With Yieldable Retainer Patents (Class 206/591)
  • Publication number: 20080105592
    Abstract: A packaging cushion assembly includes two cushion modules each including a main cushion unit and a foldable cushion plate. The main cushion unit has a base, two first sidewalls extending from two first sides of the base, a second sidewall extending from a second side of the base and having two ends connected to the first sidewalls, and an extension side spaced apart from the second sidewall and extending between the first sidewalls. The foldable cushion plate is adhered to the base, and has a movable wall projecting from the extension side and turnable relative to the base to move to an unfolded or folded position so that the cushion modules can be assembled together to form a first or second packaging configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Sheng-Hsiung CHENG, Te-An Lin, Wu-Nan Wang, Chia-Chia Huang
  • Patent number: 7320406
    Abstract: An insert suitable for placement within a carton. The insert comprises a support panel capable of supporting an article to be located within the carton, and a pair of leg panels extending convergently downwardly from the opposing side edges of the support panel into abutment at the lower edges of said leg panels. The invention also provides a package wherein a fragile item of merchandise is located within the fully folded insert and placed into a carton, such as a perfume bottle or cosmetic product. The underside of the base of such item of merchandise is conveniently spaced above from the base of the carton to reduce the risks of damage to or breakage of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Publication number: 20080000803
    Abstract: A packing system is provided. The packing system includes a box, a partition, and a first article and a second article to be packed. The box has an inner space. The partition is movably disposed within the inner space and divides the inner space into a first space and a second space. The second article is stored in the second space. The first article is partially compressed and contained in the first space. The first article is in contact with the partition to support the partition and absorb a shock and movement of the partition, and therefore reduce the possible damage occurred on the second article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: BENQ CORPORATION
    Inventors: Li-Tien Tseng, Chun-Jung Tsuo, Ting-Hui Chih
  • Patent number: 7306102
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing package structure comprising a frame and a shock-absorbing rib is provided. The frame forms an inner space to accommodate a component. The shock-absorbing rib extending from the frame toward the inner space has two cuts for folding the shock-absorbing rib to adjust the dimension of the inner space according to the shape of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: BENQ Corporation
    Inventor: Pi-Chun Chang
  • Patent number: 7299926
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a packaging insert and method for assembling a packaging insert are provided. In one embodiment a packaging insert for supporting an article in a shipping container includes a support platen and a sidewall that has a first sidewall portion and a second sidewall portion. The first sidewall portion is connected to the support platen and the second sidewall portion such that the first sidewall portion physically separates the second sidewall portion from the support platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Grady Russell, Matthew Daum
  • Patent number: 7299925
    Abstract: A module for a payload that utilizes individual grippers in which each fill to a conical shape from an interior wall of the module toward a payload in the module. The shape of the grippers provides a holding strength on and lateral stability for the payload. The angle of the conical shape transfers the axial force of the payload into a tensional load on the gripper where it has comparatively greater strength. The conical shape of each gripper allows for more complete capture of a payload in that the grippers fill voids around the payload. Since there are more contact points with the grippers and the payload, the contact force required for an adequate capture can be spread out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael T. Ansay, Mariela I. Santiago
  • Patent number: 7296680
    Abstract: A corrugated-cardboard packing member 20 includes a pair of openings 25 provided in a bottom housing portion 21, a pair of spacer portions 22 formed so that cores of a corrugated-cardboard sheet extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to their longitudinal direction, an attachment supporting portion 26 having a longitudinal portion which extends in a direction substantially in parallel to the direction of extending the cores of the corrugated-cardboard sheet, a pair of folding portions 23 which are arranged between the opposite sides of a pair of styrofoam members 110 are folded downward in order to form the pair of openings 25, and a tip projecting portion 24 arranged to be in contact with a projection 112 of each styrofoam member 110.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Yokawa
  • Patent number: 7258235
    Abstract: A package arrangement for storing a container includes a carton having a receiving cavity, and a die cut insert. The die cut insert is detachably disposed in the receiving cavity of the carton, and includes a top panel having at least a top panel cavity and a bottom panel having at least a bottom panel cavity aligned with the top panel cavity of the top panel, wherein the die cut insert is adapted for substantially retaining the container in the carton when the container is slidably inserted into the die cut insert through the top panel cavity and the bottom panel cavity at a position that an upper portion of the container is encircling supported by the top panel and a lower portion of the container is encircling supported by the bottom panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Inventors: An-Hsia Liu, Victor D. Liu, Alexander D. Liu
  • Patent number: 7228967
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel means for supporting multiple fragile articles which are often mounted upon a fixed substrate such as a pallet during shipment thereof. These longitudinal supporting members are generally rectangular in cross-section and can be of any length. Each support member includes an upper support surface and a longitudinally extending slot or recess which can form a mounting member, lip or recess therein to facilitate driving and retaining of securement members such as staples, therethrough, into the substrate located therebelow for securement to the substrate while defining a safety zone between the staples and the supported fragile articles for protection thereof. An upper panel of dissimilar material can be laminated over the upper supporting surface of the support member to control the coefficient of friction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Homasote Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7168566
    Abstract: A multi-chambered inflatable member formed by connecting the perimeters of two polymeric film layers includes a seal line spaced from the perimeter that interconnects the two film layers to form a perimeter inflatable channel along a portion of the perimeter. A plurality of inflatable cells extend between opposing portions of the inflatable channel and are in communication with one of the opposing portions of the inflatable channel. A check valve communicates with the inflatable channel to inflate the inflatable member. Articles being shipped or stored in a container can be placed between two or more inflatable members, the perimeter inflatable channels of which provide perimeter protection between the article and the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kevin W. Anderson, John T. Peterson, William A. Peper, Joseph T. Bartusiak, Gerald E. Mueller, Charles R. Kleissler
  • Patent number: 7097042
    Abstract: A portable accessory box is disclosed. The portable accessory box comprises: a bottom plate; two side rectangular bodies fixedly connected to two sides of the bottom plate; and a lower side plate fixedly connected to the lower side of the bottom plate. The portable accessory box can further comprise an upper side plate fixedly connected to the upper side of the bottom plate. The bottom plate includes a hand-held hole for carrying and two fixed pieces used to fix the side rectangular bodies. In addition, each of the side rectangular bodies comprises an embedded slot, and the lower side plate and the upper side plate both include an inner side piece. When the lower side plate and the upper side plate are folded inwardly, the inner side pieces can be embedded into the embedded slots of the side rectangular bodies to divide each of the side rectangular bodies into two rectangular sub-bodies and form a lower rectangular body and an upper rectangular body between the side rectangular bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Quanta Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Feng-Ling Hsu
  • Patent number: 7093717
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to construct a simple packaging structure having few components and capable of protecting a contained product against shock impacts coming from all directions. To this end, the packaging structure according to the present invention is made of synthetic resin with an elastic quality molded into a sheet form, and includes a first tray pack and a second tray pack which face each other and are adjoined to hold the contained product securely in place; wherein the first and second tray packs are provided with sustaining portions sustaining the periphery of the contained product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Shuhei Sakai, Miyuki Akimoto, Katsuya Fujii, Hiroshi Katagiri, Kiyonori Kusuda
  • Patent number: 7086534
    Abstract: A packaging structure for holding an article within an outer container includes a frame having a main portion for receiving the article, and a pair of side legs and a pair of end legs foldably connected to the main portion for supporting the main portion. The main portion includes a series of foldable members, the foldable members in a first group being pivotable about axes extending in a first direction and the foldable members in a second group being pivotable about axes extending in a second direction different from the first direction. In one embodiment, the main portion may include a panel for supporting the article, and at least one flexible film for connecting the panel to the frame. A pair of these packaging structures may be arranged in confronting relationship within the outer container so that the article being packaged is held in place between the support panel in one packaging structure and the support panel in the other packaging structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Sealed Air Verpackungen GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Roesel, Christof Hammerschmidt
  • Patent number: 6976587
    Abstract: A packaging assembly comprising a standard molded cushion solution that can accommodate variations in dimensions of predetermined products, including weight, while providing protection to an equipment component (or other fragile or breakable item) enclosed therein, ease in use during pre-packing and packing of an equipment component for transport, shock protection during transport, and is economically suited for its end use, is provided for. The present invention is a molded, cushion having interlocking columns which adjust the contacting areas of the cushion in relation to the product height and/or weight differences. The present invention is advantageously designed using specific geometries and interlocking columns which, contrary to traditional designs, benefit from the stressing and flexing characteristics of paper fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ivan Neil Liverman, Mark Edmund Maresh, Jeffrey Jay Miller, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner, Christopher Michael Turner
  • Patent number: 6948618
    Abstract: A protective packaging system is disclosed, comprising a protective pouch open on one side. A closure tape is attached to the pouch's open side. The pouch also has an attachment block affixed to the outer surface. The attachment block has a layer of adhesive on its non-pouch-proximate face, and an cover panel covering the adhesive. A twist tie is also located on the bottom surface of pouch. The user pre-wraps a fragile object in the pouch, peels the cover panel from the attachment block, and then places the assembly into a box or other container where it adheres to the bottom of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventors: Tom Tho-Truong Luu, Ana Nicho Luu
  • Patent number: 6877608
    Abstract: A package cushion member includes an upper pad 10 and a lower pad 20 from which a plurality of upper-pad hollow projections 15 and a plurality of lower-pad hollow projections 25 project so as to surround a storage space for a projector 50, and also adopts a reinforcing pad 30 having bottom-protecting hollow projections 31 which are in contact with recesses 22 of the lower pad 20, and side-reinforcing hollow projections 35 which are inserted halfway into the lower-pad hollow projections 25, when the reinforcing pad 30 is placed under the lower pad 20. This makes it possible to reliably prevent an outer case of a packed object from being broken even when the outer case is easily distorted at the center portion in the thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Motomu Koike
  • Patent number: 6868965
    Abstract: A piece of flat packaging material has an intermediate section defined by cuts and partial cuts through the packaging material thickness so that the intermediate section is pivotable at the partial cuts to extend out into a package interior and to provide packaging support between products packaged adjacent the intermediate section. In one embodiment, opposing pieces of packaging material disposed in a package support horizontal loading of information handling systems by pivoting opposing intermediate sections inward over top of a first information handling system and placing the second information handling systems over the top of the first information handling systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Michael T. Miller, Anthony C. Adragna
  • Patent number: 6866150
    Abstract: A containment unit for protecting fragile objects (e.g., medical slides) during transit is provided, wherein the unit is light weight, yet secure, and such that the objects are securely held in place during transit (e.g., mailing, delivery) to ensure that they are not jostled, intermingled, rearranged, displaced, broken, or otherwise physically harmed/affected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: The Mason Box Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh Mason, Michael J Gruslin, Joseph Winn
  • Publication number: 20040262193
    Abstract: A packaging protector comprising a piece of sheet material protecting the package and having an inner surface (1) designed to be placed against the package, an outer surface (2) opposite to the inner surface and a sticker surface (3) for attaching the package protector to the surface of the package to be protected. According to the invention, the piece of sheet material comprises a recess (4) in which the sticker surface is placed at a distance from the plane defined by the inner surface towards the outer surface so that the sticker surface can be pressed onto the surface of the package by pressing on the outer surface in the area of the sticker surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Seppo Korhonen
  • Patent number: 6827206
    Abstract: A packaging container is provided for a large-caliber cartridge having a thin-walled cartridge case and a projectile, whose projectile head projects out of the front of and is connected to the cartridge case. The packaging container has an outer container and an inner container, which receives the cartridge. To secure the projectile of the cartridge inside the packaging container, with respect to a possible displacement of the projectile toward the rear end of the container, the projectile head of the cartridge is disposed in the inner container in a frictional lockup. For this purpose, the inner container has a one-piece projectile-head shaped receptacle at the front, to which a first half-shell that partially surrounds the cartridge case is connected, and a second half-shell, that is hinged to the first half-shell and can be secured to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Brase, Thomas Heitmann
  • Patent number: 6758332
    Abstract: A device and a method is provided for protecting a laptop computer or other shock-sensitive electronic devices from impact while being transported within conventional luggage along with personal articles by securing one or more collapsible and lightweight bands of material having external hook and loop fasteners to the laptop computer and securing a plurality of pads along the edges of the electronic device by coupling the pads to the external hook and loop fasteners of the band of material. The pads are secured using a plurality of easily secured and removed straps, such as an elastic band or harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Randoph Miller, Clifford Jay Spinac
  • Publication number: 20040118741
    Abstract: A packaging system for shipping liquid or particulate material comprises a cardboard carton, a plastic materials storage liner shaped and sized to fit in the carton, and a sleeve that surrounds and is adapted to support the liner at its top end. The liner is formed with an open top and a removable and replaceable cover is provided for the liner to prevent loss of material stored in the liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph J. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6739452
    Abstract: A memory device protective carrier is disclosed for protecting small memory devices. The container includes a non-deformable, rigid exterior case having first and second shells and a securing mechanism to adjustably secure the shells in an open or closed position so that a containment chamber is defined between the shells in the closed position. A deformable, resilient receiving insert and a resilient securing insert are secured respectively within the first and second shells. Sealing lips of the inserts are compressed in the closed position to form a fluid seal so that a memory device secured within the containment chamber is protected by the rigid case and resilient inserts against damage from impact injury or fluid contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Donald R. Rochelo
  • Publication number: 20040089585
    Abstract: A packaging container is formed from preformed, rigid base and cover units of U-shaped cross-section. The case unit is configured so that its side walls fit within and are embraced by side walls of the cover unit when assembled as a container. The side walls of the base and cover units have a plurality of straight-cut slits in their side walls, creating a plurality of flaps and allowing both the base and cover units to enclose randomly shaped objects. A single unit packaging container is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Anatoly Gosis, Michael D. Loeschen, Ian Brooks
  • Publication number: 20040079669
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for substantially maintaining a position of a plurality of packages (30) between a pair of trays (102 and 104) inside the drum of an agitating retort when the agitation process is applied to the packages. When the first tray (102) is stacked on the second tray (104), a volume formed between the first and second trays. Within the volume, a first positioning system (106) for holding the packages (30) in a desired position is coupled to one of the trays. The packages (30) are positioned within the volume and retained in the desired position by the first positioning system. A second positioning system (114) may be employed to hold the packages at the opposite end of the packages from the first positioning system. The second positioning system (114) may include a resilient pad that grips the adjacent portion of the packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gustaaf Persoons
  • Patent number: 6712212
    Abstract: A carton, a receptacle and a blank for packaging fragile articles, each comprising an article supporting platform, and upper and lower spacer structures provided to space the platform from the base, top and sides of an outer carton in which the receptacle is disposed, wherein one or more of the upper and lower spacer structures comprises a pair of members extending mutually divergently from the platform such that each of the members terminate at an intersection of a pair of walls of the outer carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Publication number: 20040055929
    Abstract: A protective packaging device for a shock sensitive product being shipped or stored in a rectilinear outer packaging container comprises a product receiving cavity having product contacting walls and a product supporting platform. A base portion located below the product receiving cavity has two pairs of deflection elements extending diagonally away from the corners of the cavity towards external outer packaging container contacting corners, and bottom outer packaging container contacting lips at the bottom of the base portion. The distances between adjacent pairs of outer packaging container contacting corners are substantially equal to the internal distances between adjacent pairs of corners of the outer packaging container. The deflection elements are adapted to flex away one from another, and the bottom outer packaging container contacting lips are adapted to spread away from one another, under shock loading conditions. Thus, shock protection is provided in three mutually perpendicular directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Forrest Smith
  • Publication number: 20040000500
    Abstract: A stereoscopic inner spacer is disclosed. The stereoscopic inner spacer with a new structure is made from folding and crossing paper material for supporting and holding an object securely in a packaging carton and protecting the object from impacts. The stereoscopic inner spacer of the present creation substitutes the prior art that has to develop and manufacture a mold, saves the cost of developing the mold, but also improves insufficient anti-shocking ability of the inner spacer made by folding and gluing paperboards. The present creation is not required to glue together by an adhesive, and meets the trend of environmental protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventor: Fong-Ling Hsu
  • Publication number: 20030217948
    Abstract: An improved shock absorbing insulated shipping container including an external corrugated cardboard box, receiving an insulated body having a cavity for holding a one or more breakable glass bottles, which bottles may contain high value liquid product being shipped, such as medicine or wine, and also receiving an especially configured and constructed, shock-absorbing filling structure or partition system for separating the glass bottles from one another, and from one or more receptacle cavities for holding phase change coolant or temperature control material in a predetermined relationship to the glass bottles. The container also includes an insulating and cushioning cover adapted to engage into a top opening of the insulated body after the bottles and coolant are received in the cavity thereof. The insulated body is preferably formed from injection molded polyurethane, wrapped in a plastic film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Gary W. Lantz
  • Publication number: 20030217947
    Abstract: An article holder for holding an article including a main body configured to receive the article, and at least one deformable article receiving member disposed on a bottom plate of the main body. The deformable article receiving member is configured to deform so as to change a receiving height of the article inserted in the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: KAO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichi Ishikawa, Hidenori Shirai, Masatoshi Yokota
  • Publication number: 20030209463
    Abstract: The packaging system comprises a first plurality of interlaced fingers disposed in the upper portion of a box, and a second plurality of interlaced fingers disposed in a lower portion. The fingers provide provide a soft support for a product placed between the fingers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Michael W. Halpin
  • Patent number: 6644476
    Abstract: A cushion package structure conforming to environmental protection recycling regulations utilizes corrugated paper and elastic cushion materials (EPE) to replace conventional polylone. The corrugated paper and EPE are latched and coupled together without using hot adhesive. Thus EPE and corrugated paper may be reclaimed and recycled separately to achieve environmental protection purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Tsan Sheng Wu
  • Patent number: 6622860
    Abstract: In packaging for shipping material (26), a universal pack (10) for accommodating materials (26) of different sizes, includes a precut form (12) conformed to form a box (32) with more than one discontinuous side (14), a discontinuous bottom (16), one continuous side (18) and a continuous top (20). More than one extension (22) is connected to discontinuous bottom (16) and connectors (24) are attached to the more than one extension (22). Material (26) is inserted into box (32) and extensions (22) are secured around material (26) so that material (26) is secured against movement both side to side and front to back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: John Alexander Horbal
  • Publication number: 20030159970
    Abstract: A cushion package structure conforming to environmental protection recycling regulations utilizes corrugated paper and elastic cushion materials (EPE) to replace conventional polylone. The corrugated paper and EPE are latched and coupled together without using hot adhesive. Thus EPE and corrugated paper may be reclaimed and recycled separately to achieve environmental protection purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Tsan Sheng Wu
  • Publication number: 20030155274
    Abstract: An end cap (1) having a sidewall (7) and a front side (8). The end cap (1) includes internal ribs (2) that are inwardly directed to form a clamping receptacle for an object (10). Ribs (2) are separated from front side (8) by a space (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Rosler
  • Patent number: 6567265
    Abstract: An apparatus having a flexible mounting mechanism according to the present invention includes a storage section, a casing accommodating and holding the storage section, a protective housing accommodating and protecting the casing, a supporting member provided between the casing and the protective housing for supporting the casing, and a maintaining member supporting the protective housing. The supporting member and the maintaining member have different vibration damping characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiki Yamamura, Toshiyuki Wada, Makoto Kuwamoto
  • Patent number: 6557325
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plastic computer packing pillow that is filled with two layers of bubble wrap with the bubbles in each layer facing each other for protecting computers during relocation. The computer component is placed on the middle of the plastic pillow with the ends of the pillow touching the sides of the computer component during movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Office Moving Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward R. Katz
  • Publication number: 20030070959
    Abstract: A packaging system for a component is disclosed. The packaging system comprises a box and a carrier within the box. The packaging system also includes a compressible and shock-absorbent packing insert, wherein the packing insert is placed above a component after nesting the component within the carrier. Accordingly, the packaging system in accordance with the present invention employs a low cost, environment-friendly material to protect fragile components from any potential damage that can be caused during the shipping process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Edmund Maresh, Eric Allen Stegner
  • Patent number: 6540080
    Abstract: A protective wrap is disclosed that includes a single solution to protecting rigid angled products that require vertical and horizontal strength of interior forms or posts as well as a resilient cushioning property of a flexible poly-based based product to prevent damage upon impact from mechanical or manual handling. Many applications will benefit from the opportunity to reduce costs through a reduction in packing materials and in downgrading the corrugated construction or eliminate the exterior protection of corrugated boxes. The protective wrap includes at least one layer poly-based material, such as of a closed or open cell foam secured between laminated layers of paper or, alternatively, laminated to one layer of laminated paper with the flexible poly-based material exposed. The protective wrap is formed to a rigid right angle, a C-channel, or any angled shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Albert Moreyra
  • Patent number: 6533165
    Abstract: Tablets and other relatively fragile consumer products can be transported in a carton with little or no compromise to their integrity by providing bottom flaps of the carton with slits for cushioning the carton. Preferably, at least two adjacent flaps include the slits. Instead of slits, perforated lines or non-linear lines can be used. However, in a preferred embodiment, the carton is a corrugated carton and the slits run parallel to the lines of corrugation. More preferably, the corrugation includes troughs and the slits are imposed in the fiberboard parallel to and opposite the troughs of the corrugations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward John Giblin, Corinne Saso, Jeannine Desmond Griffiths, Richard Chalmers
  • Publication number: 20030034273
    Abstract: A carton, a receptacle and a blank for packaging fragile articles, each comprising an article supporting platform, and upper and lower spacer structures provided to space the platform from the base, top and sides of an outer carton in which the receptacle is disposed, wherein one or more of the upper and lower spacer structures comprises a pair of members extending mutually divergently from the platform such that each of the members terminate at an intersection of a pair of walls of the outer carton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Patent number: 6508362
    Abstract: A hinged flexible polyurethane foam protective packaging element is formed from a flexible polyurethane foam laminated to a polyethylene, polypropylene or urethane film. The flexible polyurethane foam has a density in the range of 0.7 lbs/ft3 to 2.8 lbs/ft3 and IFD25 in the range of 25 lbs to 270 lbs. The film has a thickness from 2 mil to 125 mil. The foam is cut through all or substantially all of its thickness without cutting through a portion of the film. The uncut portion of the film creates a repeatably bendable hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Foamex L.P.
    Inventors: Michael F. Hnatow, Vincenzo A. Bonaddio, Chiu Y. Chan, Daniel V. Tursi, John R. Rucker
  • Patent number: 6499599
    Abstract: The packing end cap includes a collar defining an interior cavity into which an item to be packaged may extend. The collar is comprised of longitudinal leg members interconnected at opposite ends by lateral leg members. An expansion joint is integrated within each lateral and longitudinal leg member. A plurality of blocks can also be disposed within the interior cavity hinged across an interior edge of a lateral member. Each block can pivot about the interior edge, enabling it to be positionable in a first position substantially parallel to a plane defined by the collar, and a second position perpendicular to the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Tuscarora, Incorporated
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hopkins, Robert S. Biddinger
  • Publication number: 20020189970
    Abstract: A package cushion member includes an upper pad 10 and a lower pad 20 from which a plurality of upper-pad hollow projections 15 and a plurality of lower-pad hollow projections 25 project so as to surround a storage space for a projector 50, and also adopts a reinforcing pad 30 having bottom-protecting hollow projections 31 which are in contact with recesses 22 of the lower pad 20, and side-reinforcing hollow projections 35 which are inserted halfway into the lower-pad hollow projections 25, when the reinforcing pad 30 is placed under the lower pad 20. This makes it possible to reliably prevent an outer case of a packed object from being broken even when the outer case is easily distorted at the center portion in the thickness direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Motomu Koike
  • Patent number: 6464080
    Abstract: A cushioning structure for placement between an impacting surface and a surface of an object to be cushioned against damage caused by impact during transport, storage, or usage, comprising a spring member having a load bearing portion and spring lead portions, and a restraining member adapted for engaging with the spring leads, to restrain the movement of the spring leads while the cushioning structure is subjected to loading or accelerating or decelerating forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Jay Morris, Robert Lee Scott
  • Patent number: 6458396
    Abstract: The preferred embodiment protective packaging (10) is directed to a protective packaging for hard taco shells (27). It is understood, however, that the present invention may be modified to provide an improved packaging container for other brittle yet perishable food substances. The packaging (10) includes a pad (11) having legs (12, 13, 14, 15) that are compressed when a force is exerted upon them without breaking the taco shells (27). The pad (11) covers an area greater than the area covered by the taco shells (27). The taco shells (27) are packaged in a nested arrangement, and the packaging (10) also utilizes a paper board U-shaped insert (35) placed in the opening of the end taco shell, which protects the shells (27) from breaking in side to side impact. The shells (27) are shrink-wrapped onto the pad (11) and the pad (11) is then placed inside a protective carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Hormel Foods, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel J. Hirst
  • Publication number: 20020104772
    Abstract: A hinged flexible polyurethane foam protective packaging element is formed from a flexible polyurethane foam laminated to a polyethylene, polypropylene or urethane film. The flexible polyurethane foam has a density in the range of 0.7 lbs/ft3 to 2.8 lbs/ft3 and IFD25 in the range of 25 lbs to 270 lbs. The film has a thickness from 2 mil to 125 mil. The foam is cut through all or substantially all of its thickness without cutting through a portion of the film. The uncut portion of the film creates a repeatably bendable hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Michael F. Hnatow, Vincenzo A. Bonaddio, Chiu Y. Chan, Daniel V. Tursi, John R. Rucker
  • Patent number: 6412635
    Abstract: An item to be packaged which has at least a first substantially planar surface is positioned within the carton, also having at least a first substantially planar exterior carton surface such that the plane of the item to be packaged is non-orthogonal to and non-parallel with the plane of the carton exterior. In one aspect, a substantially parallelepiped-shaped item is rotated about one, two or three orthogonal axes for placing in a carton which may itself have a substantially parallelepiped exterior shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Torence Lu
  • Patent number: 6386388
    Abstract: A container adapted for storing and transporting an item having a shape includes a flexible bottom panel which has an upper surface upon which the item is supported, and a lower surface having a plurality of parallel, spaced apart ribs with a relatively thin-walled section between each adjacent pair of ribs. The flexible bottom panel is adapted to conform to the shape of the item resting thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Trenton M. Overholt
  • Patent number: 6375009
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bag with a shock absorbing unit for protecting the bag's contents from external impacts. In the shock absorbing unit 1, upper and lower panels 2, 3 and the side shock absorbing member 4 include a plurality of air cells 5, 6, each of which is inflated with air and sealed. The shock absorbing unit 1 is either sewed or attached to a bag 10 having a soft or hard side surface in a detachable manner so as to absorb various external impacts from all directions when carrying the bag 10 and to receive the contents safely and conveniently. In addition, it also allows the contents to be easily taken out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Chung Kyun Lee