Abstract: A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish, a lower portion including a base, a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the sidewall defining a central longitudinal axis of the container, and at least two vacuum panels located in the sidewall and separated by a substantially longitudinal rib having a wavy longitudinal profile. Each vacuum panel comprises a first portion having a first cross-section in a plane substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis, and a second portion having a second cross-section in a plane substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis, the second cross-section being arced to a greater extent than the first cross-section.

Abstract: A food package for sliced food products to be maintained with a fluffed appearance, the package including a rigid base member forming a compartment for receiving the food product and a rigid lid sealed to the compartment. Advantageously, the base member includes a bottom wall and side wall portions that are configured to engage the food product to hold the slices in a fluffed arrangement thereof. Preferably, one or more tapered side wall portions hold the food product upwardly toward the lid and inwardly toward a center of the package. In preferred embodiments, the base member and lid provide a rigid-rigid construction of the food package. In preferred embodiments, the food package is also configured to stand-up in a vertical display orientation and does not require the food product be contained within a sealed pouch within the compartment.

Abstract: A personal fluid dispenser includes a flexible container holding fluid to be dispensed. The flexible container is defined by a front wall, a rear wall, rounded shoulders joining a portion of the front wall to the rear wall, opposed rounded side walls extending from the rounded shoulders and joining additional portions of the front wall to the rear wall, a dispensing end providing access to the interior volume of the container; and a closed insertion end opposite the dispensing end and defined by first and second tapered walls meeting at a rounded apex, the insertion end joining additional portions of the front wall to the rear wall, the opposed rounded side wall also joining the first and second tapered walls along a portion thereof.

Abstract: Portable container that can be filled with material and moved to another location at which the container is emptied of the material in accordance with the invention includes a wall-defining structure defining an interior receivable of the material and including at least one side wall and a bottom wall. A flat wall portion of the side wall(s) has a substantially planar outer surface and a remaining portion has a substantially arcuate shape. A pair of handles are arranged on the side wall(s). By providing the flat wall portion on the side wall, the container can be leaned against the ground while maximizing contact between the container and the ground. This maximal contact improves the transfer or movement of clippings and other debris from a pile thereof into the container when the container is leaned alongside the pile.

Abstract: A receptacle (10), e.g. a jug, comprising a flat or substantially flat base wall (16), a sidewall (18) extending upwardly from the base wall (16) to define a liquid receiving volume (12), and a plurality of integrally-formed projections and/or indentations located on the sidewall (18) arranged to indicate, in use, the depth of liquid within the liquid receiving volume (12). The receptacle may be manufactured of moulded paper pulp, and may also comprise a grip portion (14).

Abstract: A container can have a body with an integrally formed base attached to the body. The base includes a concave annular wall extending from the container sidewall to a standing surface, and an inner wall extending from the standing surface to a substantially flat inner annular wall. The inner annular wall is recessed in the base and is substantially perpendicular to the container sidewall. The inner annular wall includes a centrally located dimple. The dimple includes a plurality of spaced apart and radially extending indented ribs. One or more of the ribs extend radially into a brace that tapers to meet the inner annular wall.

Abstract: A base including an inwardly and upwardly projecting flexible surface within a continuous seating ring supports a generally cylindrical wall extending upward from the base. A plurality of annular inwardly projecting, and vertically flexible rings interrupting the cylindrical wall. At least one of rings projects inwardly more than some others of the rings to achieve an improved sidewall crush resistance A shoulder portion, includes a plurality of vertical ribs separating a plurality of vacuum responsive panels. The vertical flexibility of the bottle sidewall reduces the amount of flexing required in the shoulder panels and base to accommodate the same vacuum development, and enhances the total amount of post capping vacuum development that can be accommodated by the bottle as a whole.

Abstract: A profile (2) comprises a rounded upper portion (6) and a lower portion (7) and is suitable for being fastened onto an edge (3) of a panel (4a) by means of fastening means (5). The lower portion (7) comprises a first wall (7a) suitable for mating with the panel (4a) and a second wall (7b) joining said first wall (7a) to said upper portion (6), thus defining a chamber (8) that is comprised between the first wall (7a) and the second wall (7b) and is suitable to enclose one end (10) of said fastening means (5). Thus, the profile accomplishes an anti-catching function. The present invention also relates to a method for fastening said profile (2) town edge (3) of a panel (4a).

Abstract: A can cover comprising: a top panel having an opening portion with a score line engraved on the top panel; a rotational tab rotatably installed on the top panel; and a severance initializing means for connecting the rotational tab and an area adjacent to the score line of the top panel to initialize a severance of the score line at a start point when the rotational tab is rotated.

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.

Abstract: A plastic container having curved surfaces and digital printing is disclosed. An embodiment of the container provides a hollow plastic container including a multiple color, single-cured digital image on a first curved surface having a non-constant radius of curvature, and a second curved surface having a non-constant radius of curvature that is spaced from the first curved surface, such that the first and second curved surfaces are on opposed surfaces.

Abstract: A tool caddy which provides a carrier having open sides and a recess element configured to receive a part of the body of person in an open recess area to locate such part of the body closer to the center of mass of the tool caddy.

Abstract: A container includes a vessel defining an internal volume adapted to be loaded with a removable material, a handle connected to the vessel, and a hanging device associated with the handle for hanging the vessel onto an upright structure, such as the front wall of an ice machine when the container is being used as an ice tote. The handle is rotatable between a raised position and a lowered position, and the hanging device is connected to the handle so as to rotate with it. This construction allows a user to dismount the container from the upright member with rotation of the handle from the lowered position to the raised position.

Abstract: A blow-molded bottle has a flexible concave perimeter surface extending between an upper peripheral margin projecting outward from the bottle neck and an outwardly protruding ring located above the sidewall upper margin. The flexible concave perimeter surface is specially dimensioned to respond to the presence of a vacuum within the bottle by forming linear segments between the upper peripheral margin and the outwardly protruding ring. The average radius of the vertical mid-point of the concave perimeter surface is generally greater than (3/?) (sin ?/3) (R1+R2), and less than (6/?) (sin ?/6) (R1+R2), where R1 is the outermost radius of the upper peripheral margin, and R2 is the radius of the outwardly protruding ring. The vertical midpoint radius of the flexible concave perimeter surface measured from the vertical axis can be made to vary by between one and five percent at between three and five positions around the perimeter.

Abstract: A container for a slush beverage (10) with a side wall (11) and a base (12). The side wall includes a collapsible means (15) to facilitate partial collapse such that a frozen beverage within the container is crushed by manual gripping in a bellows-like action. Preferably the container also includes a lid (14) that forms a second compartment (18) for a second liquid to be mixed with the first in use. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a slush for dispense whereby hollow regions are created in an accreted ice structure as it is freezing.

Abstract: A thin walled, plastic hot-fill container has a finish to receive a closure, a neck supporting the finish, a shoulder situated below the neck, a base, and a body between the shoulder and base. The body includes upper and lower margins defining a label mount area that includes a plurality of inwardly recessed vacuum panels separated by vertical posts. At least one indented reinforcing ring separates the upper and lower edges of the vacuum panels from the adjacent margins of the label mount area by a distance D. Each vacuum panel includes an inclined upper and lower margin of height H that is greater than distance D, and has corners defined by radius R, which is less than or equal to D. Lateral margins of each vacuum panel extend vertically between the corners and connect the adjacent posts to a central depressed region, each lateral margin being essentially perpendicular to the adjacent surface of the vacuum panel.

Abstract: A molded polymeric container generally symmetric about a vertical axis includes at least two rows of panels disposed circumferentially around the body, the panels having central portions that are sufficiently flexible to be dimensionally responsive to changes in pressure within the container. At least one row of the panels has a margin having a horizontal width exceeding the vertical height, thus being laterally elongate with a height/width aspect ratio of less than one. The pressure responsive central portion of each laterally elongate panel is a smooth outwardly projecting dome from a peripheral root of a generally radially projecting wall defining the margins of circumferential rings and posts separating the panels. Panels in another row can have an ovate step connecting the perimeter of the panel to the central portion of the panel. Outward protrusions can be provided within the central portion to provide support for a surrounding label.

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 sidewall portion may generally be in an hourglass shape and employ a plurality of arched contour ribs and a plurality of arched contour lands that may alternate along a longitudinal length of the sidewall portion. An outside diameter of an upper body portion is greater than an outside diameter of a lower body portion, which may form a hand grip area. The arched contour ribs may further employ an upper flat wall, a lower flat wall, and an inner curved wall joining the upper and lower walls, which together may form an angle of about 60 degrees, and move in response to hot-fill product contraction within the container or top load forces.

Abstract: A suspension device is applied to containers comprising a tubular body (10) having a side wall (11) carrying an outer peripheral projection (12) and an annular upper wall (13). The device comprises a retaining ring (25) incorporating an inner radial flange (27) to be seated onto an upper edge (11a) of the tubular body (10), and elastically deformed retaining fingers (28) that are fitted under and against the outer peripheral projection (12), in the condition in which the retaining ring (25) is mounted around the tubular body (10) and axially retained under said outer peripheral projection (12), said retaining ring (25) affixing end portions (29a) of a suspension handle (29), that is displaced between a rest position and a raised operative position.

Abstract: A nest and stack container system is provided. The system comprises a plurality of containers in various sizes, allowing the stacking of smaller sized containers on a larger sized container. Alternatively, the large container may be stacked on at least two adjacently-arranged small containers. The inventive nest and stack containers allow flexible handling of various sizes of storage containers. Individual containers can be stacked and nested among each other, and in combination, stacks of containers can be formed in any desired sequence of large and small containers, with individual containers each being placed in a slip-proof manner on top of another container.

Abstract: A holding element (9) for at least one object, with a body (9a) including a point of support (6) for accommodating an object and an accommodating element (22) for the edge of a support profile to which the holding element (9) can be attached, in which the body (9a) has an outer surface (10) of which an upper limiting edge (20) adjoining the outer surface (10) forms point of support (6), and in that the accommodating element (22) for the support profile is contrived at the lower limiting edge (24) of the outer surface (10).

Abstract: A steel sheet undergone precipitation strengthening and refinement in crystal grain size by containing at least one element of 0.005% to 0.05% of Nb, 0.005% to 0.05% of Ti, and 0.0005% to 0.005% of B as a chemical composition is produced through continuous annealing. A steel containing at least one element of Nb, Ti, and B is hot rolled, cooled at a cooling rate of 40° C./s or less, and coiled at 550° C. or higher to facilitate precipitation of cementite after recrystallization annealing. As a result, a steel sheet for a can having a tensile strength of 450 to 550 MPa, a total elongation of 20% or more, and a yield elongation of 5% or less is produced.

Abstract: The present trash receptacle (and method for using the same) reduces the suction/vacuum effect in the bottom portion of the receptacle as trash bags or polyliners are removed therefrom. The receptacle includes a vent enabling fluid communication from a first chamber section (at the bottom of the receptacle) to a second chamber section which rests above the first chamber section.

Abstract: A container for dispensing liquids has a sidewall with circular ribs and is compression-resistant. The container side surface has a bottom section with sinusoidal convex and concave ribs that are substantially mirror images of each other and have an absence of sharp angles. The container can also have a bottom surface with sinusoidal ribs.

Abstract: An inset grip-configured, drop-reducing, drinking apparatus, including a mug having an exterior surface and interior surface, a hand-configured depression in said mug, said depression including extension for fingers and thumb portions into interior of said mug, fitting the palm and fingers of the user, and wherein the exterior surface of said mug covers the finger and thumb portions of said hand-configured depression. An inset grip-configured drop-reducing drinking apparatus, including a mug impressed with a hand-configured depression contoured to substantially match the natural gripping shape of a hand. A user's hand can be partially enclosed within the sidewall of a mug when gripping the mug. The partial enclosure can constitute pockets for receiving the fingers and thumb of a user, said pockets extending into the interior space of the mug.

Abstract: A method for fixing a valve assembly to a container, the container comprising a neck portion in a first thermoplastic material and the valve assembly comprising a ring of a second thermoplastic material, the method comprising positioning the valve assembly on or in the container's neck portion to form an interface between the thermoplastic ring and the container's neck portion, characterized in that the method further comprises laser welding the thermoplastic ring to the container's neck portion.

Abstract: A disposition introduced in support (1) is described, equipped with body (2), in shape of a cone, such that the body (2) has a closed lower end, representing a bottom (3). The upper end (2a) of the body (2) is equipped with a prolongation, representing a flap (4) which is disposed over its entire extent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic container having a neck, shoulder, base and body portion. There are longitudinal base panel portions with rounded, longitudinal base panel edges separating each of said flattened portions from each other at a waist. The waist has a circumferential dimension less than the base and is positioned between the body portion and the base. The body portion is positioned between the waist and the circular shoulder and has flexible, substantially flat longitudinal body panels and rounded, longitudinal body panel edges separating adjacent body panels from each other and merging with the longitudinal panel edges of said base. The longitudinal body edges increase in width as the body longitudinally merges with the circular shoulder portion, and the circular shoulder portion has a rounded portion transitioning into and merging with the body panels, and a sloping portion of reducing diameter merging with the neck.

Abstract: In order to achieve a container which is convenient for carrying, delivery, transportation and storage of a viscous liquid, which can be disposed by being crushed to a small volume size when it has become empty, and which prevents twisting or rising up of the lower half of the container during a mixing of a viscous liquid, a container A holding liquid is used, wherein a ring-shaped rim frame 2 is provided on the upper end of a flexible tubular main body 1, a bottom plate 3 is fitted onto an opening at the lower end thereof, and at least one ring-shaped trunk section frame 4 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of said tubular main body 1.

Abstract: A laundry basket has a bottom panel with a perimeter. A contiguous side wall extends generally upward from the perimeter of the bottom panel and terminates at an upper end. A basket interior is defined above the bottom panel and bounded by the side wall. A curved wall section of the side wall is curved concavely inward toward the basket interior. The bottom panel and the contiguous side wall, including the curved wall section, are formed of a primary material. A cushion pad is positioned generally at the upper end of the curved wall section and is formed from a secondary material that is softer than the primary material of the curved wall portion.

Abstract: Embodiment of the invention relate to a container. In one respect, embodiments of the invention provide a container that is useful in advertising because of its distinctive shape and faux pull ring, and/or because it is configured to output a jingle or other stored audio. Moreover, in embodiments of the invention, the container is configured as a cooler with a thermal insulator. Such a cooler may also include an automatic lid mechanism that allows for hands-free operation by users that seek to retrieve, for instance, a cold beverage from the cooler.

Abstract: A receptacle for containing fluids constructed of a single wall wherein the foci of the well is offset from the foci of the perimeter, such that the resulting wall is of purposely differential thickness, to a point of maximal width. This may be of unitary construction from commonly used materials, utilizing the inherent insulating properties of the material selected, lowering manufacturing complexity and cost. In an application as a thermal container for beverages, the thickest aspect of the receptacle provides thermal insulation without interior or exterior insulating materials or internal air or vacuum chambers, and shifts the balance or center of gravity toward the holder, allowing more ease of lift. The specially shaped handle of the preferred embodiment, the present invention further enhances comfort and safety by reducing the potential for hand-burning, providing an ergonomic lifting grip which is beneficial to individuals with hand or wrist impairments.

Abstract: A substantially smooth container sidewall containing a narrow vertical rib, the rib having a width that is less than about 35% of the diameter of the sidewall, a container including the substantially smooth sidewall, and method of making both the sidewall and the container are the subject of the present invention.

Abstract: A sleeve, a system and/or a method conceal a surface of a container for providing privacy to prescription pharmaceutical containers and for providing additional space for displaying advertisements therefrom. The sleeve has at least one rib to slidably receive and frictionally attach the sleeve to the container. When attached to the container, the sleeve conceals a label of the container and/or contents of the container. The rib allows air flow between the sleeve and the container. The sleeve may be labeled with an advertisement and/or other indicia. The sleeve has a base and functions as a cup to assist a user with taking, mixing and/or measuring the contents of the container after removing the sleeve from the container.

Abstract: A foam retainer constructed with a having hollow tubular body including a receiving end and a discharge end. A passage is formed within the hollow tubular body through which a liquid is adapted to flow. The discharge end of the hollow tubular body is adapted to snugly fit onto an open end of a container into which the liquid flows. As the container is filled with the liquid, the foam generated during the dispensing of the fluid rises back into the discharge end of the hollow tubular body. In the hollow tubular body, the foam is received and captivated therein such that when the hollow tubular body is removed, the foam may also be removed from the container.

Abstract: A container shaped in the form of a teardrop is used interchangeably in upright and inverted orientations. The container is used in an upright orientation to allow a person to directly drink liquids. In the inverted orientation, the container is mounted at a height over the user and allows versatile and controlled administration of liquids even to bedridden patients. The controlled administration provides the advantages of precise and measured dispensation of liquids, on-site or remote monitoring of dispensation, and control of dispensation by a patient or a care-giver. This type of liquid dispensation is not as invasive as other medical treatments (e.g., intravenous treatment), and therefore can be employed both at home and at hospitals with comparable effectiveness.

Abstract: A double-walled container and method of manufacturing are disclosed. A first container having a smaller diameter than a second container is inserted into the second container. A portion of the first container is expanded and/or a portion of the second container may be narrowed so that first and second container is interlocked and form a double-walled container. The first and/or second containers may have ribs. An air gap between the first and second containers provides thermal insulation to contents of the double-walled container.

Abstract: A conical container that is stable includes a cup adapted to contain liquid and/or one or more selected item(s) and a frustoconical skirt depending therefrom. The container may further include a plurality of removable and interchangeable inserts operable with the cup and/or one or more tray operable with the skirt. The container may advantageously be used as a vase for an arrangement of fresh cut flowers, and may optionally be converted for use with one or more additional selected item.

Abstract: A composition dispensing container being formed of a hollow body forming an inner volume, said hollow body comprising: a single layer interface between said inner volume and the environment exterior to said hollow body; a composition ingress portal allowing a composition to be introduced into said inner volume from the environment exterior to said hollow body; and at least one composition egress portal allowing a composition to exit said inner volume to the environment exterior to said hollow body through said single layer interface; and a one-way entry valve operably connected to said composition ingress portal.

Abstract: A container is provided for substances that contain an antibacterial compound. The container is comprised of a tube body and a tube shoulder that includes a tube nozzle. The tube body may have a laminate structure. The tube shoulder may be comprised of an alkene based polymer such as a polyethylene or a polypropylene. Such alkene based polymers have a high absorptivity for antibacterial compounds such as triclosan. It has been found that the absorptivity for triclosan can be reduced through the use of at least one of polytrimethylene naphthalate, polyethylene naphthalate and acrolonitrile/methacrylate as the surface contacting the composition containing the antibacterial. This surface can be a film on the tube shoulder/nozzle, the full structure of the tube nozzle, an insert in the tube nozzle or a co-injection molded surface on a shoulder/nozzle. The absorption is less than 1.0 mg/dm2.

Abstract: A sewage tank for use with a pump such as a grinder pump to convey sewage. The sewage tank includes a container having an upper portion and a lower tapering portion defining a chamber for containing the pump. The lower tapering portion has a reduced size compared to the upper portion. The upper portion and the lower portion may include a plurality of intersecting vertical ribs and horizontal ribs defining a plurality of recessed pockets. The lower portion of the sewage tank may also include an outwardly-extending flange sufficiently sized so that soil may be backfilled around the bottom of the tank to prevent the tank from floating upward out of the ground due to its buoyancy under high ground water conditions. A sewage tank having a stepped flange is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, profiling a tube to form at least one profiled product having a first open end and a second open end. The tube (30) is supported on a support (19) which supports the tube along at least a substantial part of the length of the tube corresponding to the product(s) to be formed. At least a portion of the tube is heated to form at least one heat-softened portion of the tube in the region(s) corresponding to the product(s) to be formed. A fluid pressure change (28) is applied to the region(s) of the tube corresponding to the product(s) to be formed to form at least one profiled product having a first open end, a second open end, and a predetermined shape with one or more three dimensional profile features.

Abstract: A disposable substance dispensing apparatus comprises a plurality of disposable substance dispensing containers coupled together in the shape of a fruit. Each of the containers is in the shape of a slice of fruit and has a fillable chamber accessed by a port through one of the outer walls of the container. A packaging material extends around each of the containers to hold the dispensing apparatus in the shape of a fruit. Each of the containers may individually be removed from the apparatus. The port of each container may be accessed by a single use tear-off or twist-off impermeable cap.

Abstract: Cup for preparing a beverage by means of an appropriate holder (30) which is suitable for use in a hot water appliance. The cup (10) comprises a cup-shaped dish element (11) for holding a preparation substance, said cup-shaped dish element having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture (24). The cup-shaped dish element (11) is provided on an open side with a covering layer (16), so that an interior space (25) of the cup (10) is formed for holding the preparation substance. The covering layer (16) is provided with liquid-permeable perforations and substantially the greater part of the surface of the covering layer (16) serves as the inlet aperture for receiving a liquid suitable for the preparation substance.

Abstract: A container kit for use with a closure configured to be held to the container by atmospheric pressure, the closure having a maximum closure diameter, is provided. The kit includes a body having a principal diameter and a first feature that extends beyond the principal diameter and the maximum closure diameter.

Abstract: An insulated multi compartment multi lid fluid storage device capable of multiple configurations to provide for different ratios of stored fluids. The device allows for individual fluids to be stored separately from one another. In addition, the device has a tapered bottom and is largely characterized by textured surfaces. More specifically, the contours of the devices lend themselves to fitting within vehicle cup holders and the like. Finally, the device is comprised of thermo-insulating material so that stored fluids can maintain a near constant temperature for relatively long periods of time.

Abstract: The aerating wine glass is a beverage glass having a fluid dynamic structure formed on an inner surface thereof for generating bubbles in the beverage when the beverage is swirled therein. The aerating wine glass is preferably formed as a conventional wine glass, having a receptacle portion, a stem, and a base, with the receptacle portion having an open upper end and a closed lower end. A plurality of protruding members are formed on an inner surface of the receptacle portion so that swirling the beverage received within the receptacle portion causes the beverage to pass over the plurality of protruding members in order to aerate the beverage through the production of air bubbles. Each protruding member may be formed as a hollow tube, allowing the wine to travel both over and through the protruding member in order to generate air bubbles as the wine is swirled.

Abstract: A food container for preparing food in a microwave oven of plastic construction material that resists rupturing by its shape modification that is subjected to forces generated by the microwaving process.

Abstract: A plastic container for use in a sterilization process includes a neck having a finish, an upper transition portion extending from the neck, a generally polygonal structure having a plurality of relatively flat panels separated by columns, and a base portion where the generally polygonal structure is disposed between the upper transition portion and the base portion. Adjacent relatively flat panels together with the separating column form an angle so that the relatively flat panels of the generally polygonal structure move together after the sterilization process thereby maintaining the aesthetics of the plastic container.

Abstract: An improved chip dispensing container for distributing, storing and serving tube-stacked chip articles includes a rigid tubular case, a sling inside the case, a, handle outside the case and cables connecting the sling to the handle. The cables pass in contact with bearings near the rim of the container on their courses between sling and handle such that moving the handle downward from an initial position near the rim, pulls on the cables and thereby hoists the sling upward from an initial position near the bottom of the container. Conversely the sling is lowered by moving the handle upward. The stack of chips resting on the sling can thus be raised or lowered by manipulating the handle to controllably access all of the chips in a tube-stacked chip array.