A cylindrical cardboard container comprising: a circular bottom wall having an outer bottom wall edge; a cylindrical sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall edge, the circular bottom wall and the cylindrical sidewall delimiting a receiving cavity sized and shaped to receive a plurality of items; a plurality of item holders for holding the items relative to each other within the receiving cavity, each item holder being configured for holding at least one of the items, the item holders being stackable to form a plurality of item layers within the receiving cavity.

A cylindrical cardboard container comprising: a circular bottom wall having an outer bottom wall edge; a cylindrical sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall edge, the circular bottom wall and the cylindrical sidewall delimiting a receiving cavity sized and shaped to receive a plurality of items; a plurality of item holders for holding the items relative to each other within the receiving cavity, each item holder being configured for holding at least one of the items, the item holders being stackable to form a plurality of item layers within the receiving cavity.

A container is provided. The container comprises a cover, a base, and a body, which includes one or more spine structures and one or more door panels which may open and allow substantially lateral access to the interior of the container. The one or more door panels may be secured in a closed position by a latch mechanism. In a first mode, the latch mechanism is not released. In a second mode, the latch mechanism is released. The first mode and the second mode may operate concurrently and can be accessed separately via different mechanisms. A switch mechanism may alternate between the first mode and the second mode. Alternatively, a pedal includes a first pedal mechanism corresponding to the first mode and a second pedal mechanism corresponding to the second mode.

A beverage container closure or lid adapted for closing an open end of a beverage container. The lid is couplable to the beverage container and includes a selectively openable stopper that when closed, creates a fluid-tight seal between the beverage container and the environment. The stopper may be opened by pressing a button disposed on a side of the beverage container closure. The stopper is subsequently automatically closed when the button is released. Thus, the user may open and close the beverage container closure using a single hand without the need to remove the beverage container closure from the beverage container. The beverage container closure includes an actuating lever configured to press the button when a user applies a force to the lever. By utilizing the mechanical advantage provided by the lever, a user is able to selectively open and close the stopper using a relatively low amount of force.

A beverage container closure or lid adapted for closing an open end of a beverage container. The lid is couplable to the beverage container and includes a selectively openable stopper that when closed, creates a fluid-tight seal between the beverage container and the environment. The stopper may be opened by pressing a button disposed on a side of the beverage container closure. The stopper is subsequently automatically closed when the button is released. Thus, the user may open and close the beverage container closure using a single hand without the need to remove the beverage container closure from the beverage container. The beverage container closure includes an actuating lever configured to press the button when a user applies a force to the lever. By utilizing the mechanical advantage provided by the lever, a user is able to selectively open and close the stopper using a relatively low amount of force.

A bin assembly, bin identification system and method are disclosed. A container bin assembly includes a bin body, a latching mechanism, and controller. A method includes receiving, via a communication interface, an authenticated request to access the smart container, actuating an electromechanical latch to disengage a fastening hook, thereby initiating a mechanical movement of an access component to make an internal compartment accessible, outputting, via an audiovisual element, an alert to identify the container, confirming that the electromechanical latch has re-engaged with the fastening hook, thereby securing the internal compartment, determining a change in a local inventory, and updating the local inventory in a non-volatile data store according to the change.

A bin assembly, bin identification system and method are disclosed. A container bin assembly includes a bin body, a latching mechanism, and controller. A method includes receiving, via a communication interface, an authenticated request to access the smart container, actuating an electromechanical latch to disengage a fastening hook, thereby initiating a mechanical movement of an access component to make an internal compartment accessible, outputting, via an audiovisual element, an alert to identify the container, confirming that the electromechanical latch has re-engaged with the fastening hook, thereby securing the internal compartment, determining a change in a local inventory, and updating the local inventory in a non-volatile data store according to the change.

A tank having a sealing plate and a tank body and lifting mechanism for separating the sealing plate from the tank body of a tank are provided. The lifting mechanism includes a pin inserted into a flange of the tank body extending through the sealing plate, and a threaded device coupled to the sealing plate and selectively contacting the pin to apply a pushing force in response to the threaded device being inserted into the sealing plate.

A tank having a sealing plate and a tank body and lifting mechanism for separating the sealing plate from the tank body of a tank are provided. The lifting mechanism includes a pin inserted into a flange of the tank body extending through the sealing plate, and a threaded device coupled to the sealing plate and selectively contacting the pin to apply a pushing force in response to the threaded device being inserted into the sealing plate.

Automation compatible removable lids are provided. The removable lids include a top surface surrounded by a peripheral rim. The removable lids further include septal portions configured to receive an extractor, such as a pipette tip, inserted therethrough. The septal portions are further configured to grip the extractor to facilitate lid removal.