A container is provided, including a tubular body having an open first end and a second end defining a receptacle to receive an elongate storage unit; and a retaining frame within the receptacle to receive and retain the unit, movable between a first configuration to engage a retaining surface of the unit to retain it within the receptacle, and a second configuration in which it is released from engagement with the frame for removal from the container, the frame including a supporting rim circumscribing the first end; and a flexible tab depending from the rim and projecting radially into the receptacle, such that in the first configuration a distal end of the tab is configured to engage the retaining surface, and when the frame is moved from the first to the second configuration, the tab is bent towards a peripheral wall of the body and away from the retaining surface.

The invention relates to a package comprising a case having a bottom and a peripheral rim, the package also comprising a cover rotatably mounted on a side carrying the peripheral rim, and holding means for maintaining an object to be transported in the case, characterized in that the holding means comprise a frame rotatably mounted on the peripheral rim in the vicinity of the bottom of the case, the holding means also comprising elastically deformable means extending inside the frame, and a connecting rod for connection between the frame and the cover, the connecting rod being rotatably mounted on the cover and on the frame, the connecting rod, the cover, the side carrying the peripheral rim and the frame together forming a deformable parallelogram.

A holding structure for holding a plurality of containers for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic purposes includes a carrier having openings or receptacles for accommodating the containers. Holding devices for holding the containers are provided at the openings or receptacles. The holding devices can selectively assume two different stable positions, namely a first stable position in which the containers can be inserted without friction into the openings or receptacles and a second stable position in which the containers are held in the respective opening or receptacle by frictional engagement or by positive locking. The containers can be reliably inserted into the openings or receptacles without material abrasion. In the open insertion position of the holding devices, a large number of containers can be inserted concurrently into the openings or receptacles without high forces acting on the holding structure.

A device for storage and transportation of an empty case of a firearm bullet cartridge for forensic investigation, wherein said case comprises a cylindrical shell which is substantially closed at one end, said device comprising a container having a bottom wall, a side wall and an opening, and comprising a cap for sealing the opening of said container, wherein said cap is provided with holding means arranged to be inserted in the empty case for restricting lateral movement of the empty case in said container.

A base assembly for a ball display case includes a base configured to support the display case on a surface. A pedestal is supported by the base and configured to support the ball in the display case. The pedestal includes a platform for seating the ball in the display case. The platform includes a spring configured to yield when contacted by the ball in the display case.

Structures and a method for restraining a package within a returnable shipping container are provided to eliminate the need for buffering or filler materials (dunnage), particularly those materials that are environmentally unfriendly and otherwise likely to be discarded. Desirable shipping containers intended for reuse are provided with various features which enhance their utilization in a cycle of transportation out from and back to a source. These features include those associated with security, integrity, protection from the environment, addressing, automation, payment, inspection, education in volume for return, facilitation for tracking the container throughout the transport route and assurance of its eventual return.

A consumer product package includes a package body that has a front wall, a back wall opposite the front wall, a first cavity having a display surface such that the display surface is disposed between the front and back walls to contain a first consumer product, and a closure slot disposed between the front wall and the display surface; and a lid pivotally connected to the package body opposite the front wall. The lid includes an opening tab positioned along an edge of the lid and an opening flap positioned along the edge of the lid. The lid is pivotable between at least an open position and a closed position, wherein when the lid is in the closed position, the opening flap is received within the closure slot, and when disposed within the closure slot, the package has an Average Lift Force from about 0.01 N to about 4.0 N.

A holder (10) for a beverage container (100) comprising a receptacle (24) for receiving a beverage container bottom portion (102) of the beverage container (100) and a container retaining element (26) operatively coupled to the receptacle (24) for engaging the container (100) to maintain the container bottom portion (102) in the receptacle (24) when the beverage container (100) is held by the holder (10). The holder (10) is provided with a selectively closed drain (88) to allow outflow of condensation or spillage from the receptacle (24) when the drain (88) is opened.

A container holding device for holding one or more containers includes: a base plate having an upper surface, a bottom surface, and one or more holes each extending from the upper surface to the bottom surface and having a central symmetry axis L.sub.axis orthogonal to the base plate; and two or more holding elements that are located around each hole beneath the bottom surface of the base plate. The holding elements are configured to: contact an outer surface of a container that is placed into the container holding device at a bottom edge of a top region of the container, such that the container hangs in the container holding device in a first position p1 in which the holding elements do not exert any force on the outer surface of the container that is radial; and contact the outer surface of the container in a shoulder region.

Capillary tube holder, a storage and shipping container in which a loaded capillary tube holder is securely held, a fixture for loading capillary tubes onto a capillary tube holder and a tube transfer fixture for transferring, removing or replacing individual capillary tubes from a loaded capillary tube holder.