Abstract: A container includes a peripheral wall having a first side, a second side, and a third side formed from a single sheet of metal material. The sheet of metal material has opposite first and second connecting ends. A plastic connector is connected to the first connecting end and the second connecting end of the sheet metal, and a plastic bottom is connected with a bottom end of the peripheral wall. Another aspect provides a container that includes a sheet of metal having a louver formed therein and a plastic structure having opposing surfaces that define a receiving space therebetween. At least one of the surfaces has a projection thereon and the louver are received within the receiving space. An edge of the louver engages with the projection to prevent the louver from being removed from the receiving space.

Abstract: The invention relates to a door storage container having a base, a rear wall, and a front wall. The front wall is in the form of a plurality of interlocking elements assembled together. The plurality of interlocking elements assembled together to form the front wall includes an upper extrusion profile, a lower extrusion profile, and a panel enclosed between the upper extrusion profile and the lower extrusion profile.

Abstract: A vacuum insulation panel assembly having upper, lower, and first and second side vacuum insulation panels. The upper vacuum insulation panel has an aperture formed therethrough and an edge forming an overlap joint. The lower vacuum insulation panel also has an aperture formed therethrough and an edge forming an overlap joint. The first and second side vacuum insulation panels have an arcuate, half-cylindrical shape with a top edge forming an overlap joint configured to engage the overlap joint of the upper vacuum insulation panel, a bottom edge forming an overlap joint configured to engage the overlap joint of the lower vacuum insulation panel, and first and second side edges forming overlap joints configured to engage the overlap joints of the first and second side edges of the other side vacuum insulation panel.

Abstract: There is provided a packaged pan and lid that includes at least two nested pans and at least two lids. Each lid has at least two bi-lateral fold lines, such that the lid is configurable into a folded configuration and removable secured within a well of a corresponding pan. The lid being removable from the well and unfolded to a substantially flat configuration. The lid may then be placed on the rim of the pan, such that a lip of the pan can be bent over the edge of the lid.

Abstract: A vessel (50) having a cylindrical wall (52) and an end wall (54). The cylindrical wall (52) includes an edge portion (58), a radially inward shoulder portion (60), and a capture portion (62) therebetween. The end wall (54) is interference-fit in the capture portion (62) with the shoulder portion (60) forming a positive stop therefore and the edge portion (58) being turned radially inward thereover. An inlet/outlet fitting (70) extends through an appropriately-sized opening in the end wall (54) and is secured thereto by, for example, a lip (72) and a weld (74). The vessel (50) can be incorporated into the construction of refrigeration components wherein compressor-generated vibration causes stress concentration concerns for inlet/outlet interfaces on the end wall (54).

Abstract: A pressure vessel includes a body with a closed end and a neck extends from the other end of the body and encloses an opening. A metal collar is mounted to the neck. A valve device is engaged with an inner periphery of the neck and has a peripheral wall extending through the opening. The peripheral wall is folded outward to wrap and position the collar.

Abstract: A chime assembly shaped to fit on the upper opening of a drum to receive a top and a closing ring. The chime assembly comprises a top chime having a lower band with a slot shaped to receive the upper opening of a drum. The top chime has a top flange and an upper annular portion having an annular groove shaped to receive a sealing ring. The top flange comprises a substantially axially-extending wall and a substantially radially extending flange positioned to be engaged by the cover. The chime assembly further comprises a bottom flange comprising an annular lower side wall, an annular radially-inwardly extending support surface, and a downwardly-projecting annular glide ring to contact a support surface and thereby elevate the drum from the ground surface. The chime assembly is preferably entirely plastic.

Abstract: A foldable box includes six substantially rectangular plastic sides which are connected to each other by live hinges so that the sides may be folded flat or opened to a substantially hexagonal configuration. A substantially hexagonal plastic bottom is connected to the bottom edge of one of the sides by a live hinge and a substantially hexagonal plastic top is connected to the top edge of one of the sides by a live hinge. An inner flange extends substantially orthogonally from the bottom edges of at least two of the sides other than the one to which the plastic bottom is attached for supporting the plastic bottom when the box is assembled by folding. An outer extending flange is provided on at least two edges of the plastic top to support it when the box is folded closed. A removable substantially hexagonal plastic shelf is preferably provided and inner surfaces of at least two sides are provided with interior flanges to support the shelf.

Abstract: A pressure vessel suitable for use in an automotive air-conditioning system includes a cylindrical body (10, 40) including an annular wall (14, 44). The cylindrical body preferably includes an opposite closed end, an initially opened end (12, 42), and a closure member (20, 50) inserted into the open end of the cylindrical body. The closure member and the cylindrical body each have extensions or annular flanges (28, 58) which are spin welded together. The cylindrical body is fused to the closure member when the annular flange (28, 58) of the closure member is spin welded to an annular, outermost portion (18, 48) of the cylindrical body. The closure member and the cylindrical body are further locked together by inwardly rolling a portion of the annular wall into an annular groove (30, 60) and an outermost surface of the closure member.

Abstract: A two-piece plastic container and removable cover is provided which is particularly adaptable for containing flowable products. The removable cover comprises a one-piece molded generally circular cover having an annular sealing projection extending generally downwardly in a perpendicular direction from an outer periphery of the cover and an annular locking projection extending generally upwardly in a perpendicular direction from the outer periphery of the cover. The container comprises a one-piece molded cylindrical body having a closed bottom and an open top. Two spaced concentric annular inside and outside projections extend longitudinally upwardly from the open top of the body of the container and define therebetween a cover sealing cavity for receiving the cover sealing projection and cooperating therewith to seal the cover on the container.

Abstract: A container or can having a body and end portion which include plastic free ends and which are joined and sealed by cooperatively curling the juxtaposed ends. The body portion has an opening surrounded by a free end suitable for curling. The container end portion has a generally flat or dish shaped central lid portion with a peripheral skirt having a free end adaptable to the container body free end and suitable for curling. The container body and end portions are joined by juxtaposing their free ends so that they form a double wall followed by curling with a curling tool to intimately engage the ends and concurrently curve the perimeters thereof to one another in a tightly curled configuration.

Abstract: A container or can having a body and end portion which include free ends comprising plastic materials and which are joined and sealed by cooperatively curling juxtapositioned free ends. The method end apparatus of the invention forms the body portion with an opening surrounded by a free end suitable for curling and forms the end portion with a central portion surrounded by a free end suitable for curling. The container body and end portion are joined by juxtaposing their free ends for forming a plurality of walls, then the plastic in at least one of the free ends is provided in a condition at the time of curling which allows stress and related elastic strain and memory to be imparted to the plastic, followed by curling with a curling tool to intimately engage the ends and concurrently curl the perimeters thereof into a tightly curled configuration, wherein at least the one free end includes internal stress and related strain and memory for providing a seam of integrity and reliability.