Robert S Gruber

US Patent:

D462522, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Oct 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

29/149650

Inventors:

William P. Apps - Alpharetta GA
Robert V. Gruber - Hermosa Beach CA

Assignee:

Rehrig Pacific Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

0301

US Classification:

D 3313

US Patent:

D487634, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

Sep 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

29/167077

Inventors:

William P. Apps - Alpharetta GA
Robert V. Gruber - Hermosa Beach CA

Assignee:

Rehrig Pacific Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

0301

US Classification:

D 3313

US Patent:

6863180, Mar 8, 2005

Filed:

Feb 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/077543

Inventors:

William P. Apps - Alpharetta GA, US
Robert V. Gruber - Dallas TX, US

Assignee:

Rehrig Pacific Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B65D019/00

US Classification:

206600, 206577, 220 6, 220 15

Abstract:

A collapsible container includes a base member having a pair of first base edges, and a pair of second base edges having a recessed base area formed therein. A pair of first opposed walls pivotably attached to the first base edges and orientable between an upright an upright orientation and an inwardly folded orientation. A pair of second opposed walls pivotably attached to the second base edges and orientable between an upright orientation and an overlapping folded orientation. Each of the second opposed walls generally corresponding in height and having a projection member arranged to be received within the recessed area of the second base edges when in the overlapping folded orientation, and each side wall has a recessed wall area arranged to receive the projection member of the second opposed wall folded thereon.

US Patent:

6892885, May 17, 2005

Filed:

Oct 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/977636

Inventors:

William P. Apps - Alpharetta GA, US
Robert V. Gruber - Hermosa Beach CA, US

Assignee:

Rehrig Pacific Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B65D021/032

US Classification:

206519, 206505

Abstract:

A nestable crate for bottles includes a floor portion having a floor top surface, a floor bottom surface and a plurality of bottle support areas. A wall structure is connected to the floor portion and forms a containment area therewith. The wall structure has a peripherally extending upper band portion with an interior surface and an exterior surface, and also has a single-walled lower wall construction comprising adjacent column members which extend between the upper band the and floor portion. The wall structure includes sidewalls and end walls, and adjacent column members have curved facing surfaces extending inwardly into the containment area. The inner surface of the upper band portion, one of the plurality of bottle support areas, and the facing surfaces define a plurality of bottle receiving pockets extending around the periphery of the wall structure.

US Patent:

7104414, Sep 12, 2006

Filed:

Jan 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/047169

Inventors:

William P. Apps - Alpharetta GA, US
Robert V. Gruber - Dallas TX, US

Assignee:

Rehrig Pacific Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B65D 6/12
B65D 6/16
B65D 6/28
B65D 8/14

US Classification:

220 6, 220 7

Abstract:

A collapsible container has a base having a lower hinge portion which includes a first lower hinge portion and a second lower hinge portion. The container also includes a plurality of upstanding side walls attached to the base having an upper hinge portion extending downwardly. The upper hinge portion includes a first elongate upper hinge portion and a second elongate upper hinge portion. The first lower hinge portion includes a first opening for receiving the first elongate upper hinge portion therein and also includes a flange for securing the first upper hinge portion thereunder. The second lower hinge portion includes a second opening correspondingly sized to receive the second elongate upper hinge member therein for limiting lateral movement between the side walls and the base.

US Patent:

7322475, Jan 29, 2008

Filed:

Apr 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/829409

Inventors:

Jon P. Hassell - Atlanta GA, US
William P. Apps - Alpharetta GA, US
Robert V. Gruber - Dallas TX, US

Assignee:

Rehrig Pacific Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B65D 21/02
B65D 21/032
B65D 85/30

US Classification:

206515, 206518, 206519

Abstract:

A nestable bottle crate provides increased stability to the containers and improved nesting relative to prior art crates. The crate also nests and stacks with the prior art crates. The crate includes a lower wall portion and an upper band portion. The lower wall portion includes a plurality of columns and four corner columns. The upper band portion includes alternating first and second portions. The first portions are each a single, solid wall having an interior concave bottle contact surface. The second portions are aligned with the columns. The columns project inwardly farther than the second portions so that each column forms a ledge between the column and the second portion above it. The ledge is at least substantially parallel to the floor and at least substantially perpendicular to the inner wall of the second portion.

US Patent:

7604122, Oct 20, 2009

Filed:

Oct 4, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/958618

Inventors:

William P. Apps - Alpharetta GA, US
Robert V. Gruber - Hermosa Beach CA, US

Assignee:

Rehrig Pacific Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B65D 21/032

US Classification:

206519, 206518

Abstract:

A nestable crate for bottles includes a floor portion having a floor top surface, a floor bottom surface and a plurality of bottle support areas. A wall structure is connected to the floor portion and forms a containment area therewith. The wall structure has a peripherally extending upper band portion with an interior surface and an exterior surface, and also has a single-walled lower wall construction comprising adjacent column members which extend between the upper band the and floor portion. The wall structure includes sidewalls and end walls, and adjacent column members have curved facing surfaces extending inwardly into the containment area. The inner surface of the upper band portion, one of the plurality of bottle support areas, and the facing surfaces define a plurality of bottle receiving pockets extending around the periphery of the wall structure.

US Patent:

8123034, Feb 28, 2012

Filed:

Oct 19, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/581457

Inventors:

William P. Apps - Alpharetta GA, US
Robert V. Gruber - Hermosa Beach CA, US

Assignee:

Rehrig Pacific Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B65D 21/032

US Classification:

206519, 206518, 206509

Abstract:

A nestable crate for bottles includes a floor portion having a floor top surface, a floor bottom surface and a plurality of bottle support areas. A wall structure is connected to the floor portion and forms a containment area therewith. The wall structure has a peripherally extending upper band portion with an interior surface and an exterior surface, and also has a single-walled lower wall construction comprising adjacent column members which extend between the upper band the and floor portion. The wall structure includes sidewalls and end walls, and adjacent column members have curved facing surfaces extending inwardly into the containment area. The inner surface of the upper band portion, one of the plurality of bottle support areas, and the facing surfaces define a plurality of bottle receiving pockets extending around the periphery of the wall structure.