Abstract: An airflow pad is disclosed that includes first and second external facings of paper material extending between edge portions of the panel and having interior portions disposed remotely from the edge portions. A low-density core of paper material disposed between and associating the external facings to provide stiffness to the panel. The pad defines a network of channels open at least one of the edge portions and at the interior portion of the first facing allowing airflow therebetween.

Abstract: A paperboard container folded from a single unitary blank of paperboard has a bottom wall, opposite side walls, and opposite end walls. Stacking tabs project from an upper edge of the end walls for receipt in corresponding slots in end edges of the bottom wall of an adjacent stacked container, and ventilation openings are formed in the side and end walls for circulation of air. The end walls are formed by inner and outer roll-over panels, and are slightly inwardly inclined to provide space for circulation of air between the containers when two of them are abutted together in end-to-end relationship. First extension flaps on the ends of the inner roll-over panels lie against and are secured to the inner surface of adjacent side walls, and second extension flaps on the ends of the side walls extend between and are captured by the inner and outer roll-over panels. In a preferred embodiment, the first extension flaps and the roll-over panels are held in place by interengaged detent tabs and slots.

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.

Abstract: A paperboard container folded from a single unitary blank of paperboard has a bottom wall, opposite side walls, and opposite end walls. Stacking tabs project from an upper edge of the side walls for receipt in corresponding slots in an edge of the bottom wall of an adjacent stacked container, and ventilation openings are formed in the side walls for circulation of air. The side walls are formed by inner and outer roll-over panels, and are slightly inwardly inclined to provide space for circulation of air between the containers when two of them are abutted together in side-by-side relationship. First extension flaps on the ends of the inner roll-over panels lie against and are secured to the inner surface of the end walls, and second extension flaps on the ends of the end walls extend between and are captured by the inner and outer roll-over panels.

Abstract: A ventilated container includes a rectangular bottom panel and first and second end panels connected to the bottom panel which extend outwardly therefrom. There are first and second side panels connected to the bottom panel which also extend outwardly therefrom. The side panels are connected to adjacent end panels. Each of the side panels has a longitudinal passageway extending therethrough from the first end panel to the second end panel to permit air to pass from the first end panel to the second end panel. When the containers are stacked in two adjacent rows, air can pass through the passageways from the first row to the second row to cool and ventilate contents of the containers. Alternatively the passageway may be in an end panel.

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.

Abstract: A container formed from a blank to define indexing longer walls having an inward incline but a double thickness provided by a foldline at the tops thereof so that the indexing projections are receivable within corresponding openings in the base of a corresponding container. Each part of the indexing walls has an extension such that at each end thereof one extension attaches to the outside of an end wall while the other attaches to the inside of an end wall with preferably that attaching to the inside of an end wall through a pair of parallel vertical folds providing a support at least in part for the weight of a stacked container.

Abstract: A bottom wall is formed from a plurality of bottom panels having unjoined adjacent edges. Side walls are formed from a plurality of side panels. Each side panel is foldably joined along a bottom edge to one of the bottom wall panels. Reinforcing posts are formed in the side walls by sets of reinforcing post panels. Each set of reinforcing post panels has a plurality of post panels foldably joining one another and foldably joined between side wall panels adjacent the unjoined edges of the bottom panels. An end closure is formed at each end of the carton by end panels foldably joined to end edges of the bottom and side wall panels and secured in face-to-face overlapping relationship.

Abstract: The box is easily assembled by hand, is suitable for construction out of plastic materials, and can be produced at relatively low cost. The box includes an elongated wrap panel with a plurality of flat surfaces formed by folding at lateral creases. The flat surfaces include a bottom surface and two flat surfaces forming a top wherein the two flat surfaces are adjacent to the lateral edges of the wrap panel. Each of the two sides of the box are formed from a plurality of flat surfaces. The box also includes two end panels, each with a plurality of tabs which engage with the box sides and each end panel having a horizontal slit extending there through. The bottom surface of the box includes a locking tab at each end. The locking tab includes a pair of hinged portions permitting the locking tab to fold inward wherein a portion of the bottom surface between the pair of hinged portions forms a flat support tab that is formed by a slit in the locking tab.

Abstract: A container formed by wrapping a slotted flexible sheet about rigid end panels having upper corner projections that extend through the slots. The end panels are formed from a blank having end flaps which are folded and adhered to the main body of the blank to provide double thickness at the end portions. Additional reinforcement may be provided by a reinforcing flap connected to the main body or by a stiffener insert. Stacking projections on the end panels extend through slots in the flexible sheet to maintain the sheet in place.

Abstract: A stackable, open top, paperboard, produce tray for holding and transporting articles that require considerable venting, The tray has side and end walls joined to and extending upwardly from side and end edges of a bottom wall, and the end wall are provided with aligned vent openings that accommodate the passage of air through the tray in a direction longitudinally of the tray to maximize the venting of articles in the tray. Also, the side walls of the tray are provide with internal cavities adapted to receive portions of star wire stacking wires.

Abstract: A shipping and display box is provided that has stacking holes in a bottom wall and stacking tabs protruding above a top wall for being received in stacking holes of a second shipping and display box stacked on top of the shipping and display box to prevent relative movement of the stacked boxes and to align the stacked boxes and facilitate drainage of water from the second shipping and display box into lower shipping and display boxes. Drain holes are formed proximate edges of the bottom wall of the shipping and display box, and diverter tabs are formed in side walls. The holes formed proximate the edges of the bottom wall facilitate drainage of water from an upper stacked box into holes formed by the diverter tabs in the side walls of lower stacked boxes.

Abstract: A container for the storage, transport and handling of bulk mail is provided. The container includes a top panel that is adequately secured in place thereby eliminating the need for a separate tray, elastic strap and sleeve. A plurality of containers, in combination with a pallet, top and bottom caps and side enclosures provide an improved method for the shipment of large quantities of bulk mail and eliminates the need for shrink wrapping conventional sleeves onto pallets.

Abstract: A shipping and display box is provided that has stacking holes in a bottom wall and stacking tabs protruding above a top wall for being received in stacking holes of a second shipping and display box stacked on top of the shipping and display box to prevent relative movement of the stacked boxes and to align the stacked boxes and facilitate drainage of water from the second shipping and display box into lower shipping and display boxes. Drain holes are formed proximate edges of the bottom wall of the shipping and display box, and diverter tabs are formed in side walls. The holes formed proximate the edge of the bottom wall facilitate drainage of water from an upper stacked box into holes formed by the diverter tabs in the side walls of lower stacked boxes.

Abstract: A stackable berry container comprises a bottom wall, a pair of opposing side walls, and first and second opposing end walls. Each of the first and second end walls forms a respective set of small vents spaced along the lengths of the end walls adjacent the bottom wall. Each of the first and second end walls further forms a respective large opening above the respective set of small vents. Each of the first and second end walls includes a bowed inner panel and an outer panel hingedly connected to each other along a rigid convex-shaped ledge. Each of the side walls including an inner panel and an outer panel hingedly connected to each other along an upper transverse edge. A first pair of minor flaps extends from opposing ends of the inner panel of one of the side walls and a second pair of minor flaps extends from opposing ends of the inner panel of the other of the side walls.

Abstract: An improved fruit and product container has a bottom and two side walls formed of a common piece of corrugated cardboard and two end walls formed of laminated paperboard attached to the bottom and side walls so as to define a box. The two laminated paperboard end walls enhance the stacking strength and moisture resistance of the container. Optionally, a top removably attaches to stacking alignment tabs extending upwardly from the end walls.

Abstract: A box structure comprising box side walls, bottom wall, and two end walls. The two end walls each have substantially greater thickness than the side walls, and the bottom wall. The end walls have peripheral edges; the bottom wall and side walls have edge portions overlapping certain peripheral edges of the end walls. There is attachment structure attaching the bottom wall and the side wall edge portions to the end wall peripheral edges. The end walls consist essentially of lightweight, cellular, synthetic resin. The side walls and the bottom wall are defined by thin, inner and outer sheets and webs interconnecting the sheets. The webs are elongated, whereby parallel, lengthwise, elongated cells are formed by the inner and outer sheets and webs; the inner and outer sheets consist of synthetic resin, and the cells have length direction. The bottom wall and the side wall form a continuous strip, which is folded to fit against certain peripheral edges of the end walls; certain peripheral edges are flat.

Abstract: A box structure comprising box side walls, a bottom wall, and two end walls, the two end walls each having substantially greater thickness than the side walls and the bottom wall. The end walls have peripheral edges, the bottom wall and the side walls have edge portions overlapping certain of the peripheral edges of the end walls. There are fasteners attaching the bottom wall and the side wall edge portions to the end wall peripheral edges, the fasteners penetrating through the bottom wall and the side wall edge portions and into the end walls via the certain peripheral edges thereof. The end walls consist essentially of cellular foamed polyethylene, which has specific gravity between 0.800 and 0.940. The bottom wall and the side walls form a continuous strip, which is folded to fit against the certain peripheral edges of the end walls, the certain peripheral edges being flat. The fasteners comprise nails driven into the cellular polyethylene.

Abstract: A box construction includes an integral bottom panel, opposite side panels, opposite end panels and a pair of partial top panels, wherein the opposite end panels extend a full depth dimension of the box construction, and wherein each of the opposite end panels is provided with a minor flap portion at an upper end thereof. The minor flap portions are adapted to be folded to a substantially horizontal orientation such that the minor flap portions will be engaged by a respective ones of the partial top panels when the box is closed. A reinforcing end panel is adhered to interior sides of each of the opposite end panels, each reinforcing end panel having a pair of stacking projections extending from an upper edge of the reinforcing panel. Each reinforcing end panel is also formed with a pair of cut-outs along a lower edge thereof which cooperate with apertures in the bottom panel to provide stacking recesses adapted to receive stacking projections of an identical underlying box in a stacking arrangement.

Abstract: A Container for the storage, transport and handling of bulk mail is provided. The container includes a top panel that is adequately secured in place thereby eliminating the need for a separate tray, elastic strap and sleeve. A plurality of containers, in combination with a pallet, top and bottom caps and side enclosures provide an improved method for the shipment of large quantities of bulk mail and eliminates the need for shrink wrapping conventional sleeves onto pallets.

Abstract: Provided is (i) a method for reinforcing pallet board loads having internal ventilation channels and (ii) a pallet board brace useful in such method. The method comprises:(a) stacking each tier of the pallet board load in a preselected configuration such that the sides of the boxes on each tier form at least two open channels in fluid communication with one another, wherein at least one end of each channel is open to the exterior of the tier and wherein each channel is at least one inch wide; and(b) bracing the boxes to prevent them from shifting laterally into the open channels by interposing spacing elements between the boxes on opposites sides of the channels, the spacing elements being disposed in fixed relationship to one another by a suitable rigid structure.

Abstract: An integral paperboard blank is provided for assembly with four corner posts to form a container for produce and the like. The corner posts are provided with nesting legs and slots so a plurality of containers can be stacked and nested. In addition, the container is provided with a flexible cover.

Abstract: An economic stackable container of foldable corrugated material with improved strength for forming a stable stack of containers. Ventilation spaces are provided between stacked containers. The arrangement of panel is disclosed. An extension formed at the top at each corner projects into a notch formed at the bottom of a respective corner of the container above. The panels are particularly reinforced by folded panels at the corners. A separate reinforcing sheet is applied around the periphery of the panels of the main sheet. The sheets have their corrugations in the various panels oriented for strength.

Abstract: A container for produce and the like is provided which is adapted to be arranged in stacked relation with a second container of like configuration. The container includes a central section having a bottom panel, upright side panels arranged in opposed spaced relation, top closure panels, first joiner panels interconnecting the bottom panel to the side panels, and second joiner panels interconnecting the side panels to corresponding top closure panels. The container also includes a pair of upright end sections fixedly secured to opposite end edges of the central section, the end sections coact with the bottom panel, first joiner panels and side panels to form a receptacle for accommodating the produce. Each end section has upwardly extending protruberances formed on the upper edge portion thereof which are adapted to interlock with the top closure panels and retain same in a closed position.

Abstract: A produce transport and cooling container of a generally boxlike shape with bottom support panels having retroverse tabs and apertures which strengthen the container bottom as progressively heavier loads are added. Lid and drainage apertures, and stacking projections, allow the containers to be stacked in a stable manner, and cool water misted over the produce to keep it fresh during transit.

Abstract: An integral box component for a container including paperboard center and side sheets spaced apart and secured to a primary base sheet of paperboard and covered with bottom and top layers of paper wrap material to seal the paperboard sheets against moisture. The method comprises forming the center and side sheets and securing them to the primary base sheet and then securing the top and bottom wrapping papers thereto. Other auxiliary steps are employed to form a completed box component.

Abstract: A container for produce and the like is provided which includes a central section and a pair of end sections affixed thereto. The central section includes a bottom panel, upright side panels arranged in opposed spaced relation, and top closure panels. The bottom and side panels are interconnected by a pair of first joiner panels. The side and top closure panels are interconnected by a pair of second joiner panels. The upper edge portion of each end section is provided with at least one upwardly protruding member. The protruding member and the adjacent edge portion of a corresponding top closure panel are provided with complementary locking elements, the latter coacting to effect locking of the top closure panel in a predetermined folded position. The second joiner panels are disposed in abutting engagement with adjacent edge portions of the end sections, thereby restraining lateral relative movement of the top closure panels when the latter are in said predetermined folded position.