An improved apparatus, system, and method of transporting a fluid product such as milk or juice is provided. A flexible tank or bladder is used to temporarily store the raw milk or juice and/or facilitate handling of the milk/juice between the supplier (e.g., farm), processing/bottling facility, and retail facility or storage facility.
B67D 7/02 - Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes for transferring liquids other than fuel or lubricants
B67D 7/78 - Arrangements of storage tanks, reservoirs or pipe-lines
B60P 3/00 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
G06Q 99/00 - Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
An improved apparatus, system, and method of transporting a fluid product such as milk or juice is provided. A flexible tank or bladder is used to temporarily store the raw milk or juice and/or facilitate handling of the milk/juice between the supplier (e.g., farm), processing/bottling facility, and retail facility or storage facility.
B67D 7/02 - Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes for transferring liquids other than fuel or lubricants
B67D 7/78 - Arrangements of storage tanks, reservoirs or pipe-lines
B60P 3/00 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
G06Q 99/00 - Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
4.
Convertible pallet with selectively actuated rolling feature
A convertible pallet assembly, and associated method of making the convertible pallet, includes a first, planar pallet surface, and a second, planar support surface spaced therefrom. First and second sidewalls extend in parallel relation between the pallet surface and the support surface from adjacent opposite sides thereof. The sidewalls include first and second wheels with respective rotational axes that extend perpendicular to the sidewalls. An actuation mechanism is associated with each sidewall. The actuation mechanism has (i) a first position that allows the first and second wheels on one side to move upwardly and downwardly relative to the sidewall in a non-load carrying condition, and (ii) a second position such that the first and second wheels on the one side project outwardly from the support surface in a load carrying condition whereby the assembly can be rolled on the wheels as a cart.
B65D 19/42 - Arrangements or applications of rollers or wheels
B65D 19/00 - Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
B62B 3/02 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable, or convertible
B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
5.
Bottle with center pour opening, contoured handle, and contoured profile for interlocking during stacking/transport
A container for fluid product includes a one piece body having first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls, an upper surface and a lower surface. Two of the sidewalls have non-linear, parallel conformations that each include a convex surface portion that merges into an adjacent concave surface portion for abutting engagement between adjacent containers and limit sliding movement of the abutting stacked containers. The upper and lower surfaces have a center pour opening and a recessed region, respectively, which cooperate to limit sliding movement of adjacent stacked containers relative to one another. A handle cylindrical portion is dimensioned to conform to a generally C-shape contour formed by a user's thumb and index finger.
A flexible package for an associated food item is disclosed. The package includes a wall forming an inner cavity and having a first, closed end a second, open end. The wall includes first and second sidewall portions and a flexible interconnecting third sidewall portion. A support rib extends into the cavity and is dimensioned to support the associated food item in the cavity in spaced relation with the wall. By pressing inwardly on the sidewall portions, the food item is advanced outwardly through the open end of the package.
A bottle is provided for storing an associated fluid product when filled. The bottle includes a first wall having an opening therein that is selectively opened and closed to allow the associated fluid product to be dispensed therethrough or stored in the bottle, respectively. A second wall is spaced from the first wall, and a third wall extending between the first and second walls. A compliant pleat extends along substantially an entirety of the first wall, second wall, and third wall and divides the bottle into first and second portions. The compliant pleat allows the first and second portions to move toward one another in response to a predetermined force and thereby increase pressure in the closed bottle.
B65D 23/14 - Means for the attachment of smaller articles of tags
B65D 41/04 - Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
B65D 71/06 - Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material comprising a plurality of articles completely or mainly held together by packaging elements, e.g. under tension
B65D 79/00 - Kinds or details of packages, not otherwise provided for
8.
BOTTLE WITH PRESSURIZING FEATURE UNDER LATERAL LOAD AND ASSOCIATED METHOD
A bottle is provided for storing an associated fluid product when filled. The bottle includes a first wall having an opening therein that is selectively opened and closed to allow the associated fluid product to be dispensed therethrough or stored in the bottle, respectively. A second wall is spaced from the first wall, and a third wall extending between the first and second walls. A compliant pleat extends along substantially an entirety of the first wall, second wall, and third wall and divides the bottle into first and second portions. The compliant pleat allows the first and second portions to move toward one another in response to a predetermined force and thereby increase pressure in the closed bottle.
A convertible pallet alternately displays and ships/transports associated product received thereon is disclosed herein. The pallet includes a substantially planar support member for receiving the associated product thereon. At least first and second wheels are mounted to the pallet. A convertible support surface is movably mounted to the pallet, the convertible support surface having (i) a first position where the convertible support surface receives loads imposed on the upper surface and transfers the loads directly to an associated surface, and (ii) a second position where the wheels extend outwardly from the lower surface for engagement with the associated surface so that loads imposed on the upper surface are transferred to the associated surface through the wheels and for converting the pallet into a movable cart.
B65D 19/42 - Arrangements or applications of rollers or wheels
B62B 3/02 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable, or convertible
B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
B65B 11/00 - Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
B65D 19/00 - Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
B65D 71/00 - Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
B65D 71/06 - Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material comprising a plurality of articles completely or mainly held together by packaging elements, e.g. under tension
B65D 85/80 - Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials for milk
A mold head assembly and associated method maintains a lid in a closed position relative to a cap body while a molded cap assembly is removed from a threaded core in a mold cavity. The mold head assembly includes a first member, a second member configured for receipt opposite the associated mold cap assembly and mounted to the first member for limited relative movement therebetween, and a biasing member interposed between the first and second members for urging the second member toward the mold cavity. Particularly, a compliant head assembly engages the molded cap or lid and biasing springs urge a plate, the lid, and the cap base toward the mold cavity in a direction generally opposite that of the motion of a stripping sleeve relative to a thread core.
A package for ice cream, and a process of packaging the food product are disclosed. Particularly, a first structural layer has a cavity and a flexible second layer is inserted therein. A food product such as ice cream is then introduced into the flexible second layer, and in one modification the food product may be covered with a flexible third layer, before freezing the food product. The freezing process fractures the first structural layer while the second and third layers are preferably sealed about a perimeter.
B65D 85/78 - Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials for ice-cream
A23G 9/50 - Products with edible or inedible supports, e.g. cornets
B65B 25/00 - Packaging other articles presenting special problems
B65B 63/08 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on articles or materials to be packaged for heating or cooling articles or materials to facilitate packaging
B65D 65/38 - Packaging materials of special type or form
B65D 75/30 - Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
A convertible pallet alternately displays and ships/transports associated product received thereon is disclosed herein. The pallet includes a substantially planar support member for receiving the associated product thereon. At least first and second wheels are mounted to the pallet. A convertible support surface is movably mounted to the pallet, the convertible support surface having (i) a first position where the convertible support surface receives loads imposed on the upper surface and transfers the loads directly to an associated surface, and (ii) a second position where the wheels extend outwardly from the lower surface for engagement with the associated surface so that loads imposed on the upper surface are transferred to the associated surface through the wheels and for converting the pallet into a movable cart.
A package for ice cream, and a process of packaging the food product are disclosed. Particularly, a first structural layer has a cavity and a flexible second layer is inserted therein. A food product such as ice cream is then introduced into the flexible second layer, and in one modification the food product may be covered with a flexible third layer, before freezing the food product. The freezing process fractures the first structural layer while the second and third layers are preferably sealed about a perimeter.
B65D 85/78 - Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials for ice-cream
B65B 3/04 - Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
B65B 29/00 - Packaging of materials presenting special problems
A package for ice cream, and a process of packaging the food product are disclosed. Particularly, a first structural layer has a cavity and a flexible second layer is inserted therein. A food product such as ice cream is then introduced into the flexible second layer, and in one modification the food product may be covered with a flexible third layer, before freezing the food product. The freezing process fractures the first structural layer while the second and third layers are preferably sealed about a perimeter.
B65D 85/78 - Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials for ice-cream
A cap is received on an associated bottle opening. The cap preferably includes an annular body and a sidewall that includes a thread member extending around at least a portion of an inner surface thereof. A closing surface extends substantially perpendicular to the sidewall and is dimensioned to cover the associated bottle opening. As disclosed, an opening in the cap closing surface has first, second, and third portions that each form distinct interconnected narrow, intermediate, and large pour opening portions. A lid is selectively received on the closing surface and includes a seal extending outwardly from a surface thereof. The seal includes similarly dimensioned first, second, and third portions that conform to and selectively seal with the first, second, and third portions of the cap opening. Another exemplary embodiment includes a tear-away panel portion that includes a tab to aid in removal of the panel portion and forming the opening.
A cap is received on an associated bottle opening. The cap preferably includes an annular body and a sidewall that includes a thread member extending around at least a portion of an inner surface thereof. A closing surface extends substantially perpendicular to the sidewall and is dimensioned to cover the associated bottle opening. As disclosed, an opening in the cap closing surface has first, second, and third portions that each form distinct interconnected narrow, intermediate, and large pour opening portions. A lid is selectively received on the closing surface and includes a seal extending outwardly from a surface thereof. The seal includes similarly dimensioned first, second, and third portions that conform to and selectively seal with the first, second, and third portions of the cap opening. Another exemplary embodiment includes a tear-away panel portion that includes a tab to aid in removal of the panel portion and forming the opening.
A cap is received on an associated bottle opening. The cap preferably includes an annular body and a sidewall that includes a thread member extending around at least a portion of an inner surface thereof. A closing surface extends substantially perpendicular to the sidewall and is dimensioned to cover the associated bottle opening. As disclosed, an opening in the cap closing surface has first, second, and third portions that each form distinct interconnected narrow, intermediate, and large pour opening portions. A lid is selectively received on the closing surface and includes a seal extending outwardly from a surface thereof. The seal includes similarly dimensioned first, second, and third portions that conform to and selectively seal with the first, second, and third portions of the cap opening. Another exemplary embodiment includes a tear-away panel portion that includes a tab to aid in removal of the panel portion and forming the opening.
A flip top closure assembly for a bottle Includes a base portion affixed onto a neck of the bottle and a cap portion connected to the base portion The base portion Includes a peripheral skirt for engagement with the bottle and a wall extending inwardly from atop the skirt The wall has a generally diamond-shaped opening therein that defines a pour opening A pouring lip extends upwardly from the skirt The pouring lip and a portion of the wall define a pouring spout adjacent a first apex of the pour opening At least a portion of the pouring spout extends outwardly past an outermost periphery of a side wall of the bottle The cap portion includes a substantially planar flip top hingedly connected to the base portion adjacent to a second apex of the pour opening.
A flip top closure assembly for a bottle Includes a base portion affixed onto a neck of the bottle and a cap portion connected to the base portion The base portion Includes a peripheral skirt for engagement with the bottle and a wall extending inwardly from atop the skirt The wall has a generally diamond-shaped opening therein that defines a pour opening A pouring lip extends upwardly from the skirt The pouring lip and a portion of the wall define a pouring spout adjacent a first apex of the pour opening At least a portion of the pouring spout extends outwardly past an outermost periphery of a side wall of the bottle The cap portion includes a substantially planar flip top hingedly connected to the base portion adjacent to a second apex of the pour opening.
B65D 41/00 - Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
A die head assembly for blow molding a plastic container such as a fluid container used commercially in the dairy industry, for example, is disclosed. The die head assembly includes a die member with an opening and a mandrel at least partially received in the opening. One of the die member opening and the external surface of the mandrel has a generally rectangular conformation. The parison introduced therein is forced into corner regions of the blow mold. The assembly and method removes ovalization of the parison and allows the plastic to reach the corners of the mold with less stretching. A plastic container results with walls having a greater control of sidewall thickness.
