Noncollapsible Carrier With Tongue And Aperture-type Interlock Between Exterior Walls Patents (Class 206/140)
  • Patent number: 10894627
    Abstract: Adhesive sleeves are formed from blanks cut from sheets or rolls of paperboard, such as SBS or SBB paperboard, or any other materials. The adhesive sleeves include slack sections of one or more slack panels that provide additional length (e.g., slack) of circumferences or perimeters which enable the sleeves to be loosely wrapped or enveloped around a container of food products or one or more consumer goods. The slack sections may be shortened in length by joining the slack panels to one another, e.g., by an adhesive, to shorten the circumferences or perimeters and cause the adhesive sleeves to effectively clasp or surround the containers or goods therein. The adhesive sleeves may include any number of markings of any type or form on outer surfaces, including but not limited to instructions for use, nutrition facts, or images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad R. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 10183795
    Abstract: A beverage can holding container (20) is removably positionable within an interior area (12) of a refrigerator (10). The container has an interior area (36) that holds a plurality of beverage cans (22). A plurality of handles (46, 58, 60) are provided to facilitate removing the container from the refrigerator and transporting the container with the beverage cans therein to a location away from the refrigerator where the beverages will be consumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: DANBY PRODUCTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Shauna Gamble, Gregory Allan Thomas Hall, Michael Joseph DeFazio, Steven Henry Fyke, Brent Wayne Thomas
  • Patent number: 10017292
    Abstract: An interlocking clip, a container incorporating the interlocking clip, and methods of fabricating of the interlocking clip and container are provided. The interlocking clip is formed integral with first and second container sections for fastening the container sections together, and includes a tab-receiving aperture and a locking tab. The tab-receiving aperture is formed through a container wall of the first container section, and the locking tab is formed from, and integral with, a container wall of the second container section. The locking tab is bendable to interlock with the tab-receiving aperture, and includes bendable extensions on opposite sides of the locking tab. The bendable extensions include wall-receiving grooves to receive the container wall on opposite sides of the tab-receiving aperture in the first container section. In operation, the locking tab inserts into the tab-receiving aperture to interlock the first and second container sections together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan R. Anderson, William J. O. Green, Tate T. Harnack, Justin T. Melby
  • Patent number: 9795090
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container for propagating growth of seedlings, having a main body comprising a base, a central wall extending vertically from the base. A first wall section and a second wall section are arranged to the main body. The first wall section and the second wall section are hingeably connected to the main body. The base, the central wall, the wall sections forms in the closed condition at least two cells being open at top. The base comprises a supporting structure at the lower part of the main body, wherein the main body is provided with supporting means for holding an irrigation mat. The present invention also relates to a tray designed for receive and carry one or more of said containers, a greenhouse including the tray and one or more of the mentioned containers, and a method for propagating growth of seedlings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Nelson Garden AB
    Inventors: Torsten Nilsson, Ulf Fransson
  • Patent number: 9797424
    Abstract: A local connection of contact surfaces of top and bottom sheets is formed in a defined connection zone. The zone is polygonal and the top and bottom sheets jointly form within the periphery of this zone a connecting lip with their first side faces located opposite one another cut obliquely through their sheet thickness. These first side faces of the sheets and their adjacent obliquely-oriented second side faces in the zone are complementarily beveled in the form of a conical wall running downwards and inwards, so that in the vicinity of these second neighboring side faces the underside of the bottom sheet protrudes inwards past the top surface of the connecting lip at the location of the top outside edges of its first side faces. A method and an apparatus are arranged to implement the local connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: CREAX PROJECTS N.V.
    Inventors: Jef Vandenberghe, Diederick Syoen, Simon Dewulf
  • Patent number: 9708112
    Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of articles. The carrier comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels can comprise a first top panel foldably connected to a second top panel and a back panel. The second top panel can be oblique with respect to the first top panel and the back panel. A crown retention feature can be in the back panel adjacent the first top panel for at least partially receiving a top portion of a first article of the plurality of articles. A crown receiving opening can be in the second top panel spaced apart from the first top panel for at least partially receiving a top portion of a second article of the plurality of articles so that the top portion of the second article extends at least partially through the crown receiving opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Sutherland, Mark Zammit, Colin P. Ford, Kevin T. May
  • Patent number: 9481501
    Abstract: A method of forming a carton. The method comprises obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a top panel, at least two first end flaps, at least two second end flap, and at least one article protection flap foldably connected to the bottom panel. The method comprises positioning the plurality of panels to form an interior space of the carton, loading a plurality of beverage bottles into the interior space, closing a first end of the carton, closing a second end of the carton, and tightening the carton by folding the at least one article protection flap into the interior space after the loading of the plurality of beverage bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Schmal, O'Neal Alexander, Mark Baldino, Michael Cerio, John Murdick Holley, Jr., Frank N. Moncrief, Raymond S. Kastanek, Colin Ford
  • Patent number: 9376250
    Abstract: A carton for carrying a plurality of articles. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels at least partially extending around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels can comprise a top panel, at least one side panel, and at least one bottom panel. At least one retention tab can be foldably connected to the at least one bottom panel. The at least one retention tab can be for engaging at least a portion of an article of the plurality of articles. At least one corner flap can be foldably connected to the at least one side panel. Each of the at least one retention tab and the at least one corner flap can be disposed adjacent to at least one corner opening in the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond R. Spivey, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8376213
    Abstract: A carton for carrying a plurality of articles and a blank for forming the carton generally include a top panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the top panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the top panel, a first bottom panel foldably connected to the first side panel, the first bottom panel comprising a plurality of female locking openings and having opening flaps adjacent the female locking openings. The opening flaps are foldably connected to the first bottom panel at respective first arcuate fold lines. A second bottom panel is foldably connected to the second side panel. The second bottom panel comprises a plurality of male locking projections. The male locking projections are foldably connected to the second bottom panel at respective second arcuate fold lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kirsten L. Brand
  • Patent number: 7427010
    Abstract: This invention relates to a wrap-around carrier which is held together by a single locking system, which is a secondary locking system in which the secondary male locks are formed as an extension of an outer secondary locking flap with an inner bottom flap having a secondary female opening for each secondary male lock. Assistance in holding the secondary male locks in the vertical locked position between two containers in the carrier is provided by a female flap formed in the female opening in the inner bottom flap. Further assistance is provided in holding the secondary male locks in the vertical lock position between two containers by the containers having flexible side walls and carrying a liquid whose weight pushes out against the walls of the container and creates tension in the wrap-around carrier thereby holding the secondary male locks in the vertical locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20080073227
    Abstract: A holder for two beverage containers is provided for installation in a motor vehicle. The holder has a pull-out element having insertion openings for the beverage containers. The pull-out element is guided not only displaceably but also is mounted pivotally, so that, as desired, one insertion opening instead of both insertion openings is accessible and available for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Burkhard Prowe
  • Patent number: 7322464
    Abstract: A carton for holding a plurality of articles, comprises a top wall, a base wall, opposed side walls and opposed end walls. A divider structure for separating adjacent articles is formed from at least one of the end walls. The divider structure includes first and second inwardly folded divider panels and an inwardly folded support panel. The divider panels are hinged together and to the opposed side walls respectively while the support panel is hinged to and extending between the respective lower portions of the first and second divider panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: MeadWastvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Blin
  • Publication number: 20080006541
    Abstract: A carrier shell and a central divider are molded of a resin composition and are assembled to form a beverage bottle carrier. The carrier shell is molded in a flat sheet with living hinges between a bottom panel, opposite side panels and end panel sections that are operatively positionable by folding at the living hinges to form a generally rectangular box configuration with an open top. Male and female tabs on the carrier shell interface with the central divider and interlockingly engage to secure the carrier in the box configuration with the central divider extending parallel between the opposite sides. Secondary dividers extend between the opposite sides and the central divider to form individual bottle compartments for placement of beverage bottle therein. The bottom of the carrier may include recesses for receiving the tops of bottles stored in a like carrier directly below the upper positioned bottle carrier to thereby facilitate vertical stacking of the bottle carriers when filled with beverage bottles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Xavier T. Cherch, Edward A. Miller
  • Patent number: 7234591
    Abstract: A carton of the wrap-around type has a pair of overlapped base panels. One of the base panels which carries a locking tab overlies a tongue protruding from the end edge of the other base panel. The protruding tongue is formed with a complementary locking aperture engaged by the locking tab to secure the overlapped panels together. On either side of the locking tab, the said one base panel has a hinged tab protruding from the end edge of that panel. Each of the hinged tabs underlies the end edge of the other base panel, one on each side of the protruding tongue. This ‘over and under’ arrangement presents less of an externally overlapped edge than is the case of a simple complete overlap and thus mitigates against the base panels being skewed or prized apart leading to tearing and/or dislodgement of the locking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Philippe Le Bras, Philippe Marie
  • Patent number: 7048113
    Abstract: A wrap-around can wrap which is secured together by primary and secondary locks with a single aperture securing both a primary and secondary lock, with each secondary lock being attached to a bottom flap of the carrier through a locking base. The locking base on each end of the carrier having a shoulder to secure the secondary lock, with the locking base for each secondary lock being reduced in length due to the presence of the locking shoulders. This carrier has open ends with the width of the carrier being such that cylindrical containers in the carrier project beyond the ends of the side panels of the carrier and are secured in place by a retaining flap that extends around a portion of the container that extends beyond the end of the side panel of the carrier from the top of the container to the adjacent side panel of the carrier, thereby permitting the width of the carrier to be significantly less than the width of a conventional open ended carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Manuel Gomes
  • Patent number: 7025197
    Abstract: A wrap around carrier for carrying bottle with a petaloid base having heel assemblies that have hinge doors with a vertical cut line in the bottom of each hinge with a horizontal cut line at the top of each cut line that extends inwardly towards the heel aperture formed by the door. This carton has a second cut line that is either at the bottom of the vertical cut line in each hinge or near the center of the door. None of these cut lines extend into the heel aperture. This combination of cut lines facilitates the control tearing of the cut line at the top of the vertical cut line into the heel aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 6945390
    Abstract: An article carrier for carrying one or more necked articles, has a plurality of panels including a pair of laterally spaced top panels, a pair of handle panels extending upwardly from the top panels to form a carrying handle, and a bridging panel provided to span the space between the top panels. One of the handle panels is formed with a medial fold line to cause the handle to be moved from an upright position downwards and/or to one side to reduce the height of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean Michel Auclair
  • Patent number: 6877600
    Abstract: This invention relates to a primary and secondary locking system for wrap-around carriers. A secondary male lock is held in the vertical position by a female door flap leaning against the male lock. The adjacent pairs of a primary male lock and corresponding primary female opening and a secondary male lock and corresponding secondary female opening are aligned with each other along a single line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 6814228
    Abstract: A wrap around carrier for carrying bottle with a petaloid base having heel assemblies that have hinge doors with a vertical cut line in the bottom of each hinge with a horizontal cut line at the top of each cut line that extends inwardly towards the heel aperture formed by the door. This carton has a second cut line that is either at the bottom of the vertical cut line in each hinge or near the center of the door. None of these cut lines extend into the heel aperture. This combination of cut lines facilitates the control tearing of the cut line at the top of the vertical cut line into the heel aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20040069659
    Abstract: A wrap around carrier for carrying bottle with a petaloid base having heel assemblies that have hinge doors with a vertical cut line in the bottom of each hinge with a horizontal cut line at the top of each cut line that extends inwardly towards the heel aperture formed by the door. This carton has a second cut line that is either at the bottom of the vertical cut line in each hinge or near the center of the door. None of these cut lines extend into the heel aperture. This combination of cut lines facilitates the control tearing of the cut line at the top of the vertical cut line into the heel aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20040000494
    Abstract: A wrap around bottle carton with closed ends which has a top end panel and a bottom end panel interconnected by a triangular shaped web panel, a tuck-in panel with a holding flap and a triangular shaped gusset panel which facilitates the closing the bottom end panel of the carton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20020112973
    Abstract: This invention relates to a primary and secondary locking system for wrap-around carriers. A secondary male lock is held in the vertical position by a female door flap leaning against the male lock. The adjacent pairs of a primary male lock and corresponding primary female opening and a secondary male lock and corresponding secondary female opening are aligned with each other along a single line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20020100708
    Abstract: An article carrier and a blank for an article carrier for holding an article, for example a tray, comprising a top wall, opposed side walls and a base wall hingedly connected together to form a tubular structure and wherein there further comprises an article retention structure hingedly connected to the top wall and the base panel. The article retention structure is formed by a pair of interconnected panels formed from adjacent carton walls and inwardly folded to retain the article within the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Philippe Marie
  • Patent number: 6378697
    Abstract: This invention relates to a primary and secondary locking system for wrap-around carriers. A secondary male lock is held in the vertical position by a female door flap leaning against the male lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Sutherland, James C. Fogle, Jean-Manuel Gomez
  • Patent number: 6315123
    Abstract: A carton includes first and second overlapping panels and a lock for securing the panels together. The lock includes a locking tab and a retaining tab. The locking tab is joined at its one end edge to the first panel while the retaining tab defines a locking aperture and is connected at its one end edge to one end edge of the locking aperture. The locking tab is folded and received in the locking aperture. The retaining tab is folded and disposed at a folded position where the locking tab leans against the retaining tab. The respective free end edges of the locking and retaining tabs are disposed over the same side of the second panel. One of the locking and retaining tabs comprises a tongue projecting from its free end edge while the other tab is provided with a complementary notch or aperture for receiving the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: Tamio Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6158586
    Abstract: There is provided a tightening arrangement in a paperboard wrap for articles such as bottles 11. In the region of the side/base junction there is provided a number of hinge panels 25 which remain hingedly connected to the wrap. The hinge panels 25 are folded out of alignment with the wrap such that a first part 26 lies in use against the adjacent base panel below a heel part 16 of one of the bottles 11. The hinge connection of the hinge panels 25 provides a firm area for engagement by the substantially straight, continuous edge provided by a series of engaging members 52 mounted on an endless chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Rolf Muller
  • Patent number: 5975286
    Abstract: A panel interlocking arrangement includes first and second panels to be disposed in an overlapping relationship and a pair of locking and retaining tabs struck from the first and second panels, respectively. The retaining tab defines in the second panel a locking aperture for receiving the locking tab. The locking tab is foldably joined along a fold line to the first panel and extends to its free end edge opposed to the fold line. The locking tab includes a wing defined along one of its opposite side edges. The wing extends away from the free edge of the locking tab beyond the fold line. One of the end edges of the locking aperture is adapted to engage the locking tab when the locking tab is received in the locking aperture whereas the other end edge of the locking aperture is foldably joined to the retaining tab. The retaining tab extends from the other end edge of the aperture to its distal end edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: James R. Oliff
  • Patent number: 5957289
    Abstract: A locking paperboard sleeve (11) for retaining at least a pair of spaced articles (12) is disclosed. The sleeve has a top panel (14), opposed side panels (15, 16) hingedly connected to the top panel, and first and second base panels (21, 22) constructed and arranged to interlock with one another and being hingedly fastened to one each of the respective side panels. A keel panel (37) is hingedly connected to the second base panel, and is constructed and arranged to be moved out of a common plane of the base panels, when locked together, and to be received between the at least two articles as a locking panel (26) hingedly connected to the first base panel is moved into locking engagement with the second base panel. The keel panel is retained in position between the at least two articles by a hook portion (34) extending from the locking panel which engages a notch (40) defined in the keel panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Emanuel Negelen
  • Patent number: 5931300
    Abstract: A carrier blank and carrier includes a top panel, first and second opposite ends, and first and second side panels flanking the top panel and foldably connected thereto. First and second bottom panels flank the first and second side panels and are foldably connected thereto. First and second webs are positioned adjacent the first and second opposite ends of the top panel, with the webs each extending between the first and second side panels. The webs are foldably connected to the first and second side panels at fold lines which are parallel to a longitudinal axis extending through the first bottom panel, the first side panel, the top panel, the second side panel, and the second bottom panel. The fold lines are positioned inboard of center lines of outer ones of articles contained in the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 5873517
    Abstract: Devices cut from cardboard, and preferably corrugated cardboard, are provided with a step-shaped tab at the end of one panel, preferably with only two steps, and a cutout in the end of another overlapped panel with a cutout corresponding to the shape and orientation of the step-shaped tab. A slit even with the second step of the cutout is made with a length of greater extent than the length of the wider first step of the tab such that the slit extends beyond the second step on each side by an extent equal to about twice the width of the first step of the tab, whereby inserting the tab into the slit is facilitated by the second step of the tab in cooperation with the step-shaped cutout, and the tab is locked in the slit by its extended ends pressing on the edges of the first step of the two-step tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Alfred F. Lisbon
  • Patent number: 5782343
    Abstract: A wrap-around carrier having primary and secondary locks for connecting the bottom panel flaps together. One of the bottom panel flaps includes a foldably connected male locking flap having a primary locking tab adjacent the fold and a secondary locking flap at the other end. The other bottom panel flap contains primary and secondary female locking openings. The bottom panel flap containing the male locking flap partially overlaps the other bottom panel flap, with the male locking tabs being inserted into the female locking openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Glen R. Harrelson
  • Patent number: 5765685
    Abstract: A wrap-around carrier suitable for packaging tub-shaped articles which have recessed bottom portions. The bottom panel is formed from an inner flap to which article retainer flaps are hinged and an outer flap to which secondary locking tabs are hinged. The retainer flaps are pivoted into the interior of the carrier by the locking tabs and include edges which contact the bottom portions of adjacent articles and also foldable retainer tabs which also contact the bottom portions. A projection on the locking tabs extends through an opening in the retainer flap and the end edge of the locking tab supports the retainer flap. A further opening in the retainer flap receives a locking tab shoulder to prevent withdrawal of the locking tab. A slit in the inner bottom panel flap allows passage of another locking tab shoulder which engages the inner bottom panel flap to further prevent withdrawal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Roosa
  • Patent number: 5704542
    Abstract: A wrap-around carrier having primary and secondary locks for connecting the bottom panel flaps together. The female locking openings are contained in female locking flaps which have been folded out of one of the bottom panel flaps through an angle of 180.degree.. The corresponding male locking tabs are connected to a male locking panel. The bottom panel flaps are spaced apart, with the male and female locking panels spanning the space between the flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Glen R. Harrelson
  • Patent number: 5682995
    Abstract: A wrap-around carrier with end panel flaps which block the price code on adjacent packaged articles. The end panel flaps are connected to the side panels along angled fold lines which bias the end panel flaps in position against adjacent articles. This results in a small gap between the end panels and the bottom panel which is covered by flaps connected to the end panel flaps. The cover flaps are connected to tuck flaps which lie between the bottom panel and an associated cover flap. The articles rest on the cover flaps, holding them, and thus the connected end panel flaps as well, in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 5671845
    Abstract: A wrap-around carrier suitable for packaging bottles. The bottom panel is formed from an inner flap to which article retainer tabs and locking tabs are hinged and an outer flap to which retainer support tabs are hinged. The locking tabs extend up partially through openings in the inner bottom panel flap and engage the retainer support tabs, which in turn support the article retainer tabs. Slits in the outer bottom panel flap extending from the openings receive remaining portions of the locking tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Randall L. Harris
  • Patent number: 5605228
    Abstract: A keel structure in a wraparound type article carrier (10) has at least one trapezoidal-shaped keel element (40) formed from a pair of opposing upstanding panels (32, 42) which are spaced apart and interconnected at uneven heights by a platform (44) which has curved edges (47, 43) extending toward one another. At least one stabilizing tab (48) is interconnected with at least one of the upstanding panels (32, 42) and disposed in face contacting relationship with a base (20) of the article carrier (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald A. Baxter
  • Patent number: 5542536
    Abstract: A wrap-around carrier including partial end panels extending up from the bottom panel for covering the pricing code on the end articles in the package. The partial end panels are locked in place by gusset panels extending between an adjacent end article and the bottom panel and by side panel locking flaps extending between an adjacent end article and a connected side panel. Upper and lower corner restraint panels are also connected to the side panel locking flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 5524756
    Abstract: A wrap-around carrier for packaging articles such as beverage bottles or cans. Inwardly folded retaining flaps are connected to the side edges of apertures through which the lower portions of the articles protrude. The fold lines of the flaps are arranged to create a bias tending to maintain pressure on the articles to prevent movement within the carrier. The flaps are connected by fold lines to the side panels and to the bottom panel, but are unconnected to heel panels extending between the side and bottom panels. The flaps adjacent the heel panel portions of the aperture edge act as a stop, preventing tearing of the aperture. Additionally, the fold lines connecting the heel panels to the side and bottom panels are half-score lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 5520283
    Abstract: A wrap-around carrier for packaging curved articles, such as beverage bottles or cans. Inwardly folded retaining flaps are connected to the side edges of apertures through which the lower portions of the articles protrude. The fold lines of the flaps are arranged to create a bias tending to maintain pressure on the articles to prevent movement within the carrier. In one embodiment the entire flap engages the side of an adjacent article. In another embodiment only upper flap segments engage the article sides, while lower segments are located between the bottom of the adjacent article and the bottom panel of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 5484059
    Abstract: A wrap-around carrier suitable for packaging tub-shaped articles, The bottom panel is formed from an inner flap to which article retainer flaps are hinged and an outer flap to which a locking tab is hinged, The retainer flaps are pivoted into the interior of the carrier by the locking tabs and include foldable side extensions which engage the bottom portions of adjacent spaced articles, A slit or opening between the retaining flaps permits entry of a locking tab. A projection on the locking tabs engaging the retainer flaps adjacent an edge thereof prevents withdrawal of the locking tabs from their activated positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 5472090
    Abstract: A wrap-around carrier with partial end panels. The partial end panels are formed by end panel flaps connected to the bottom panel flaps of the carrier and in combination with overlying end closure flaps connected to the side panels of the carrier. A gusset panel connects adjacent end panel flaps and end closure flaps. Upper corner webs may also be provided to form a barrier for restraining outward movement of the upper portion of packaged articles at the ends of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 5437363
    Abstract: A blank for forming a wrap-around carrier sleeve comprising a plurality of panels connected end to end and having first and second end panels that form the bottom of the sleeve. The first end panel includes at least one retainer flap struck from the panel which is joined to the panel along a fold line. The second end panel is configured to overlap the first end panel and includes at least one male supporting tab comprising a neck and at least one shoulder, the male tab being joined to the second end panel at a fold line. The male supporting tab is configured to extend through the opening in the first panel from which the retaining flap is struck and engage with the first panel to support the retaining flap within the carrier sleeve thereby forming a three-dimensional protuberance within the sleeve that serves to limit movement of an article in the sleeve towards an open end of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Ltd.
    Inventor: Greg Gungner
  • Patent number: 5421458
    Abstract: A carton for containing a plurality of articles such as beverage cans, comprises top, bottom and side panels forming an open-ended sleeve. A short upper side panel connects each side panel to a corresponding edge of the top panel and the bottom panel extends between the lower edges of the side panels. A set of gussets are provided with each gusset being hingedly attached to the end of a side panel, hingedly attached to a corresponding end of the top panel, and separated from said upper side panel. A fold-line subdivides each gusset into a first portion and a second portion and the gusset is folded aong the fold-line to position the second portion of the gusset against the side pnel with the first portion of the gusset extending across a part of the open end of the sleeve for retaining articles in the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Riverwood International Ltd.
    Inventor: Geoffrey Campbell
  • Patent number: 5390784
    Abstract: A wrap-around carrier including partial end panels for covering the pricing code on the end articles in the package. The partial end panels are comprised of flaps connected to the side panels and to the end tuck flaps of a set of three triangularly shaped tuck flaps. The three tuck flaps interact with the end articles in the carrier to act as a locking mechanism which holds the end panel flaps in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 5390848
    Abstract: A product sleeve for holding (typically) four products, such as bottles, has a protuberance between pairs of products to assist in holding the products in portion within the sleeve. The protuberances are formed by tabs hinged to one end panel of the product sleeve blank. These tabs have a notch and at least one further hinge line. These tabs may be pushed through openings in the other end panel of the blank so that they fold about their hinge lines to form the noted protuberances and the notch in the tabs lock to a portion of the other end panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Somerville Packaging, Divison of Paperboard Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Gungner, John Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 5328080
    Abstract: A panel-interlocking arrangement for first and second panels overlapping each other, includes locking and retaining tabs struck respectively from the first and second panels, and a biasing tab struck in part from a corner of the retaining tab. The locking tab is foldably joined at its trailing end edge to the first panel and extends along a notional line to its leading end edge. The locking tab has opposite side edges extending between the leading and trailing end edges and a lateral projection protruding from one of the side edges. The retaining tab is foldably joined to the second panel and defines at least a part of a locking aperture in the second panel. The biasing tab is foldably joined to the second panel along a transverse edge of the locking aperture and projects from the transverse edge in the direction parallel to the notional line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Holley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5311984
    Abstract: A wrap-around carrier with gusset panels connected to the bottom panel that automatically fold into their upright position when the bottom panel flaps are set up for locking engagement. The resulting upright portions of the gusset panels contact the bottom portion of adjacent articles in the carrier to prevent the articles from falling out through the ends of the carrier. The fold lines connecting the gusset panels to the side panels are angled back to lengthen these fold lines while cutouts in the gusset panels shorten the length of the other fold lines of the gusset panels. This increases the pulling power of the gusset panels while decreasing the bias force which must be overcome in order for the gusset panels to be folded into their upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Randall L. Harris
  • Patent number: 5246112
    Abstract: A bottle carrier for packaging and gripping in a taut fashion, a plurality of bottles includes top, bottom and side walls, each side wall having a substantially vertically disposed bottom portion and preferably inwardly inclined top portion foldably joined to the bottom portion to form a tubular structure. Top end panels are foldably joined to each end edge of the top wall together with a bottom end panel foldably joined to each end edge of the bottom wall and secured in overlapping relation with the associated top end panel. Special web structure is foldably joined to the end edges of the vertically disposed lower portions of the side walls and to the inwardly inclined upper portions of the side walls so as to close the carton ends and to grip the packaged bottles in a taut and secure manner thereby to minimize bottle breakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventors: James T. Stout, James B. DeMaio
  • Patent number: 5180054
    Abstract: A carton of the wraparound type comprises top (18) and bottom panels (12, 24) connected together by spaced side wall panels (14, 16:20,22) forming a tubular structure has a set of end panels (S1,S2) at each end of the tubular structure at least partially to close the ends of the carton. Each set comprises a pair of lower end closure panels hinged to respective ones of the side wall panels which are folded towards one another to close a lower part of the end and an upper end panel hinged to the top panel of the carton. The upper end panel and each of the lower end closure panels are connected by a retaining panel which extends sufficiently internally of the tubular structure to permit it to be tucked between upper portions of the endmost articles and the respective side wall panels adjacent thereto so as to maintain the upper end panel and the lower end closure panels in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: Martinus C. M. Bakx
  • Patent number: 5167325
    Abstract: A carrier for containers comprises a folded, generally stiff sheet, such as cardboard, defining a top wall, side walls, and a bottom wall. The carrier further defines apertures in the top wall for receiving the containers, with at least portions of the containers being positioned between the side walls. In accordance with this invention, the top wall defines a central, double-layered, integral handle portion of the folded sheet projecting outwardly from the remainder of the top wall. An inner sheet is positioned along the underside of the top wall and is attached to the folded sheet, to hold the handle portion in its outwardly projecting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Field Container Company, L.P.
    Inventor: John M. Sykora