Collapsible Wall Feature Patents (Class 220/666)
  • Patent number: 8365944
    Abstract: An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; a collapsible cooler wall extending between and attached to said base and said upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler, the cooler wall including a flexible elastomeric membrane that includes hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and one or more bracket members selectively positionable to extend between and interconnect the base and the upper rim for conveying tensional forces between the base and the upper rim upon lifting of the cooler from a location above the cooler wall. The rim preferably includes one or more handles for lifting of the cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: M & C Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Alexander Vanderberg, Daniel Lee Bizzell
  • Patent number: 8360261
    Abstract: A foldable concrete washout and waste containment unit having a foldable support box receiving and supporting a flexible liner for receiving and retaining within the flexible liner within the support box waste materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Outpak, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Eason, Gregory D. Ramp
  • Publication number: 20130008912
    Abstract: The storage box contains a box member, a cover member having an edge joined to a top edge of the box member, and a base plate placed in the box member. The cover member has three side pieces extended downward from the other three edges. Two fastening elements are configured on the inner sides of the box member's corners adjacent to the cover member, respectively. A first support piece and a second support piece are pivotally configured on the base plate. After the base plate is placed in the box member, the first and second support pieces are raised, and fastening elements on the first and second support pieces are locked by the fastening elements of the box member. A first side piece of the three side pieces extends further inward to form angle so as to tightly cover the box member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Wen-Tsan WANG
  • Patent number: 8348087
    Abstract: A cold box is provided. The cold box includes an outer bag which is rectangular and has an upper opening, a lid which closes the upper opening of the outer bag, and a thermal insulator which is foldable and is detachably housed inside the outer bag. The thermal insulator is formed from a pouch-covered thermal insulation material. The thermal insulator includes a bottom wall, a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of side walls. Each of the side walls has a fixed part disposed adjacent to the rear wall and a turning part disposed adjacent to the front wall. The fixed parts are fixed to side faces of the rear wall, respectively, and the turning parts are rotatably coupled to front faces of the fixed parts, respectively. When the thermal insulator is folded, the front faces of the turning parts face each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Inoac Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiya Sawaki
  • Patent number: 8333297
    Abstract: The invention provides a reinforcing corner post suitable for use with a container comprising a foldable blank having a base panel and a pair of opposed side wall panels, and a pair of opposed end wall panels, the side wall panels and end wall panels being foldable into upright positions relative to the base panel to define opposed side walls and end walls with corners being formed at the junctions of the side walls and end walls, the reinforcing corner post being provided at all or selected corners of the container, wherein the corner post comprises an external post section which embraces the corner, and an internal post section which nests within the corner, and engaging means for releasably coupling the external post section and internal post section to one another by longitudinal displacement of the external post section and internal post section relative to one another to an engaged position, and locking means for securing the inner post section and the outer post section in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventors: Gilroy Clements McAlpine, Daniel Robert Algate
  • Patent number: 8333296
    Abstract: A thermally insulated foldable cup for hot or cold beverages including a flexible inner liner, an outer shell, and an insulating layer between the outer shell and inner liner. The foldable cup includes reinforcing rings at the bottom and top of the cup and two vertical reinforcing strips on opposing sides of the cup. The foldable cup can be folded from an expanded configuration, in which liquids can be poured into and held in the cup, to a folded configuration in which two sides of the cup can be folded about a vertical plane through the cup in order to reduce the size of the cup while it is not in use. The foldable cup further includes a base member and a cap member connected by a anchor strip. A locking strap extending from the base member can be used to maintain the folded cup in the folded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventor: Duncan C. Fung
  • Patent number: 8333298
    Abstract: A storage container having a collapsible unit and a twist cap is described. The collapsible unit is a type of bellows which includes a base and a sidewall attached to the base. The sidewall has a spiral fold that traverses along a portion of the length of that the collapsible unit. The length can be compressed by folding the collapsible unit along the spiral fold. As the length of the collapsible unit is reduced, access to any remaining products, such as acne pad products, stored at the bottom of the collapsible unit can be more conveniently obtained. The cap of the storage container includes a ring collar; a sleeve attached to the ring collar; and a guide attached to the sleeve. When the cap is turned or twisted the guide and the spiral fold are configured to slidably engage each other which results in shortening the length of the collapsible unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Blistex Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Wojcik, Kelly Sanborn
  • Publication number: 20120312839
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and processes are disclosed for the manufacture, filling and dispensing of flowable contents. The dispenser system includes a dispenser bottle, a dispensing cap, a pre-filled container, an optional inversion tube wherein the pre-filled container contains flowable contents therein for dispensing when a dispenser bottle is squeezed, pumped or sprayed. A user grasps the bottle, squeezes it to increase internal pressure, and forces out through the dispensing cap the flowable contents. Upon release, the system allows air to enter and replace the forced-out flowable contents and neutralize the pressure in the space between the container and the bottle. An inline process of manufacturing and filling the containers is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Charles J. Stehli, JR., Donald J. Pansier, Robert B. DeMatteis
  • Patent number: 8328033
    Abstract: A one-piece plastic hot-fill container may employ a shoulder portion, a base portion and a sidewall portion, which may be integrally formed with and extend from the shoulder portion to the base portion. The container may further have a plurality of compression ribs molded into the sidewall portion in vertical and horizontal directions—at least the vertical compression ribs being operable to change from a first shape to a second shape in response to cooling of the liquid and further extending inwardly within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Amcor Limited
    Inventor: Luke A. Mast
  • Patent number: 8328043
    Abstract: A collapsible container or reservoir including at least one side wall region (4-7) and a basal wall region or base (8) surrounding a containment region having an upper opening or mouth (10) surrounded by a perimeter flange (9) at the ends of the side walls distal from the basal wall region, the side walls include a region of concertina (14) whereby, upon squeezing or compression of the side walls, the basal wall region of the container is compacted more, relative to the extent of the upper opening. The container can be used for dispensing foods such as pet food, sauces, yogurt, custard or the like, or other liquids or semi fluid materials such as oil, grease, glue or resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Tarvis Technology Limited
    Inventors: Michael Ross Kessell, Charles Graeme Murray
  • Patent number: 8328015
    Abstract: A container, utilized for the storage and transport of articles, includes a body comprised of one or more sidewalls drawn in a generally longitudinal fashion and two end pieces, disposed distally on either end of the container body. A plurality of ribs are disposed between the end pieces to facilitate inward compression of the container body. In his manner, the container volume can be permanently or temporarily altered to take up the tolerance between the volume of articles and the otherwise fixed volume of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Weissbrod
  • Patent number: 8322924
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a trash collection and removal system that includes a flexible, foldable heavy-duty dumpster bag configured to engage with specially designed clamps that are secured onto the tines of a front loader truck and that engage with the dumpster bag by means of connecting and receiving pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Noble, John Calo
  • Patent number: 8317047
    Abstract: An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; a collapsible cooler wall extending between and attached to said base and said upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler, the cooler wall comprising a flexible elastomeric membrane that includes a plurality of hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and a drain conduit comprising a passageway providing fluid communication between an exterior of the cooler and the interior storage space or the intermediate space. The cooler is transitional between an expanded configuration for use of the cooler, and a collapsed configuration during nonuse of the cooler, by bending along the hinge lines, each configuration corresponding to a stable configuration of the cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: M & C Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Alexander Vanderberg, Daniel Lee Bizzell
  • Patent number: 8317046
    Abstract: A cooler includes a base; an upper rim; and a collapsible wall extending between the base and the upper rim. The cooler wall is capable of transitioning between a fully collapsed configuration and a fully expanded configuration and is stable in each configuration. Additionally, in transitioning between the fully collapsed and fully expanded configurations, the cooler transitions to at least one intermediate configuration in which the cooler is in a stable state and may be used. The collapsible wall preferably comprises a flexible membrane that is configured to be collapsible between three or more stable states, and preferably is formed from silicone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: M & C Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Alexander Vanderberg, Daniel Lee Bizzell
  • Patent number: 8313000
    Abstract: A foldable pot has a base, a folding body, two supporting shafts and two handles. The base is a metal basin and has a locking groove formed around an opening top of the base. The folding body is mounted on the opening top of the base and has a connecting ring, a folding segment and a mouth. The connecting ring is mounted in the locking groove and has a linking section. The folding segment is formed on and protrudes from the linking section and has two folding rings and a connecting section. The mouth is formed on the folding segment and has two pairs of through holes. The supporting shafts are transversely mounted in the mouth at intervals and each supporting shaft has two connecting arms. The handles are detachably connected to the connecting arms of the supporting shafts beside the folding body and each handle has an inserting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventor: Ronald Tuan
  • Patent number: 8308018
    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: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: George E. Kochanowski
  • Patent number: 8308006
    Abstract: A hot-fill container may have a shoulder portion, body portion, bottom portion, and numerous strengthening grooves and a thin-walled, flexible, bag-like, collapsible portion in the body portion. The collapsible portion may be located between the strengthening ribs. The container structure may also employ one or more vacuum panels in the body portion that may lie between the collapsible portion and the bottom portion. The vacuum panels and the collapsible body portion may move toward a central vertical axis when the container is subjected to an internal vacuum pressure. Strengthening grooves may border the collapsible body portion, which may be circular in pre-vacuum cross-section but polygonal in post-vacuum cross-section. Part of the collapsible portion may be concave inward toward a central vertical axis of the container while part of the collapsible portion may move away from the central vertical axis. Vertical columns may support the collapsible portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Amcor Limited
    Inventors: John A. Nievierowski, Patricia M. Maslak, Walter J. Strasser, Luke A. Mast, Frederick C. Beuerle
  • Publication number: 20120227860
    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: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Guy Jeremiah
  • Publication number: 20120187125
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a gusseted package, typically a reclosable package, wherein the gusset walls are pinned or otherwise secured or connected together. Alternatively, the gusset walls may be folded so as to be pinned or otherwise secured or connected to the body of the package. The connection may be released thereby freeing the gussets. Alternatively, a line of weakness may be formed in the package so that the connected portions may be removed along with a removable header.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Eric Plourde
  • Publication number: 20120181291
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to drinkware and in particular to drinkware formed from pliable materials, such as silicone. When used in the present invention, the flexibility of the silicone material differentiates the new drinkware from existing drinkware in a number of ways. First, the novel drinkware is pliable, foldable and bendable, so that it can safely travel without fear of breakage or injury. Furthermore, the form will always return to its original shape, and there will be no wear, tear or fatigue to the material, thereby enabling the drinkware to be stored in a smaller space than that required by drinkware formed from rigid materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Richard Fredland
  • Patent number: 8215509
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a plastic bottle suitable for vending from vending machines and for storing food or beverage products having comparatively high viscosities. A bottle is provided with a mouth, a flexible main unit having a tubular body section in fluid communication with the mouth, a base forming a bottom of the main unit and configured to support the bottle to stand upright, and a rigid portion located above the main unit and having greater traverse strength than said main unit. The mouth, main unit, and base define a retention space with a central axis. The rigid portion includes regions facing each other across from the central axis at the most distant position from the central axis. Moreover, the tubular body section of the main unit deforms into a substantially flat shape when an external force is applied in a transverse direction without the rigid portion undergoing plastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Satoshi Kuboi, Hideki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8201712
    Abstract: A dispenser for combining a number of ingredients. The dispenser may include a laminated container with one of the number of ingredients therein and a pump in communication with the laminated container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: T. Edwin Freeman, Robert Hughes, Daniel S. Quartarone
  • Publication number: 20120145709
    Abstract: A collapsing garbage can is shown as a feeder for garbage bags. A five sided design is taught where top and bottom punch out sections secure the top section relative to the bottom section. Top sections of the can to be made of absorbent or recyclable materials such as paper and cardboard while the base is made of a water resistant material so it may be used on a variety of surfaces. The sides of the top and bottom section flex so that it may fold flat and be expanded. The top section may be collapsed down inside the bottom section to reach a bag in the bottom section so when the top section is raised; the bag comes up with the top section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Foster, SR.
  • Patent number: 8177087
    Abstract: A concrete washout bag system is disclosed that is easy to transport and to assemble at a construction site and includes a frame and a foldable washout bag which is assembled onto the frame by means of unitarily formed sleeves, and is manufactured from a strong, water-proof material that allows it to be hoisted for carrying away heavy loads without tearing and includes a drawstring closure for retaining of washout materials during the hoisting, removal process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Noble, John Calo
  • Patent number: 8178140
    Abstract: A plastic bottle is provided with a mouth, a main unit, for example, a flexible, cylindrical main unit, connecting the interior of the bottle with the mouth, a base structured to close the bottom portion of the main unit and have a greater rigidity compared to the main unit. The main unit includes a lower body section extending upward from the base, a central body section extending upward from the lower body section, and a crease between the lower and central body sections. The central body section can be configured to deform into a substantially flat shape through the action of external force F so as to bend outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignees: The Coca-Cola Company, Aoki Technical Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kuboi, Hideki Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20120104006
    Abstract: A collapsible pan includes a base portion, a plurality of side portions, and a flexible connector for connecting each of the side portions to the base portion along edges thereof. Each of the plurality of side portions is configured to be pivotable relative to the base portion, thereby permitting adjustment between a use configuration, whereby each of the plurality of side portions is arranged generally upright relative to the base portion, and a collapsed configuration, whereby each of the plurality of side portions is arranged to lay generally flat relative to the base portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Phillip L. Avery, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Ian Kovacevich, Jason Honeycutt
  • Publication number: 20120104005
    Abstract: A device and method for residual concrete collection for disposal or reclamation of same, wherein a bag is formed, generally prismatic in structure, with an opening in the top. Suspension straps serve to attach the bag and support it below the outflow of concrete mixing or delivery equipment such that concrete and/or water will flow into the device, wherein water will subsequently pass therethrough. The device and collected concrete can then be moved and/or stored for disposal or reclamation of the concrete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Pat INGLESE
  • Patent number: 8162162
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a container having a reduced area of vacuum-absorbing panels and thus acquiring improved appearance and having strength against a pressure drop, i.e., the strength enough to retain the shape of the container even when there is a pressure drop inside the container. A shoulder portion or a bottom portion of a resin-made storage container is molded by aligning one or two groups of three corners and one or two groups of three pillars vertically and in parallel to the central axis of the container. Each group of three corners is a part of the corners forming a cross-section of a regular enneagon and being connected to either the shoulder portion or the bottom portion, and the lines connecting these three corners form a regular triangle. Each group of three pillars is a part of the pillars belonging to the body and forming a cross-section of a hexagon, and the lines connecting these three pillars form a regular triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignees: Suntory Holdings Limited, Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hata, Naokazu Fujita, Toshimasa Tanaka, Masaaki Sasaki, Takao Iizuka
  • Patent number: 8146763
    Abstract: A collapsible container includes a plurality of wall panels, wherein each wall panel is connected to each adjacent wall panel at a hinged connection. The wall panels are arranged so as to articulate at the hinged connections between a collapsed position and an expanded position defining a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The collapsible container also includes an anti-fold lock that is disposed proximate to a hinged connection between first and second adjacent side walls. The first side wall includes at least two wall panels defining a diagonal hinge extending substantially between diagonally opposite corners of the side wall and the anti-fold lock is articulable into a locked position across the diagonal hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Turvey, Brian C. Dais, Sanjay Dhall
  • Patent number: 8146773
    Abstract: A storage device includes a collapsible container and a lid for the collapsible container. The collapsible container includes a plurality of wall panels hingedly connected to articulate between a collapsed position and an expanded position that defines an upper lip, and the upper lip further defines a square opening. The lid includes (i) a body that is adapted to cover the square opening in the collapsible container, (ii) a peripheral groove disposed in a side of the body, the groove extending along a square path configured to receive the upper lip of the collapsible container in the expanded position, and (iii) a plurality of wall sections projecting from the same side of the body. The wall sections are disposed radially inwardly from the peripheral groove and define a recess having four sides formed to receive therein an outer periphery of the collapsible container in a substantially parallel orientation with the body when the collapsible container is in the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Turvey, Brian C. Dais, Sanjay Dhall
  • Publication number: 20120067906
    Abstract: A flexible mud pan or trough constructed from a structurally supporting material, within which is held a volume of a viscous and settable compound. Upon setting and drying of remnants of the compound not applied, the pan is collapsed or otherwise folded/twisted, causing the flaked remnants to be forcibly disengaged from the flexible surfaces of the pan, the pan subsequently returning to a pre-existing physical configuration reconditioned for future use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Jordan E. Szasz
  • Patent number: 8123063
    Abstract: A cartridge tank for a lubrication agent which includes a container main body 10 in which a lubrication agent is sealed and an installation mouth part 20 which protrudes from the container main body and is provided with an opening 21 into which an oil-supply mouth part 7 of a lubrication pump 1 is inserted, wherein the cartridge tank is provided with a cover plug 40 which covers the opening of said installation mouth part, and the cover plug has a cut groove 41 which is to be cut by the oil-supply mouth part when the installation mouth part is installed in the concave part 4 of the lubrication pump, and the cut groove is provided with a circular circumferential groove 42 having a diameter greater than the diameter of the oil-supply mouth part and a plurality of vertical grooves 43 formed from the center of the circular circumferential groove to the circular circumferential groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Lube Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Kanda, Keizo Saito
  • Publication number: 20120037647
    Abstract: A crate or container, such as for transporting egg cartons or other items includes a base, opposed side walls and a rear wall extending upward from the base. A front wall opposite the rear wall includes an upper section and a lower section having a pair of rails extending upward therefrom. The upper section is selectably slidable on the rails between an upper, closed position and a lower, retracted, open position. In the retracted position, access to the interior of the crate is provided through the front of the crate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Alan J. Cook
  • Patent number: 8113372
    Abstract: A collapsible cargo container is disclosed wherein end walls are pivoted into the container when empty and locked against the roof, and then side walls buckle via hinges into a folded configuration. The folded configuration is achieved easily with a modified spreader without the need to otherwise disassemble or deconstruct the container, leaving no loose parts or tools. The cargo container preferably constructed with an improved light weight panel that facilitates loading of the container while improving strength and reducing weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Alex Bellehumeur, Trustee of the Alex Bellehumeur Family Trust
    Inventors: Alexander R. Bellehumeur, James Woods
  • Publication number: 20120018439
    Abstract: A clothes peg holder for maintaining pegs therein in storage and allowing access during use including: a body portion defining a chamber for storing the clothes pegs, the body having a floor and dependent wall wherein the floor and wall structure define a collapsible chamber for receiving and storing a plurality of pegs; a pair of arms interconnected to the body, the arms extending upwardly from the body and having attachment means at their ends, wherein in a mounted condition the opposite arms and body form a longitudinal opening transverse to the plane of the arms for access into the chamber, and wherein the arms are adapted to fold within the chamber in a transportable condition; and wherein as the chamber progressively fills with pegs in a second mounting condition, the weight of pegs urges the arms outwardly of the body and form longitudinal internal concavities extending into the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Mellissa Distefano
  • Patent number: 8096448
    Abstract: An elastic substantially tubular package for a semi-liquid or pasty extractable by a finger pressure product comprises a skirt, a head and optionally a cap. The skirt is formed from a wound foil and is provided with a longitudinal weld seam formed by the overlapping of the edges thereof, and the head is fixed to the circumference of the skirt end and forms an oval cross-section at the level of the skirt fixing area. The end of the longitudinal weld seam contacting the head is located in or near an area where the radius of curvature of the oval cross-section is minimal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Aisapack Holding S.A.
    Inventors: Gerhard Keller, Hugues-Vincent Roy, Jacques Thomasset
  • Publication number: 20120006834
    Abstract: A collapsible plastic storage and transport container has four sidewalls configured to be collapsible inwardly towards a bottom part. Two opposing first sidewalls have recesses and upper corner regions with a spring clip. The spring clip is fixedly connected to a first sidewall and has a free end with a locking projection. The other two opposing second sidewalls have detents disposed on edges of the two second sidewalls. The free end of the spring clip is moveable in a plane of the first sidewall against a spring force of the spring clip, and the locking projection engages behind a corresponding detent to lock the first sidewalls with the second sidewalls. The upper corner regions of the first sidewalls are double-walled, with a closed outer surface and an inner surface with a grip hole. Each spring element can only be actuated from inside the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Dubois, Yves Hug
  • Publication number: 20120000912
    Abstract: An organizer container includes a fabric body movable into an expanded configuration, wherein the body defines a bottom and above the bottom, a parallelepiped-shaped enclosure divided into three compartments by first and second parallelepiped-shaped divider panels spaced from each other and perpendicularly oriented relative to the bottom. The container also can be moved into a first partially expanded configuration wherein only two compartments are established, with the first divider panel being held substantially flush against a first end wall of the body by a first holding mechanism. The second divider panel likewise may be moved flush against the second end wall and both divider panels can be moved together to entirely collapse the container. A stiffener can be moved within the enclosure to be sandwiched lengthwise between a divider panel and an end wall and/or between two divider panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth Lee Potts, Debra Lee Potts
  • Patent number: 8070006
    Abstract: Collapsible containers and associated methods are disclosed herein. Certain aspects of the invention are directed toward a collapsible container assembly that includes a foldable support member that has a length and a width. The support member has a concave cross-section that causes the support member to resist bending until a threshold force is exceeded. The support member has a folded position and an extended position where the support member is unfolded. The assembly further includes at least one surface member carried by the support member. The assembly has a deployed position where the support member is in the extended position and the at least one surface member forms an enclosure with an interior. The assembly also has a collapsed position where the support member is in the folded position. The container assembly has less exterior volume in the collapsed position than in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Evergreen Innovation Partners I, LP
    Inventors: Ed Austin, William J. Ritter, Martin Albini
  • Publication number: 20110290811
    Abstract: A collapsible container according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a base and a plurality of walls, including a first wall, collapsible onto the base. A support is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the first wall, such that an identical container would stack on the collapsible container at a first height when the support is in the first position and at a second height when the support is in the second position. In another embodiment, different stacking heights can be achieved by rotating the upper container 180 degrees relative to the lower container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Gerald R. Koefelda, Alan J. Cook, Mauricio D. Cavalcante
  • Patent number: 8066147
    Abstract: A crate, such as for transporting egg cartons or other items, includes a base, opposed side walls and a rear wall extending upward from the base. A front wall opposite the rear wall is selectably moveable between a closed position and a retracted, open position. In the retracted position, access to the interior of the crate is provided. In one embodiment, the front wall includes a plurality of pivotably connected sections, such that the front wall can be retracted to provide access to the interior. A latch selectively prevents movement of the front wall to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Ryan C. Meers, Justin M. Smyers, Roger S. Hsu
  • Patent number: 8066136
    Abstract: A container includes a plurality of resilient wall panels. Each wall panel is connected to each adjacent wall panel at a hinged connection, and the wall panels are arranged so as to articulate at the hinged connections between a collapsed position and an expanded position defining a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall and defining an upper lip. At least one of the hinged connections between adjacent side walls is an arched hinge. The container also includes a downwardly projecting bracket disposed proximate the upper lip on an exterior side of a side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Turvey, Brian C. Dais, Sanjay Dhall, Craig R. Gosen
  • Publication number: 20110284547
    Abstract: A collapsible cup has a base and a series of cylindrical body segments that together form a rigid cup body. The base includes a cylindrical base segment extending upwardly from the base and having an external thread. The series of cylindrical body segments are of graduated diameters which telescopically engage each other and the cylindrical base segment, and include an externally threaded upper portion, and an internal thread that extends the across all of an internal surface of each of the cylindrical body segments, such that each of the cylindrical body segments is threadedly engaged with and supported by either the external thread of the cylindrical base segment, or the externally threaded upper portion of one of the cylindrical body segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Sean McElligott, Jim Shepard, Baoloc Le
  • Patent number: 8061550
    Abstract: Reconfigurable bins include at least one structural component formed of shape memory materials such as a shape memory polymer, a shape memory alloy, or a combination thereof. The shape memory material is in operative communication with an activation device adapted to provide an activation signal effective to change at least one attribute of the shape memory material such that the bin can be reconfigured from a first shape to a second shape. The reconfigurable bin can include a mesh network or may be formed of panels or a combination panels and mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, John A. Cafeo, Robert R. Mayer, Jan H. Aase
  • Patent number: 8061548
    Abstract: A segregation disk and method of separately storing items in a collapsible, tubular container uses segregation disks for segregating the collapsible container into multiple chambers of user-selectable size. The segregation disks are generally planar disks having a diameter slightly greater than the interior diameter of the container, and formed of a flexible material that have a plurality of radial slits extending inwardly from their periphery to form a plurality of flexible wedges. At the terminus of each radial slit is a tear break, generally a circular hole. An integral pull tab extends from a peripheral region of one of the flexible wedges to facilitate removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: John David Peggs
  • Publication number: 20110272419
    Abstract: A cooler includes a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; a collapsible cooler wall, extending between and attached to said base and said upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler, and including a membrane having a plurality of hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the cooler is transitional between an expanded configuration for use of the cooler, and a collapsed configuration during nonuse of the cooler, by bending along the hinge lines, each of the configurations corresponding to a stable configuration of the cooler; and a handle for lifting of the cooler, wherein the handle is attached to the base and is configured for rotational movement relative to the base about a pivot axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Matthew Alexander Vanderberg, Daniel Lee Bizzell
  • Patent number: 8047389
    Abstract: A semi-rigid collapsible container (10) has a side-wall with an upper portion (5), a central portion (6), a lower portion (7) and a base (8). The central portion (6) includes a vacuum panel portion having a control portion (2) and an initiator portion 1. The control portion (2) is inclined more steeply in a vertical direction, i.e. has a more acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the container (10), than the initiator portion 1. On low vacuum force being present within the container panel following the cooling of a hot liquid in the container 10 the initiator portion (1) will flex inwardly to cause the control portion (2) to invert and flex further inwardly into the container (10) and the central portion (6) to collapse. In the collapsed state upper and lower portions of the central portion (6) may be in substantial contact so as to contain the top-loading capacity of the container (10). Raised ribs (3) made an additional support for the container in its collapsed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: CO2 Pac Limited
    Inventor: David Murray Melrose
  • Patent number: 8042702
    Abstract: Reconfigurable containers which may adopt two stable configurations are described. In the first configuration, the container is suitable for the storing and transport of goods. When in a second, collapsed configuration, the container occupies a lesser volume than the first configuration and thus requires less shipping space. This is accomplished through the use of at least one deformable active material member that is preferably a shape memory polymer and, optionally, releasable fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Robin Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20110253728
    Abstract: A package having one or more collapsible regions or portions is provided. A distinct crease, fold line, material section or separate material can be included with a portion of the package to facilitate collapsibility of a portion of a relatively large package onto or over itself to permit easier access to the interior contents while still allowing for operable use of any access device (e.g., zipper device) provided with the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20110251979
    Abstract: A system for aggregating dog hair for making yarn includes: dog hair collection facilities including one or more dog hair undercoat collectors; an aggregation facility that accepts the collected contents of the plurality of dog hair undercoat collectors; and a logistics system that manages the collection and transportation of the contents of the plurality of dog hair undercoat collectors from the plurality of dog hair collection facilities. A method for aggregating dog hair for making yarn includes: collecting dog hair undercoat from a plurality of dogs at dog hair collection facilities; aggregating the collected dog hair undercoat; and providing the aggregated dog hair undercoat to one or more mills.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Billy J. Watterson