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.

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.

Abstract: In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, a liquid container generally includes a base member, an annular sidewall member, a neck member, a spout, and a handle. The annular sidewall member is attached to and extends upwardly from the base member. The neck member couples the annular sidewall member to the spout. The base member has a recessed portion that extends upwardly into the container such that the base member may rest upon the neck member of another container.

Abstract: A container for mounting on the neck of a bottle or other vessel having an annular abutment surface thereon, the container including a wall formed of two or more wall sections and an opening formed in the wall for receiving the neck of the vessel. The two wall sections are joined together by a frangible seal which allows the customer to open the container in a controlled manner, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the contents of the container.

Abstract: An antenna support, including a top transit case stacked upon a bottom transit case and an antenna mounting surface stacked upon the top transit case. The bottom transit case, the top transit case and the antenna mounting surface retained by a plurality of turnbuckle(s), each of the turnbuckle(s) coupling between a respective attachment point of the bottom transit case and the antenna mounting surface. A length of the turnbuckle(s) adjustable to clamp the top transit case against the bottom transit case and the antenna mounting surface against the top transit case.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods and systems loading trays with nine packaging containers. First and second cutouts are arranged on opposite ends of the tray and an approximate dimension of about 16 inches by about 20 inches. Each container has a lid connected to a body with a hinge and securable using latches. The closed lid defines at least two horizontal ventilation slots between the lid and body and at opposite ends of the container. Each container holding about 1 lb of contents with substantially vertical sidewalls. The nine containers are arranged in the tray in three columns of three containers aligning the ventilation slots of the containers with ventilation slots of other containers as well as with the tray ventilation cutouts.

Abstract: A sports bottle with concentrate cup removably coupled thereto by a female coupling ring.

Abstract: A stackable container includes top and bottom surfaces; opposing side surfaces; opposing end surfaces; and interlock mechanisms on at least one of 1) the top and bottom surfaces, 2) the opposing side surfaces and 3) the opposing end surfaces. Because of the interlock mechanisms, a plurality of the containers may be stacked and shipped, such as on a pallet, without the use of support bands.

Abstract: A packing box for an electronic product to protect an electronic product from external impact. The packing box includes a first packing unit to pack an upper part of the product, a second packing unit passing through the first packing unit and joined to a lower part of the first packing unit, to pack a middle part of the product, and a third packing unit passing through the first and second packing units and joined to a lower part of the second packing unit, to pack a lower part of the product. The packing box is readily disassembled and allows the product to be easily repacked.

Abstract: An integrated food and condiment holder having at least one condiment holder attached to a side of the integrated food and condiment holder. The condiment extends from the side of the integrated food and condiment holder when in use. When not in use, the condiment holder is collapsible such that one integrated food and condiment holder may be stacked with another one for storage.

Abstract: A container has an open top end and a closed bottom end. A chamber is provided between the top and bottom ends. The top end is formed as a neck. The bottom end is formed as a recess. The neck and recess are essentially cylindrical. The neck and recess have a common axis and an essentially common length and diameter. The recess is adapted to receive a neck of another similarly configured bottle/container system. The neck is adapted to be coupled to a recess of another similarly configured bottle/container system.

Abstract: A coupling piece for joining two containers (35, 36) that are stacked one atop the other, particularly onboard ships is provided. Such a coupling is provided at corner fittings (43, 44) and each include a stop plate (21) and a coupling projection (22, 23) on each side of the stop plate (21). A first coupling projection (22) can be placed on the corner fitting of one container (36) and the other coupling projection (23) is provided with a locking catch (28, 46, 54) for locking inside a corner fitting of the other container (35). The drawback that front-side openings in upper corner fittings (43, 44) of a container (36) are obstructed by a locking catch of the coupling piece, hindering the use of lashing means is overcome with the coupling piece locking catch (28, 46, 54), when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the containers (35, 36), being arranged laterally on the other coupling projection (23).

Abstract: Stackable bin includes a housing defining a receptacle and having two pair of opposed walls defining an opening at a front leading into the receptacle, at least one pair of which have an inward taper with respect to a central axis of the housing. A partitioning structure is removably insertable into the receptacle through the opening and partitions the receptacle into a plurality of storage compartments. The partitioning structure has an inward taper corresponding to the inward taper of the opposed walls and frictionally engages the opposed walls to hinder unintentional removal of the partitioning structure from the receptacle. The removability of the partitioning structure enables the receptacle to be selectively partitioned into smaller storage spaces than a storage space without the partitioning structure which would occupy the entire receptacle. Use of the partitioning structure would be dependent on the objects sought to be stored by the user.

Abstract: A container for forming a wall structure providing a container for forming a wall structure including one or more neighboring containers, the container providing a body including a cavity for storing liquid therein; an inlet, in fluid communication with the cavity, for receiving liquid within the cavity; an outlet, in fluid communication with the cavity, for transferring, to one of the one or more neighboring containers, the liquid received within the cavity; and a connecting arrangement connectable with a respective connecting arrangement of one of the one or more neighboring containers.

Abstract: A container 100 includes a cover 102 and a base 104. The cover 102 of the container 100 includes a first closure portion 310, an engagement portion 308, and an alignment portion. The base 104 includes a second closure portion 212. The first closure portion 310 of the cover 102 is sealingly engageable with the second closure portion 212 of the base 104 to define a sealed storage area. Multiple covers 102 stack together in two different ways. First, the covers 102 may be stacked into an “aligned” stack. Second, the covers 102 may be stacked into a locked stack. The alignment portion of the cover 102 is engageable with the alignment portion of a second cover to form an aligned cover stack. The engagement portion 310 of the cover 102 is receivingly engageable by the engagement portion 308 of a second cover 602 to form a locked cover stack 728.

Abstract: A dual compartment prescription pill container is provided. A first compartment that can function as a traditional prescription pill bottle has a closure that is engaged by a second, smaller compartment of a second container. The interior volume of each container can be accessed independently. The second container provides a receptacle in which a daily or weekly dosage of medicine may be housed to make it easier for a patient to determine if the day's dose was taken. Optionally, the second compartment can be removed to make it easier for a smaller quantity of medicine to be carried by a patient.

Abstract: Packaging and delivery systems and methods for lighting devices such as streetlights. One embodiment of the invention includes a lighting device packaging and delivery system for a partially or completely preassembled and pre-wired luminaire and pole. The packaging and methods allow the unit to be shipped and installed with very little or no assembly required. The unit, or multi-pack of units, may be packaged with all of the required components, such as the photo control and lamp, already installed.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for ripening and displaying fruit are provided. Methods of making those apparatuses are also disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatuses and methods employ multiple platforms and other features for ripening fruit that increase fruit ripening speed, improve fruit flavor, reduce fruit bruising, and accommodate different ripening rates of different fruit. Other aspects and features disclosed herein further help achieve those goals, and particularly help fruit consumers to ripen store bought fruit.

Abstract: An improved container for storing, dispensing and handling viscous and semi-viscous fluids such as paint and the like, having novel spout and other design features that enable substantially dripless dispensing and improved handling and storage.

Abstract: A combinative cabinet includes a cabinet body formed with five sideboards with an open front side. An upper, a lower, a right and a left sideboard are respectively provided with two dovetail-shaped projections spaced apart by a same shaped groove or two same-shaped grooves spaced apart with a dovetail-shaped projection, and an L-shaped groove respectively formed at two rear corners of the upper, the lower, the right and the left sideboard. Then plural sets of two assembled cabinet bodies are combined together by juxtaposing and superposing modes, and this assembling method is repeatedly used for forming a large mass of plural combinative cabinets assembled together with convenience, fastness and stability.

Abstract: A wafer container comprising a base and a cover that nest together. The cover includes tabs on a lower portion that engage notches on the frame. The cover can be combined with the base without indexing to a precise opening on the frame. A handle on the cover enables an operator to easily rotate the container into a locked position. A ribbed pattern on the exterior surface of the frame enables the wafer container to be stacked with another wafer container.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention modules for both the display and transport of books are described. Each module of the one embodiment comprises an interlocking feature for coupling two modules together with an open side of the modules facing horizontally outwardly. The interlocking feature further permits a user to partially rest a upper module on the front portion of the topside of an underlying module to align and steady the potentially heavy upper module before coupling the modules. The one embodiment modules are also configured for being stacked together with the open side of the modules facing upwardly for transport.

Abstract: The present invention relates to containers, and more specifically, to plastic containers. The containers described herein may be applied to any use, but they are particularly useful for storing paint.

Abstract: A container having corner regions with hollow bodies is provided. Locking devices are provided that are received in the corner regions. Electrically driven, rotatable and displaceable locking mechanisms are respectively disposed in corners of the container. For a lower region of each locking mechanism, a locking member is provided that is adapted to engage in corresponding hollow bodies, disposed on upper corner regions of a comparable container disposed there below and adapted to receive locking devices, for interlocking the containers, sensors and signal emitters are disposed in the container for indicating a respective position of one of the locking mechanisms in a corner of the container.

Abstract: A multi-well plate cover and assembly comprises a lid and a gasket. The lid is formed of a resilient material and configured to apply a compressive spring force to the surface of the gasket to seal the wells in a multi-well plate when the cover is secured to the multi-well plate. The lid has members for mechanical manipulation and for attachment to the multi-well plate.

Abstract: A microplate cover assembly which is compatible with manual workstations or robotic handling systems used for high throughput screening. The cover assembly includes a cover, a pressure plate and a layer of sealing material. The cover is shaped such that when it is engaged with a microplate, the cover exerts a compressive force on the pressure plate, which in turn disperses the force in a substantially uniform manner across the layer of sealing material. The cover and pressure plate also include laterally-extending tabs which allow it to be engaged with or disengaged from a microplate in a fully automated fashion.

Abstract: An interlocking device for use with rectangular containers, such as metal ammunition containers having a top lid, is shown. The interlocking device comprises a substantially flat plate, coextensive with the top lid of the containers, and having a set of locking tabs to attach to the top lid. The device also has a set of positioning tabs to engage the bottom of another container, when such containers are stacked. The device is attached to similar devices by a set of interconnection mechanisms, which may be male-female connectors located along each edge of the device, such that the interlocking mechanisms on the front and rear edges of the device are of opposite interlocking design and the locking mechanism on the front edge of one device will demountably interlock with the locking mechanism on the rear edge of another device.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system is provided that automates the process of handling a mixed inventory of palletized and containerized items. The invention is particularly useful in handling cargo and weapons within a ship's hold or magazine. When used on a ship, the invention provides for the stowing and unstowing of loads quickly and efficiently, to automatically secure such payloads for sea and to achieve high stowage density, while retaining the capability to select and retrieve any ordered payload, move it to and load it on elevator trays under computer control.

Abstract: A stackable drawer enclosure including an enclosure element formed of carton and front and rear end elements formed of plastic, joined to the enclosure element and providing removable attachment with similar drawer enclosures stacked thereon.

Abstract: A shoe storage box includes a bottom board, a first side board, a top board, a second side board, a rear board and a front board. A V-shaped notch is formed at a joint between each of the bottom board and the first side board, the first side board and the top board, the bottom board and the rear board such that the first side board is able to be vertical to the bottom board, the top board is vertical to the first side board, and the rear board is able to be vertical to the bottom board. A ventilation layer is received in the shoe storage box so that air circulation between inside and outside the shoe storage box is secured.

Abstract: A modular combat load system which is man-portable, light weight and easily moved from one location to another and which allows the military to supply troops with mission critical consumable supplies, such as drinking water, in a combat environment. The system has sixteen modular combat load units stacked on a pallet. The modular combat load system may be a disposable modular combat load unit which includes a mission requirements unit load container designed to hold a plurality of individual disposable combat modular storage units of varying size. Each individual storage unit may be used for storage and transport of food, water, medical supplies, ammunition and other consumables used by military troops in a combat zone.

Abstract: A cutting and fillet board with drain is adapted for removable attachment to a conventional IGLOO® ice chest cooler and other similar ice chest coolers. The cutting and fillet board has a planar, generally rectangular board member fabricated of a high-density polymer and includes a raised peripheral wall. The board member has a generally smooth filleting surface designed for use during cutting, cleaning, and filleting fish. An attachment means facilitates removable attachment of the board member to an upper surface of an ice chest cooler top. A pair of drainage portals facilitate drainage from the filleting surface, while drain plugs serve to prevent drainage onto the ice chest cooler top. A cutting instrument retention means provides for temporary storage of a desired cutting instrument.

Abstract: A sectioned storage container for liquids has an inner plastic container to be filled with a liquid and a plastic receptacle that surrounds the inner container so that an intermediate space is formed between the inner container and the receptacle. The inner container is made of at least two blow-molded monolithic parts connected with one another by a groove-shaped vertical recess extending in the sidewalls, the container bottom, and the top of the inner container. The receptacle has an insertion opening for the inner container so that the inner container projects with top portions thereof upwardly from the receptacle through the insertion opening. The sidewalls and the receptacle bottom of the receptacle have a groove-shaped vertical recess which is matched to the recess of the sidewalls and the container bottom of the inner container. A peripheral vertical reinforcement strap engages the vertical recesses and reinforces the storage container.

Abstract: A liquid container for a comestible product such as milk or juice includes a base having a substantially planar region, a top surface having a substantially planar region parallel to the substantially planar region of the base and having a pour spout. A sidewall is integrally formed with and extends between the base and top surface, and includes a structural load distributing feature that transfers loads from the top surface to the base. A handle is interposed between the base and top surface and integrally formed with the base, top surface, and sidewall. The containers can be arrayed into units and stacked on top of one another. A first flexible material such as a shrink wrap holds the individual containers together and a second flexible material maintains the stacked array of containers together so that cases that typically hold the containers can be eliminated.

Abstract: Stackable plastic container including side portions having at least one of protrusions and depressions which nest with one of matching protrusions and depressions of a second container, and with the bottom portion including depressions which nest with the pouring spout and handle of a second container.

Abstract: A connector (10) used in packaging together two aerosol containers (A1, A2) for sale as a unit. A first connector segment (12) attaches to one aerosol container (A1), and a second connector segment (14) attaches to the other aerosol containers (A2). The connector segments grasp adjacent portions of the respective aerosol containers which, in one embodiment are stacked vertically, one above the other, and in other embodiments horizontally in a side-by-side configuration. In two of the embodiments, the connector is formed as a one piece, integral connector. In a third embodiment, the connector segments are separate pieces (12C and 14C) with one piece (12C) attaching to the top, cap portion of the containers, and the other piece (14C) attaching to the base of the respective containers. In each embodiment the containers are handled as a single unit regardless of whether one container or the other, or the connector, is used to move the containers.

Abstract: An auxiliary container (10) adapted for unintrusive coupling with a conventional medication container (12), such as pill bottle, cream tube, or spray can, wherein the auxiliary container (10) provides an independent storage space (26) which does not require breaking a seal of, removing, or replacing an existing lid (70) or cap of the conventional container (12). In one contemplated use, for example, the auxiliary container (10) is used to store small doses of a supplementary medication (14), such as aspirin, in close association with a primary medication (e.g., a heart medicine such as nitroglycerine), such that both are conveniently available and accessible for immediate use. In a preferred first embodiment, the auxiliary container (10) broadly comprises a body (16); a lid (18); a closure mechanism (20); and a coupling mechanism (22).

Abstract: A connector (10) used in packaging together two aerosol containers (A1, A2) for sale as a unit. A first connector segment (12) attaches to one aerosol container (A1), and a second connector segment (14) attaches to the other aerosol containers (A2). The connector segments grasp adjacent portions of the respective aerosol containers which, in one embodiment are stacked vertically, one above the other, and in other embodiments horizontally in a side-by-side configuration. In two of the embodiments, the connector is formed as a one piece, integral connector. In a third embodiment, the connector segments are separate pieces (12C and 14C) with one piece (12C) attaching to the top, cap portion of the containers, and the other piece (14C) attaching to the base of the respective containers. In each embodiment the containers are handled as a single unit regardless of whether one container or the other, or the connector, is used to move the containers.

Abstract: A modular combat load system which is man-portable, light weight and easily moved from one location to another and which allows the military to supply troops with mission critical consumable supplies, such as drinking water, in a combat environment. The system has sixteen modular combat load units stacked on a pallet. The modular combat load system may be a disposable modular combat load unit which includes a mission requirements unit load container designed to hold a plurality of individual disposable combat modular storage units of varying size. Each individual storage unit may be used for storage and transport of food, water, medical supplies, ammunition and other consumables used by military troops in a combat zone.

Abstract: A foldable tool kit comprises two abutted elongate first compartments, two abutted second compartments on either side of the first compartment, each second compartment being smaller than the first compartment, and a plurality of hinges each for coupling each of the second compartments to the first compartment or two of the second compartments on the same side. The stored tools are protected from being lost due to the provisions of engaged positioning pegs and holes on the second compartments as well as prevented from mixing due to the provision of covers on the second compartments while carrying.

Abstract: Beverage container holders which typically include a single-cup beverage container holder, a dual-cup beverage container holder, a three-cup beverage container holder and a four-cup beverage container holder. The respective beverage container holders are each characterized by at least one container cup and a handle attached to the container cup, which handle is typically hollow and serrated or scalloped to facilitate non-rotatable nesting of the handles of two or more of the beverage container holders in either stored or functional configuration. The various configurations of the container cups on the handles facilitates selective positioning of the container cups of multiple nested beverage container holders, to enable an individual to carry a selected number of beverages using one hand at the nested handles.

Abstract: A combination toy building block and container for holding liquids and the like having male connectors formed on one side of the container and female receptacles formed on an opposing side, wherein a male connector is threadably engaged with the container side such that it can be unscrewed to allow dispensing of the container's contents, and wherein a protrusion is recessed within one of the female receptacles for holding and/or carrying of the container. Identical containers or similar containers possessing similarly dimensioned male connectors and female receptacles can be connected to one another and/or stacked by engaging the male connectors of a first container with the female receptacles of a second container, and so on, essentially providing toy building blocks.

Abstract: A modular combat load system which is portable, light weight and easily moved from one location to another and which allows the military to supply troops with mission critical consumable supplies, such as drinking water, in a combat environment. The system has sixteen modular combat load units stacked on a pallet. Each modular combat unit has a water/fuel module positioned at the upper end of the unit, a mission requirements module which comprises the lower portion of unit and a field pack module assembly which is positioned within a cavity formed within the interior of the mission requirements module. The field pack module assembly holds a plurality of field pack storage units which are stacked on top of one another within the tray. The field pack storage units are of sufficient size to hold one day of consumable supplies for use by a soldier in a combat environment.

Abstract: A lot management production method in which the lot size is reduced in order to respond to an order for small volume of large variety, without increasing the intermediate inventory and reducing lead-time, however without reducing the productivity of a production of large volume of small variety. Part of the processes in a production line are performed for pieces, or products to be manufactured, in a single lot, while other processes are done for pieces in a group or aggregate of single lots.

Abstract: A case module for articles comprises an open top case chamber confined by a front wall, a rear wall, a left wall, a right wall, and a bottom wall, a front part disposed in front of the font wall, a rear part disposed in front of the rear wall, and a flat upper lid. The characteristics is in that the case module can be lifted in a state of opening by way of two lid projections on the upper lid being inserted between a beam groove in the rear part and the case chamber and the support device being inserted into the lid cover. Moreover, a right and left connection of the case modules can be performed by that the wall frame on the left wall of the one case module being inserted into the wall recess on the right wall of the another case module. A front and rear connection of the case modules can be performed by that a rear stick on the one case module is inserted into a front post of the another case module.

Abstract: A portable workshop container assembly adapted to store tools and other articles a worker requires to perform various tasks at a workplace. The assembly includes three major components in stacked relation. The lower component is a wheeled bucket the middle component is a tray nested in the bucket and provided with a rim, and the third component is a tool box that rests on the rim. Also provided is a latching mechanism having a latch which is pivoted by a toggle member to the upper end of the bucket and cooperates with a first catch element mounted at the bottom of the tool box and a second catch element mounted on the rim of the tray. When the tool box rests on the rim, the first and second catch elements are then adjacent each other. In one mode of operation, the latch simultaneously engages the first and second latch elements to interlock all three components to form a unitary assembly that can be wheeled to the work place.

Abstract: A toy capsule for containing toys and for constructing structures has an upper portion and a lower portion with wherein the upper and lower portions are detachably connected at their respective open ends thereby defining a closed container when the open ends are connected. A tapered thickened wall portion on each of the upper and lower portions extends concentrically from an intermediate location of an external surface of each of the cylindrical wall portions of the upper and lower portions and tapers to a thicker portion at the respective closed ends. One of the upper and lower portion closed ends has a rounded projection and the remaining upper and lower closed end has a projecting ridge defining a recess capable of receiving the rounded projection to form a releasable frictional tight fit connection.

Abstract: This invention relates to a storage container and to a stack of such containers, and in particular to a container for the storage of a number of similarly-sized articles such as compact disks or the like. According to the invention there is provided a storage container for compact disks or the like having a first connector part and a second connector part, the connector parts being adapted to interconnect the storage container with at least one adjacent storage container so that the container is stackable. There is also provided a stack of storage containers in which the first connector part of one storage container is interconnected with the second connector part of an adjacent storage container, and in which all of the storage containers in the stack are identically formed.

Abstract: Modular containers that can be interconnected, for multiple uses of the type that, forming a bottle or similar thing, of structure and materials usually developed for their disposal, essentially includes a bottom and lateral walls finished in a top wall. This top wall is prolonged in a neck delimiting an access mouth to an interior or the container that can be shut by means of a cover that is removable. The lateral walls, as do those of the bottom and top, possess means of lateral and top interconnection with other containers of similar characteristics, including compatible recesses and salients and of reciprocal fit through initial, but not continuous pressure.

Abstract: A system of identical modular containers which can be piled up on top of one another, characterized in that between one container (11) and another, releasable means of reciprocal clamping are envisaged.