Having Structure To Stack Or Nest When Not In Use Patents (Class 220/380)
  • Patent number: 10723523
    Abstract: This invention is a tamper evident container having a base and removable lid comprising a pull tab and a lid surface, wherein the base and lid fit together with an interference fit. The pull tab extends toward the center of the lid surface and away from a base portion of the pull tab, the base portion being located at an edge of the lid. The pull tab further comprises a pull tab portion having a first side that is attached to a first tab marker by a first frangible line, and a second side that is attached to a second tab marker by a second frangible line. The pull tab portion overlays at least one detent that marginally biases the pull tab portion away from the lid surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: FABRI-KAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Trahan, Mike Hanson, Josh Shaw, Rodger Gibson, Alex Proidan
  • Patent number: 9725214
    Abstract: An improved container lid comprising an integral lid retaining channel which is configured to accept and be press fit onto the circumferential rim of a container, such as, for instance, a coffee cup is disclosed in preferred and various alternate embodiments. The improved container lid of the invention may comprise any material suitable for container lids such as paper, waxed paper, plastic, or other materials known in the art. The improved container lid of the invention is adapted to be retained upon, for example, a lip of a beverage container while the beverage container is in use. Thus, the improved container lid of the invention prevents accidental loss of the container lid and may be used in an open or closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Crosby Unlimited, L.L.C.
    Inventor: William Crosby
  • Patent number: 9663269
    Abstract: A container and lid system is designed to nest and positively attach to other identically sized portions. Stacks of containers and lids are subsequently connected together to form a unitary stack which provides compact storage and organization of the system. The container and lid portions of the system may be configured with various complementing an integrally-molded features which enable engagement and retention thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventor: Roy Lasris
  • Patent number: 9611096
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a residential-sized waste disposal roll-out cart that includes a latch that automatically latches a lid in the fully opened position with the lid in dose proximity to the side of the bin. When the bin is tilted on to the wheels to be rolled, the lid remains in close proximity to the side of the bin, rather than hanging down towards the ground. In this way, the lid remains out of the space where a user might step. A lid reinforcement structure may be used to increase the strength and wear of the lid where it engages the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Brokaw Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kim C Brokaw
  • Patent number: 9387961
    Abstract: A lid for a drinking cup enables drinking while inhibiting splashing and spilling. The lid features a dispensing well formed in a drinking spout. The dispensing well includes a plurality of openings in a sidewall proximate a spout front wall. All direct liquid paths out of the cup are substantially blocked. A plurality of baffles around the openings direct beverage flow in a plurality of channels before the beverage reaches the dispensing well. Beverage splashes larger than the channels are deflected or broken up, before passing through. The placement of the openings directs splashed liquid away from the user. A plurality of vent holes is provided to allow air to enter the cup as beverage is consumed. Vent holes located near the dispensing well can be blocked during drinking when the cup is full and the beverage is hot, but unblocked as the beverage cools and is consumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Waddington North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Ashish K Mithal
  • Patent number: 9004282
    Abstract: A nestable container and lid are provided. A first container may be received by a second container such that the first container nests in the second container. The lid of the first container is also nestable in the open lid of the second container when the lids of the first container and the second container are opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: William Van Ness
  • Patent number: 8967416
    Abstract: A food storage container has a base with a bottom, a continuous side wall extending up from the bottom and terminating at an upper end, a storage space within the side wall above the bottom, and an open top. A lid of the container is configured to attach to and close off the open top. A tray of the container has a perforate panel and a tray foot. The tray can fit within the storage space with the tray foot resting on the bottom of the base and the perforate panel elevated above the bottom of the base. A connecting structure is carried in part on the lid, in part on the base, and in part on the tray and is configured so that the lid and the tray can be connected to one another and to the bottom under the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventor: Brian Douglas Furlong
  • Patent number: 8961475
    Abstract: Caps can be used to cover and disinfect medical connectors. Some caps can create a seal with the medical connectors to prevent antiseptic from entering a fluid paths defined by a connector. Support members can aid in creating or maintaining the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Catheter Connections, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, Steven Bandis, James V. Mercer, Michael W. Howlett, Robert Hitchcock, James Paul Kennedy, Richard Lasher
  • Patent number: 8910677
    Abstract: A fuel tank filler port cap assembly having an adapter for use with a vapor recovery dispensing nozzle to aid in filling a fuel tank of a motorcycle such as to allow complete filling of the tank while reducing spills and allowing the safety and environmental features of the vapor recovery dispensing nozzle to work is herein disclosed. The adapter includes a cylindrical cover base that engages the opening on the fuel tank and forms a vapor tight seal. A tubular inner sleeve is extendably from the cover base and has a top having an opening which engages the accordion-like collar on the fuel dispenser nozzle equipped with vapor recovery or vapor conservation nozzles. In such a manner, the tank and nozzle connection remain intact, but the nozzle remains mostly out of the tank allowing the fuel tank to be completely filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Robert H. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 8870021
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a vessel-lid combination includes a ceramic or glass vessel having an open top surrounded by a peripheral edge, a lid fabricated of a plastic material, and a seal structure. The lid is configured to attach to the open top by means of a latch or set of latches integrated with the lid, and the seal structure is configured to provide an air-tight seal between the lid and the peripheral edge of the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Snapware Corporation
    Inventor: Justin Smyers
  • Patent number: 8857615
    Abstract: A thermoformed container system with a tray and a lid mounted on the tray, that includes special structures to help two or more containers to stand on their bottom edges when nested together, even though each individual container would be too unstable to stand in isolation. Alternative embodiments of the invention include a product case pack comprising at least two containers with product inside each container, and a method of retail sales display of two or more containers, where the containers are adapted to stand on their bottom edges when nested together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Plastic Ingenuity, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. LaMasney
  • Patent number: 8733550
    Abstract: Stackable lids for a container each include a top surface facing generally in a first direction and a bottom surface opposite the top surface and facing generally in a second direction. Pivotable wing portions extend from each side edge of the lid and each pivotable wing portion is joined to its respective side edge by a hinge. The wing portions are moveable between engaged and disengaged positions, and an inner surface of each wing includes a tab member configured for detent engagement with a rim of the container. The lid also includes corner portions extending between the side edges. Each corner portion includes a skirt portion extending generally in the second direction. Each corner portion also defines a recessed shoulder configured to receive the skirt portion of another when the lids are stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: WKI Holding Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis S. Harvey, Steven M. Grider, Justin M. Smyers
  • Patent number: 8727163
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a lid may include a valve chamber comprising a hollow chamber, a valve flap and a hinge. The hollow chamber may be defined by one or more sidewalls and have a first opening at a first longitudinal end and a second opening at an opposing, second longitudinal end. The valve flap may be positioned at least proximate to the second longitudinal end and have a shape and size substantially the same as a shape and size of the second opening. The hinge may couple the valve flap to a sidewall of the one or more sidewalls and may be sized and configured to enable the rotation of the valve flap from an open position to a substantially closed position. Container assemblies and methods of forming lids are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Joel Chrisman
  • Patent number: 8708189
    Abstract: A disposable pest entry barrier and open bottle cover is constructed in various shapes, such as conical or cylindrical, having a sidewall, a closed end and an opposite open end. The bottle cover is formed from a disposable material, such as cardboard or plastic. The bottle cover is coated or sprayed with a solution consisting primarily of lemongrass essential oil. This oil solution acts as a natural repellent and deters fruit flies and other contaminating pests from entering the open end of a bottle on which the bottle cover is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: William G. Reitzig
  • Patent number: 8701887
    Abstract: A container adapted to be stacked on top of a second container is provided. The container includes a first end wall and a sidewall having a first end and a second end. The container includes a first seam coupling the first end wall to the first end of the sidewall, the first seam including a shoulder extending inwardly from an outer surface of the first seam. The container includes an alignment feature extending from the shoulder away from the first end wall. The alignment feature is adapted to align the container relative to the second container and to resist lateral movement of the container relative to the second container when the container is stacked on top of the second container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Silgan Containers LLC
    Inventors: Gerald Baker, Thomas Murphy
  • Patent number: 8695825
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide an apparatus that includes a container configured to store and transport drilling waste, a lid coupled to the container, and at least one arm coupled to the lid and configured to lift or lower the lid when moved, wherein the at least one arm comprises a counterweight. Disclosed embodiments also provide a method of opening and closing an apparatus. The method includes moving at least one arm coupled to a lid of the apparatus to an open position, wherein the apparatus is configured to store and transport drilling waste, disposing drilling waste in the apparatus, and moving the at least on arm coupled to the lid of the apparatus to a closed position. Disclosed embodiments also provide a method of modifying a mud skip that includes coupling at least one arm to a lid of the mud skip configured to store and transport drilling waste, wherein the at least one arm comprises a counterweight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: M-1 LLC
    Inventor: Kjell Magne Oksnevad
  • Patent number: 8690007
    Abstract: A lid for industrial or commercial large size solid waste containers has a ribbed single layer central portion and a peripheral edge having a hollow double wall boxed configuration. The lids have substantial symmetry so that the lids may be stacked and nested with alternate lids oriented in opposite front-to-back directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Craig V. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8573400
    Abstract: A thermoformed container system with a tray and a lid mounted on the tray, that includes special structures to help two or more containers to stand on their bottom edges when nested together, even though each individual container would be too unstable to stand in isolation. Alternative embodiments of the invention include a product case pack comprising at least two containers with product inside each container, and a method of retail sales display of two or more containers, where the containers are adapted to stand on their bottom edges when nested together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Plastic Ingenuity, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. LaMasney
  • Patent number: 8567604
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to containers for storage and transportation of items such as produce harvested with its roots intact. The containers include a base and lid hingedly connected together on at least one edge, and may be stacked to maximize density for storage so that a shipping receptacle can hold more produce while taking up the same place, allowing for more efficient transportation saving on transportation costs and storage. In addition to saving costs on transportation and storage, the containers maintain the freshness of the produce harvested with its roots intact by keeping away soil, soil debris and moisture from the remaining portions of the produce. When containers are stacked together, a substantially circular recessed center portion on a top surface of the lid of a first container is adapted to receive a substantially circular male protruding center portion one the base of a second, identical container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Green Growth Consulting, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Overgaad
  • Patent number: 8544679
    Abstract: A lid includes a grip member (3) capable of being at least in a stacked state wherein it does not prevent stacking of the lid with another similar lid, and a gripping state wherein it has a released surface for gripping the lid. The lid includes at least one elastic member (14) moving the grip member (3) from its stacked state to its gripping state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Pascal Cuillery
  • Patent number: 8540105
    Abstract: An easily openable metal can largely openable in the arranged state of two sheet metal-made cans in series. A means such as a projection for opening the drinking mouth of another can is formed at the lower part of a can body, and a break line and a means for guiding the means such as the projection are formed at the upper part thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: Norio Yasui
  • Patent number: 8523831
    Abstract: Caps can be used to cover and disinfect medical connectors. Some caps can create a seal with the medical connectors to prevent antiseptic from entering a fluid paths defined by a connector. Support members can aid in creating or maintaining the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Catheter Connections, Inc., The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett, Robert Hitchcock, James Kennedy, Richard Lasher
  • Patent number: 8523830
    Abstract: Caps can be used to cover and disinfect a male protrusion portion of a medical connector. Some caps can create a seal with the male protrusion to prevent antiseptic from entering a lumen the protrusion. A biasing element can aid in creating or maintaining the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Catheter Connections
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael W. Howlett
  • Patent number: 8430268
    Abstract: A lid for securing to the brim of a container, the lid including a container closure having a disk shaped member with a periphery for mating with the brim of the container. The periphery includes annular inner and outer side walls with at least one annular rib disposed on each of the inner and outer side walls. The ribs of the annular walls form a gripping area to secure the lid to the container for preventing leaks and accidental spillage. A top wall interconnects the inner and outer side walls and includes visual cues for viewing the brim of the container when the lid is affixed to the brim. The lid additionally includes a pronounced wedge shaped sipping spout projecting upwards from the container closure. The container closure includes a circular indented channel for stacking one lid covered cup over another with additional stability provided by the sipping spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventors: David Weiss, Martin Pechter, Tom Talbot
  • Patent number: 8413840
    Abstract: A handle attached to cookware piece configured to position the cookware piece within a larger cookware piece in a nested arrangement. The handle may include a body having a slot disposed within a bottom surface of the handle body. The slot may be configured such that when a smaller cookware piece is positioned within a larger cookware piece, an upper edge the smaller cookware piece is equal to or less than the same height of an upper edge of the larger cookware piece. The smaller cookware piece may be held by the slot within the larger cookware piece in a substantially horizontal orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignees: SEB S.A., Groupe SEB USA
    Inventors: Paul Metaxatos, Bernard Maurer, Andy Padawer, Duane Kutsch
  • Patent number: 8343112
    Abstract: Some assemblies can include a male cap and a female cap, each of which can be used to cover separated medical connectors. In certain arrangements, a male cap can include a movable carriage that transitions from a retracted position when an assembly with which the male cap is associated is in a closed state to an extended position when the assembly is in an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignees: Catheter Connections, Inc., The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett, Robert Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 8336730
    Abstract: A protective seal for application onto a beverage can, which is capable by virtue of its geometric configuration of providing efficient sealing against possible contamination that may come into contact with the upper outer portion of the can, and providing high resistance to penetration of substances and/or contaminants onto the can surface by virtue of the cooperation of compressive forces exerted by the surfaces of the protective seal onto the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: CBE—Companhia Brasileira De Embalagens S/A
    Inventor: Jacques Pontes
  • Patent number: 8317054
    Abstract: A server lid for a container with an integral tear strip tamper evident feature is presented. A tear strip for the tamper evident feature is molded as an adjunct to a base member which forms the closure. The tear strip is joined to the base by at least one frangible web, and hinges about the frangible web to overlie front edges of one or more flaps formed in the server lid. Ultrasonic welds connect the overlying tear strip to the flaps or adjacent the flaps for providing a tamper evident feature. The shape of the server lid provides stackability in that the base rim of the container will fit over the upper portion of the lid, including frangible webs to allow interfitting of one container bottom with the container closure of the next, to allow the containers to be stacked on a shelf without substantial danger of slipping or tipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: J.L. Clark, Inc.
    Inventor: George Solowiejko
  • Patent number: 8276783
    Abstract: A food/beverage container includes a cup-shaped main body for containing liquid content, and a cap having a hemisphere body provided with a spouting portion. The cap is designed to be normally or inversely fitted on the cup-shaped main body. The cap includes a first coupling part along an outer circumference configured to attach to and tightly contact a coupling edge of the container for normal fitting in an opposed second coupling part positioned opposite the first coupling part for inversely fitting to the cup-shaped main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Jung-Min Lee
  • Patent number: 8231027
    Abstract: A cover for a container fits with a sliding air tight fit over the container body. A cover air release valve allows escape of air from the container when removing and installing the cover to create a vacuum seal fit. A handle positioned adjacent to the air release valve enables a user to remove and install the cover with a single hand gripping the handle and pressing the air release valve. Protrusions extending from opposite sides of the container sleeve engage mating L-shaped openings in a bottom edge of the cover to lock the cover in place. Special dual sided cradles engage a top of a vacuum sealed container below each cradle and a bottom of a vacuum sealed container above each cradle so that a series of cradles are used to vertically stack a number of vacuum sealed containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventors: Jui Te Wang, Jordan S. Tarlow
  • Patent number: 8197749
    Abstract: Illustrative pairs of caps are disclosed, each of the caps being sized and shaped to provide a protective union about a separated medical connector. A pair of caps can include a male cap and a female cap, each of which is configured to be coupled to the other cap in an assembly. The assembly is sealed until the caps are separated for use, thereby maintaining sterility of the internal surfaces of the caps. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Michael W. Howlett, James V. Mercer
  • Patent number: 8191728
    Abstract: A container cover for use with a container having a neck. The cover includes a lid, a skirt extending downward from the circumference of the lid, and a concentric plug seal extending from the lid inside the skirt. The cover also includes an annular recessed channel circumscribing the center of the lid, with the channel including at least one hole in a side wall of the channel, the hole allowing air to pass through the lid. The skirt preferably includes six lock panels. The sides of the lock panels are defined by vertical slots in the skirt, and each lock panel features at least one inwardly-projecting lock. When the cover is locked on the container, the locks engage a lip on the container neck. When a user wishes to remove the cover, the user pulls up on the edge of a lock panel, disengaging the locks from the container lip and removing the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Stull Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Auer, Jason Wesley Stull, Jameson P. Stull
  • Patent number: 8186540
    Abstract: A universal lid for industrial or commercial large size solid waste containers, has a ribbed single layer central portion and a peripheral edge having a hollow double wall boxed configuration. The boxed perimeter may have a predetermined height such as approximately one inch, and the lid is provided with hinge lugs having a vertical extent substantially more but not more than twice than said predetermined height. In addition, the lids have substantial symmetry so that the lids may be stacked and nested with alternate lids oriented in opposite front-to-back directions. With this type of lid, the advantages of both single layer and double layer lid constructions may be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Craig V. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8177761
    Abstract: Illustrative pairs of caps are disclosed, each of the caps being sized and shaped to provide a protective union about a separated medical connector. The pair of caps comprises an assembly that includes a male cap and a female cap. The assembly is sealed until the caps are separated for use, thereby maintaining sterility of the internal surfaces of the caps. One or more absorbent pads may be impregnated with an antiseptic agent and positioned within the pair of caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Michael W. Howlett, James V. Mercer
  • Patent number: 8147580
    Abstract: A lid-opening apparatus for a dust collector includes a base installed on a lid, a controller connected on the base, a cord defining a first end associated with a conduit and a second end associated with the frame, and a limiting member associated with the cord and between the first end and the second end of the cord. The controller can be rotated to a first position and a second position. While the controller is in the first position, the cord is in a loose condition, a flexible portion of the conduit is stretched, and the lid seals the container. While the controller is in the second position, the cord is in a tight condition, the flexible portion of the conduit shortens, and the lid leaves the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Meta International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Peng Lin
  • Patent number: 8118190
    Abstract: A container 100 includes a cover 102 and a base 104. The container cover 102 includes a first closure portion, an engagement portion 208, and an alignment portion. The base 104 includes a second closure portion. The first closure portion of the cover 104 is sealingly engageable with the second closure portion of the base 104 to define a sealed storage area. The covers 102 stack together in two different ways. First, the covers 102 can be stacked into an “aligned” stack. Second, the covers 102 can be stacked into a releasably locked stack. The alignment portion of the cover 102 is engageable with the alignment portion of a second cover 602 to form an aligned cover stack. The engagement portion 208 of the cover 102 includes one or more engagement lugs 424 that are engageable with corresponding engagement lugs 624 of the engagement portion 608 of a second cover 602 to form a releasably locked cover stack 750.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventor: Ryan J. Coonce
  • Patent number: 8113377
    Abstract: A server lid for a container with an integral tear strip tamper evident feature is presented. A tear strip for the tamper evident feature is molded as an adjunct to a base member which forms the closure. The tear strip is joined to the base by at least one frangible web, and hinges about the frangible web to overlie front edges of one or more flaps formed in the server lid. Ultrasonic welds connect the overlying tear strip to the flaps or adjacent the flaps for providing a tamper evident feature. The shape of the server lid provides stackability in that the base rim of the container will fit over the upper portion of the lid, including frangible webs to allow interfitting of one container bottom with the container closure of the next, to allow the containers to be stacked on a shelf without substantial danger of slipping or tipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: J.L. Clark, Inc.
    Inventor: George Solowiejko
  • Publication number: 20120031907
    Abstract: A vented container consists of multiple zip locks and tiny channels formed between its lid and its base. The zip locks securely attach the lid to the base, while the channels allow steam inside of the container to escape freely but keep liquid from spilling out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Li Yao
  • Patent number: 8087539
    Abstract: A container cover for use with a container having a neck. The cover includes a lid, a skirt extending downward from the circumference of the lid, and a concentric plug seal extending from the lid inside the skirt. The cover also may include vent holes in the lid. The skirt preferably includes six lock panels. The sides of the lock panels are defined by vertical slots in the skirt, and each lock panel features at least one inwardly-projecting lock. When the cover is locked on the container, the locks engage a lip on the container neck. When a user wishes to remove the cover, the user pulls up on the edge of a lock panel, disengaging the locks from the container lip and removing the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Stull Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Auer, Jason Wesley Stull
  • Patent number: 8079493
    Abstract: A lid for industrial or commercial large size solid waste containers has a ribbed single layer central portion and a peripheral edge having a hollow double wall boxed configuration. The lids have substantial symmetry so that the lids may be stacked and nested with alternate lids oriented in opposite front-to-back directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Craig V. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20110284537
    Abstract: A bowl-shaped molded plastic cradle has bottom contours which are complemental to the topographical features of a thermoformed drink cup lid so that the cradle and lid may be nested within one another in a laterally stable association. This allows a food product such as a donut to be placed within the tray and marketed with, for example, hot coffee in a synergistic association.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: M & N PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventor: Vincenzo S. CERASANI
  • Patent number: 8047392
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Dean Intellectual Property Services II, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl T. Eiten, Matthew J. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7874454
    Abstract: A universal lid for industrial or commercial large size solid waste containers, has a ribbed single layer central portion and a peripheral edge having a hollow double wall boxed configuration. The boxed perimeter may have a predetermined height such as approximately one inch, and the lid is provided with hinge lugs having a vertical extent substantially more but not more than twice than said predetermined height. In addition, the lids have substantial symmetry so that the lids may be stacked and nested with alternate lids oriented in opposite front-to-back directions. With this type of lid, the advantages of both single layer and double layer lid constructions may be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Craig V. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7861881
    Abstract: An overcap for selectively covering a container of a microwaveable packaged good article is described. The overcap includes a panel, a neck extending from the panel, and a skirt radially spaced from the neck. The skirt defines at least two areas of reduced thickness spaced from one another, which are configured to allow the skirt to flex when the overcap is removed from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: General Mills Cereals, LLC.
    Inventors: El-Afandi Ali, Larche Glen
  • Publication number: 20100236966
    Abstract: Container assembly includes a container part and a lid part. The lid part has a connection portion to be connected to the container part. For automatic assembly of the container assembly from the container part and the lid part it is advantageous that separate lid parts can be manipulated easily. To that end it is proposed to embody the lid parts such a way that they are stackable in a stable way. More particular it is proposed to provide the top side of the lid with a circumferential cam which can engage inside a circumferential rim of the connection portion. To be able to remove dust and debris from the top side of the lid it is proposed to provide a circumferential cam with interruptions. When part of the lid is shaped to correspond with part of the spoon, the interruption should preferably located at such shape such as a spoon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: N.V. NUTRICIA
    Inventors: Nicolaas Luttik, Robert Johan Joseph Hageman
  • Publication number: 20100176022
    Abstract: A food storage container has a base with a bottom, a continuous side wall extending up from the bottom and terminating at an upper end, a storage space within the side wall above the bottom, and an open top bounded by the upper end. A lid of the container has a main panel section and a perimeter skirt around the main panel section. The lid is configured to attach to and close off the open top near the upper end of the side wall. A tray of the container has a perforate panel and a tray foot. The tray is sized to fit within the storage space with the tray foot resting on the bottom of the base and the perforate panel elevated above the bottom of the base. A connecting structure is carried in part on the lid, in part on the base, and in part on the tray and is configured so that the lid and the tray can be connected to one another and to the bottom under the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventor: Brian Douglas Furlong
  • Patent number: 7743937
    Abstract: A lid for industrial or commercial large size solid waste containers has a ribbed single layer central portion and a peripheral edge having a hollow double wall boxed configuration. The lids have substantial symmetry so that the lids may be stacked and nested with alternate lids oriented in opposite front-to-back directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: Craig V. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7726483
    Abstract: The container can be locked into a stack of containers. A container cover locks onto the top of a container base to define a sealed area for storage. Additionally, the bottom of a second container base can be locked onto the top of the cover of a first container. In this fashion, when closed containers are stacked, they form a locked stack that is more structurally rigid and therefore less precarious than a traditional, non-locked container stack. When not in use, the bases can be formed into a nested stack, and their covers can be locked together to form a locked cover stack. The locked cover stack can be locked to either the top or bottom of the nested base stack to form a rigid stack. In some embodiments, a cover can be turned upside down and its bottom face locked onto the bottom face of a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Anand Ramanujam, Ryan J. Coonce
  • Publication number: 20090283526
    Abstract: Lid assemblies, containers, and methods of producing them are disclosed herein. A lid assembly, comprising a dome portion, a rim-receiving portion, and a compression ring are configured to attach to a container and provide a seal between the lid assembly and the container. The lid assembly is made of a reusable, recyclable, and compostable material, such as molded paper, pulp, natural cellulose fibers cellulose fiber, tapioca, wood, agricultural recycled crop materials, plastics (PLA), clay, metals, petro plastics, silicone, PVC's, and PET styrene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: David Pierce, Edward Urquhart
  • Publication number: 20090173656
    Abstract: A storage container system has a plurality of container bases and lids. Each base has a bottom, a continuous side wall extending up from the bottom and terminating at a top edge, an interior storage space within the side wall above the bottom, and an open top bounded by the top edge. Each lid has a main panel section, a perimeter skirt around the main panel section, a top side, and a bottom side. Each lid is configured to close off the open top of any one of the plurality of container bases by connecting a part of the perimeter skirt to the side wall near the top edge. Each lid has a first connecting structure with a lid-to-lid component and a mating lid-to-lid component. Each lid-to-lid component is configured to connect to the mating lid-to-lid component on any other one of the plurality of lids to connect any two of the plurality of lids together. Each lid also has a lid-to-base component, which is part of a second connecting structure and is different from the first connecting structure components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventor: Brian D. Furlong