Stacking Feature Patents (Class 229/915)
  • Patent number: 9828769
    Abstract: The invention is about a modular foldable brick that enables architectural elements such as stacked walls, arches, corners, doors, windows and wall niches to be constructed at indoor and outdoor conditions that divides, restricts and secures a certain space; Due to the possibility of folding the storing and carrying of this brick is possible at a minimum weight. The brick is connectable within itself and also attachable to others for constructing architectural elements as wall building systems. The foldable brick provides a foldable brick body that forms the outer walls and an inner wall being formed with three techniques; connecting/fixing (A-B groups)/encircling (C group). All three techniques are related to the forming of the detachable wall building system's entity unit foldable and sustainable brick. All these three techniques are used simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: HOBI ENDÜSTRIYEL ÜRÜN TASARIM UYGULAMA ÜRETIM ITHALAT IHRACAT LIMITED SIRKETI
    Inventors: Adem Aribaş, Mustafa Gürça{hacek over (g)} Özler
  • Patent number: 9010621
    Abstract: A box for receiving a food item is provided, and the box is usable with an additional box that is also configured to receive a food item. The box includes a bottom portion including a bottom panel having a link feature formed therein, and a top portion hingedly connected to the bottom portion and configured to form a cover. The top portion includes a top panel having a link feature formed therein. The link feature of the bottom portion is cooperable with the additional box to link the two boxes together when the additional box is placed beneath the box, or the link feature of the top portion is cooperable with the additional box to link the two boxes together when the additional box is placed on top of the box. Furthermore, at least one of the link features comprises a bendable tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Domino's IP Holder LLC
    Inventors: Meredith Baker, Benjamin A. Bangser, Jason Eiseman, Jessica Glass, James E. McCay, Thomas VanEsley, Phillip Worley
  • Patent number: 8794441
    Abstract: An apparatus including a box portion which may include a left side, a right side, a front side, a rear side, and a bottom. Each of the left, the right, the front, and the rear sides is connected to the bottom to be foldable with respect to the bottom, from an orientation parallel to the bottom to an orientation substantially perpendicular to the bottom. A device may be connected to the bottom, including an inner peripheral wall which extends, substantially perpendicularly from the bottom. The inner peripheral wall may be substantially in the shape of a loop and may have a width and a length, substantially perpendicular to the height of the device, slightly less than a width and a length, respectively, of an inner chamber defined by top edges of the left, the right, the front, and the rear sides, of the box portion in an upright state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph N. Laurita
  • Patent number: 8726618
    Abstract: An apparatus including a box portion which may include a left side, a right side, a front side, a rear side, and a bottom. Each of the left, the right, the front, and the rear sides is connected to the bottom to be foldable with respect to the bottom, from an orientation parallel to the bottom to an orientation substantially perpendicular to the bottom. A device may be connected to the bottom, including an inner peripheral wall which extends, substantially perpendicularly from the bottom. The inner peripheral wall may be substantially in the shape of a loop and may have a width and a length, substantially perpendicular to the height of the device, slightly less than a width and a length, respectively, of an inner chamber defined by top edges of the left, the right, the front, and the rear sides, of the box portion in an upright state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph N. Laurita
  • Patent number: 8714436
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tray for transporting and displaying items such as yogurt containers. The tray is of the type comprising a bottom wall (1), side walls (2, 3, 4, 5) perpendicular to the bottom (1) and side flaps (27) enabling the attachment of a first wall (2, 4) to the adjacent wall (3, 5), each flap being hingedly connected to the side edge of the first wall (2, 4) and attached to the following wall (3, 5). According to the invention, the hinged connection of the side flap (27) to the first wall is provided by an interface area (16) in the shape of a triangle the apex (17) of which points toward the free upper edge (31, 32) of the two consecutive side walls (2, 3, 4, 5) and the base (18) of which rests on the bottom wall (1), this triangular interface area (16) being slanted from its base (18) to the apex (17) toward the outside of the outline defined by the bottom wall (1). The invention can be used for trays for transporting products such as yogurt containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignees: Societe Normande de Carton Ondule, Papeteries D-Espaly, Emballages Laurent SAS, STE Mediterraneanne D'Emballages
    Inventors: Denis Valot, Jean-Yves Malnoy, Frederic Catherine, Damien Tartre
  • Patent number: 8567661
    Abstract: A two piece shipping tray having a first unitary blank which provides a bottom panel with opposed end panels and opposed side panels connected by foldable corner gussets and a second unitary blank which provides a two walled cross divider adhered in fixed relation to the bottom panel to provide a knocked-down-flat condition in which the two walled cross divider foldably engages the bottom panel and in which the opposed side panels have a portion of the corresponding foldable corner gussets adhered in fixed relation to the opposed end panels to engage each of the opposed side panels with the bottom panel, which allows the basic configuration of the shipping tray to be manually foldably produced from the knocked-down-flat condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: DeLine Box Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Sullivan, Terence A. Gill, David C. DeLine
  • Patent number: 8522966
    Abstract: A beverage carrying assembly includes a panel that has a top side, a bottom side and a perimeter edge. The perimeter edge includes a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a front edge and a rear edge. The panel has a pair of major bend lines each extending from the front edge to the rear edge. Each of the major bend lines defines a first portion, a second portion and a middle portion wherein the middle portion includes openings for receiving beverage cups. The first and second portions each include grooves and insertion tabs for allowing multiple ones of the panels to be secured together in stacked configuration for holding several beverage cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Rohan M. Siebel
  • Publication number: 20130037439
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tray for transporting and displaying items such as yogurt containers. The tray is of the type comprising a bottom wall (1) and side walls (3 to 5) hingedly connected to the bottom wall and folded upwards at a substantially right angle, and at least one stacking lug (7) extending upwards away from the plane of the side wall, the tray being obtained by folding from a rectangular blank of corrugated cardboard. The tray is characterized in that the blank has a rectangular outline and in that the parts forming the lug (7) are included in said outline. The invention can be used to make trays for transporting yogurt containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicants: SOCIETE NORMANDE DE CARTON ONDULE - SNCO, SOCIETE MEDITERRANEENNE D'EMBALLAGES, EMBALLAGES LAURENT SAS, PAPETERIES D'ESPALY
    Inventors: Denis Valot, Jean-Yves Malnoy, Frederic Catherine, Damien Tartre
  • Patent number: 8079474
    Abstract: A stackable container and blanks for forming a stackable container are disclosed. In one embodiment, a stackable container has (a) a base having two pairs of opposed base edges, (b) two first sidewall structures foldably attached to the first base edges at an angle of from about 90 degrees to about 100 degrees, and (c) two second sidewall structures. The second sidewall structures generally each include (i) a wall flap foldably attached to one of the base edges at an angle of from about 90 degrees to about 100 degrees, (ii) an index fold-down flap foldably attached to the wall flap at an angle of about 180 degrees, and (iii) a plurality of inner fold-down flaps foldably attached to the wall flap at an angle of about 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Maxco Supply, Inc.
    Inventor: Max Flaming
  • Patent number: 8042728
    Abstract: A container such as a pizza box having one or more removable portions (46), which can be removed without substantially affecting the enclosing and/or strength properties of the container. The container blank has a central bottom panel (41) with at least one roll over side wall formed of an outer wall panel (48) with removable portions and an inner wall panel (49) that doubles over the outer wall portion to engage extension panels or tabs (8) of adjacent side walls, and has a hinged top panel lid (40). The removable portions (46) may be used for printing promotional material or as reward tokens offering special consideration for future purchases. The container also aims to provide a method of promoting products by way of a container having one or more removable portions and/or to provide a method of subsidizing the cost of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Initiatives and Innovations Pty Ltd
    Inventor: George Braoudakis
  • Patent number: 7854371
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention feature a stackable tray storage container suitable for holding fruit and food. The stackable tray storage container has a rectangular base having a first rectangular shape with a pair of base widths and a pair of base lengths, a pair of end walls having a second rectangular shape extending upward foldably attached along opposite base widths connecting each end wall to the rectangular base and having a corresponding pair of cutouts along each fold along the base widths forming a pair of tray handle interlocks, a corresponding pair of handle extensions foldably attached along a top edge of each end wall and a pair of walls extending upward foldably attached along opposite base lengths and having a third rectangular shape, wherein each of the walls along the length have a pair of foldably attached flaps that fold inward and attach to the pair of end walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Chris Mittelstaedt
  • Patent number: 7837090
    Abstract: A folded product container provides the benefit of reduced cost of a container formed from a single sheet of material that is folded to produce the container without requiring gluing. The novel configuration of the folded container provides four triangular cross-section column walls at the four corners of the container that reinforce the container for stacking, while still allowing display of products in the container through a top opening and front and rear openings of the stacked containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Supply One Rockwell, Inc.
    Inventor: Myron E. Bostian
  • Patent number: 7823725
    Abstract: A lightweight shipping and display assembly of corrugated board for containing packages of frangible food items, the assembly having a vertical axis and comprising an upright stack of pallets each having a horizontal floor spaced vertically from an adjacent upper pallet by spacer means comprising a plurality of interconnected arms generally horizontally arrayed and having upper and lower edges, wherein the lower edges rest on the floor, wherein the upper edges are formed with upper adjacent floor contact portions and vertically extended lock tabs, wherein the tabs have been inserted thru slots in an adjacent upper floor to provide a first stop means, wherein a raised rim means surrounds the periphery of the floor and provides on its inner surface shoulder means adapted to engage end portions of the support arms to provide second stop means, said first and second stop means preventing independent individual rotation of any structures of said assembly about the vertical axis, and wherein the support arms extend
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Triad Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Vaden S. Shupe
  • Patent number: 7740164
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide a blank foldable material that may be configured to form a container. When formed, the container is self-locking and includes a rollover panel assemblies formed by spaced apart fold lines that forms bearing surfaces for vertically stacked containers. The container includes a inside taper that functions to prevent telescoping of vertically stacked container, and to hold the various corner panels in their proper location. The blank is configured to form a container that includes corners having multiple thicknesses for strength and stability. The container is self locking, easy us manufacture yet high strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Jack A. McClure
  • Patent number: 7681785
    Abstract: A stackable corrugated box made from a foldable blank comprising a base having two opposed first edges and second edges, wall portions extending from the first edges, side wall portions extending from the second edges. The wall portions comprise a first part connected to the base and a second part connected to the first part, provided with flaps. The first parts include crush and knife cut features capable of flexing outward. When the box is erected, the side wall portions are folded perpendicularly to the base and connected via the flaps to upwardly directed walls defined by the first and second parts also folded perpendicularly to the base. The upwardly directed walls are provided with projecting tabs, so that when the box is stacked on another similar box, the crush and knife cut features flex outward creating space for the tabs from the box placed below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Cascades Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Grigor
  • Patent number: 7677434
    Abstract: A stackable container has a bottom panel, upstanding sidewalls, upstanding end walls, and an open top. According to one aspect of the invention, narrow reinforcing flaps are attached to the upper edge of at least one of the side and end walls, defining a stacking ledge and reinforcing the walls against outward bulge. The reinforcing flaps extend over only a small portion of the height of the side or end wall, and corner post flaps extend from opposite ends of the reinforcing flaps, extending diagonally across interior corners of the container. According to another aspect, the side and/or end walls lean inwardly, defining a narrower footprint at the top of the container than at the bottom. In a specific embodiment one of the walls leans in more than the other. According to a further aspect, an indexing and aligning tab extends upwardly from an upper edge of the container, and a complementary notch is formed in a lower edge for receiving the tab when the containers are stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Stanley L. Fry
  • Patent number: 7628311
    Abstract: A folded food carton is formed from a matable, lay flat blank for retaining, transporting and serving hot food such as pizza. The blank includes an arrangement of end panels, side panels and cover panels foldable relative to a bottom panel such that, in the erected carton, the cover panels overlap and are interlocked with the side panels by means of offset locking tabs. The end panels slant upwardly and inwardly from the bottom panel to add rigidity and save material for the carton. The side panels flare upwardly and outwardly from the bottom panel and extend above the cover panels to enhance stackability and prevent shifting of stacked cartons one on top of the other. Several methods of packaging pizza in the folded carton are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: International Paper
    Inventors: Wayne H Kuhn, Frank Pizzitola
  • Patent number: 7607566
    Abstract: A container and its associated container blank for shipping and displaying products. The container blank includes a plurality of side panels, bottom panels, and top panels that are erectable into a fully enclosed shipping container. Formed in some of the side panels and some of the top panels are removable punch-out window panels. When removed, the punch-out window panels leave a top panel that defines a periphery around the “window” area. Various stacking tabs and slots are configured in the bottom panels. The stacking tabs and stacking slots are positioned such that when engaged and the containers are in a vertically stacked arrangement, the stacking tabs bias against a portion of the periphery of the top panel. When not engaged, the container has a flat bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: International Paper Co.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Philips, Jeffrey A. Smith
  • Patent number: 7597241
    Abstract: The present invention provides a container having a carton and a cover sized to fit over and enclose an interior space of the container. Carton and cover each are adapted to permit controlled flow of air in to and out of the interior space of the container. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, cover sidewalls are adapted to move between an open position and a closed position, wherein air is permitted to flow in to and out of the interior space of the container when the sidewalls are in an open position, but inhibited from flowing in to and out of the container when the sidewalls are in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: International Paper
    Inventors: Juan Z Valenzuela, Carlos A Gajardo
  • Patent number: 7568611
    Abstract: A carton having a dispensing feature adapted for permitting the removal of articles from within the carton. Top and bottom opposed walls are interconnected by a pair of side walls to form a tubular body. An article dispenser is provided by a removable portion defined by an opening in the carton for exposing articles for removal. The removable portion is at least partially defined by a frangible line extending across each side wall to opposite side edges of the bottom wall. A portion of the frangible line extends at least partially along the adjacent end edge of the bottom wall and then extends to the opposite side edges of the bottom wall. A buttress arrangement for enhancing the stacking strength of the carton is formed from the distal portion of at least one side end flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: John W. Cargile, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7441694
    Abstract: A container is disclosed. The container includes a base panel, end wall panels upstanding from opposed ends of the base panel, side wall panels upstanding from opposed sides of the base panel, flaps attached to the end wall panels and extending along the side edges of the base panel inwardly of said side wall panels, and a cover extending over the open top of the container and having its edges secured between said side wall panels and said flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: APL Cartons Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Rochè Kenny
  • Patent number: 7337905
    Abstract: A tongue shaped friction lock is integrally formed in a dust cover or a bottom panel of an open-topped container and positioned to capture the stacking tabs of an adjacent open-topped container. The friction lock provides a small opening through which a stacking tab may be inserted, while at the same time pushing up a locking flap, which pivots up and frictionally engages the stacking tab. A strip of reinforcing tape is embedded within the dust cover and allows one to remove and reuse the dust cover without tearing the tongue lock or the surrounding portions of the dust cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Stanley L Fry
  • Patent number: 7261231
    Abstract: A folded food carton is formed from a matable, lay flat blank for retaining, transporting and serving hot food such as pizza. The blank includes an arrangement of end panels, side panels and cover panels foldable relative to a bottom panel such that, in the erected carton, the cover panels overlap and are interlocked with the side panels by means of offset locking tabs. The end panels slant upwardly and inwardly from the bottom panel to add rigidity and save material for the carton. The side panels flare upwardly and outwardly from the bottom panel and extend above the cover panels to enhance stackability and prevent shifting of stacked cartons one on top of the other. Several methods of packaging pizza in the folded carton are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Wayne H. Kuhn, Frank Pizzitola
  • Patent number: 7229002
    Abstract: Structures and processes for packaging produce in a manner that resists contamination due to dust, debris, and sunlight. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, fresh produce may be placed in a produce container having tabs extending from the top of the produce container walls. The tabs may preferably comprise a hook end. A produce container cover, preferably made from fiberboard or some other suitably lightweight material, comprising tab slots in locations complementary to the tabs of the produce container may be placed on the produce container as a cover. The tab slots of the produce container cover are configured to create a locking effect with the hook end of the tabs located on the produce container. This prevents the produce container cover from inadvertently being displaced during shipping and handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: RTS Packaging, LLC
    Inventors: William B. Burch, Jr., John N. Atwood
  • Patent number: 7140493
    Abstract: A substantially flat and planar dust cover has at least one opening formed through it near at least one edge for receiving a stacking tab on an open-topped container when the dust cover is applied to the container. A narrow strip of material is defined between the opening and an outer edge of the dust cover, and a strip of reinforcing tape is embedded within the edge of the dust cover to reinforce the narrow strip of material and prevent tearing of it or surrounding portions of the dust cover. A tongue shaped friction lock is integrally formed in the opening to capture the stacking tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Stanley L. Fry
  • Patent number: 7124890
    Abstract: A shipping system for packing and transporting products, such as case ready food items, in which the products require a certain amount of separation between layers. The shipping system comprises a shipping unit, formed by at least one substantially open-topped tray, preferably two or more, that are stacked atop one another, with a cover placed atop the uppermost tray, and held together by banding or strapping. Preferably, the tray(s) and cover are fabricated from corrugated paperboard material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. McLeod, Karl M. Ritter
  • Patent number: 7118023
    Abstract: A foldable container is formed from a single blank of sheet material which has stacking shoulders, reinforced corners side panels and display panels. The container includes a bottom section delimited by pairs of upright end panels and side panels. The bottom section is slightly wider adjacent its center than adjacent the front and back. Two of the side panels are foldably connected to peripheral segments of the bottom section, pre-glued and cooperate with the latter to form an open top product-accommodating compartment. The top edges of each of the side panels include shoulders for supporting a container stacked thereon and positioning tabs that extend upwardly and fit into corresponding openings in the bottom of the upper container. The lateral edge of each end panel and adjacent side panel has foldably connected thereto a corner-reinforcing member and create shopping accessibility from the front of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventor: James K. Holdsworth
  • Patent number: 7017798
    Abstract: An article-transport tray includes a floor, two side walls, and two end walls which cooperate to form an interior regions sized to contain bags of food or other articles. A partial cover is coupled to the side walls and is arranged to overlie the floor. The cover provides a top opening into the interior region formed in the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: TIN Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Pope, Nate Marsh, Stan Knierim
  • Patent number: 7004379
    Abstract: A foldable container is formed from a single blank (12) of sheet material which has stacking shoulders (32, 34), reinforced corners (24, 26, 28, 30), side panels (16, 18) and display panels (20, 22). The container includes a bottom section (14) delimited by pairs of upright end panels and side panels (16, 18). Two of the side panels (16, 18) are foldably connected to peripheral segments of the bottom section, pre-glued (78) and cooperate with the latter to form an open top product-accommodating compartment. The top edges of each of the side panels include shoulders (32, 34) for supporting a container stacked thereon and positioning tabs (36, 38) that extend upwardly and fit into corresponding openings (40, 42) in the bottom (14) of the upper container. The lateral edge of each end panel and adjacent side panel has foldably connected thereto a corner-reinforcing member and create shopping accessibility from the front of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventors: James K. Holdsworth, Ramon Morell
  • Patent number: 6966469
    Abstract: The pouring closure (1) for liquid packagings (2) comprises a pouring stem (9) with a radially projecting bottom edge (12) and a threaded cover (11). Threaded cover (11) has a larger diameter than pouring stem (9), and an elastically deformable ring element (10) is disposed between pouring stem (9) and threaded cover (11). The ring surface (13) of the ring element runs obliquely to the ring plane, with the inner ring edge (14) ending in an downwardly directed projection (15) which can be clipped over pouring stem (9). The outer ring edge (16) ends in an upwardly directed projection (25), which is provided with an outer thread (26) for screwing on cover (11). The ring element (10) can be elastically deformed to spring into two stable states, namely and firstly, into a state with the ring surface (13) sloping downwards from the inner (14) to the outer (16) ring edge. In this state, the pouring closure (1) is compressed, and less than 5 mm high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: SIG Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Markus Wassum
  • Patent number: 6889893
    Abstract: A tray-type container 10 includes a bottom wall 20, longitudinally-extending outer side walls 22, and laterally-extending end walls 24, the outer side walls 22 and the end walls 24 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 20 to form an inner cavity 26. As erected, the outer side walls 22 include a plurality of spaced-apart stacking tabs 28A-28D, and the bottom wall forms a plurality of spaced-apart apertures 60, 70, 80, 82, 86, and 88 for receiving the stacking tabs 28A-28D of like or similar containers. A plurality of tray-type containers 10 may be unitized in several stacked configurations utilizing the stacking tabs 28 and apertures 60, 70, 80, 82, 86, and 88. Typically, the plurality of unitized containers 10 are placed upon a shipping pallet or slip sheet, or placed within a shipping container to facilitate shipping by large carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventor: David Kent
  • Publication number: 20040256448
    Abstract: A container formed from a blank of corrugated board where cuts between panels on a hinge axis (defined by hinging bridges preferably adjacent an indexing projection) reveal the flute ends and thereby provide stack support for the base of an indexing like container. The indexing walls of the container are slightly inwardly inclined and each corner of the container has a reinforcement (column form) provided by extensions of the panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Blomfield, Robert William Coe
  • Publication number: 20040188507
    Abstract: A modified atmosphere packaging system and method which allows field and/or centralized facility packing of fresh produce and refrigerated air to circulate throughout a palletized stack of cartons. The packaging includes a transparent lid which is sealingly attached to a corrugated carton allowing for inspection of perishable produce contained therein without breaching an established modified atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Craig Dale Machado, John Anthony Guido
  • Publication number: 20040173669
    Abstract: A tray-type container 10 includes a bottom wall 20, longitudinally-extending outer side walls 22, and laterally-extending end walls 24, the outer side walls 22 and the end walls 24 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 20 to form an inner cavity 26. As erected, the outer side walls 22 include a plurality of spaced-apart stacking tabs 28A-28D, and the bottom wall forms a plurality of spaced-apart apertures 60, 70, 80, 82, 86, and 88 for receiving the stacking tabs 28A-28D of like or similar containers. A plurality of tray-type containers 10 may be unitized in several stacked configurations utilizing the stacking tabs 28 and apertures 60, 70, 80, 82, 86, and 88. Typically, the plurality of unitized containers 10 are placed upon a shipping pallet or slip sheet, or placed within a shipping container to facilitate shipping by large carriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: David Kent
  • Publication number: 20040149815
    Abstract: A foldable container is formed from a single blank (12) of sheet material which has stacking shoulders (32, 34), reinforced corners (24, 26, 28, 30), side panels (16, 18) and display panels (20, 22). The container includes a bottom section (14) delimited by pairs of upright end panels and side panels (16, 18). Two of the side panels (16, 18) are foldably connected to peripheral segments of the bottom section, pre-glued (78) and cooperate with the latter to form an open top product-accommodating compartment. The top edges of each of the side panels include shoulders (32, 34) for supporting a container stacked thereon and positioning tabs (36, 38) that extend upwardly and fit into corresponding openings (40, 42) in the bottom (14) of the upper container. The lateral edge of each end panel and adjacent side panel has foldably connected thereto a corner-reinforcing member and create shopping accessibility from the front of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: James K Holdsworth, Ramon Morell
  • Patent number: 6749108
    Abstract: A container for carrying produce is reinforced with at least one cross beam extending longitudinally across the upper side of the container and supported by the container's side walls. The cross beam is supported by die cut recesses in the upper edge of opposing side walls or by extensions extending from the sides of the cross beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: William J. Naughton, Benjamin W. Quaintance, Pamela J. Riggins, Brian D. Smith, Donald A. Leith
  • Publication number: 20040041015
    Abstract: A container for carrying produce having tapered side walls to aid stacking of like containers. The tapered side walls further have tapered stacking tabs extending outwardly from the top of the side walls, co-planar to the side walls. The tapered stacking tabs fit into slots cut-out of a bottom panel of an adjacently stacked container without necessitating cut outs in the side walls of an adjacently stacked container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: Stanley L. Fry
  • Publication number: 20030213836
    Abstract: A tongue shaped friction lock is integrally formed in a dust cover or a bottom panel of an open-topped container and positioned to capture the stacking tabs of an adjacent open-topped container. The friction lock provides a small opening through which a stacking tab may be inserted, while at the same time pushing up a locking flap, which pivots up and frictionally engages the stacking tab. A strip of reinforcing tape is embedded within the dust cover and allows one to remove and reuse the dust cover without tearing the tongue lock or the surrounding portions of the dust cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: Stanley L. Fry
  • Patent number: 6640975
    Abstract: A box or container, formed from a single blank, with a group of protruding tabs and corresponding bottom apertures which act together to urge, and maintain, the alignment of an upper box on top of a lower box during the stacking of similar boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Conagra Grocery Products Company
    Inventors: James A. Bennett, Bradley Heath, Jody Hamabata
  • Publication number: 20030173396
    Abstract: A container for carrying produce is reinforced with at least one cross beam extending longitudinally across the upper side of the container and supported by the container's side walls. The cross beam is supported by die cut recesses in the upper edge of opposing side walls or by extensions extending from the sides of the cross beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: William J. Naughton, Benjamin W. Quaintance, Pamela J. Riggins, Brian D. Smith, Donald A. Leith
  • Publication number: 20030150764
    Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a single-piece containerboard blank is provided having a bottom panel with a side edge, an end edge and a truncated corner edge extending between the side edge and the corner edge. A side panel is hingedly attached to the bottom panel along the side edge. An adjacent edge of the side panel is a side panel end edge. An internal corner stacking tab assembly is hingedly attached to the side panel at the side panel end edge along a first fold line. The internal corner stacking tab assembly includes a plurality of segments hingedly connected at a second fold line and a third fold line. A tab extends from an edge of the internal corner stacking tab assembly. The tab is positioned substantially transverse of the third fold line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Alex D. Bevier
  • Patent number: 6604675
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stackable open-top container for use in shipping, storing and retail display of produce and other articles. The produce container contains a bottom wall, two side walls and two end walls. The ledges of the side walls of the present invention contain opposed concave curved scores. The produce container is formed by folding the side walls to the outside to achieve structural rigidity. The produce container of the present invention provides for full graphical coverage on all visible surfaces by use of a one-piece blank that is color coated/printed on only one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventor: James D. Southwell
  • Publication number: 20030146272
    Abstract: A tray-type container 10 includes a bottom wall 20, longitudinally-extending outer side walls 22, and laterally-extending end walls 24, the outer side walls 22 and the end walls 24 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 20 to form an inner cavity 26. As erected, the outer side walls 22 include a plurality of spaced-apart stacking tabs 28A-28D, and the bottom wall forms a plurality of spaced-apart apertures 60, 70, 80, 82, 86, and 88 for receiving the stacking tabs 28A-28D of like or similar containers. A plurality of tray-type containers 10 may be unitized in several stacked configurations utilizing the stacking tabs 28 and apertures 60, 70, 80, 82, 86, and 88. Typically, the plurality of unitized containers 10 are placed upon a shipping pallet or slip sheet, or placed within a shipping container to facilitate shipping by large carriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: David Kent
  • Patent number: 6581772
    Abstract: A container has a bottom panel, side walls, and end walls, with the bottom panel having recesses for accepting stacking tabs The side walls are provided with stacking tabs which are tapered inwardly so as to align with the recesses in the bottom panel of a second container. The inwardly tapered tabs allow for easy stacking without the tabs being deformed when containers are stacked atop one another. To improve strength, the side and end walls are disposed approximately at right angles to the bottom panel. Multiple plies of material are used along the container walls to increase container strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventor: Carl M. Noland
  • Publication number: 20030098256
    Abstract: A storage box structure includes a first plate, a second plate, a third plate, a fourth plate, a fifth plate, a sixth plate and a seventh plate which are integrally formed and connected with each other, thereby decreasing cost of fabrication. In addition, the storage box structure may be assembled and disassembled easily, quickly and conveniently, thereby facilitating the user assembling and disassembling the storage box structure. Further, multiple storage box structures may be combined with each other in a laminated manner rigidly and stably, thereby reducing the space of storage. Further, the storage box structure is expanded into a planar sheet when not in use, thereby reducing the space of storage, and thereby decreasing cost of transportation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Chin-Ho Lu
  • Publication number: 20030038051
    Abstract: A box or container, formed from a single blank, with a group of protruding tabs and corresponding bottom apertures which act together to urge, and maintain, the alignment of an upper box on top of a lower box during the stacking of similar boxes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: James A. Bennett, Bradley Heath, Jody Hamabata
  • Patent number: 6502698
    Abstract: A tray-type container 10 is provided that includes a bottom wall 20, longitudinally-extending outer side walls 22, and laterally-extending end walls 24. The outer side walls 22 and the end walls 24 extend upwardly from the bottom wall 20 to form an inner cavity 26. As assembled, the outer side walls 22 include a plurality of spaced-apart stacking tabs 28. A plurality of tray-type containers 10 may be aggregated in a stacked configuration utilizing the stacking tabs 28, and placed upon a shipping pallet or slip sheet, or placed within a shipping container to facilitate shipping by large carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventors: David J. McKenna, Herbert D. Muise
  • Publication number: 20020190113
    Abstract: A foldable container is formed from a single blank of sheet material which has stacking shoulders, reinforced corners side panels and display panels. The container includes a bottom section delimited by pairs of upright end panels and side panels. Two of the side panels are foldably connected to peripheral segments of the bottom section, pre-glued and cooperate with the latter to form an open top product-accommodating compartment. The top edges of each of the side panels include shoulders for supporting a container stacked thereon and positioning tabs that extend upwardly and fit into corresponding openings in the bottom of the upper container. The lateral edge of each end panel and adjacent side panel has foldably connected thereto a corner-reinforcing member and create shopping accessibility from the front of the container. The reinforcing member includes a first section connected to the end panel edge and being secured in partially overlying relation with the interior surface of the adjacent side panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: James K. Holdsworth, Ramon Morell
  • Publication number: 20020179481
    Abstract: A container has a bottom panel, side walls, and end walls, with the bottom panel having recesses for accepting stacking tabs The side walls are provided with stacking tabs which are tapered inwardly so as to align with the recesses in the bottom panel of a second container. The inwardly tapered tabs allow for easy stacking without the tabs being deformed when containers are stacked atop one another. To improve strength, the side and end walls are disposed approximately at right angles to the bottom panel. Multiple plies of material are used along the container walls to increase container strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventor: Carl M. Noland
  • Patent number: 6488200
    Abstract: A crate-tray, for transporting and displaying goods that cannot be easily stacked. The crate-tray comprising a tray-deck having edges along the perimeter of the tray-deck; a plurality of tray-walls formed along the tray-deck edges; and a plurality of tabs with a corresponding plurality of hinges, the tabs incised on the tray-deck and positioned with the corresponding hinges generally along the edges of the tray-deck, the tabs capable of opening from the deck to an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Cherokee Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Jensen, Jr.