: A container for dispensing and draining liquid held therein is disclosed wherein the container is nestable with like containers prior to filling and after the liquid therein has been dispensed. The container comprises a body including a longitudinal axis, a side wall, a large bottom end, and a small top dispensing end. The side wall tapers from the bottom end to the top end of the container to define a tapered liquid defining space having inner and outer side wall surfaces and bottom and top openings at the top and bottom ends. The top end of the container is adapted to receive a readily removable top cap and the bottom end is adapted to receive a readily removable tear-type bottom closure. During initial manufacture, the bottom end is left open so that the containers may be nested for shipment to the filling point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventors: Paul Belokin, Jr., Martin P. Belokin
  • Patent number: 5111954
    Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a container adapted to securely engage a cover displaying a peripheral depending skirt; it comprises a body with side walls having an upper edge portion adapted to engage the skirt of the closure. The side walls include a peripheral inverted L-shaped flange. Integrally formed with the flange is a pair of handles each including a frangible tab which must be broken to remove the cover from the container; however, the broken tabs do not hinder the reclosure of the container, nor the handling of the container. The handles are so shaped as to allow similarly constructed containers to be nested one into the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: IPL Inc.
    Inventor: Mario Gaudreault
  • Patent number: 5108768
    Abstract: A cartridge of cup like shape having a substantially impervious frusta-conical wall provided with a first circumferential seal adjacent the open mouth of the cup and a second circumferential seal spaced toward the bottom of the cup. The bottom is perforated and is sealed by a strippable foil. The cartridge contains a preselected amount of material (say ground coffee) that fills the receptacle to a selected level. Preferably a plurality of such receptacles are packaged as telescoped stack of cartridges with a first receptacle telescoped within a second receptacle so that the second circumferential seal on the first cartridge is received in the first circumferential seal of the second receptacle thereby to seal the material in the second receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Peter K. L. So