Collapsible Wall Feature Patents (Class 220/666)
  • Patent number: 11577443
    Abstract: An injection stretch blow-molded (ISBM) container prepared by way of injection molding a tubular preform followed by reheating and concurrently stretching and blow-molding the heated preform into the container. The container and preform comprise from 70 wt. % to 97.5 wt. % of a semi-crystalline polyolefin composition comprising one or polymers selected from polyethylene polymers and polypropylene polymers and from 2.5 wt. % to 30 wt. % of an alicyclic polyolefin composition, wherein the alicyclic polyolefin composition has a glass transition temperature, Tg, of from 80° to 145° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Polyplastics USA, Inc
    Inventors: Paul D. Tatarka, Timothy M. Kneale
  • Patent number: 11493263
    Abstract: A basket for lining an ice chest includes four flexible walls configured to roll up, a bottom, and at least two handles. At least one wall includes perforations configured to allow water or ice to pass through the perforations. The four flexible walls are made of silicone, rubber, elastic, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Inventor: Nicholas Santoro
  • Patent number: 11234551
    Abstract: The invention concerns a beverage dispenser comprising:—a housing (4)—at least two containers (2) for storing a water soluble beverage powder, each container comprising a tank (21) and an outlet (22),—at least two dissolution chambers (3), each being operatively linked to one of the containers (2) for preparing a beverage from the water soluble beverage powder and a diluent,—for each dissolution chamber (3), an extractor hood (5) at the top of said dissolution chamber,—an evacuating fan (6),—an extraction device (7) connected to each extractor hood (5) and to said evacuating fan (6), said extraction device comprising internal paths (71) for guiding flows from the extractor hoods through the extraction device, wherein:—the extraction device (7) is an essentially parallelepipedic box connected: to each extractor hood (6) through cooperating holes (71) on its front lateral side, and to the evacuating fan (36) through one cooperating holes (72) on one other lateral side,—the box of the extraction device is fully
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Erich Hinderegger, Patrick Fluck, Roberto Angelo Calderone, Cedric Rey
  • Patent number: 11167918
    Abstract: A flexible pail having a container that is adapted to stand upright. The container may have a flexible sheet, a cover, a base, a flap and an odor barrier. The cover may be attached to a first upper end of the flexible sheet, while the base may be attached to a second lower end of the flexible sheet. The cover may have a flap pivotably attached thereto, such that the flap is adapted to pivot between an open position and a closed position. The cover may further have an opening and an odor barrier disposed in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Bryan Dunn, Sung Yun Chan, Kevin Douglas Johnson, Agnes Yena Lee
  • Patent number: 11058211
    Abstract: A compression sleeve and flexible bottle combine to serve as a fluid carrier such as for water or sports beverages. The flexible bottle has an interior volume for holding the fluid, the flexible bottle being readily collapsible to conform the interior volume of the flexible bottle to a volume of the fluid held within the flexible bottle, with a compression sleeve surrounding the flexible bottle. A pull-cord is attached to the compression sleeve and is moveable from a first position in which the pull-cord is retracted to a second position in which the pull-cord is extended, in which moving the pull-cord from the first position to the second position causes a contraction of the compression sleeve and a corresponding contraction of the flexible bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Amphipod, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Willows, June Angus, Antonio Del Rosario
  • Patent number: 10518933
    Abstract: A stackable plastic container includes a base portion, a sidewall portion, and an upper portion. The base portion is configured to support the container, and includes an upwardly-extending central base portion and a base reinforcement formation. The sidewall portion extends upwardly from the base portion, and may include a sidewall reinforcement formation. The upper portion extends upwardly from the sidewall portion, and includes a shoulder portion, an angled portion, a neck portion, and a dispensing opening. The base portion may be configured to withstand hydrostatic pressure. A portion of the shoulder portion may be configured to flex downwardly in response to a top load force applied to the neck of the container. The upwardly extending central base portion may be configured to receive an upper portion of another container. With embodiments, in a stacked configuration, the upper portion of another container contacts the central base portion of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: James Christopher Dorn
  • Patent number: 10420853
    Abstract: Dispensers for fragrance and chemical compounds include paperboard materials and unique shapes to allow for simplified production and use of the dispensers in various environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Silgan Dispensing Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kelly A. Harrigan, William T. Riley, Devin R. Jensen
  • Patent number: 10137754
    Abstract: An expandable refrigeration system for vehicles includes a generally rigid frame member having a plurality of walls that define a first hollow interior space. An expandable cooler body that includes a plurality of expandable wall sections is connected to the rigid frame member. The expandable body section is positioned within the first hollow interior space when the system is collapsed, and extends outward therefrom when the system is in the expanded configuration. A refrigeration unit is secured to the rigid frame member and controls a temperature of the expandable body section. A transitional wall member selectively operates as a lid for the cooler body and to secure the cooler body within the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Inventors: James Sheridan, Jennifer Sheridan
  • Patent number: 10106301
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a flexible container. In an embodiment, the flexible container includes (A) four panels adjoined along a common peripheral seal. The common peripheral seal is composed of a first side seal, an opposing second side seal, a top seal, and an opposing bottom seal. The four seals form a chamber. (B) Each panel includes a bottom face, and the four bottom faces are sealed together to define a bottom section. The flexible container includes (C) an upper spout seal extending from the first side seal to the second side seal. The flexible container also includes (D) a lower spout seal. (E) The upper spout seal and the lower spout seal each include a respective spout seal segment and a respective chamber seal segment. (F) The chamber seal segments define a sealed chamber top. (G) The lower spout seal segment is reciprocally aligned with the upper spout seal segment to form a spout. The spout extends from the sealed chamber top to the second side seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Peter J. Schulz, Lamy J. Chopin, III, Michelle L. Boven, Jeffrey E. Bonekamp
  • Patent number: 10046870
    Abstract: A flexible bag and a method for filling a flexible bag which is collapsed when empty, wherein at least one fastening means is provided on a surface of the flexible bag such that at least two upper parts of the flexible bag can be held together by this at least one fastening means during a first part of filling of the flexible bag, whereby the fastening means is designed to release when the bag is filled to a certain amount such that the two upper parts being held together by the fastening means will lose contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES CORP.
    Inventor: Matthew David Ouellette
  • Patent number: 10029618
    Abstract: A storage unit is provided for a motor vehicle. That storage unit includes an expandable body and a connector that releasably secures the expandable body to a component of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Miriam Quilahztli Perez Astudillo, Eduardo Arturo Aguilar Ruelas, Mario Daniel Bautista, Hector Alberto Mendoza Saldivar
  • Patent number: 9969521
    Abstract: A cylindrical bottle which collapses along helical groove, ridge and connecting rings along its sidewall. When inward force is applied along the bottle's vertical axis, the helical groove rings and connecting rings fold under the ridge rings and remain substantially “locked” under the ridge rings, thereby causing the sidewall to collapse and remain collapsed until sufficient outward force is applied. When sufficient outward force is applied along its vertical axis, the bottle extends as the distance between its helical groove rings and ridge rings lengthens. Due to the diamond-shaped cross-section of the connecting rings, in conjunction with the silicone composition of the bottle's body, the collapsing and extension of the bottle occur in sequential segments, creating a unique, playful sound and an amusing worm-like movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Yang Shen
  • Patent number: 9902547
    Abstract: Provided is a container with which its body can be deformed with a same external force until most of the contents has been discharged from the container body and to cause the final shape after the deformation to be a constant shape. Also provided is a container with which the contents discharged can be rendered constant, thus making it possible to obtain a diluted product having a constant concentration. The container includes a bottomed container body and a lid member, the container body and the lid member being sealed by an annular seal portion. There is provided a detaching seal portion which is detached in response to increase of pressure inside the container body associated with deformation of the container body. There is also provided a deformation controlling recess whose width is progressively reduced from a back face side of the flange toward the bottom face side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignees: SUNTORY BEVERAGE & FOOD LIMITED, SUNTORY HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Mitsuru Bushida, Daisuke Tanaka, Takashi Kado, Hiroki Yokoyama, Masayuki Kitamasu
  • Patent number: 9835367
    Abstract: A cooler includes a main body which includes a base, an upper rim, and one or more cooler walls extending therebetween. The cooler in some embodiments further includes a removable wheel assembly which includes two coaxial wheels, and an axle. The two coaxial wheels are removably securable to the axle. The cooler still further comprises a wheel fastening system configured to secure the removable wheel assembly to the base of the main body which includes a mount, a clip hingedly connected to the mount, and a locking clasp configured to lock the clip into a closed position to secure the wheel assembly. The cooler yet further comprises a lid including two wheel storage recesses, each being sized and dimensioned to receive and retain one of the coaxial wheel of the wheel assembly, and an axle storage recess sized and dimensioned to receive and retain the axle of the wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: M & C INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Alexander Vanderberg, Daniel Lee Bizzell
  • Patent number: 9415898
    Abstract: A collapsible bin container having a base portion and side walls hingedly connected to the base portion. At least one of the side walls includes an integrally formed hinge lug having a first generally cylindrical portion and a second flat angled portion. The base portion includes a corresponding hinge slot having an opening configured to receive the hinge lug only when the side wall is positioned at a first angle with respect to a horizontal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ORBIS Corporation
    Inventor: Roger Nolan
  • Patent number: 9260221
    Abstract: A carry out food container assembly comprising a container body and a removable cover. The container body includes a conversion demarcation, which defines a conversion section. The conversion section includes a portion of a sidewall of the container body and a bottom portion of the container body. The user would depress the conversion section inward creating a new container body support surface, wherein the new support surface tilts an opening of the container body. A condiment container receptacle can be integrated into the cover to retain a condiment container assembly. This associates the condiment with the contents of the bowl. The container body and lid can include a stacking interface enabling one to attach a second bowl onto a cover of a first bowl. The conversion section can employ a single section or a series of sections, wherein the series of sections enable an accordion styled formation when collapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Allen D Hertz
  • Patent number: 9238520
    Abstract: A collapsible container is made with a pair of upper and lower bellows sections connected by a rigid section with inwardly tapering ends, such that the container can be collapsed with the rigid section and the bellows sections overlapping. The collapsible container may be provided with an identifier such as an RFID tag which cooperates with a vending machine with a detector such as an RFID reader so as to dispense liquid into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Aquatina Limited
    Inventor: Guy Jeremiah
  • Patent number: 9211902
    Abstract: A cooler includes a main body which includes a base, an upper rim, and one or more cooler walls extending therebetween. The cooler in some embodiments further includes a removable wheel assembly which includes two coaxial wheels, and an axle. The two coaxial wheels are removably securable to the axle. The cooler still further comprises a wheel fastening system configured to secure the removable wheel assembly to the base of the main body which includes a mount, a clip hingedly connected to the mount, and a locking clasp configured to lock the clip into a closed position to secure the wheel assembly. The cooler yet further comprises a lid including two wheel storage recesses, each being sized and dimensioned to receive and retain one of the coaxial wheel of the wheel assembly, and an axle storage recess sized and dimensioned to receive and retain the axle of the wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: M & C INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Alexander Vanderberg, Daniel Lee Bizzell
  • Patent number: 9090374
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bottomed tubular bottle including an annular groove which is formed so as to be circumferentially and radially recessed inward along the outer peripheral surface of a body of the bottle with a bottle axis as a center and which contracts and deforms the body in the axial direction of the bottle when the internal pressure is reduced. The annular groove is recessed and formed by a first wall surface arranged on a mouth side of the bottle and a second wall surface arranged on a bottom side of the bottle. The body is formed so that the outer diameter on the bottom side is larger than the outer diameter on the mouth side with the annular groove interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: YOSHINO KOGYOSHO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tadayoshi Oshino
  • Patent number: 9067723
    Abstract: A container for storing food is provided with a receptacle including a bellows, a top opening, and external threads around the opening; and a lid including a skirt including internal threads secured to the external threads, a top bossed hole communicating with the bellows, and a top frame having an n-shaped section, the frame including an inner slot; an inlet valve in the bossed hole; a trigger assembly including a spring loaded piston in the frame, and a trigger formed with the piston; a sealing ring secured to an end of the piston distal the trigger; a cylinder for receipt of the sealing ring and a portion of the piston, an inlet port fitted on the bossed hole, and an outlet valve at an end distal the sealing ring; and a cover including a peripheral opening for receipt of the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Inventors: Wan Ching Chang, Han Tsung Chen, Wei Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 9067726
    Abstract: Structures, methods, and systems associated with a stackable and collapsible container are provided. One structure includes a stackable and collapsible container having at least four non-collapsible, load bearing vertical support members attached to vertical walls of the container and capable of supporting the weight of other containers. A top surface is included having a number of sections which include a pivotal connection to one another and which are collapsible about the pivotal connection to an interior of the container. A bottom surface is included having a number of sections which include a pivotal connection to one another and which are collapsible about the pivotal connection to an interior of the container. The top and the bottom surfaces of the container can be fixedly positioned in a number of collapsed states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Inventor: George E. Kochanowski
  • Patent number: 9016493
    Abstract: A convertible and folding cooking pan includes a base plate and a plurality of pivotable and adjustable flanges removably coupled thereto. The flanges are moveable from a first substantially flat position to a second substantially upright position. When in the substantially upright position, the flanges are securely connected to define a baking zone with base plate and the flanges. In one embodiment, a plurality of sets of flanges are configured on the base plate to enable the selectable configuration of a first baking zone using the first set of flanges or a second, differently-sized baking zone using the second set of flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Cooksmith, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan Friedl, Ryan J. Moreau, Christopher Jon Ostrander, Derick R. Schweppe
  • Patent number: 9016474
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transport container comprising a rectangular base, with feet located at the underside thereof, with side walls that can pivot about hinges and that rise from said base, wherein the side walls, which lie on top in the folded-together state, and the bordering base edge comprising the hinges form support surfaces for the feet of an identical second container, the feet thereof being located below the base, characterized in that recesses are provided in the left and the right side area of the side walls, which lie on top in the folded-together state, the recesses being separated from one another by ribs and being used to receive protrusions formed on the bottom side of the feet, the height of the protrusions being less than the depth of the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Georg Utz Holding AG
    Inventors: Axel Ritzberger, Wolfgang Faust, Gerhard Eckbrett-Welz
  • Patent number: 9016555
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible liner and bag-in-box container system comprising a collapsible container having a liner attached to the collapsible container, such that when the container is expanded from a collapsed state, the attached liner similarly expands. When the collapsible container is expanded, the liner may expand to substantially conform to the shape of the collapsible container. The liner may further comprise a filler fitting for receiving contents for filling the liner. The filler fitting may comprise one or more annular rings adapted to secure the filler fitting of the liner to an opening in the collapsible container. The collapsible container may be made of corrugated fiberboard. The collapsible container may further include tape having two adhesive sides for securing the collapsible container in an expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: CDF Corporation
    Inventors: James Plunkett, Joseph J. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20150110946
    Abstract: A collapsible foodstuff package comprising a collapsible lower part and a collapsible cover. The collapsible lower part including an enclosed wall (or walls), an open end, and a bottom structure. The collapsible cover including an enclosed wall (or walls), an open end, and a closed top structure. The collapsible cover can be integrally attached or removably attached to the lower part of the collapsible package. The collapsible cover can be positioned so that its wall (or walls) overlap the lower part of the collapsible package. The enclosed wall (or walls) of the collapsible cover are of a predetermined length so as to increase the volume within the collapsible package thereby providing a space wherein the foodstuff and subsequently added condiments can be easily shaken thus allowing dispersal and mixing of the condiments and foodstuff without allowing spillage of the packages contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Mitchell Casimir Dyderski
  • Patent number: 9010565
    Abstract: A collapsible bowl described herein includes a base, wherein the base includes a top, a bottom, a chamber that is between the top and the bottom, a first edge, and a seam, wherein the base is foldable along the seam. The collapsible bowl also includes a first side that includes a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge of the first side is coupled to the first edge of the base, wherein the chamber is configured to receive a foldable cooling apparatus that is adapted to modify a temperature of a liquid in the collapsible bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Jerry Allen Warner
  • Patent number: 8993022
    Abstract: A carry out food bowl comprising a bowl and a removable cover. The bowl includes a conversion demarcation, which defines a conversion section. The conversion section includes a portion of a sidewall of the bowl and a bottom portion of the bowl. The user would depress the conversion section inward creating a new bowl support surface, wherein the new support surface tilts an opening of the bowl. A condiment container receptacle can be integrated into the cover to retain a condiment container assembly. This associates the condiment with the contents of the bowl. The bowl and lid can include a stacking interface enabling one to attach a second bowl onto a cover of a first bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Allen D. Hertz
  • Patent number: 8991441
    Abstract: A plastic, hot-fillable container which has one or more moveable portions each comprised of intersecting perpendicular recesses. Each of the one or more moveable portions is constructed to move outwardly temporarily without permanently deforming responsive to hot-filling the container with a product. The one or more moveable portions also can be constructed to move inwardly to reduce a portion of an internal vacuum within the filled and capped container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Matthew T. Gill
  • Publication number: 20150086307
    Abstract: Described herein is an improved container for storing, shipping, and dispensing proppant materials used in hydraulic fracturing operations. The container systems incorporate stretchable hopper structures in the container. The hopper expands and contracts responsive to the amount of proppant material held in the container. When the container is filled with a sufficient amount of proppant, the hopper stretches to expand the storage volume. When the sufficient amount of proppant material is dispensed from the container, the hopper contracts to lift and dispense the container contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Timothy Stefan
  • Publication number: 20150083736
    Abstract: A collapsible container is provided. The collapsible container includes a substantially rigid upper rim, and a container portion that is made entirely of a flexible (collapsible) material. The flexible container has a base and side walls extending upward from the base. The side walls include at least one living hinge, and the base is formed with a structural ribbing configuration. The structural ribbing integrated into the base and formed of the flexible material creates a level of rigidity in the same that allows the entire container to collapse and extend without requirement any other materials incorporated into the container portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
    Inventors: Jasper E. Wheeler, Reid Hecker
  • Patent number: 8986765
    Abstract: A carbonated beverage container includes a bottle having a flexible sidewall of generally circular cross section, a cap for closing a top opening of the bottle, pairs of coupling elements provided on diametrically opposite portions of the sidewall respectively and configured to be pushed towards each other and couple together, thereby partially collapsing the bottle and expelling a predetermined amount of air therefrom. A method of preserving the taste of carbonated beverage in a container is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventors: Ashleigh Ka Ying Chu, Nga Man Cheng, Chung Man Shum
  • Patent number: 8978912
    Abstract: A body of a collapsible shipping tote extends around an interior space of the tote while erected. The body has a series of body panels that are respectively foldably connected to one another so that the body can be reconfigured between the erected configuration and a collapsed configuration. The tote has end assemblies that each have an end panel and flaps respectively foldably connected to edges of the end panel. Each of the end assemblies is configured for being moved between an open configuration for opening a respective end of the body while the body is in the erected configuration, and a closed configuration for closing the respective end of the body while the body is in the erected configuration. Fasteners releasably secure the flaps to the body for releasably securing the body in the erected configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Response Holdings Corporation
    Inventor: Brett B. Kraeling
  • Publication number: 20150053700
    Abstract: The invention provides is an eco-friendly reusable collapsible plastic jug for drinking water comprising a durable lightweight jug that collapses into a compact, easily stowed and portable package. The jug comprises a series of accordion pleats around its circumference molded into sides of the jug. When empty, the jug can be collapsed by pulling up the lift up nozzle to permit air to escape, pressing the jug downward to collapse it, folding along its pleats, and pushes the nozzle into its closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Zita Pierson, George Pierson
  • Patent number: 8955709
    Abstract: The invention relates to a large load carrier (1) including a pallet-shaped base element (2) and at least one detachably fastened side wall (5a, 5b). According to the invention, the large cargo carrier includes at least one pedestal element (4a, 4b), which is configured so that the pedestal element is detachably fastened at the pallet-shaped base element and is detachably fastened at the at least one side wall. The invention further relates to a kit for constructing such a large cargo carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Schoeller Arca Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Lorenz, Jan Abraham Huizingh
  • Patent number: 8955703
    Abstract: Containment berms (40) for the collection of hazardous materials are provided which include a floor (42) with an upstanding, continuous, foldable sidewall (44) to define and internal zone (46) for receiving and holding hazardous materials. The sidewall (44) may be supported by means of external support structure (48) and/or internal support structure (50). The support structures (48, 50) each include a plurality of support leg assemblies (52, 52a) which are secured to sidewall (44) and are pivotal about respective upright axes (66, 66a, 150) and are pivotal from retracted positions close to the sidewall (44) to deployed positions extending from the sidewall (44) and substantially perpendicular thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Andax Industries LLC
    Inventors: Patrick F. McAtarian, Mark McAtarian
  • Publication number: 20150034661
    Abstract: Packaging containing an amount of a consumable (e.g. an at least partially dehydrated foodstuff), the packaging comprising: a container comprising an opening; and a closure (e.g. an airtight seal) closing the opening; wherein the container and the closure define a cavity having a first volume; the consumable is located in the cavity; the container is expandable such that the container may be expanded (e.g. due to the elasticity of the container) to be able to contain a second volume; and the second volume is greater than the first volume. The consumable may be to be combined with an amount of liquid, and the second volume may be greater than or equal to a volume occupied by the combination of the amount of the consumable and the amount of the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Helen Cooper, Gavin Cooper
  • Publication number: 20150034662
    Abstract: Non-durable self-supporting flexible containers having gradients where at least one of a plurality of physical characteristics that are perceptible via tactile interaction with an exterior surface of the container are varied across the exterior of the container. The flexible containers may permit users to perceive viscosity or relative thermal condition of contained product in discrete zones or regions of the container through one or more outer surface of the container without direct interaction with the product, or vary hardness or softness of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Scott Kendyl STANLEY, Kenneth Stephen McGuire, Joseph Craig Lester, Andrew Paul Rapach
  • Patent number: 8939303
    Abstract: A knock down wood box system is a storage container system that is provided with an initial easily transportable disassembled configuration that is constructed into a sturdy assembled configuration without tools or adhesives. The knock down wood box system creates an enclosable storage compartment that can be collapsed when not in use such that it inhabits a much smaller amount of space. The knock down wood box system accomplishes this through the use of a plurality of panel sections that are particularly arranged to a plurality corner clips. The knock down wood box system in the assembled configuration may also serve as a decorative piece. Resultantly, it is also an object of the knock down wood box system to create a box that is aesthetically pleasing to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Peter Y Sibbett
  • Patent number: 8919587
    Abstract: A plastic container, sidewall portions, and method of same are described. The sidewall portion can accommodate a vacuum in a filled and sealed container and includes a plurality of columns extending between upper and lower ends of the sidewall portion, and a plurality of vacuum panels oriented vertically between respective adjacent ones of the columns, each vacuum panel including an upper section, a middle section, and a lower section, a first hinge connecting the upper and middle sections, and a second hinge connecting the middle and lower sections. The vacuum panels can move radially inward toward a container central axis such that the container vacuum is accommodated. As the vacuum panel moves radially inward, the middle section can maintain a substantially parallel orientation with respect to the central axis, and the upper and lower sections rotate about first and second hinges, respectively, and incline away from the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Justin A. Howell, Mark O. Borger, Raymond A. Pritchett, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140367396
    Abstract: A pocket for catching and retrieving items inadvertently dropped in and about the space between a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat console includes two semi-rigid sidewalls extending upwardly from a base and two collapsing walls extending upwardly from the base, which is sized and shaped to be received with the space between the vehicle seat the vehicle seat console. Flexible curtain disposed about and along the top edges of the sidewalls facilitate catching of dropped items. Springs associated with the collapsing walls push the sidewalls apart to maintain placement of the pocket in the space between the vehicle seat and vehicle seat console and to ensure that the pocket is open for catching dropped articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Matthew R. Schmalz, Corey D. Cline
  • Patent number: 8910673
    Abstract: A bottle shape is provided that allows for volume-reducing deformation of a peripheral wall of the body, while maintaining stable posture of the bottle by making use of a combination of a refill container and a regularly used container having an upright discharge cylinder segment. The body is formed to have a thin peripheral wall so that volume-reducing deformation would take place along with the depressurization going on inside the bottle. The peripheral wall has three ridge lines formed in a mountain fold at approximately equal intervals in the vertical direction and has three panel walls connected to one another. Each panel wall is bordered by two adjacent ridge lines, and has a valley fold line that diagonally connects an upper end of one ridge line to a lower end of another adjacent ridge line so that three valley fold lines are disposed obliquely in parallel along a circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Tsuda, Tsuyoshi Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20140360909
    Abstract: A carrier for covering and transporting baked goods or other food products includes a base for supporting a pie, cake, cupcakes, or other baked goods. A cover is configured to be attached to the base to generally enclose the carrier, thereby protecting the baked goods for transport or storage. The cover is formed with a flexible membrane that makes it collapsible for more convenient storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Heather Curtin, Christine J. Lee, Caroline Park
  • Publication number: 20140353322
    Abstract: A collapsible enclosure having two opposed side panels, opposed front and rear panels, a floor panel, and a top panel having an opening. The opposed side panels, opposed front and rear panels, and floor panel are connected to one another to form a substantially rectangular enclosure having an opening in the top panel for access to the structure. The top and floor panels each include a peripheral edging containing a looped frame. The opposed side panels each include a peripheral edging containing opposed side frames, the side frames each having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being attached to respective looped frames. A method of collapsing the structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: BAJER DESIGN & MARKETING, INC.
    Inventor: KELLY C. KELLOGG
  • Publication number: 20140353321
    Abstract: The collapsible container is disclosed. The container has a body having an open top end, a sidewall having an accordion fold, and a bottom panel enclosing a bottom end. The accordion fold in the sidewall permits the sidewall to collapse and expand between a collapsed position and an expanded position. A collar is formed at a top end of the body, extending from the sidewall. A support is configured and arranged to prop the sidewall in a fully expanded position. A lid with an airlock may be included to permit the body to be vacuum sealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Husni Khalil
  • Patent number: 8893919
    Abstract: A storage box includes a box body that includes a bottom wall and plural side walls including a pair of side walls that oppose each other, the box body having an opening at the top and containing an object, and a pair of lid walls that extend upward from top edges of the pair of side walls and are bent along the top edges so as to cover the opening of the box body. A pair of first lines are formed on the pair of lid walls and the pair of side walls, each first line extending at least partway from a top edge of the corresponding lid wall to a bottom edge of the corresponding side wall and facilitating outward bending of the corresponding side wall when an arm is inserted between the object contained in the box body and the corresponding side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Kabe, Takaaki Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20140339242
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cup made of foldable flat material with at least one desired fold line (22) along which a convex cup wall (24) can be pushed in to give a concave, dimensionally-stable form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: FELDMANN + SCHULTCHEN DESIGN STUDIOS GMBH
    Inventors: André Feldmann, Arne Schultchen
  • Patent number: 8887942
    Abstract: A collapsible drinking cup assembly having a plurality of annular ring segments each flexibly coupled together, end-to-end. An upper drinking lip segment of the ring segments includes an interior and exterior sidewall such that the drinking lip segment tapers inwardly from a lower base portion to an annular upper distal edge thereof. A support floor of the cup apparatus includes an annular bottom flange extending radially beyond an exterior wall of the bottom ring segment. Atop lid member extends over an opening into the cup apparatus, and includes a pair of opposed, inner and outer contact walls that collectively define an annular receiving groove therebetween. The cup apparatus can be expanded from a collapsed position to an expanded position when both the annular bottom flange and the lid member are radially gripped and axially pulled apart longitudinally thereof before separation of the lid member from the drinking lip segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Humangear, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Miksovsky, Clint N. Slone
  • Patent number: 8887945
    Abstract: A foldable container module includes a body and a foldable container. The body has a sidewall and a room. The foldable container has a panel, multiple folding line sets formed on the panel, and a joint. The foldable container can be transformed by folding along the multiple folding line sets. The joint connects to the sidewall of the body. The foldable container module can be held in one hand by a user, and the other hand of the user can swing freely or take the solid food from the foldable container, such that the user can also suck the liquid from the body by the straw at the same time. Moreover, when the foldable container module is to be stored, the user can fold the foldable container along the multiple folding line sets to reduce a volume of the foldable container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Highplus International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Hung Kao
  • Patent number: 8875964
    Abstract: A collapsible backpack cooler includes a base, a collapsible portion, a back portion, and one or more straps configured for use by a user in securing the collapsible backpack cooler to their back. The collapsible backpack cooler is configured to allow the collapsible backpack cooler to transition between an expanded configuration, and a collapsed configuration having a reduced volume as compared to the expanded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: M & C Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Alexander Vanderberg
  • Patent number: 8875924
    Abstract: A foldable box includes a floor and two longitudinal and transverse side exterior walls each lying opposite in pairs and foldable relative to the floor, each longitudinal side exterior walls—including a protrusion at a transverse side end extending toward the transverse side exterior walls when upfolded, limiting foldability of the transverse side exterior walls to the outside. Each transverse side exterior wall including a locking mechanism at the outside of the transverse side exterior wall, including when upfolded, a snap-in element movable in a vertical direction relative to the floor surface, latchable with the protrusion. The protrusion and/or the snap-in element includes contact surfaces, inclined relative to the vertical direction when upfolded wherein the locking mechanism opens against a spring pretensioning when exceeding a predetermined inward force acting upon the transverse side exterior wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: IFCO Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Orgeldinger