Abstract: A rampable crate for riding lawn mowers in which a pallet connects to a top frame with a plurality of posts, and the pallet includes a pair of spaced-apart rails disposed at an oblique angle as an upward ramp to an edge of the pallet for travel of the rear wheels of the riding lawn mower with the posts selectively extending from the edge of the pallet to define a downward ramp from the pallet in order for the lawn mower to be driven off the pallet. A method of removing a riding lawn mower from a crate is disclosed.

Abstract: A bulk materials container having a first wall-forming blank of corrugated paperboard sheets made of at least a flute member and a liner sheet, and scored to provide a series of main panels foldably joined together at opposing edges with each main panel having opposing top and bottom flaps foldably joined to respective edge portions and laminated to a second wall-forming blank having at least a flute member attached to a liner sheet scored to provide a series of main panels each having opposing top and bottom flaps foldably joined to respective edge portions, and a liner sheet and one of the first or second blanks extending beyond a distal edge of the respective top and bottom flaps, and folded over the distal edge and attached adhesively to the opposing surface so that the open channels of the flutes at the distal edge are covered.

Abstract: A rampable crate for riding lawn mowers in which a pallet connects to a top frame with a plurality of posts, and the pallet includes a pair of spaced-apart rails disposed at an oblique angle as an upward ramp to an edge of the pallet for travel of the rear wheels of the riding lawn mower with the posts selectively extending from the edge of the pallet to define a downward ramp from the pallet in order for the lawn mower to be driven off the pallet. A method of removing a riding lawn mower from a crate is disclosed.

Abstract: A frame container (10) for packing heavy durable goods in which a base (12) includes two end frames (14, 16) connected by pairs of opposing side diagonals (40) pinned at first ends to the base and at second ends (42) to the end frames. Each pair of opposing side diagonals (40) pivot between a first position aligned with the base and the second ends near respective ends of the base and an erected second position whereby the side diagonals are disposed at an oblique angle relative to the base with the second ends of the pair of side diagonals remote from the respective ends of the base for enclosing heavy durable goods within the container.

Abstract: A flatnose-edge structural member (12), comprising a laminated body (54) of two opposing sheets (56, 58) defining major planar surfaces sandwiching a corrugated paperboard intermediate layer having opposing sides (66, 68), and one of the major surfaces defining a pair of V-shaped channels (70) having a common side edge (72) extending parallel to the opposing sides, with the laminated body (54) folded along a line defined by the common side edge medial the V-shaped channels, whereby the major planar surface opposing the surface having the channels defines a flatnose edge (14) opposing the aligned sides. A method of making a flatnose-edge structural member is disclosed.

Abstract: A bullnose-edge structural member (12), comprising a laminated body (54) of two opposing fiber board sheets (56, 58) defining major planar surfaces sandwiching a corrugated paperboard intermediate layer having opposing sides (66, 68), and one of the major surfaces defining a pair of spaced-apart channels (70) extending parallel to the opposing sides, with the laminated body (54) folded along a line medial the channels whereby the major planar surface opposing the surface having the channels defines a bullnose edge (14) opposing the aligned sides. A method of making a bullnose-edge structural member is disclosed.

Abstract: A frame container (10) for packing, shipping, and storing heavy durable goods in which a supporting base (12) includes two pairs of opposing side diagonals (40) with opposing end frames (14, 16) pivotally connected to respective second ends (42) of the opposing side diagonals (40). Each pair of opposing side diagonals (40) pivot between a first position aligned with the base (12) and the second ends (42) near respective ends of the base and a second pivoted position whereby the side diagonals are disposed at an oblique angle relative to the base with the second ends of the pair of side diagonals remote from the respective ends of the base and towards the opposing end of the base.

Abstract: A top and end frame assembly (10) attachable to a pallet (12) for packing, shipping, and storing heavy articles, with a pair of stringers (20) made with open-sided U-shaped channels and connected together by transverse members (22, 24). Two pairs of opposing corner posts (50) each formed of an open-sided U-shaped channel pivotally attach at respective opposing distal ends of the stringers (20). Each corner post (50) moves between a folded position with the corner posts received in the respective stringer for shipping in a knocked-down position and an extended position for attaching to a pallet for a frame container. Two pairs of opposing side diagonal members (36) pivotally attach to a respective one of the stringers and move between a received position within the stringer and a diagonal position for pinning at an opposing end to a respective one of the corner posts. The corner posts being pivoted to the extended position attach at distal ends to the pallet (12) for containing heavy equipment.

Abstract: A container for leaf product and other bulk pack materials wherein a blank of corrugated paperboard is scored to define side walls of the container, and a plurality of openings are defined in at least one side wall of the container and closed with an air permeable sheet to define passageways for communication of moisture from the container to the atmosphere for drying and long term storage of the leaf products while restricting communication of particulates, contaminants, and dust between the container and atmosphere. A method of defining restricted passageways in the blank of corrugated paperboard is disclosed.

Abstract: A returnable crate (10) for heavy durable goods in which a base frame (12) includes stringers (20, 22) secured together by slats (24, 26) and a pair of opposing end frame assemblies (14, 16) that have posts (48) that pivotally connect to respective distal ends of the stringers. Locking collars (90) are slidably received on the posts (48) and move between a locking position and a pivoting position. The locking collars hold the end frame assemblies (14, 16) in a set-up position extending substantially perpendicularly from the base frame (12) and a pivoted position with the end frame assemblies folded down towards the base frame. Side diagonals (58) connect between pivot brackets (52) and the posts (48) in the end frame assemblies (14, 16). The locking collars (90) and side members (58) hold the end frame assemblies (14, 16) in the set-up configuration for shipment of the heavy durable good.

Abstract: An elongate member with a first hook at one end and a relatively sliding hook received on the elongate member are disposed in opposing relation for securing a durable good such as a riding lawn mower to a pallet. The sliding hook attaches to a sleeve in order to move relative to the first hook. A nut engages a threaded portion of an opposing end of the elongate member to bear against the sliding hook to secure it in position. The first hook engages a portion of the pallet, and the sliding hook engage a portion of the durable good received on the pallet. The nut restrains the sliding hook from moving away from the first hook, and thereby securing the durable good to the pallet. A wood-cleated corrugated paperboard body is received on the pallet to enclose the durable good. A method of securing a durable good such as a riding lawn mower to a pallet is disclosed.

Abstract: A container for leaf product and other bulk pack materials wherein a first blank of paperboard is bonded to a second blank of paperboard. A field of bores are defined in at least one side wall of the container by a high-speed non-fluted drill for communication of moisture from the container to the atmosphere for drying and long term storage of the leaf products.

Abstract: A cleated crate having opposing side panels and opposing end panels, hingedly connected together pairs of opposing inner and outer hinges which define corners in the crate. Each hinge comprises a pair of members having trapezoidal shapes in cross-section which defines a neck surface and an opposing shoulder surface and an oblique surface and an opposing back surface. The elongated members in the inner hinges are disposed in mirrored relation with the necks side-by-side and the oblique surfaces defining a V-shaped channel on a side of the hinge. The members are secured together by a pair of U-shaped staples driven into the butt ends. The members pivot to a second position for bringing the oblique surfaces into bearing contact. The elongated members in the outer hinges are disposed in mirrored relation with the distal edges of the members defined by the respective oblique surface and the shoulder surface in touching contact. The oblique surfaces define a V-shaped channel on a side of the hinge.

Abstract: A structural member formed from a billet, each member comprising a plurality of elongate corrugated paperboard sheets bonded together with an adhesive and disposed between a top and a bottom cap, each cap comprising at least one ply of a fibreboard sheet, a pair of side caps of a solid fibreboard sheet bonded to respective side faces of the paperboard sheet and to the respective edges of the top and bottom caps. The billet comprises a plurality of structural members each separated by a corrugated paperboard rip-out sheet. A method of manufacture is disclosed in which the billet is built up of structural members and rip-out sheets. The billet is then ripped into planks which are ripped along the rip-out sheets to separate the structural members for use as a substitute member for wood cleats or members.

Abstract: A container formed from a blank of corrugated paperboard in which scores define a plurality of wall panels and bottom flaps. Two opposing bottom flaps overlap opposing sides and interlock together in a notch on a distal edge of one of the bottom flaps, whereby the container substantially maintains a squared-open configuration for inverting the container bottom-down on a pallet, with reduced manpower and effort on a production line.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cleated crate for packaging, storing, and shipping heavy articles. The cleated crate includes a base frame for supporting an article to be packed, a pair of wing-end frames that define ends and side portions of the cleated crate. The wing-end frames comprise a pair of hinge corners each having a pair of spaced apart cleats attached to a fibreboard plate with a score along an axis. The fibreboard plate folds on the score to define a corner post of the cleated crate. A portion of the side of the cleated crate is defined by a side member and a support member attached to one of the pairs of cleats on the fibreboard plate. Elongate members connect two hinge corners together to define a wing-end frame. A pair of wing-end frames are positioned and attached to opposite ends of a base frame or pallet. Intermediate connectors rigidly connect on opposite sides to aligned hinge corners at the opposite ends of the cleated container.

Abstract: A multi-deck container having a bottom pallet configured with support members for receiving and supporting a lawn and garden tractor on the bottom pallet, whereby the tractor is restrained from movement relative to the bottom pallet. A corrugated paperboard body defines two opposing side walls and two opposing end walls. The corrugated paperboard body attaches at a lower portion to the bottom pallet. A plurality of cleats attach to the walls and extend from a lower portion to an upper portion thereof. The distal ends of the cleats in the upper portion of the corrugated paperboard body support a top pallet which has support members for receiving and supporting a second lawn and garden tractor thereon whereby the second tractor is restrained from movement relative to the top pallet. The pair of lawn and garden tractors are held in the multi-deck container for packing and shipping the tractors from a manufacturer to a sales center.

Abstract: A structural member formed from a billet, each member comprising a plurality of corrugated paperboard sheets bonded together with an adhesive and disposed between a core fibre layer, each core fibre layer comprising at least one ply of a fibreboard sheet, a pair of caps of a solid fibreboard sheet bonded to respective side faces of the paperboard sheet and to the respective edges of the core fibre layers. A method of manufacture is disclosed in which the billet is built up of corrugated paperboard sheets. The billet is then ripped into planks for use as a plank, board, or cleat, particularly as components for corrugated paperboard containers. A pallet made of planks and a pallet made of planar sheets cut from the billet are disclosed.

Abstract: A structural member formed from a billet, each member comprising a plurality of corrugated paperboard sheets bonded together with an adhesive and disposed between a core fiber layer, each core fiber layer comprising at least one ply of a fiberboard sheet, a pair of caps of a solid fiberboard sheet bonded to respective side faces of the paperboard sheet and to the respective edges of the core fiber layers. A method of manufacture is disclosed in which the billet is built up of corrugated paperboard sheets. The billet is then ripped into planks for use as a plank, board, or cleat, particularly as components for corrugated paperboard containers. A pallet made of planks and a pallet made of planar sheets cut from the billet are disclosed.

Abstract: A structural member formed from a billet, each member comprising a plurality of corrugated paperboard sheets bonded together with an adhesive and disposed between a core fibre layer, each core fibre layer comprising at least one ply of a fibreboard sheet, a pair of caps of a solid fibreboard sheet bonded to respective side faces of the paperboard sheet and to the respective edges of the core fibre layers. A method of manufacture is disclosed in which the billet is built up of corrugated paperboard sheets. The billet is then ripped into planks for use as a plank, board, or cleat, particularly as components for corrugated paperboard containers. A pallet made of planks and a pallet made of planar sheets cut from the billet are disclosed.