Detachable Patents (Class 220/23.4)
  • Patent number: 8322561
    Abstract: A container assembly (1) having a container body (11) and exterior shelf structures (41, 44) that are each reversibly attached to exterior surfaces (35, 38) of first (17) and second (20) sidewalls of the container body (11), is described. Each exterior shelf structure (41, 44) has a shelf base (47), and a forward shelf portion (56) and a rear shelf portion (62) that each extend upwardly from the shelf base (47). Each exterior shelf structure has a shelf space (77) that resides between and is defined in part by the forward (56) and rear (62) shelf portions. The forward shelf portion (56) of each exterior shelf structure (41, 44) has an open front or face (86) that is in communication with a recessed chamber (89) of the forward shelf portion (56). The exterior shelf structures (41, 44) may each be reversibly attached to the container body sidewalls (17, 20) by means of tabs (98) that are received within tab apertures (110) of the sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Brian Ramsey, Henry Hay, Leslie Kirby
  • Publication number: 20120285952
    Abstract: In a first embodiment, a generally cylindrical trash receptacle includes radially spaced-apart handles and connector members at the upper outer surface of the wall of the receptacle. The trash receptacle may be selectively secured to one or more like trash receptacles to create a stable array of trash receptacles which will not easily be blown over. In a second embodiment, the trash receptacles are square or rectangular in shape and also have handles and connector members secured to the walls thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Jason M. James, Rick E. Larson, Chris M. Brokman
  • Publication number: 20120285953
    Abstract: A packaging container has a lid (2) and a container (1) for keeping preferably hot, fillable foods, in particular food packaging made of plastic, having a tamper-evident closure, situated on a skirt (3) which extends next to a side wall (12), and which has a tamper-evident tab (6). The container (1) has a holding space which is delimited by the side wall (12), and the lid (2) which is designed as a clamp-on lid or snap-on lid being fixable at the top container edge, and the container (1) has an anti-twist lock (13) such that a plurality of the containers (1) may be fixed in a stack in the peripheral position before filling. At least one anti-twist lock (13) of the container (1) is formed by an offset which tapers downwardly in a side wall (12) in the direction of a contact surface (19), and which has two contact edges (35) in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: Werner Schick
  • Patent number: 8308127
    Abstract: A faux ice tray system featuring a plurality of faux ice trays that interlock via interlock bars. The system can be placed in a refrigerated display in lieu of traditional ice or in a display cooled with another type of mechanism or with traditional ice. The trays are reversible wherein the top surface and the bottom surface can be used for containing faux ice. Some systems may feature an indentation for a bowl. Removable lids may provide an air-tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Ryan M. Harris
  • Publication number: 20120273486
    Abstract: A trash bag affixed to a container, whereby trash is generated as consumer or industrial goods are removed from the container and consumed or used, the trash bag then providing a convenient storage means for the trash. The trash bag is part of the container or, in another embodiment, is removable from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Gary William Norton
  • Patent number: 8272506
    Abstract: A novelty device for securing two or more drinking vessels to an elongated body member to facilitate simultaneous beverage consumption by two or more participants is provided, the device including threaded knob or socket means for securing the drinking vessels to the body member, and a means for securing two or more of such holding devices together so as to increase the number of potential participants, plus the device also serving as a novel medium for placement of advertising indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventors: Neil M. Flannery, Thomas A. Flannery
  • Publication number: 20120234831
    Abstract: A structure for combining two sets of half-width rack-type machine cases to form a full-width machine case includes two half-width type machine cases to be combined together. Each half-width type machine case has one side plate provided with at least one positioning member protruding outward and another opposite side plate bored with receiving holes at the locations respectively corresponding with the positioning members. Thus, two half-width type machine cases abutting and juxtaposed can easily be combined into a full-width type machine case by having the positioning members of one half-width machine case engaged and fixed with the receiving holes of another half-width machine case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Mu-Chun LIN
  • Patent number: 8261925
    Abstract: A pillbox comprising a plurality of compartments, each compartment having two side walls, two end walls, and a bottom and each compartment having a top, each top comprising a hinged lid for accessing the compartment, the hinged lid being hinged pivotally at a hinge area; a slot at one of the walls of each compartment disposed parallel to the one wall, further wherein the hinged lid for each compartment is separable from the compartment, each hinged lid having a tab depending from the hinged lid and being pivotable from the lid at the hinge area, the tab being insertable into the slot to secure the hinged lid to the compartment for access to the compartment, the tab being releasably and frictionally held in place in the slot and being removable from the slot integral with the lid when the lid is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Apex Medical Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8256639
    Abstract: A travel bowl assembly for traveling in a vehicle including a bowl divided into a snack section and a cup holder section. A container extends downward from a bottom of the bowl member, secondarily used as a cup holder insert and assembly support. The cup holder insert can be integrated or removably attached to the bowl. A pliant adapter can be integrated or removably attached to the cup holder insert. The pliant adapter utilizes flexible winglets for compensating between dimensional differences between the cup holder insert and a receiving cup holder. The pliant adapter is formed having a tapered sleeve for sliding the adapter onto a tapered sidewall of the cup holder insert. A cover can be provided, sealing the snack section of the bowl. A lid can be provided, sealing the container. The lid can be fastened to a storage interface disposed on the lower surface of the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: L J S Sales, LLC
    Inventors: Loren J. Samuelson, Nancy J. Cribb
  • Patent number: 8240626
    Abstract: A recycling system and carrying apparatus to allow individuals to carry recycling containers and the like. The carrying apparatus includes at least one support arm adapted to engage a support such that the carrying apparatus hangs therefrom, and at least one carrying arm operably connected to the at least one support arm. The carrying arm is adapted to secure an item to be carried by the carrying apparatus. The at least one carrying arm is adapted to pivot relative to the at least one support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Matthew P. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8201699
    Abstract: The present invention consists of a water or soda bottle or vessel which is designed to allow for the bottle to interconnect with other bottles of similar design and standard dimensions to form useful second use products. A recess in the lower surface of the bottle receives the neck of another storage bottle. There are recesses perpendicular to the vertical axis of the bottle capable of receiving the mating side recess of another storage bottle. There are two such recesses on each storage bottle, one on each side of the bottle, parallel to each other. This allows for a bottle positioned on its side perpendicular to a vertically positioned bottle to be used to connect two vertically perpendicular storage bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventors: Peter Zummo, Matthew John Naples
  • Patent number: 8192136
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing at least one specimen slide and at least one cassette comprising a sample that is embedded in a sample block and that is to be processed, a microtome comprising this apparatus, and a method for handling multiple cassettes and multiple specimen slides are described. A cassette magazine receives at least one cassette having at least one sample block. A slide magazine receives at least one specimen slide. At least one connecting element for connecting the cassette magazine and the slide magazine mechanically with each other is provided. This allows handling at least one cassette and at least one specimen slide together in a simple and efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Walter, Christoph Schmitt
  • Patent number: 8181807
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container assembly (1) that includes a support structure (11) and a container (14) that resides reversibly within the support structure interior (62). The support structure (11) includes a pair of opposed first and second support sidewalls (26, 29) each having an elongated tube (32, 44) having a first open end (38, 50) and an elongated hollow interior (35, 47). The container (14) has opposing sidewalls (77, 80) that each have an elongated channel (104, 110). The first and second elongated tubes (32, 44) of the support structure (11) are each reversibly received within the first and second elongated sidewall channels (104, 110) of the container (14), as the container is reversibly introduced (e.g., slid) into the support structure interior (62) through the open forward portion (65) of the support structure (11). The container assembly (1) may be reversibly lifted by lift members (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Henry Hay, Donald Belcher, Brian Ramsey
  • Patent number: 8167160
    Abstract: A method is provided of forming a multi-pack container assembly having at least two containers joined together by a channel. The method includes the steps of providing sheet having a barrier layer thermoforming the sheet into a multi-pack container assembly having a plurality of containers wherein each container comprises a flange and the flanges of adjacent containers are connected by an engineered area of weakness or channel. Resultant containers can be used for low-moisture, shelf-stable, ready-to-eat food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Thomas Henderson, John Joseph Michels
  • Patent number: 8162162
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a container having a reduced area of vacuum-absorbing panels and thus acquiring improved appearance and having strength against a pressure drop, i.e., the strength enough to retain the shape of the container even when there is a pressure drop inside the container. A shoulder portion or a bottom portion of a resin-made storage container is molded by aligning one or two groups of three corners and one or two groups of three pillars vertically and in parallel to the central axis of the container. Each group of three corners is a part of the corners forming a cross-section of a regular enneagon and being connected to either the shoulder portion or the bottom portion, and the lines connecting these three corners form a regular triangle. Each group of three pillars is a part of the pillars belonging to the body and forming a cross-section of a hexagon, and the lines connecting these three pillars form a regular triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignees: Suntory Holdings Limited, Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hata, Naokazu Fujita, Toshimasa Tanaka, Masaaki Sasaki, Takao Iizuka
  • Patent number: 8162169
    Abstract: A paint tray includes a cavity defined by a bottom wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall, and a second sloping end wall. Each of the first side wall, second side wall, first end wall, and second sloping end wall inclines upwardly and outwardly from the bottom wall. The cavity terminates at a top edge. The paint tray also includes a top tray rim adjacent the top edge of the cavity, a perimeter rim that inclines downwardly and outwardly from the top tray rim, a handle disposed at an edge of the perimeter rim proximate each end wall, and a leg panel extending downwardly and outwardly from each of a first side and a second side of the perimeter rim proximate the second sloping end wall. The leg panel has a bottom edge that is co-planar with the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Bercom International, LLC
    Inventors: Mark W. Bergman, Christopher M. Bergman, Matthew V. Leyden, Jeffrey B. Waffensmith, Jeffrey T. Given
  • Publication number: 20120061391
    Abstract: The invention encompasses packaging and cooling methods and systems designed to improve cooling efficiencies, reduce damage to the contents of containers, and increase product packing density. A system of the present invention incorporates baskets loaded into trays and trays loaded in preferred configurations on a pallet. The trays are loaded with baskets arranged in the tray so that ventilation slots and/or channels of the baskets are aligned with tray ventilation openings. Nine (9) trays are loaded onto a standard pallet in a 3 by 3 configuration. Additionally, the trays are arranged so that the tray ventilation openings are in alignment with ventilation openings of other trays of the same layer. This 3 by 3 layer of trays comprises a so-called “nine-down” configuration. As will be discussed below, his configuration has some surprising cooling advantageous standard packaging configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: SAMBRAILO PACKAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Sambrailo, William K. Sambrailo, Mark Sambrailo, Anthony Cadiente
  • Patent number: 8123069
    Abstract: A halo or ring system is described for holding cups for use with a large beverage cooler, such as those commonly used at sporting events. A first large ring has a diameter sized to fit around an upper portion of a beverage cooler, and a second ring is attached to the first ring. The second ring is sized to hold a stack of one or more cups for easy use with the beverage cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher Mumaw, Kathryn Alice Mumaw
  • Patent number: 8124010
    Abstract: A reusable container for the sterile transfer of pharmaceutical recipients, in particular of syringe bodies. The container comprises an outer case and a sterilizable interior, wherein the interior is microbially isolated from the environment of the container. The interior has at least one holder for accommodating at least one nest for storing a plurality of pharmaceutical recipients. The nest can be removably accommodated in the holder. The container further has at least one container door for removing or introducing the nest into the interior and at least one lock for coupling the container to a sterile space. The lock is configured in such a way that, after coupling to the sterile space, it is possible to open the container door without substantially suspending sterility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: F. Hoffman-La Roche AG
    Inventors: Rolf-Dieter Gabel, Martin Knierim
  • Publication number: 20120024848
    Abstract: A container, in particular an ampoule, has at least one layer of plastic material and a discharge chamber (10). A discharge medium can be stored and discharged via at least one container opening (12) which can be closed by a closeable closing part (14). The discharge chamber (10) includes at least one additional container opening (16) which can be closed by an additional closeable closing part (18). For an individual container, at least two different types of container openings (12, 16) are provided which are economical to produce and can lead to a plurality of connection solutions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Bend Hansen
  • Patent number: 8100278
    Abstract: Drink bottle with a promotional object, characterised by the plastic or glass body (1) of the drink bottle being on at least one point provided with a concave recess (2), into which a object (3) is inserted and at least a part of the surface of the drink bottle with the object (3) is covered with wrapping (4), constituting namely the drink bottle label, when the cover (4) is advantageously made of shrink-wrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventor: Pavel Dlouhy
  • Patent number: 8096426
    Abstract: A tray assembly for supporting papers, folder, files, or smaller articles such as vouchers and ticket books includes a plurality of identical tray modules configured to be joined end to end or stacked upon one another. Each tray module includes a plurality of rectangular slots which are slanted with regards to a vertical plane which allows for easy recognition of a top sheet and simplified insertion and removal of sheets and other items to be supported within the slots of the trays. The rectangular slots of each tray module include a plurality of grooves which can receive separators for dividing the rectangular slots into multiple compartments. Additionally, each rectangular slot includes a stop flange, and wherein the stop flanges of the rectangular slots can be used to attach individual tray modules to a vertical surface such as a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Carlos Vivas
  • Patent number: 8087527
    Abstract: A container system for containing a product. The container system includes a primary container containing a primary product and at least one secondary container containing a secondary product. The secondary container is releasably connected to the primary container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Herman Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110315679
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus of an ice cream cup embodying a hollow portion of a cup suitable to accommodate an ice cream material which has a connecting mean that enables to connect more cups of the same apparatus to the same cup, such cup enabling inserted and connecting or disconnecting one cup to at least one more cup, and a method that enable the connecting of multiple ice cream cups to each other, wherein, the present invention apparatus and method enabling to use separate different flavor of ice cream to each and every cup, instead of stacking ice cream balls on top each other. More particularly, the present invention uses a special made handle to circumvent direct heat transfer through ice cream grasping by hands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Eran Sasson
  • Patent number: 8061545
    Abstract: A two part container adapted to separately hold consumable foodstuffs. The two part container provides a convenient device for transporting different foodstuffs in a separated fashion using a single container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Cool Gear International, LLC
    Inventors: Donna Roth, Henry Roth
  • Patent number: 8047373
    Abstract: A suspended utensil storage system includes a utensil tray including a plurality of utensil compartments having a mesh material therein; and a debris collector tray underlying the utensil tray and receiving the utensil tray. The mesh material of the utensil compartments of the utensil tray supports utensils and includes holes sized to allow debris to fall there through into the debris collector tray for collecting the debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Michael P. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8033409
    Abstract: A packaged combination includes a fluid container having walls that are dimensioned to receive a solid object, for example, an edible item. The fluid container may be a single portion with areas cut out to receive an edible item or the fluid container may have two separate portions capable of holding the same or different fluids, which two separate portions each have walls cut out that, when acting together, may at least partially enclose an edible object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Donald C. Lindemann
  • Patent number: 8011383
    Abstract: A fuel tank for an agricultural vehicle, comprises a main fuel tank 10 having a filler pipe 11 and a separate inlet 15 and a removable auxiliary tank 30 having a second filler pipe 32 and an outlet 36 for supplying fuel into the separate inlet 15 of the main tank. To avoid spillage from the filler pipe of the main tank 10, in one aspect of the invention, a valve 16 is provided in the main fuel tank 10 to close off the second inlet 15 when the fuel level within the main tank 10 reaches a predetermined level. In a second aspect of the invention, spillage is avoided by means of an extension tube 40 which sealingly engages the filler tube 11 of the main tank at its lower end and opens at its upper end into the filler pipe 46 of the auxiliary tank 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey William Mowatt, Thomas Charles Kindred
  • Patent number: 7980405
    Abstract: The individually detachable drink pack includes a plurality of beverage containers aligned in a substantially linear fashion. A tab is disposed about the periphery of the cap and/or base of each container and extends to the next container, attaching to the next container's base or cap to another tab. In this manner, the containers are attached end to end, or may be branched to start a side chain of containers, also linked end to end. Each tab is relatively thin and flexible, having sufficient strength to normally keep the containers connected, yet being frangible such that the tab may be broken by being bent or torn, thus allowing consecutive beverage containers to be separated and the contents thereof consumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Hei Jun An
  • Patent number: 7980406
    Abstract: A container assembly includes a first container, a second container, and a connecting unit. The first container has an opening and a rim that defines the opening. The second container has a wall formed with a slit unit. The connecting unit includes an upper hook section hooked removably onto the rim of the first container, a lower hook section extended removably through the slit unit for hooking the wall of the second container onto the lower hook section, and an intermediate section interconnecting the upper hook section and the lower hook section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Ivan Liu
  • Patent number: 7963411
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container (1), which is provided with a lock, can be filled with a liquid and is positively connectable with at least one another container (1). In order to form an assembly of several containers (1), the invention is characterized in that the containers (1) are provided with at least one flat surface, several containers can be assembled according to a two-dimensional interconnection, and a form fit is obtainable with at least one adjacent container, at least one first form (2, 5) projected with respect to the base form of the container (1), is engageable into at least one second corresponding form embedded in the base form of the container (1), and extends at least to one surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Jürgen Nölle
  • Patent number: 7946452
    Abstract: A diagonally divided bottle is disclosed, wherein the bottle includes at least two bottle sections separately formed, each bottle section including a bottom wall and outer wall extending therefrom defining a chamber. At least one portion of the outer wall of each bottle section has a portion adapted to mate with the portion of another bottle section. The mated portions of the bottle sections form at least one common wall. The common wall is arranged at an angle disposed diagonally to a major axis of the bottle when viewed from the top or bottom such that products contained in the chambers of the bottle sections are simultaneously viewed when the diagonally divided bottle is observed from a front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventors: Ken S. Hantman, Ray Lindsey, Chris S. Hantman, Chris Gill-Lindsey
  • Patent number: 7926682
    Abstract: Combined applicator container and concentrate cartridge with the container including a holder for releasably holding the cartridge thereon and a transfer device interposed between the container and cartridge for transferring selected quantities of concentrate from the cartridge to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventors: Steven D. Nelson, Leona I. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7926677
    Abstract: A modular packaging system of containers each having a generally tubular, hollow container body of a fiber-reinforced composite material with cooperative mating interlocking elements extending axially along its length. The interlocking elements allow the containers to be stacked and palletized in a stable manner. An interface between a closure mechanism and the container body provides a good seal and prevents fraying or brooming of the fiber-reinforced composite material at the end face of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Kazak Composites, Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. DaSilva, Jerome P. Fanucci
  • Patent number: 7922421
    Abstract: A bulk container and method suitable for forming an interlinked wall. In one embodiment, the bulk container may generally include sidewalls, lifting straps for transporting the container, and a closeable top. Linking loops may be provided on at least one sidewall which are each configured to be engaged by connecting members to link adjacent bulk containers together for forming an interlinked wall. In one embodiment, the connecting member is a belt which may be tensioned. Another possible embodiment includes a linking strap affixed to the sidewall panel and to which the linking loops may be attached or formed as an integral part thereof. A barrier wall system and method of forming the same from interlinked bulk containers is also provided. The barrier wall system is suitable for use in, but not limited to, shoreline erosion protection and flood control applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Urban Environmental Corp.
    Inventors: Jon McGillick, Sr., Jon J. McGillick, Jr., Melanie McGillick
  • Patent number: 7922022
    Abstract: A hanging condiment container holder is provided including a clip portion for removably attaching the holder to an upper portion of a food package, a loop portion for receiving a condiment container, and an extension wall extending between the clip portion and the loop portion. The clip portion may be contoured to the shape of the upper edge or lip of a food package such as a cup. Various clip portions may be employed for removably attaching the hanging condiment container holder to a food package such as a cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: CPC Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Ciarrocchi, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7909191
    Abstract: A modular tray and lid combination for use in configuring a containment case includes one or more trays and a single lid. When a plurality of trays are used they are connected together either end-to-end or side-by-side or both. The lid includes a plurality of slide latches that secure the lid to the tray or trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Terry L. Baker, Rebecca Baker
  • Patent number: 7896188
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to support arrangements for semi-membrane tank walls and, more particularly, to a universal support assembly for tanks that experience thermal expansion and contraction. One embodiment of the invention may include a tank assembly having at least one tank wall, a support structure at least partially adjacent to the wall, and a link member coupling the tank to the support structure. The link member may be configured to accommodate relative movement between the tank and the support structure through rotation. The link member may be coupled to the tank wall by a ball and socket joint and coupled to the support structure with another ball and socket joint, allowing substantially unlimited in-plane movement of the tank wall relative to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: National Steel and Shipbuilding Company
    Inventors: David L. Jordan, William E. Michaud
  • Publication number: 20110036834
    Abstract: A method is provided of forming a multi-pack container assembly having at least two containers joined together by a channel. The method includes the steps of providing sheet having a barrier layer thermoforming the sheet into a multi-pack container assembly having a plurality of containers wherein each container comprises a flange and the flanges of adjacent containers are connected by an engineered area of weakness or channel. Resultant containers can be used for low-moisture, shelf-stable, ready-to-eat food products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: FRITO-LAY NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Thomas Henderson, John Joseph Michels
  • Patent number: 7878364
    Abstract: A caddy for toting cleaning tools on a trash pail which comprises a container having an open top to hold the cleaning tools therein. A mechanism is for attaching the container to a side of the trash pail, wherein a person can easily remove the cleaning tools from within the container, so as to fill the trash pail with refuse when the need arises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Percy L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7878358
    Abstract: A refuse receptacle system comprising a frame and a plurality of refuse containers supported by the frame is provided. Each of the refuse containers have a receptacle and a complimentary lid reciprocally movable with respect to the receptacle. The receptacle of each of the containers is supported by the frame and is disposed at an angle in a range from about 10 to about 20 degrees from a vertical axis. A plurality of linkages are associated with the frame, whereby each linkage is coupled to the complimentary lid of one of the containers and is configured for reciprocation of the complementary lid between an open position and a closed position with respect to the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventor: Anton M. Smudde
  • Publication number: 20110000908
    Abstract: A food and condiment kit comprising a container with a top, a bottom, and an interior. A tray coupled to the top of the container includes at least one opening to receive a cup with a first end facing the bottom of the container. A ring with an interior edge and a plurality of clasps disposed around the interior edge is coupled to the first end of the cup. A cutting mechanism coupled to the ring protrudes towards the first end of the cup. A lining covers the open end of the cup sealing the contents of the cup from the contents of the container until the cup is rotated around the cutting mechanism to cut the lining and thereby release the contents therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Bruno Bertin
  • Publication number: 20100314389
    Abstract: An interlocking container assembly includes a first container having a first longitudinal axis and a second container having a second longitudinal axis. The first container has a male dovetail element, and the second container has a female dovetail recess that is adapted to engage the male dovetail element in order to prevent relative movement between the first and second containers in a first direction that is perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal axes. The first and second containers further respectively include a projection and a recess that are axially spaced from the respective dovetail element and female dovetail recess. The projection and the recess are adapted to engage each other in order to prevent relative movement between the first and second containers in a second direction that is parallel to the first and second longitudinal axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael S. Wojton, Matthew R. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100308043
    Abstract: The invention relates to bodies that have a structuring with connecting elements formed around the entire girth of the body. Furthermore, the invention relates to packages including an arrangement of at least two bodies according to the invention, with the connecting elements of a first body cooperating with the corresponding connecting elements of a second body in a form-locking manner. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for producing packages from bodies. The device has an alignment unit and at least one sliding device for form-lockingly connecting the aligned bodies, with at least two bodies at a time being rotated about their longitudinal axes in order to align corresponding connecting elements of the two bodies so that they can cooperate. The invention moreover relates to a method for producing packages from bodies, whereby at least two bodies are aligned first and subsequently assembled to form a first package, with the oppositely arranged connecting elements form-lockingly interlocking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Thomas Wimmer
  • Patent number: 7845145
    Abstract: A package system which combines an article and a container in an integrated package with the article secured in nested relationship within a recess of the container. The recess has sufficient depth such that portions of the side walls of the container extend outwardly effectively beyond an exposed surface of the article so as to protect the article against damage. Alternatively, the package system includes a pair of spaced columns which are integrally formed with the side wall of the container and which extend outwardly from the side wall. A recess is formed between the column members which is configured to receive an article in nested relationship within the recess. Methods for securing the article in nested relationship within the recess of the container are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventor: Michael D. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 7841481
    Abstract: The multicomponent cartridge assembly has at least two cartridge containers arranged next to one another and which can be connected to one another via upper and lower connection elements so that they can be plugged together. An additional latch device in the form of interengaging teeth is provided in the region of the upper and/or lower connection elements for the secure holding of the two cartridge containers in the plugged-together state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Sulzer Mixpac AG
    Inventor: Alfons Gleich
  • Patent number: 7810667
    Abstract: A ribbon of packaging comprises individual packages (11) adjacently and separably arranged for separation prior to filling. The ribbon is preferably drawn under tension from a reel, and the packages are linked by mechanical couplers (FIG. 11) which are separable in a direction orthogonally to the traction force. The packages have a closure (FIG. 8) which is removed and replaced to permit filling. Also disclosed are preferred package couplers, and filling and dispensing arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: The Green Drinks Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Douglas, Gavin Barnett
  • Patent number: 7802695
    Abstract: An improved lidded container includes a receptacle portion with a brim having a plurality of lateral substantially straight brim wall segments provided with medial sealing beads extending between corners of the brim. The medial sealing beads are characterized in that they project away from the respective walls upon which they are disposed a maximum distance at a central portion of the wall and the medial sealing beads extend over a major portion of the length of the lateral sealing wall upon which they are disposed. Most preferably, the beads are tangent with and terminate at rounded corners between the wall segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC
    Inventors: Loren G. Baker, Jonathan E. Rush, Rebecca E. Whitmore, Gerald J. Van Handel
  • Patent number: 7802680
    Abstract: According to the invention, a tool holder system having a tool holder with an extension and retraction device, in particular a reel, by means of which a cable, to which a tool can be fastened, is extendable and automatically retractive, is characterized by the fact that the tool holder can be detachably fastened by means of an attaching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: ZYRUS Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Patente I KG
    Inventors: Kolja Krebs, Roberto Stein
  • Publication number: 20100230408
    Abstract: An under-bed storage box comprises a shallow (3?-10?) lower portion such as a bin, open-top box, tub or tray, which is covered or coverable by a shallow complementary shaped lid having a perimeter which comes down around the upper rim outside the lower portion, and the lower portion has connecting means, like docks, eyelets, slots, etc. for securely receiving and holding attachment means, like cable ties, wires, tabs, twist ties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Yaffa Licari