Abstract: A reusable beverage container for hot or cold beverages is for use in vehicle beverage holders with receptacles sized for twelve ounce beverage cans. The container has a first lower portion of a diameter approximating or less than the diameters of standard twelve ounce beverage cans. A second upper portion is provided with a diameter larger than lower portion providing additional beverage capacity. A flange is formed between the upper and lower portions. One or more ribs substantially encircle the second upper portion. A handle is positioned sufficiently high on the upper portion so as not to interfere with the insertion of the lower base portion into the vehicle beverage holder.

Abstract: A hot-fill plastic container includes a plurality of elongated vertically oriented vacuum absorption panels in its sidewall, each of the panels having an outwardly projecting center portion which is divided into upper and lower panel portions by a transversely extending rib, the panel portions being connected to the top and bottom of the vacuum panel by outwardly curved connecting portions which reverse the curvature of the vacuum panel adjacent to its upper and lower edges to reinforce the vacuum panels to prevent the sidewall from taking a permanent set which deflected inwardly, the corners of the vacuum panel having a relatively large radius of curvature to provide stiffening of the panels at their corners. Annular reinforcement ribs located in the sidewall above and below the vacuum panels provide additional support for the upper and lower edges of the vacuum panels.

Abstract: In a pressure lid can (1) with an at least one-piece body member (2) and a lid member (4), which together with a body element (6) located at the closure-side end of the body member (2) forms a tight closure, in which a lever gap (26) between the body member (2) and the lid member (4) is left free for the application of a lever by means of which the lid member (4) can be levered up, the lid member (4) has an all-round, resilient engagement lip (8), which engages from the inside under pretension in a closure corrugation (10) of the body element (6) adapted to the engagement lip shape.

Abstract: A container of a heat set plastic material adapted for hot fill applications includes a plurality of elongated vertically oriented vacuum panels in its sidewall and first and second circumferentially extending inwardly directed reinforcement ribs which are located in the label mounting areas above and below the vacuum panels and which cooperate with upper and lower label bumpers of the container to support the upper and lower edges of the vacuum panels permitting the center portions of the panels to flex inward during filling and sealing the container with a hot liquid, but resisting deformation of the container sidewall in compensating for the hot-fill vacuum.

Abstract: A can body which is reinforced by collapsed radially inwardly directed beads. The beads may either be normal to the axis of the can body or slope at an angle thereto. Maximum axial strength is obtained when the beads are normal to the axis of the can body while maximum panel strength is obtained when the beads slope at an angle to the axis. The can body is provided with normal open beads which are collapsed either during a flanging operation or a double seaming operation. When the beads slope relative to the axis of the can body, it is necessary that the originally formed open beads have a configuration which will permit the collapsing of the beads while the beads remain in angular relation with respect to the axis of the can body.

Abstract: A partially collapsible container adapted to contain beverages or other dispensable fluids is disclosed in which the collapsible portion of the container provides for the automatic deployment of either a drinking straw or a pour spout mounted within the container. In its non-collapsed state, the straw or spout is hidden within the container; however, upon manual manipulation of the collapsible portion of the container, that portion comes into contact with the upper segment of the straw or spout, thereby causing the straw or spout to penetrate a weakened opening of the exterior surface of the container, thereby exposing the straw or spout for use. Also disclosed is a stopping mechanism to prevent the collapsed portion of the container from elastically springing back toward its original position.

Abstract: A can body which is reinforced by collapsed radially inwardly directed beads. The beads may either be normal to the axis of the can body or slope at an angle thereto. Maximum axial strength is obtained when the beads are normal to the axis of the can body while maximum panel strength is obtained when the beads slope at an angle to the axis. The can body is provided with normal open beads which are collapsed either during a flanging operation or a double seaming operation. When the beads slope relative to the axis of the can body, it is necessary that the originally formed open beads have configuration which will permit the collapsing of the beads while the beads remain in angular relation with respect to the axis of the can body.

Abstract: A multi-layer co-extrusion blow molded plastic container adapted to be filled with a heat-sensitive nutrient and then retorted at relatively high temperatures to sterilize the contents thereof, the contents being agitated by rotating the container while it is being retorted and certain of the side walls being ribbed to both increase the surface area of the container and thus the heat transfer properties thereof and to aid in agitation of the contents whereby to minimize the time period the heat-sensitive contents must be exposed to such high temperatures for sterilization thereof, and the method of providing such a sterile container of heat-sensitive nutrient.

Abstract: A plastic can, having a cylindrical sidewall with circumferential beads and a flange at each end is disclosed. The material of construction preferably includes a structural layer and a barrier layer; the thickness and dimensions of the wall permit lidding with metal lids and retorting of the filled can without leakage or collapse.

Abstract: An improved PET container is disclosed which is expressly configured for hot fill applications. The container's body side wall is rigidized against radical and longitudinal vacuum distribution so that paper labels can be applied to the container. In addition, the amorphous threaded mouth of the container is rigidized by gussets molded into the container at the junction of the mouth and body portion of the container to resist deformation when the container is capped. Finally, a bulbous vacuum deformation area in the container is provided adjacent the container mouth.

Abstract: A device for protecting a carbon disk stack used in an aircraft brake assembly is disclosed. The glove-like device is constructed of an impact-resistant, flexible material and is installed by sliding the device over the carbon disk assembly. The device may be used to ship a carbon disk stack fixed to a torque tube of the brake assembly or to ship a stack of carbon disks alone.

Abstract: A plastic disposable canister for use with a conventional paint spray gun. The canister is a cylinder having a closed bottom, an open top, and two diametrically opposed external stiffening ribs extending the height of the canister. The canister includes two diametrically opposed cover engaging members formed from the upper portions of the stiffening ribs for engagement with the most commonly available paint sprayers.

Abstract: A roller bottle for cell growth contains a wall formed of a plurality of corrugations, preferably symmetrical and perpendicular to the axis of the bottle, and having at least one drain channel formed by at least one and preferably two opposed flat axial, uncorrugated panels and optionally containing axial reinforcement ribs provided along the outer edge of the corrugations. The corrugations are discontinuous along the inside surface of the panels to form drainage channels. The surface area of the bottle is 110 to 500% larger than an uncorrugated bottle having the same exterior dimensions.

Abstract: A method of making a storage tank system comprises forming a series of circumferentially extending wall sections on the interior walls of a cylindrical-shaped ribbed storage tank. The storage tank has a contour surface with rib recesses. Each wall section is bonded to the tank's interior walls at a distance of less than about one inch in height from the tank wall and extends laterally across a rib recess.