Integral Hinge Patents (Class 47/66.4)
  • Patent number: 10888049
    Abstract: A potting system and method are provided in which a flexible pot side includes two sets of bottom panel apertures, each set receiving tabs from a bottom panel. The potting system is assembled by positioning mutually engaging panel mesh structures on the bottom panels while folding the flexible pot side so that a plurality of first lacing apertures aligns with a plurality of second lacing apertures, and then inserting a pull lace through the aligned apertures to mechanically interlock them. Additionally, the pot system may be easily disassembled by disengaging the pull lace from the lacing apertures which causes the pot side to unbend and allows the bottom panel tabs to disengage. The pot system may then be reassembled by reengaging the bottom panels, repositioning the lacing apertures and inserting the pull lace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Inventor: Dean John Munt, III
  • Patent number: 8474181
    Abstract: A biodegradable plant pot is formed from a paperboard-based blank wrapped about an axis and having a first longitudinal edge portion overlapping and adhered to an opposite second longitudinal edge portion of the blank so as to form an overlap seam. The blank is oriented with the machine direction of the paperboard running substantially parallel to the axis and the cross-machine direction running substantially circumferentially about the side wall, such that the machine direction of the paperboard runs lengthwise along the overlap seam. Cuts are formed in the side wall adjacent to and at circumferentially opposite sides of one end of the overlap seam, the cuts being confined to a localized region adjacent the one end of the overlap seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 7735260
    Abstract: A one-piece molded hanging plant saucer includes three pairs of opposed hook arms connected to a bowl-shaped base. Each pair of hook arms is formed by the frictional interengagement of two arms extending vertically from a living hinge formed at an extension of a generally circular planar lip extending outwardly around the upper periphery of the base. Each pair of interconnected hook arms provides a double thickness of material to increase strength of support for the hanging plant saucer. As manufactured in the molded condition, the hook arms are generally co-planar with the planar lip so that multiple saucers are readily stackable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventor: Edward J. Holliday
  • Publication number: 20080271371
    Abstract: A collapsible and/or erectable shape-sustaining container having a substantially erect condition and substantially collapsed condition. The collapsible and/or erectable shape-sustaining container is provided with at least one condition modifying element to facilitate erecting and/or collapsing the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Publication number: 20080163546
    Abstract: A collapsible and/or erectable shape-sustaining container having a substantially erect condition and substantially collapsed condition. The collapsible and/or erectable shape-sustaining container is provided with at least one condition modifying element to facilitate erecting and/or collapsing the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Publication number: 20080163545
    Abstract: A collapsible and/or erectable shape-sustaining container having a substantially erect condition and substantially collapsed condition. The collapsible and/or erectable shape-sustaining container is provided with at least one condition modifying element to facilitate-erecting and/or collapsing the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 7353635
    Abstract: A tree root ball wrapping apparatus (100) includes a circular platform (109, 113) for supporting a separable, open-frame, root-containment structure (103, 105, 107) having an inverted conical shape. A group of pivot joints (201, 203, 205, 207) are located at an upper section of the root-containment structure for separating the root-containment structure into half sections. In practice, the group of pivot joints can be opened during tree transplantation for providing removal of a root ball from the wrapping apparatus by opening the sections at the group of pivot joints for easily facilitating removal of the wrapping apparatus (100) from within a transplantation hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Inventor: William P. Westrate
  • Patent number: 6381900
    Abstract: A hanging planter includes a bowl-like lower portion and a ring-like upper portion, with the upper portion nesting within the rim of the lower portion to provide a plant holding assembly. The upper edge of the lower portion and lower edge of the upper portion are crenelated, with the mating edges defining a series of plant growth openings therethrough when the two components are assembled. The crenelations are preferably of variable depths in each section, to define at least two different levels of plant growth openings through the sides of the assembly, with the upper edge of the upper portion defining a third plant growth opening for the device. Plants are selected according to their growth habits, with trailing plants being placed low in the planter, long flowering plants being placed at an intermediate level, and more upright plants being placed atop the others. The result is an essentially unbroken array of plant life covering the present planter, after the plants have grown out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Gerald J. Crowley