Abstract: A food serving plate with features that cooperatively interact with utensils to provide fun assistance to children with their effort to load food onto their utensils. The features on the plate include either or both of: a vertically slotted ramp that accepts the tines of an eating utensil, such as a fork, which allows a person to load food onto the utensil by pushing the food up the ramp and then sliding the utensil under the food when it has reached sufficient height; and a ramp with a nested depression that accepts the leading perimeter contours of a utensil with a food-receiving bowl, such as a spoon, which allows a person to load food onto the utensil by positioning the utensil within the nested depression and by pushing the food up the ramp and over the nested depression with a second utensil with a blunt profile, such as a pusher.

Abstract: A pressure vessel having reduced weight while satisfying required design conditions has polygonal upper and bottom walls, a side wall between the upper and bottom walls, an upper curved surface portion connecting the upper wall's peripheral edge and the side wall's upper end wall by curved surfaces convexed outward, and a lower curved surface portion connecting the bottom wall's peripheral edge and the side wall's lower end by curved surfaces convexed outward. The upper wall center portion is thicker than the upper curved surface portion, which is thicker than an upper wall annular portion formed between the upper wall center portion and the upper curved surface portion. The bottom wall center portion is thicker than the lower curved surface portion, which is thicker than a bottom wall annular portion formed between the bottom wall center portion and the lower curved surface portion.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed toward containers with improved anti-buckling performance by incorporating one or more structural reinforcement features into the containers. The container may include a bottom wall, opposing sidewalls each including a plurality of ribs, and opposing end walls interconnecting the sidewalls. The sidewalls may include at least one reinforcement protrusion having a geometric center disposed in the upper half of the sidewall. The container may also include a non-planar top rim to redistribute top load so that the anti-buckling performance of the container can be improved.

Abstract: A beverage container having a tilted groove at or near the bottom of the bowl or reservoir of the container. The groove, of substantially uniform depth and shape, encircles the entire circumference of the reservoir, and is inclined at a preselected acute angle with respect to the bottom thereof for enhancing the drinker's grip.

Abstract: A blow molded plastic container for hot fill and pasteurization uses includes a main body portion that is shaped so as to be substantially round in horizontal cross-section and a base portion. The base portion is shaped to define a generally circular standing ring and an elevated push-up portion that is positioned radially inward of the standing ring. The push-up portion includes a central region, an annular, substantially straight and substantially vertical rise portion that is positioned immediately radially inward of the standing ring and a plurality of radially oriented waves. Each of the waves extends radially outwardly from the central region to the vertical rise portion and is preferably shaped so as to subtend a substantially constant angle along its length.

Abstract: A wine glass constructed from molded plastic includes an upper body defining an upwardly narrowed flume for concentrating the wine bouquet, in combination with a contoured lower base defining an annular moat surrounding a central punt for enhanced visual inspection of the wine. In addition, the upper body further includes a notched indent at an outboard side thereof forming a shelf for facilitated fingertip grasping and manipulation of the assembled glass. In one form, the upper body and lower base of the wine glass are provided as separate modules adapted for assembly to form the wine glass, and disassembly for respective compact stacking. In another form, the wine glass has a one-piece construction adapted for compact stacking by nested reception of the upwardly narrowed flume partially into the underside of the lower base of an overlying glass in the stack.

Abstract: A blow molded plastic container for hot fill and pasteurization uses includes a main body portion that is shaped so as to be substantially rectangular in horizontal cross-section and a base portion. The base portion is shaped to define a generally rectangular standing ring and an elevated push-up portion that is positioned radially inward of the standing ring. The push-up portion includes a central region, an annular, substantially straight and substantially vertical rise portion that is positioned immediately radially inward of the standing ring and a plurality of radially oriented waves. Each of the waves extends radially outwardly from the central region to the vertical rise portion. The main body portion is shaped so as to have sidewall portions that are bounded by a plurality of vertically extending edge portions. In one embodiment, at least one of the vertically extending edge portions may have at least one inwardly extending gusset.

Abstract: A tray in accordance with the present disclosure includes a floor and a side wall arranged to extend along a perimeter edge of the floor. The floor and the side wall cooperate to form a product-storage region.

Abstract: A plastic container is provided having a container body and a closed base. The base includes a base body and a plurality of deflection ribs configured to buckle as the base deforms in response to an increase in negative pressure internal to the container.

Abstract: A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish defining an opening into the container, a lower portion including a base defining a standing surface, a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the sidewall defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one substantially transversely-oriented pressure panel located in the lower portion. The pressure panel is movable between an outwardly-inclined position and an inwardly-inclined position to compensate for a change of pressure inside the container. The standing surface defines a standing plane, and the entire pressure panel is located between the standing plane and the upper portion of the container when the pressure panel is in the outwardly-inclined position.

Abstract: An automated staining system and a reagent container designed for use with the automated staining apparatus. The reagent container includes a reagent containment section capable of containing a volume of a reagent. The reagent containment section includes an upper wall and a base wall that are spaced apart along an axis. The base wall includes a well having a nadir that is aligned axially with an access opening in the upper wall so that a reagent probe entering the opening parallel to the axis will travel toward the nadir. In another aspect of the invention, the reagent container may include a two-dimensional data element containing reagent information. The staining apparatus may include one removable drawer for holding reagent containers and another removable drawer holding slides.

Abstract: A consumer product package comprising a tub comprising a base and a perimeter wall defining a cavity, the base comprising at least two projections extending from the base within the cavity, the at least two projections spaced apart from the perimeter wall; and a consumer product disposed within the cavity such that each of the at least two projections define a recessed portion to receive the consumer product, wherein the base comprises a secondary projection having a height different than a height of each of the at least two projections, the secondary projection free of contact from the consumer product.

Abstract: A wine glass constructed from molded plastic includes an upper body defining an upwardly narrowed flume for concentrating the wine bouquet, in combination with a contoured lower base defining an annular moat surrounding a central punt for enhanced visual inspection of the wine. In addition, the upper body further includes a notched indent at an outboard side thereof forming a shelf for facilitated fingertip grasping and manipulation of the assembled glass. In one form, the upper body and lower base of the wine glass are provided as separate modules adapted for assembly to form the wine glass, and disassembly for respective compact stacking. In another form, the wine glass has a one-piece construction adapted for compact stacking by nested reception of the upwardly narrowed flume partially into the underside of the lower base of an overlying glass in the stack.

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.

Abstract: This application is for a device and article of manufacture for the purpose of drinking, tasting, sampling, and nosing and evaluating alcohol beverages without alcohol nose burn and numbing; a procedure or method to manipulate said vapors for the same purpose; and a process to separate and dissipate ethanol vapors to accomplish the same purpose. The device is one embodiment of a vessel which collects vapors in a chamber with curved sides and large surface area to promote evaporation, which chamber's top opening orifice concentrates same vapors prior to passing into an expansion chamber releasing and dissipating fast moving ethanol prior to nosing, providing improved aroma detection and enhancing nosing, tasting, and sampling experiences for all spirits, wines and liqueurs, distilled, fermented, and fortified.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded pourable product container is constructed to support the combined weight of additional like containers stacked on top of the container, and is also constructed to efficiently use a three dimensional space occupied by a stack of containers and to resist relative movement between adjacent containers assembled together in a three dimensionally arrayed stack of the containers.

Abstract: Bottom of hollow ware obtained by the blow molding or stretch-blow molding of a thermoplastic preform, this bottom having a transverse bearing surface and, on either side of this transverse bearing surface, a transverse external edge (7) and a concave internal wall with a transverse central portion (11) containing a disc (12) of material having a low crystallinity, this bottom including reinforcing ribs (1) having an outer edge (13) coming close to the transverse external edge (7) but without reaching this transverse external edge (7), these reinforcing ribs (1) hang an inner edge (14) coming close to the transverse central portion (11), but without reaching this transverse central portion (11), the transverse bearing surface being formed from segments (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) interrupted by the reinforcing ribs (1), this hollow ware bottom (4) further including notches (2), the distal end portion (24) of which comes close to but does not reach the external edge (7) of the bottom, the proximal end portion (25) of

Abstract: A gas dissolving apparatus that combines a gas at first pressure into a working fluid, the working present at a second pressure equal to or greater than the first pressure. The device includes a molecular mixing chamber which is designed as a truncated conical chamber located between an inlet and an outlet. The device can include a plurality of inlets for the gas to enter into the mixing section, and a plurality of passages through the truncated conical chamber. The truncated conical chamber is surrounded by a cylindrical chamber leading to the outlet of the chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a synthetic resin container provided with an inverting, foldback bottom wall that can maintain a stable, self-supporting position while being able to minimize the amount of residual contents, and that can be formed by blow-molding, etc., and maintain the favorable producibility or low cost of the past. The synthetic resin container is provided with a bottom wall that forms the bottom of the container, and a drum section that is united to the perimeter of the bottom wall and forms a filling space M for contents on the inside, and is a synthetic resin container wherein a raised bottom is formed by inverting and folding back said bottom wall toward said drum section. Said drum section has a lower peripheral wall that touches or approaches the outer wall part of said bottom wall and forms a self-supporting base by the inversion and folding back of said bottom wall.

Abstract: Disclosed is a synthetic resin container provided with an inverting, foldback bottom wall that can maintain a stable, self-supporting position while being able to minimize the amount of residual contents, and that can be formed by blow-molding, etc., and maintain the favorable producibility or low cost of the past. The synthetic resin container is provided with a bottom wall that forms the bottom of the container, and a drum section that is united to the perimeter of the bottom wall and forms a filling space M for contents on the inside, and is a synthetic resin container wherein a raised bottom is formed by inverting and folding back said bottom wall toward said drum section. Said drum section has a lower peripheral wall that touches or approaches the outer wall part of said bottom wall and forms a self-supporting base by the inversion and folding back of said bottom wall.

Abstract: A container, comprising: a body; and, a closure; wherein the closure has a lid hinged to a ring mounted on the body, the lid moveable from an open position to a closed position; wherein the lid has a tab hinged thereto for: inserting into and engaging a slot formed in the ring as the lid is moved to the closed position from the open position to thereby lock the lid in the closed position; or, receiving and engaging a pin head of a pin mounted on the ring in a hole formed in the tab to thereby hold the lid in the closed position, the pin configured to detach from the ring when the tab and lid are returned to the opened position.

Abstract: A retortable plastic container includes a main body and a bottom. The bottom defines a raised inner portion and at least one substantially flat bottom support surface. The substantially flat bottom support surface is curved and positioned near a radially outermost edge of the bottom when viewed in bottom plan. A groove is defined in the substantially flat bottom support surface. In addition, a first side wall portion that extends upwardly from the radially outermost edge of the bottom is shaped as a truncated cone, giving the bottom portion greater dimensional stability under retort conditions. The container bottom exhibits superior dimensional stability with respect to predecessor designs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a synthetic resin container provided with an inverting, foldback bottom wall that can maintain a stable, self-supporting position while being able to minimize the amount of residual contents, and that can be formed by blow-molding, etc., and maintain the favorable producibility or low cost of the past. The synthetic resin container is provided with a bottom wall that forms the bottom of the container, and a drum section that is united to the perimeter of the bottom wall and forms a filling space M for contents on the inside, and is a synthetic resin container wherein a raised bottom is formed by inverting and folding back said bottom wall toward said drum section. Said drum section has a lower peripheral wall that touches or approaches the outer wall part of said bottom wall and forms a self-supporting base by the inversion and folding back of said bottom wall.

Abstract: Thermoplastic container having a body and a base including: a concave arch, a concave dome opening at the center of the arch, an annular zone surrounding the base of the arch and forming a flat foundation, claw-shaped zones radially extending the base of the body and offset projecting outwards relative to the arch, and radial grooves delimited between the zones in the shape of claws. The grooves have bottoms that are formed by radial sections of the arch and that have a radially variable depth maximum in correspondence with said annular zone forming a foundation. The base is adapted for withstanding, without marked deformation, hydrostatic pressure due to the liquid column increased by an excess pressure not exceeding approximately 2×105 Pa.

Abstract: A sealable container (210) for flowable material formed with top (212) and flexible and stiffened bottom (214) walls joined by front (216), rear (218), and opposite side walls (220, 222). The top wall including an openable lid (D) formed with an improved scoop holder (30) and a collar (300) received about a finish (282) of the front, rear, and side walls. The flexible and stiffened bottom wall (214) includes at least one sagittal stiffening channel (500) and an optional transverse stiffening channel (530). The openable lid includes a sealing wall (340) that cooperates with other improved container components to prevent spillage of the flowable material after the seal is peeled and removed.

Abstract: A case structure and a method for pre-forming the same are described. The pre-forming method includes the following steps. A first case body and a second case body are supplied. Two side plates of the second case body are bent, such that the two side plates respectively form an initial angle with the bottom plate. The second case body is disposed in the first case body. The two side plates are pulled to respectively come close to two side walls of the first case body, such that the bottom plate forms a curved surface in the first case body. When having an object disposed therein, the case structure overcomes a downward pressure generated by the object through the curved surface, thereby preventing the first case body and the second case body from sagging out of the case structure.

Abstract: A durable preparation tray for preparing and serving food items. The preparation tray, which is constructed from a microwaveable plastic material, includes a bottom wall provided with an upstanding food support structure, a catch basin for catching liquids associated with the food and a pour channel for pouring liquid from the catch basin.

Abstract: A plastic container having a sidewall defining a chamber and having an opening at one end into the chamber; a base extending from the sidewall and closing the second end, the base having an outer perimeter portion defining a support structure, an axially inwardly extending perimeter wall spaced radially inwardly from the support structure forming an angle with a plane normal to an axis of the container of less than about 90°, and a flexing panel closing an end of the perimeter wall, the flexing panel moveable along an axis of the container from a first position where a central portion of the panel is below a top portion of the perimeter wall to a second position where the central portion is above the top portion of the perimeter wall to change the volume of the container; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial grooves on the panel.

Abstract: A plastic container is disclosed comprising a base portion for supporting the container on a surface, an upper portion, and a body portion. The upper portion includes a neck and a dispensing opening. The body portion extends between the base portion and the neck, the body portion including a shoulder portion below the neck and a sidewall portion between the shoulder portion and the base portion. The body portion includes at least one elongated vertical formation that substantially extends along the sidewall portion from the base portion toward the shoulder portion, the elongated vertical portion being continuous along at least 0.60 the total height of the container.

Abstract: A container, such as a beverage or food can is provided, which includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a bottom portion extending between the first and second sidewalls. The material of the bottom portion is stretched relative to the first sidewall and the second sidewall to form a thinned preselected profile, such as a dome. The material of the container at or about the dome has a substantially uniform thickness. The container is formed from a blank of material, which has a base gauge prior to being formed. After being formed, the material of the container at or about the dome has a thickness less than the base gauge. Tooling and a method for selectively forming a blank of material into a container, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which are suitable for use in the manufacture of two-piece metal containers. In particular, a press is disclosed which makes cup sections from metal sheet using a combination of drawing and stretching operations. The cups resulting from the press have the advantage of having a base thickness that is thinner relative to the ingoing gauge of the metal sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bottom of a mould for producing thermoplastic containers, and to a container thus produced. The container (1) produced comprises: a base (4) having a concave peripheral wall (6) extending essentially coaxially to the X-X? axis, this concavity defining a non null curvature all along the wall (6); an annular region (7) forming a tubular peripheral wall (8) extending essentially coaxially to the X-X? axis, the transversal radial distance between the X-X? axis and said wall (8) being longer than the transversal radial distance between the X-X? axis and any point along the concave peripheral wall (6) of said base (4); and a shoulder (9) forming a connecting region between the base (4) and the annular region (7). The depth of said annular region is between 0.5 and 2%, preferably between 1 and 1.5%, especially 1.2% of the diameter of the annular region (7), and the height of the base (4) is between 5 and 15 mm.

Abstract: A seamless can body in which the flatness of a center panel of a bottom of the thin can body can be stably maintained and the can body has high pressure resistance, high formability, and excellent properties for an internal pressure test. The seamless can body has a can bottom shape having a rim portion protruding to an outside of the can, an annular concave portion protruding to an inside of the can, and a flat center panel extending continuously from an inner peripheral side of the annular concave portion with a corner portion interposed therebetween. The curvature radius (R3) of the corner section is in the range of 1.5 mm<R3?6.0 mm, the depth of the annular concave section is from 1.5 mm to less than 3.0 mm, and the flatness (BSD) of the center panel is from ?0.15 to 0.15 mm.

Abstract: A glass container system comprises a glass container comprising a base defining a bottom of the container and a sidewall formed integrally with the base to define an interior space. A protuberance is formed integrally with the base where the protuberance extending beyond a side wall of the base. A lid is dimensioned such that the protuberance engages the lid such that the lid may be releasably secured to the base. A glass container prepared by a process comprising the steps of providing a mold defining a container having a base at a bottom of the mold cavity where the mold cavity comprises an undercut portion that defines a recess in the mold cavity; introducing molten glass to the mold; cooling the glass to cause the glass to shrink a sufficient amount that the protuberance recedes from the recess; and removing the container from the mold in a linear direction.

Abstract: A collapsible, portable container having a roof, a base, two foldable end walls and two removable side walls. The end walls and side walls of the container are load bearing elements having a twinned wall structure made of rotomolded plastic. The container is collapsed by removing the side walls and inwardly folding the end walls to draw the roof closer to the base. The load bearing capacity of the end walls and the side walls can be increased by arched indentations formed within the twinned wall structure.

Abstract: A unitary cover is adapted for use with a tubular container having an open end with a cylindrical connecting bead at the open end. The unitary cover comprises a central circular wall. An annular flange is at a periphery of the central circular wall comprising a downwardly opening U-shaped channel receivable on the cylindrical connecting bead. A bung opening is provided through the central circular wall. A rib network depends downwardly from the central circular wall surrounding the bung opening.

Abstract: A method of loading stacked strainers in a dispenser while minimizing strainer contamination is disclosed. The method includes providing a stack of strainers that is enclosed in a protective material to form a pod, placing the pod within a dispenser, and removing the protective material from the pod of strainers while the strainers are in the dispenser. The strainers dispensed from the thus loaded dispenser avoid being contamination during loading. The protective material may be perforated to facilitate removal from the stack, and include an extended portion to be grasped during removal from the dispenser.

Abstract: A pressure vessel having reduced weight while satisfying required design conditions has polygonal upper and bottom walls, a side wall provided therebetween, an upper curved surface portion for connecting the upper and side walls, and a lower curved surface portion for connecting the bottom and side walls. An upper wall center rib includes an upper wall center part, and upper wall annular ribs respectively connecting substantially center parts of the upper wall and surrounding the upper wall center rib. Ribs are formed substantially centrally in the upper curved surface portion. A bottom wall center rib includes a center part in the bottom wall. Bottom wall annular ribs are formed connecting the bottom wall and surrounding the bottom wall center rib. Lower curved surface portion ribs are formed substantially centrally in the lower curved surface portion, and main surface ribs are formed substantially centrally in the side wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which are suitable for use in the manufacture of two-piece metal containers. In particular, a press is disclosed which makes cup sections from metal sheet using a combination of drawing and stretching operations. The cups resulting from the press have the advantage of having a base thickness that is thinner relative to the ingoing gauge of the metal sheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which are suitable for use in the manufacture of two-piece metal containers. In particular, the method and apparatus disclose a way of making cups from metal sheet using a combination of stretching and (re-)drawing operations. The resulting cups have the advantage of reducing the thickness of the base of the cup relative to the ingoing gauge of material.

Abstract: A bottle with improved strength is provided. The bottle can have a liquid holding capacity of at least 2.5 gallons and can exhibit a drop impact resistance of at least 3 feet as measured by ASTMD 2463-95. The bottle can be formed from a substantially BPA-free material. The bottle can be used in liquid dispensers, such as water coolers.

Abstract: An oil-filled, pad-mounted tank for electrical distribution transformers, where the tank includes a front panel, a rear panel, a pair of side panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel that are joined to form an enclosed volume for receiving a transformer core and windings and a quantity of insulating oil. The side panels include a plurality of side panel sections that may include both curved and flat panel sections. Each side panel includes at least one curved panel section that is curved concavely and at least one curved panel section that is curved convexly. Each side panel section may also include one or more flat panel sections.

Abstract: Provided is a storage container including a container body having a wall portion and a bottom portion, the container body is configured for airtight storage of material. The storage container further includes a lid member for air-tightly covering the container body, the lid member having a channel defined about the perimeter thereof. A molded silicone seal is mounted in the channel, and is configured to sealingly engage the upper perimeter of the wall portion when the lid is placed on the container body.

Abstract: A water holding tank with an approximately rectangular bottom wall and four side walls that are connected respectively to the sides of the bottom wall, each side wall has number of upper support platforms that are arranged periodically along one side of the bottom wall, a number of lower support platforms that are arranged alternately relative to the upper support platforms at a distance from the bottom wall, and a number of connecting walls, whereby each connecting wall connects an upper support platform to a lower support platform while leaving open a passage for water, in which the upper support platforms of a side wall are arranged in mirror positions of the lower support platforms of the opposite side wall relative to a 180° rotation and vice versa.

Abstract: A furnace riser block configured for placement under residential or commercial furnaces and having a generally isosceles trapezoid configuration when viewed from any of its four sides. It is made from strong and lightweight plastic materials that absorb vibration. At least two riser blocks are used together to support a furnace, each having a bottom flange, four corner protrusions, two side protrusions offset from a central location, a deep draft on all four of its sides, a high width-to-height ratio, vertical ribbing that creates a scalloped configuration and increases its vertical loading capability, and multiple indentations in its top surface each configured for receiving a metal jacket riser member that gives an additional inch of clearance when needed in an installation and/or receipt of a vibration isolator. The furnace riser block is stronger, lighter in weight, and safer to handle and ship, than known furnace supports made from metal material.

Abstract: A can bottle in a bottomed, cylindrical configuration, which is constructed of a metal material has a cylindrical side wall and a bottom joined to and integrated with the side wall. The said bottom includes domed portions that flex and extend downwardly and outwardly, and flexed support legs formed by extending a plurality of peripheral edge sites of the domed portions arranged at uniform angles further downwardly and outwardly in a flexed fashion. The bottom satisfies a condition: 1.04?R3/D?1.67 where R3 (mm) is the radius of curvature that defines the curvature of the domed portion at the bottom, and D (mm) is the diameter of the cylindrical side wall. In addition ribs are formed at possible grounding sites of the flexed support legs at said bottom in a direction crossing the radial direction.

Abstract: A disposable servingware container 10 press-formed from a generally planar paperboard blank has a characteristic diameter, D, and includes a bottom panel 12 having an arched central crown 14 with a convex upper surface 14a, a first annular transition portion 16 extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom panel, with the proviso that a portion of the arched central crown defines a substantially continuous, convex arched profile 18 spanning at least 75% of the horizontal distance between center 20 of the container and the first annular transition. An optional sidewall portion 26 extends upwardly and outwardly from the first annular transition portion, while a second annular transition portion 28 flares outwardly with respect to the first annular transition portion defining a second radius of curvature, R2. The ratio of R2/D is 0.0125 or less. An outer flange portion 32 extends outwardly with respect to the second annular transition portion and forms the outer perimeter of the container.

Abstract: A retort-resistant plastic container includes a base portion, a sidewall portion, and a neck portion. The base portion includes a domed portion and a lower annular portion. The sidewall portion extends upwardly from the base portion, and typically has a minimum thickness of 0.020 inches. The neck portion extends upwardly from the sidewall portion and includes an annular flange. In embodiments, the outer diameter of the lower annular portion is less than the inner diameter of the annular flange. Further, in some embodiments, the sidewall is substantially smooth absent various sidewall structural reinforcements (e.g., vacuum panels or reinforcement ribs). Moreover, for embodiments, the sidewall portion is at least 0.80 of the total vertical length of the container.

Abstract: An automated staining system and a reagent container designed for use with the automated staining apparatus. The reagent container includes a reagent containment section capable of containing a volume of a reagent. The reagent containment section includes an upper wall and a base wall that are spaced apart along an axis. The base wall includes a well having a nadir that is aligned axially with an access opening in the upper wall so that a reagent probe entering the opening parallel to said axis will travel toward the nadir. In another aspect of the invention, the reagent container may include a two-dimensional data element containing reagent information. The staining apparatus may include one removable drawer for holding reagent containers and another removable drawer holding slides.

Abstract: A container suitable for holding a fluid includes a body defining an interior volume and having a torso portion having a substantially square-shaped cross section, a shoulder portion joined above the torso portion and including a plurality of shoulder walls that define a substantially square cross-section, and a base portion, which may have a substantially square or octagonal cross section. The container body may be formed with indentations at each of its four bottom corners that are shaped to give the container relief from detrimental piercing contact with the lugs that are provided in the bottom of some square retention buckets used on commercial paint shakers. The body may be made substantially or entirely of polyethylene terephthalate. The container is particularly suited for colorants and pigment dispersions for tinting coatings and for shaking colorants and pigment dispersions prior to dispensing into a tinting machine.