Abstract: A nestable crate for bottles having an upright retainer wall surrounding a horizontally disposed floor. The retainer wall has an upper portion, a lower portion, a vertically disposed interior surface and an exterior surface. A plurality of tangency pads are integrally formed in the upper portion of the retainer wall of its interior surface. A nesting window is formed in the interior surface of the retainer wall below each tangency pad. The crate accommodates both single bottles placed in the crate separated as well as bottle-filled cartons.

Abstract: A pair of side walls for supporting a tray in a stacked configuration and a stackable tray having a tray bottom and two such side walls joined to the tray bottom at opposite sides, each side wall having a channel along its top edge and a channel along its bottom edge and so configured that when two side walls of two such trays and their bottom edges are placed parallel and adjacent to each other, a portion of each such bottom edge can be received in a channel in a top edge of a side wall of a third tray of the invention. In the preferred embodiments shown, the tray bottom has egg holding cells. The trays can be stacked and unstacked by sliding trays at the top of a stack. The side walls have openings and supporting ribs providing support for weight carried by the side walls. The side walls are joined to be substantially parallel when the tray is loaded. The tray bottom is joined to the side walls with fillets that minimize the flexural deflection between tray bottom and side walls.

Abstract: A shaped generally rigid, polymeric sealed package having an ordered set of bacon pieces is provided. The ordered pieces can be provided as multiple arrays of bacon strips, whether whole, partial or broken slices. Each array can include a plurality of bacon pieces with a flexible sheeting positioned between vertically adjacent bacon piece arrays. Corresponding slices from respective arrays are in general vertical alignment with each other so as to form multiple stacks of bacon pieces. A generally rigid cover or pedestal is releasably hermetically secured to a rigid tray or bubble. Package walls are substantially transparent so that the consumer can readily inspect, prior to purchase, multiple entire lengths of bacon slice surfaces. The package is especially advantageous when the bacon pieces are in the form of partially-to-fully-cooked slices or slice portions. The bacon pieces are supported in their ordered set configuration by engagement, directly or indirectly, with interior surfaces of the sealed package.

Abstract: A beverage can tray floor has a plurality of redoubts on its bottom surface for cooperation with the rims of cans in a sub-adjacent tray to impede free sliding movement of an upper tray over the rims of cans in a sub-adjacent tray, while enabling the upper tray to be slid over the cans in the lower tray. The redoubts include at least one elongate, tapered redoubt that extends in spanning relationship to the rim of a can to facilitate initial lateral sliding movement. The tray also has peripheral heel protector bands extending around a bottom portion thereof to protect the heels of cans, and upstanding can spacer members between can seating areas to maintain cans in the tray spaced from one another and prevent displacement of the cans from their seating areas when the tray is tilted. The sidewall includes a plurality of spaced pillars extending upwardly from the floor and supporting a peripheral top rail.

Abstract: A stackable and nestable full-depth case for bottles having a floor structure for supporting a plurality of bottles thereon, a plurality of vertical columns extending upwards from the floor structure, a rim connecting the plurality of columns, and a bifurcated cover hingedly connected to an upper edge of the rim and positionable in open and closed positions over the bottles. The bifurcated cover includes a ceiling and a plurality of separating projections depending from an under surface of the ceiling. The separating projections engage the bottles when the cover is in the closed position thereover such that the bottles are retained in an upright position. Each separating projection is generally semi-cylindrical in shape and surrounds at least a portion of the top of each bottle. In a preferred embodiment, each separating projection includes an inner semi-cylindrical wall, an outer semi-cylindrical wall, and a sloping, semi-circular collar element connected therebetween.

Abstract: The positioning compartments of a bottle crate are divided in a transverse direction by transverse dividing elements which include supporting projections with hollows halfway up, and dividing tongues which project downwards in an elastically deformable manner below them. Arranged opposite the supporting projections, on an outer wall, are supporting fingers. If the bottle crate is placed on one of the outer walls while containing bottles, each lower bottle tilts about a support formed by the supporting fingers, the bottom of the bottle being displaced in the process against the respective outer wall, and each upper bottle is likewise tilted, about a support formed by the hollows, into a position in which it is secured against sliding out of the respective positioning compartment, this tilting movement involving deformation of the respective dividing tongue. Each dividing tongue is located between the respective bottles at all times and prevents them from banging against one another.

Abstract: A shaped generally rigid, synthetic plastic sealed package having multiple stacks of sliced bacon is provided. A generally rigid cover is releasably hermetically secured to a rigid tray. Package walls are substantially transparent so that the consumer can readily inspect, prior to purchase, multiple entire lengths of bacon slice surfaces. At least two stacks of vertically aligned bacon slices are arranged longitudinally in side-by-side relationship to each other.

Abstract: A shaped generally rigid, synthetic plastic sealed package having multiple stacks of sliced bacon is provided. A generally rigid cover is releasably hermetically secured to a rigid tray. Package walls are substantially transparent so that the consumer can readily inspect, prior to purchase, multiple entire lengths of bacon slice surfaces. At least two stacks of vertically aligned bacon slices are arranged longitudinally in side-by-side relationship to each other.

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

Abstract: A low-depth nestable tray for bottles which is deeply nestable with similar empty trays and is stackable or cross-stackable with similar loaded trays. The tray floor configured to receive the tops of bottles in a loaded tray therebeneath to stably support a stack of loaded trays. The tray wall structure includes nesting rib assemblies which comprise inwardly projecting, upwardly disposed nesting ledge and an outwardly projecting, downwardly disposed rib. The ledges and ribs positioned and configured relative to one another such that when the tray is nested a distance down into a similar empty tray the rib rests on the corresponding shelf or ledge of the similar empty tray, so that the load of nested trays is transmitted vertically downward and fraying of the tray wall structure is prevented.

Abstract: An automatic test apparatus for use in a test method to determine antimicrobial drugs. The test apparatus comprises a first aluminum, electrically heatable block with holes for the insertion of test containers and a separate, second cooling aluminum block adapted to be placed periodically in contact with the heated aluminum block to cool rapidly the heated block. The test apparatus includes timed signals existing therein to alert the test user. The test apparatus is adapted to provide for the timed sequential solid heating and cooling of one or more test containers containing a test sample.

Abstract: In a plastic bottle case having four side walls (4), bottom and at least one handle formed in a side wall, hollow reinforcing channels (6) closed along their periphery are formed by gas injection in the bottle case at least in certain areas.

Abstract: A thermoformed bowl filled and sealed with a sample food product forms a sample package. The bowl is sized and shaped to the contours of and so as to nest upon the shoulders of a plastic one gallon jug or bottle. The package has a centrally located die-cut hole to lock under the bottle neck boss. Free samples of the food product can thus be distributed to accompany regular sales of one gallon plastic containers of milk.

Abstract: A pallet assembly 10 with a select container 16, 18, 20, or 22 thereon comprises a body member 11 having a rear face 12 and front face 14, and sidewalls 48 supportably surrounding the rear and front faces 12, 14. In an alternative embodiment, a face plate 27 having a plurality of contoured openings 32 is affixed to rear face 12. Rear face 12 has at least one cavity 24 and a base 26 extending upwardly into cavity 24 defining a container receptacle 28. Front face 14 has at least one cavity 30 having a base 34 extending inwardly of cavity 30 and means cooperatively associated with the cavity 30 for defining a container receptacle 36 in front face 14. In practice, either the front face 14 or rear face 14 can be used to transport and store thereon a select container 16, 18, 20. 22.

Abstract: A stackable can tray system including a bottom tray loaded with a layer of cans each having a top rim, an upper tray having a plurality of spaced members depending down from a bottom floor surface of the tray, and a layer of cans in the upper tray. With the upper tray in a normal stacked position on the bottom layer of cans, the spaced members engage relative to the top rims of the cans and thereby block substantial movement of the tray and hold it in a secure position. A generally lateral force applied to the upper tray repositions the spaced members such that the upper tray filled with the layer of cans has its spaced members on the top rims of the cans and it can be slidingly pulled on top of the layer of cans in the bottom tray beneath it, and thereby unstacked.

Abstract: For cylindrical fluid containers, a nestable tray including a support floor having a top surface which is generally open across the entire length and width thereof. The top surface has a plurality of support areas for supporting thereon an array of upright cylindrical fluid containers such that the containers are directly adjacent to one another. A wall assembly is secured to and extends generally up from the floor and is dimensioned so that the containers when supported on the floor extend above the top of the wall assembly in a low-depth arrangement. The wall assembly has a substantial lower wall part adjacent the floor and a substantial upper wall part generally above the lower wall part and having an inward surface. The upper wall part is substantially vertical at least along the inward surface.

Abstract: A container system for recycling beverage cans and the like is provided, which consists of a plurality of containers, each having an upper flange and a contoured vertical inner surface, so as to permit the stacking of discarded beverage cans and the like one upon the other in side by side relationships and a stand for supporting each container by the upper flange one directly next to the other so as to take up minimum room in an orderly fashion. An inner disposable liner can than be removed with the discarded beverage cans contained therein while simultaneously preventing any remnants contained in any can from soiling the surrounding and appropriately sent to a proper recycling collection point.

Abstract: A modular unit, suitable for above-ground cellaring of bottled wine, including a body member of insulating material which defines a cellaring chamber region therein for bottled wine, the body member having a front access opening, and a separable cover member of insulating material able to be fitted to the body member for closing the opening and to be removed for access. The cover member is adapted to be retained by means of a friction fit in the opening and has inner and outer surfaces, and a peripheral edge between those surfaces. The cover member is fitted to the body member by being at least partially received in the opening to achieve a friction fit around the peripheral edge between that edge and an opposed sealing surface defined around the opening; with the peripheral edge and the sealing surface being configured such that the friction fit is achieved only in a final stage of application of the cover member.

Abstract: Reusable plastic trays for storing and transporting beverage containers, such as twelve-ounce metal cans and two-liter PET bottles. The tray floor has thereon an array of support areas for the containers. The tray rail thereof is spaced high enough above the floor and in a "low-depth" design to prevent the containers on the support areas from tipping during transport. A generally rectangular band having upright inside and outside faces and an outward lip on top of the band form the rail. Columns between adjacent support areas interconnect the rail and the floor and angle downwardly and inwardly therebetween. The columns open outwardly and thereby define vertical slots into which the columns of a similar tray can be slidingly received. The trays when empty can thereby be stacked in a deeply nesting position whereby each additional tray adds generally only the height of its narrow rail to the height of the nested trays.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crate for accommodating a plurality of bottles, comprising a bottom, four sidewalls each having a horizontal upper edge and window apertures, and partitions which form compartments for the bottles to be accommodated. The partitions terminate adjacent a sidewall in a column-shaped member which is located at least partly within the boundaries defined by the inner surfaces of the sidewalls and has a top surface extending close to the upper edge of the sidewall. According to the invention, a partition adjoining a column-shaped member, at least in the area adjacent to the column-shaped member, extends close to the upper edge of the column-shaped member.

Abstract: A reusable case for storing, transporting and merchandising bottles of alternatively first and second different sizes. The case has opposing open first and second ends and a shelf secured therein and midway between the ends. First and second different divider structures are formed on opposite respective sides of the shelf. The first divider structure, with the first end oriented up, defines within the case and on the shelf a first plurality of pockets for retaining bottles of the first size. Alternatively and with the case flipped over, a second plurality of pockets for the second size bottles is formed on the other side of the shelf by the second divider structure. Bottles positioned in either of the pockets extend above the top of the case in a merchandising position. When a similar case is stacked on top of the loaded case, the bottles extend up into the lower empty portion of the top case.

Abstract: A sturdy, reusable plastic low-depth tray suitable for transporting, storing and displaying sixteen-ounce bottles or other beverage containers. The low-depth, vertical sidewall thereof is molded with, to and about the outside rectangular perimeter of the open gridwork tray floor. The sidewall is free standing and unsupported throughout its height above the floor and is defined by a series of adjacent upright panels, alternating ones of which are raised such that their lower surfaces are spaced above the top of the floor. The top and bottom edges of the sidewall thereby have undulating configurations. An outwardly-disposed support lip extends along the entire length of the top edge, and the raised portions of the bottom edge are spaced above the top of the floor. This sidewall construction allows the trays to securely and compactly column nest when empty and to more fully display the bottles therein and their labels when the trays are loaded and stacked in a low-depth arrangement.

Abstract: A tray according to the present invention comprises a plastic body having upper and lower surfaces. A number of bottom sockets are distributively formed in the upper surface of the body so the respective bottom portions of bottles can be inserted individually in the bottom sockets. Each bottom socket has a configuration which is obtained by connecting those portions of the respective cross-sectional contours of the bottom portions of two or more different types of bottles which are situated outermost when the individual contours are superposed concentrically so that at least two diametrically facing regions of the one contour are not situated inside the other contour. Cap socket corresponding one of the bottom sockets is defined on the lower surface of the body. Each cap socket is a hole, such as a stepped hole, which has at least two hole portions with different inside diameters.

Abstract: A test tube cassette system and cassettes for use therein. Each cassette has a plurality of sample storage test tubes formed therein. The walls of the test tubes are planar thus providing superior optical characteristics. The cassettes are preferably molded of optically clear crystal polystyrene styrene. The test tubes cassette system also includes a rack for supporting and precisely positioning a plurality of cassettes. The system may also include either a plurality of stoppers for sealing the test tubes or a filter cassette adapted for insertion into the test tubes.In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the test tube cassette system of the present invention is particularly well adapted for automatic processing of the samples contained within the test tubes of the cassettes.