Handle Is Of One-piece Construction With A Container Patents (Class 220/771)
  • Patent number: 5884802
    Abstract: An ergonomic fluid container which can stably support itself on a surface in either a horizontal or vertical orientation is described. A hollow handle portion is located approximate to the center of gravity of the container and is designed to permit a wide variety of individuals to obtain a complete hand grip. The container also comprises an angled spout and one or more rounded edges that may be used to roll the container on the surface to facilitate pouring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventor: Alissa Leibowitz
  • Patent number: 5881901
    Abstract: A refuse receptacle designed to hold in place a recycled plastic bag as an inner liner via a molded plastic container which is specially dimensioned to securely fit a recycled plastic bag and specially designed side handles with recessed ends which, when the handles of a recycled plastic bag are hooked underneath, act to securely hold the recycled plastic bag in place as an inner liner for the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Richard Stockton Hampton
  • Patent number: 5876675
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices and systems, and particularly, microfluidic devices that are easier to handle by the operator, without damaging, contaminating or otherwise fouling, as a result of manual contact with the device. These microfluidic devices and systems include manual handling structures, to allow handling of the small scale devices with minimal potential for fouling as a result of manual contact with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Caliper Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Colin B. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 5875913
    Abstract: A molded plastic pail and a snap-on closure having a flared skirt the bottom of which is manually engaged for removal purposes. A peripheral ring structure integral with the pail sidewall immediately underlies the skirt of the closure when in the sealing relationship with the pail thereby to block access to the skirt. However, a section of the rib structure essentially midway between the bail ears includes a break away panel connected to the rib structure by frangible webs and a living hinge so that it may be pivoted outwardly and downwardly away from the pail wall to afford access to a sufficient portion of the closure skirt to permit removal. The break away section thereafter serves as an integral handle to facilitate pouring from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Letica Corporation
    Inventor: Anton I. Letica
  • Patent number: 5868269
    Abstract: A portable article carrier apparatus includes a floor and a plurality of walls extending upward from the floor. The floor and the walls define an interior storage space, Each of the walls includes a bottom wall portion, a top wall portion, and an intermediate wall portion between the bottom wall portion and the top wall portion. Partition-support brackets are connected to intermediate wall portions of the walls and project into the interior storage space. A removable and replaceable partition is supported by the partition-support brackets. A lid is supported by the top wall portions of the walls. The walls are connected to the floor at an obtuse slant angle. The obtuse slant angle flares the walls outward, whereby the partition is permitted to be easily placed in and removed from the interior storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Shirley M. Juarez
  • Patent number: 5862941
    Abstract: A container of the type which can be lifted and carried by a person, the container comprising a bottom wall, a top wall, a back wall, which faces the person's body when the container is carried, a front wall opposite to the back wall, two opposed side walls extending between the back and front walls, a first hand-grippable portion positioned at the juncture between the bottom wall and one of the side walls, and a second hand-grippable portion positioned adjacent the juncture between the front wall and the other of the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Peter Timothy Jones
  • Patent number: 5862929
    Abstract: There is provided a bottle having a handle formed by stretch blow molding comprising an improved structure which facilitates carrying even a relatively large bottle in which a bendable handle having a flat shape extending in a transverse direction is integrally formed below a threaded portion of a neck of the bottle, and a connecting portion of said handle includes a narrow portion which is transversally provided by reducing the thickness at an intermediate portion of the connecting portion, whereby making the finger engaging tab bendable at the narrow portion in upper and lower directions, and molecular orientation of the resin material is performed by the narrow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: A.K. Technical Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Setsuyuki Takeuchi, Nobukuni Ibe
  • Patent number: 5856176
    Abstract: A culture dish for growing cultures such as tissue cells, bacteria and the like. The culture dish includes a handle extending therefrom that can be easily grasped by a user when lifting or handling the culture dish. The culture dish can also include a lid that can be placed on a base of the dish to prevent contamination of the cultures and to control evaporation of liquid from the dish. The handle can extend from the base, the lid or both. If the handles are provided on both the base and the lid, they can be configured differently so that a user can readily distinguish between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory Mathus, Anthony M. Labriola
  • Patent number: 5855277
    Abstract: A low depth, nestable display crate for bottles, preferably of single serve capacity, is integrally molded from plastic and comprises two basic components--a floor and a wall structure extending up from the floor and extending around the periphery of the floor. The floor preferably has an open lattice design and includes container support areas. The bottom surface of the floor is configured for accommodating the tops of bottles in a similar crate underneath. The wall structure comprises a lower wall portion adjacent the floor and a plurality of integrally formed pylons arranged around the periphery of the crate. The pylons are hollow and tapered so that pylons of empty crates can nest within one another. Handles are integrally formed to extend between pylons on opposing walls to provide handle bars flush with the tops of the pylons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Gerald R. Koefelda
  • Patent number: 5836469
    Abstract: A thin-walled plastic beverage container is provided with a gripping support that eliminates many of the problems associated with pouring and drinking from such containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Stanton Zebrowski
  • Patent number: 5803290
    Abstract: A biaxially oriented plastic blow molded bottle (10) has a domed upper dispensing end (12), a lower freestanding base (14) about whose central hub (24) legs (26) and ribs (28) alternate, and a round body portion (16) with an inwardly extending annular grip (32) constructed to facilitate manual grasping of the bottle. The body portion (16)has the same diameter D above and below the annular grip (32). The annular grip (32) includes upper and lower ends (34,36) that extend outwardly with curved shapes with the upper end having a more abrupt curvature than the lower end. An intermediate portion (38) of the annular grip extends between the upper and lower ends with an inwardly curved shape that is less abrupt than the upper end (34) but more abrupt than the lower end (38). In one embodiment, the bottle (10.sub.tag) has its annular grip (32.sub.tag) provided with a textured outer surface (33) that facilitates gripping of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Bongiorno
  • Patent number: 5797507
    Abstract: A nestable holiday container having two members that are pivotally connected so that the container can store an item, such as a dinner meal, whereby the two members are then closed around the item to contain the item inside. The container can be later opened up, the item removed, and the container reclosed. A perforation is provided so that an opening in the container is created while the container remains closed and other items, such as candy or toys, can be inserted through the opening. Stickers are also provided to be applied to the container for decoration and may also be light-reflective if the container is to be used at night along a roadway, such as for trick-or-treating on Halloween. When the container is in an open condition, the two members can be nested within other nestable holiday containers for storage and shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Inventor: Stanley Kramer
  • Patent number: 5785203
    Abstract: A container comprising a main body portion having a top rim, at least one side wall and a bottom wall, and having a tamper evident connection with a lid. The tamper evident connection comprising a channel within a skirt projection outwardly from the side wall below the top rim, a gripping portion of the lid for receiving the top rim and thereby securing the lid to the container. The gripping portion having a distal end to be received within the channel, thereby rendering difficult access to the distal end. The skirt having a breakable and removable portion for facilitating access to the distal end of the gripping portion upon breaking the breakable and removable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Industrial Containers Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen H. Arshinoff, Ronald J. Sturk
  • Patent number: 5776405
    Abstract: In a rotationally-molded thermoplastic refuse container of the type having a hollow handle integrally-molded with a refuse carrying compartment of the container, the improvement which includes a wall integrally-formed with the refuse container and sealingly enclosing the hollow handle from communication with the refuse-carrying compartment of the container for providing greater strength to the container and preventing refuse from lodging in the hollow handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Toter, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Timothy Prout, Todd E. Wright, Smith E. Trent, III, Anthony J. Brescia, Jerry E. Lambert
  • Patent number: 5769256
    Abstract: A hollow container is formed with a thin-walled, plastic body; and a discrete plastic handle is attached by ultrasonic energy to the plastic body. The handle has a pair of spaced bosses at each end of the handle with a central opening therein to receive an ultrasonic horn. A plurality of integral, energy-directing protrusions are spaced from one another on the bosses to be melted and mixed with the plastic of the container. The energy directors melt first and mix with the plastic of thin-walled bottle to provide a secure attachment. The preferred container and preferred handle are each made of PET plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Unimation, Inc.
    Inventor: James Medal
  • Patent number: 5732838
    Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) having an upper dispensing end (16), a lower base (18) and a body portion (20) extending therebetween is constructed with the body portion having a round upper drum section (36) and an inwardly extending lower annular grip section (38) having depressions (42) spaced about a central axis A of the container. Each depression (42) has a lower blunt end (44), an upper generally pointed end (46) and an intermediate portion (48) having sides (50) that taper toward each other in an upward direction. The lower location of the annular grip section (38) facilitates manual grasping of the bottle when initially grasped from a horizonal support surface while the tapering configuration of the depressions (42) facilitates manual fingertip gripping of the container by varying hand sizes. One embodiment has a lower base (18) with an annular support surface (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Young
  • Patent number: 5704507
    Abstract: A plastic container comprising hollow plastic body including a side wall, a base wall, a shoulder, an integral neck and an integral finish on the upper end of the neck. An integral laterally extending flexible handle is provided on the neck below the threads or the like that are positioned on the neck for receiving a closure. The handle may be of a number of configurations including a T-shape or annular bail-type shape. A method and apparatus for making the container comprises injecting, extruding and blowing wherein the finish and the integral handle are first injection molded and thereafter the neck and body are formed by extrusion of plastic integrally with the finish followed by blow molding of the hollow container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Krall, Christopher T. Evans
  • Patent number: 5704482
    Abstract: A low depth, nestable display crate for bottles is integrally molded from plastic and comprises two basic components--a floor and a wall structure extending up from the floor and extending around the periphery of the floor. The floor has bottle support areas. The wall structure comprises a lower wall portion adjacent the floor and a plurality of integrally formed pylons arranged along the sidewalls of the wall structure. The endwalls of the wall structure comprise extended handles which may be grasped in either a palm-up or palm-down orientation and allow for minimum crate dimensions. The handles are configured so as to provide sufficient clearance for a user's hands to grasp the handles. The extended configuration also provides for easy lifting as the handle bars are located well above the center of gravity of the crate for easy lifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Gerald R. Koefelda
  • Patent number: 5683007
    Abstract: A cup is provided including a generally cylindrical reservoir having top and bottom ends and a sidewall. The bottom end is defined and the top end defines an opening in the reservoir. A handle structure is affixed to the sidewall. The handle structure includes upper and lower portions fixed to and extending from the sidewall structure. A vertical portion extends between and joins the first and second portion. The handle structure also includes a substantially vertical plate affixed to the first and second portions so that the vertical plate is disposed therebetween, the vertical plate being disposed between the sidewall and the vertical portion such that a lateral distance from the vertical plate to the sidewall is less than a lateral distance from the vertical plate to the vertical member, so as to isolate the user's fingers from contact with the sidewall. The upper and lower portions are inclined from horizontal so as to facilitate gripping and maximize finger room in the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventor: Richard P. Scholfield
  • Patent number: 5682932
    Abstract: A humidifier water bottle having an opening therein with a funnel shape to assist filling, the same opening also performs a valving function as to the water in the bottle which blocks the flow of water as the bottle is rotated from a horizontal position to a near vertical position whereupon the geometry of the opening allows the water to flow into the reservoir of the humidifier and maintain a constant level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Vornado Air Circulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen W. Ediger
  • Patent number: 5680932
    Abstract: A toolbox assembly comprising a storage box, a tool tray, and a toolbox. The tool tray has a tray floor and a plurality of tray walls extending up from the tray floor. The tray walls and tray floor define first and second separate storage compartment regions for storage of articles placed therein. The tray walls further define a storage box receiving chamber above the first storage compartment region. The tray is configured for supporting the storage box within the storage box receiving chamber and spaced above the tray floor. The storage box is sized and configured for covering the first storage compartment region when the storage box is received in the storage box receiving chamber. The toolbox has a toolbox floor and a plurality of toolbox sidewalls extending up from the toolbox floor and defining a tray receiving chamber. The toolbox is shaped and configured for supporting the tray within the tray receiving chamber and spaced above the toolbox floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Contico International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dickinson, Bradley D. Gale
  • Patent number: 5671864
    Abstract: A holder for a container which is attached to the side of the container. The holder has an outer wall and an inner wall defining a chamber therebetween with an opening to the chamber. The user's hand is inserted in the opening such that a forceful grip is not required to pick up and hold the container. The holder is electromagnetically welded or otherwise joined to the container. The holder is formed on a zarf. A two handed holder for the container permits both hands of the user to hold the container with a forceful grip not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: DAR Products Corporation
    Inventor: Scott Caruthers
  • Patent number: 5671857
    Abstract: A blank for a collapsible container formed from a single molding of plastics material and comprising a bottom wall, side-and end wall panels hinged to the bottom wall so that the wall panels can be erected from a collapsed to an upright position, and complementary locking member provided at adjacent end portions of the side-and end wall panels for securing the wall panels in upright position, the blank being adapted to be stacked unto like blanks for shipment and storage, the wall panels include formations which project beyond the interior surfaces of the wall panels and corresponding recesses are provided on the exterior surfaces of the wall panels and arranged to receive the projecting formations of a like blank positioned below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Strombergs Plast A.S.
    Inventor: Per Sigmund Stromberg
  • Patent number: 5667069
    Abstract: A novel manufacturing technique for strengthening integrally molded handles on a membranous or thin-film article against tearing, by integrally molding the peripheries of the handles and adjacent rim regions of the article in a mold which provides a three-dimensional curvilinear pre-bias against the stress-pattern engendered by lifting of masses carried by the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Devon Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5660292
    Abstract: A cup is provided including a generally cylindrical reservoir member having distal and proximal ends and a sidewall disposed between the ends, the distal end defining a bottom surface of the reservoir member, the proximal end defining an opening in the reservoir member. A handle structure is affixed to sidewall. The handle structure includes opposing first and second generally horizontal portions fixed to and extending from the sidewall structure, the first portion being joined with the second portion. The handle structure also includes a substantially vertical plate affixed to the horizontal portions so that the vertical plate is disposed therebetween, the vertical plate being disposed between the sidewall and the vertical member such that a lateral distance from the vertical plate to the sidewall is less than a lateral distance from the vertical plate to the vertical member, so as to isolate the user's fingers from contact with the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Inventor: Richard Scholfield
  • Patent number: 5660301
    Abstract: An attachment provision for a bottle or receptacle for use with various possible connecting devices currently available. In its preferred embodiment, the bottle/container attachment is comprised of a external recessed area (7) running across the bottle's/container's base. A hanging bar (8), formed integrally with this bottle/container, crosses the area (7) at the bottle's/container's medial plane (FIG. 3). The upper surface (8A) of bar (8), upper wall (11), transitioning radii (11A), (11B), (12A), and (12B) form a full radius slot (10) thus creating a connecting provision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Inventor: Gary H. Kaplowitz
  • Patent number: 5641090
    Abstract: A lid 12 for refuse container and lid assembly having a base 14 and side walls 16 extending upwardly therefrom and terminating at an annular rim, the lid having a generally U shaped ledge 22 extending the approximate perimeter of the lid top portion 20 and elevated reinforcement means 36 and 38, and retaining members 70 intended to secure together the container and the lid 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Kowalski, Donald C. Presnell
  • Patent number: 5634569
    Abstract: A container including an internal carrier vertically positionable in a receptacle, guided by vertical ribs in the receptacle, and manually moved by a central handle on the carrier. The handle is hollow and releasably receives a food gripping fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Pieter K. J. DeCoster
  • Patent number: 5627150
    Abstract: Disclosed is a container 10, 25 for dispensing of detergents and other solid chemicals, and a method for manufacturing the container 10, 25. The container 10, 25 has a paperboard housing 11, 26 which contains a plastic bladder 21, 27. The exposed surface of the solid chemical is covered by a cap 12, 32. A handle 16, 37 is provided. The container 10, 25 is suitable for use in a dispensing device 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff W. Peterson, Tina O. Outlaw, Debra A. Crea
  • Patent number: 5603428
    Abstract: A container capable of holding materials such as joint compound applied from the container with an applicator to an object includes an open top, a generally semi-cylindrical first wall having a first longitudinal upper edge and a second longitudinal upper edge generally laterally opposite the first longitudinal upper edge, and second walls located generally at longitudinally opposite ends of the first wall. The first and second walls define a volume for holding the material therein. The smooth curvature of the first wall permits material to be withdrawn from the container by a scooping motion of the applicator along a smooth curve generally from the first longitudinal upper edge of the first wall laterally to the second longitudinal edge of the first wall. The applicator is capable of maintaining contact with the first wall throughout the scooping motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Inventor: Claude K. Breckwoldt
  • Patent number: 5603402
    Abstract: Container for hydrocleaning apparatuses, in particular compact hydrocleaning machines (16), comprising a couple of opposed and identical half-shells (12,14) hingen to one another on a first side (56) and provided each on a second side (30), opposite to the hinged one, with a central recess (30') circumscribing a through-opening (32) extended transversally; said opening (32) being surmounted by a portion of said second side (30) adjoining edge (40), which develops in the lower part in a sector (34) constituting a half-part of the handle. The configuration and the depth of recess (30') are complementary to the sinking formed on the upper front of the hydrocleaning machines (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Faip S.r.l. Officini Meccaniche
    Inventor: Carlo A. Cuneo
  • Patent number: 5601211
    Abstract: A dispenser assembly for dispensing liquid from a container has a dispenser operable remotely from the container by way of a tube communicating the dispenser and the liquid within the container. The dispenser assembly has a hand-held dispenser and a tube connected to the dispenser for extension into the liquid within the container. The dispenser is operable to dispense liquid from the container by way of the tube. An adaptor is secured to the container with the tube operable for extending from the dispenser, through the adaptor, and into the container. With the dispenser disconnected from the adaptor and with the adaptor secured to the container, the dispenser may be operated remotely from the container to dispense the liquid from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Contico International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Foster
  • Patent number: 5598943
    Abstract: A container is provided for holding and carrying objects, including groceries, and for enabling those objects to better maintain their temperature. The container comprises an insulated body having a cavity which opens upward, a movable lid which can fit across the cavity's opening to close it, and a removable, relatively rigid, basket which fits within the cavity. The insulated body and basket has a size to enable two, but not three, standard grocery bags to stand up within the enclosed basket when the lid is shut. The basket has one or more handles which make it easy to remove its contents from the insulated body. The inside surfaces of the insulated body and the basket are tapered, so the basket can be easily withdrawn from the insulated body and so more than one basket can be stacked inside the insulated body. Space is provided between the basket and the insulated body for cooling packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Inventor: Theodore Markus
  • Patent number: 5598941
    Abstract: A hot-fillable, blow-molded container has a grip panel structure which resists inverting when the container is filled with a hot liquid and after the container has been capped. The container and grip panel structure retain their aesthetic appearance and their structural integrity through use by the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Corporation
    Inventors: Frank E. Semersky, John W. Tobias
  • Patent number: 5590808
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Inventor: Thomas J. Schaeppi
  • Patent number: 5582322
    Abstract: In a rotationally-molded thermoplastic refuse container of the type having a hollow handle integrally-molded with a refuse-carrying compartment of the container, the improvement which includes a wall integrally-formed with the refuse container and sealingly enclosing the hollow handle from communication with the refuse-carrying compartment of the container for providing greater strength to the container and preventing refuse from lodging in the hollow handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Toter, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Timothy Prout, Todd E. Wright, Anthony J. Brescia, Smith E. Trent, III
  • Patent number: 5579937
    Abstract: A blow molded plastic container including a supporting member in the hollow space of the container extending completely across the hollow space and integral with the inside wall face of the body portion of the container at two spaced locations thereof to support the inside wall face. The body portion defines regions that comprise at least two adjoining lobes which form a handgrip. The method injection molds a preform containing an inner wall, blow molds the preform into the shape of a precursor having adjoining lobes separated by depressions, removes the precursor from the blow mold, and applies internal pressure into the precursor to form the precursor into its final shape including lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Pepsico, Inc.
    Inventor: Emery I. Valyi
  • Patent number: 5573698
    Abstract: A product dispense package suitable for employment in washing machines, comprises a stackable product container which includes a unitary molded recyclable thermoplastic container body having a closed bottom end, an opposed open top end and an upwardly and outwardly angled upstanding peripheral side wall having a stacking angle of from about 2.degree. to about 7.degree. and contained therein a compact block of detergent, cleaning agent, disinfectant and/or preservative having a powdery structure. The bottom end includes an inwardly and upwardly directed dome-shaped region therein including a handle grip portion defined in an outwardly facing side of the dome-shaped region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Ecopack GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Gunter Mandler, Wolfram Rieber, Richard Sander, J urgen Kompan
  • Patent number: 5562222
    Abstract: A temporary cover for electrical outlet boxes provides for sealing such boxes during the finishing stages of building construction, for plastering and wallboard work on interior walls and the like. The cover comprises a very thin sheet of continuous, unbroken material having an inwardly extending flange which is sized to frictionally engage the inner surfaces of the walls of the outlet box. The cover is pressed into place in the box opening, and plastering or wallboard joint compound work may be performed without possibility of contaminating the electrical box with plaster, wallboard joint compound, or similar materials, and/or possibly completely filling the box with the subsequent problems of locating the concealed box and/or accessing wiring or other components therein which have been covered by plaster or other material. The cover may be removed easily by an inwardly protruding grip, and may be economically discarded after a single use due to its construction of thin vacuum formed plastic or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Paul Shilinsky
    Inventors: Raymond L. Jordan, Paul Shilinsky
  • Patent number: 5555746
    Abstract: Portable containers for insulating and supporting disposable plastic 1, 2 and 3 liter bottles. A first embodiment includes a foamed plastic polystryrene type housing with molded handle. Pitcher type model with can fixably and snugly support the liter bottle therein. An alternative includes a removable refrigerant material such as Blue-Ice can be inserted within the interior bottom of the housing. A top portion is snapably or threadably detached from the housing. The housing is shaped to closely conform to a standard 1, 2 or 3 liter bottle. A second embodiment has double walls with the refrigerant material or insulative foam there-between. A third embodiment has a bottom portion of the housing detachable from the rest and can also contain a cold pack of refrigerant material which can be prefrozen by itself before using the invention. The fourth and fifth embodiments utilize wet-suit type outer housings with zippers and plastic type handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Patrick Thompson
  • Patent number: 5547104
    Abstract: A waste container having a container body to an upper portion of which is pivotally mounted a lid. A wheel and axle assembly is mounted to a lower portion of the container body to aid in the movement of the waste container. The waste container has an upper handle disposed near the upper portion of the container body and a lift handle disposed near the lower portion of the container body in opposing and vertically aligned relationship to the upper handle. The opposing relationship of the upper handle and the lift handle provides for a person to grasp the upper handle and the lift handle to lift and invert the waste container into a receiving vehicle to dump the contents of the waste container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Cascade Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian G. Parker
  • Patent number: 5538158
    Abstract: In a rotationally-molded thermoplastic refuse container of the type having a hollow handle integrally-molded with a refuse-carrying compartment of the container, the improvement which includes a wall integrally-formed with the refuse container and sealingly enclosing the hollow handle from communication with the refuse-carrying compartment of the container for providing greater strength to the container and preventing refuse from lodging in the hollow handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Toter, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Timothy Prout, Todd E. Wright, Anthony J. Brescia, Smith E. Trent, III
  • Patent number: 5535910
    Abstract: A refuse container and corresponding lid for storing and transporting goods, wherein the lid is slightly domed and provided with one or more drain channels for conducting accumulated liquid out of a recessed portion of the lid. The container is also provided with handles having a double vertical wall support structure at the point of attachment to the container for increasing the rigidity and vertical and lateral load bearing capacity of the handle. The bottom of the container is shaped to correspond to the lid to allow for vertical stacking and to limit the lateral motion of the stacked containers. The container bottom also contains radially extending ribs which provide additional material to wear away when the container is dragged over floor surfaces. The ribs, which provide a very small contact patch area, reduce friction when the container is dragged over a floor surface. Also, the container bottom is provided with an indented hand grip which assists in the handling of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Tucker Housewares
    Inventor: Timothy S. Cassel
  • Patent number: 5535914
    Abstract: A container for receiving and supporting a grocery bag. The inventive device includes a container having engaging assemblies extending from laterally opposed sides thereof for engaging the handle loops of a grocery bag. A lid positionable across an open upper end of the container has laterally opposed cut-outs permitting projection of the engaging assemblies of the container through the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventors: Frank Badalamenti, Patricia Badalamenti
  • Patent number: 5526954
    Abstract: The invention, which relates to an injection-molded plastic bucket with a bottom, a wall expanding conically from there to the upper edge and a carrying handle, where the upper edge of the wall is provided with receiving elements for a carrying handle at diametrically opposite points, and a process for manufacturing an injection-molded plastic bucket, is based on the task of specifying a plastic bucket and a process for its manufacture, of which the technical outlay and, thus, the mold costs can be reduced and of which the universal utility of the molds can be improved, this task being solved in that the plastic bucket is molded in one piece, where the carrying handle is located in the parting surface between the hollow mold and the female mold during molding, the carrying handle is at least indirectly connected to the remaining bucket body via ties designed as predetermined breaking points, and pins protruding outwards are integrally molded on the upper edge at the locations of the receiving elements, these
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Jokey Plastik Wipperfurth GmbH
    Inventor: Robert G. Georgiadis
  • Patent number: 5524787
    Abstract: A composite package comprising an inner plastic container and an outer sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve has an aperture cut into it in the region of one of its edges. The inner plastic container has an integral plastic handle formed along part of one of its edges. When the package is assembled, the aperture in the outer sleeve corresponds with the plastic handle of the inner container, thereby allowing the composite package to be picked up and handled by means of the plastic handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Alan D. Blake, Andre M. G. Jacobs, Annick A. S. Van Put
  • Patent number: 5520306
    Abstract: A plastic receptacle has a pivotable hoop-handle, which, at two diametrically opposing carrying extensions is connected to the receptacle by strap hinges. Each of the carrying extensions is configured as a U-shaped, outwardly protruding stay, having two vertical bars connected by a bow, to the horizontal part of which bow the strap hinge, which is configured as a band-like, flexible intermediate piece, attaches tangentially at the bottom. When the hoop-handle is tilted up, the strap hinge bears against the outer side of the bow and of the adjoining bar. At a slight distance from the latter there is disposed a retaining cam, which projects like a ramp and retains the strap hinge, and therefore the hoop handle, in an approximately upright position. The receptacle includes a bucket, which is surrounded beneath the upper rim of its side wall by a reinforcing ring, injection-moulded in one piece from plastic, which is snapped removably onto the bucket and onto which the hoop handle is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Schoeller-Plast SA
    Inventor: Hans Umiker
  • Patent number: 5520282
    Abstract: A novel manufacturing technique for strengthening integrally molded handles on a membranous or thin-film article against tearing, by integrally molding the peripheries of the handles and adjacent rim regions of the article in a mold which provides a three-dimensional curvilinear pre-bias against the stress-pattern engendered by lifting of masses carried by the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Devon Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5501355
    Abstract: A work box comprises a central box unit and two lateral box units. Each of the box units has a bottom wall, a front end wall, a rear end wall, two opposing lateral side walls, and adjacent surfaces of complementary shape so that when the work-box is closed it forms an essentially solid block. Guide means of the work-box is arranged between the central box unit and the lateral box units, respectively. The bottom wall of the central box unit comprises downwardly inclined slanted wall portions, with the contour of the central box unit essentially corresponding to a triangular prism. The central box unit opens in an upward direction and has a lower edge defined by the slanted wall portions of its bottom wall, which faces in a downward direction. The upper edges of the front end, rear end, and side walls of the lateral box units define a plane that is parallel to the slanted wall portions of the central box unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventors: Manfred Elzenbeck, Klaus Haar
  • Patent number: 5485942
    Abstract: A dispenser assembly for dispensing liquid from a container has a dispenser operable remotely from the container by way of a tube communicating the dispenser and the liquid within the container. The dispenser assembly has a hand-held dispenser and a tube connected to the dispenser for extension into the liquid within the container. The dispenser is operable to dispense liquid from the container by way of the tube. An adaptor is secured to the container with the tube operable for extending from the dispenser, through the adaptor, and into the container. With the dispenser disconnected from the adaptor and with the adaptor secured to the container, the dispenser may be operated remotely from the container to dispense the liquid from the container. The container has a crown formed in a top wall which projects adjacent to and beyond the dispenser when the dispenser is secured to the container top wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Contico International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Foster