Abstract: A modular packaging system for shipping and displaying palletized products is provided. The packaging system comprises a plurality of vertically stacked trays for holding the products, corner posts extending between vertically adjacent trays for spacing and supporting the trays, and one or more separate elongated braces located under and supporting one or more of the trays. The ends of the braces extend into openings in the corner posts. The system is strong enough not only to support the weight of the products on the trays and withstand the vibration and impact forces that can occur during shipping, but to withstand the weight of one or more units stacked on top.

Abstract: A lid is defined for removably attaching to a hollow container body. The container is contemplated to be of the type having an opening thereon defined by a projecting rim. A bead may be formed on the rim projecting transverse to the direction of the rim projection. The lid includes a body for covering at least a portion of the container opening and a skirt depending from the body portion. The skirt is formed to engage the rim to removably secure the lid on the opening. One or more set of ridges is formed on the inner surface of the skirt at defined locations. The ridges are positioned substantially transverse to the bead and frictionally engaging the bead for securing the lid on the container opening. One or more retention tabs may also be provided on the inside surface of the skirt for engaging the underside of the bead on the rim.

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.

Abstract: An improved container for holding produce is provided. The container comprises a tub-like tray, an insert that forms a snap fit within the tray near the tray bottom wall, and an absorbent pad that fits in the space between the insert and the tray bottom wall. When in use, exuded liquid can drain into the reservoir below the insert where it is absorbed by the pad. The insert helps segregate the exuded liquid from the produce and is designed to remain in place when the container is titled.

Abstract: A transport unit is provided for cylindrical cargo items supported on a support surface and arranged in parallel in at least two layers. The center axes of cargo items are arranged on top of one another and extend essentially in the same vertical plane. At least one tension device extends between two layers. The tension device extends from an outside edge of a cargo item to an outside edge of an opposing cargo item in the layer. At least two stop elements are positioned on respective ends of the tension device. The stop elements are formed for engaging the cargo items and at least one of the stop elements being adjustably positionable on one end of the tension device. The stop elements being connectable by the tension device in a force transferring manner relative to the cargo items.

Abstract: A transport unit including a plate shaped transport base with cylindrical cargo objects placed there on disposed with their center axes parallel to one another and in at least one layer, wherein the center axes respectively have a distance from one another and wherein enveloping surfaces of adjacent objects are in a line contact with one another, and cargo securing devices configured as tension devices, through which the objects are secured on the base against sliding or rolling. A base which is characterized by an improved utilization of the transport volume and for which the fixation of the objects can be provided in a simply and comfortably, it is provided that tension devices engage a face of the objects and at least each object disposed at an edge of a layer is connected at the face with a tension device in a force transmitting manner.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus is provided having a resilient handle, a guide on one end of the handle and a cutter body on the opposite end. The guide includes two spaced members forming an outwardly facing slot with a stop formed therein. The handle is flexed into an assembled position to form a close loop, with the cutter body positioned within the guide slot and in contact with the stop. A cutting edge is movable along with cutter body to an activated position, with the cutting edge extending outwardly of the slot and the guide. The movement of the cutter body is caused by an activation force applied to the closed loop of the resilient handle member.

Abstract: A paperboard comprises from greater than 0% to 100% recycled fibers and has a microorganism count of less than 5,000 colony forming units per gram of paperboard.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus is provided for forming a pressed paper end which minimizes or eliminates deformations in the chuck wall. The method involves using a novel die press apparatus in which, at the very end of the compression stroke, the paper is held tightly by the opposing dies on either side of the chuck wall forming area, and the chuck wall forming area is held in substantial confinement between the dies.

Abstract: A packaging system for providing lateral support for a packaged appliance is provided. The packaging system comprises a carton sized to fit around the appliance and having opposing side walls, each having an aperture extending there through; a cross brace having opposing ends and a hollow interior space at each end, the cross brace extending between the first pair of opposing sidewalls such that the cross brace hollow interior space at each end communicates with an aperture; and a pair of plugs, each plug having an elongated body and a flange extending laterally from an end of the elongated body, the flange located adjacent the exterior surface of one of the first pair of opposing side walls, the body of the plug extending through the corresponding aperture and within the hollow interior space of one end of the cross brace so that together the plugs position and secure the cross brace within the carton.

Abstract: A lid is provided for engagement with a projecting rim of an opening on a container. The lid includes a covering panel for closing the container opening and a skirt formed on a periphery of the cover and depending therefrom. The skirt overlaps with the container rim when the cover is positioned over the opening. The skirt includes a defined gap therein that is positioned between adjacent gap edges. A clasp is provided on the periphery of the cover adjacent the defined gap. The clasp pivots between an open position and an engaged position. In the engaged position, the clasp engages the gap edges and draws the edges toward one another. The drawing of the gap edges moves the skirt inwardly towards the container rim. The lid may further include a flexing portion defining a connection between the cover panel and the skirt. The engagement of the clasp on the skirt causes compliance of the flexing portion and a corresponding axial movement of the skirt relative to the cover panel.

Abstract: A blister package is defined for retaining product. The package is formed from a receptacle substrate having a planer sealing flange and at least one receptacle hollow for retaining product therein. A top layer is provided, covering the receptacle hollow with a portion overlapping and sealed to the sealing flange. A score pattern is formed in the top layer for promoting propagation of a tear upon forcing product from receptacle hollow against the top layer. The score pattern is defined by a plurality of rows of parallel straight lines aligned with the receptacle hollow. In addition, a plurality of spaced curved or bowed score lines are provided. The curved or bowed score lines transversely intersect the rows of straight lines above the receptacle hollow.

Abstract: A child proof or child resistant container made primarily from fiber based materials is provided. The container comprises a tubular body, a cap that slides onto the body and a separate locking ring that fits within the cap. The locking ring is provided with diametrically opposed squeeze tabs that extend through openings in the cap and locking detents that fit into openings in the container body wall to lock the cap onto the body. The container body and cap may both be made from fiber based materials such as paper and the locking ring may be made from plastic. To open the container the user simultaneously squeezes the squeeze tabs while lifting and rotating the cap.

Abstract: A wooden cable reel has a drum made of a plurality of staves and flanges secured at the ends of the drum. A steel support ring is rolled from a strip to have a diameter corresponding to the interior diameter of the drum and the ends of the strip are welded together. The support ring extends around the interior of the drum intermediate its ends and is secured to the drum from the inside by fasteners extending through the ring and into the interior surface of the drum. The support ring resists inwardly directed forces applied to the drum when cable is wound onto the reel and thus prevents the drum from deforming or collapsing.

Abstract: There is provided a double rib overcap with a plug for a container with a removable membrane. The skirt of the overcap includes two inside surfaces axially separated a rib. The container opening is encircled by a rim and the membrane covers the opening such that the membrane extends radially onto an outer surface of the rim. The two inside surfaces of the skirt are dimensionally sized to create an interference-fit with the rim when the overcap is connected to the container when the membrane is either attached or removed. The overcap also includes a circumferential ring radially inward of the skirt that is axially positioned to engage the top surface of the membrane when the membrane is attached to the container and is diametrically dimensioned to engage an inner wall of the container when the membrane is removed from the container.

Abstract: A paper-based plant pot comprises a container formed from a sheet of paper-based material wrapped about an axis, opposite edge portions of the sheet being secured to each other, the container having a side wall that encircles the axis and a bottom wall formed by a plurality of bottom panels of the sheet folded inwardly from a lower edge of the side wall and engaging one another. The sheet comprises a paperboard substrate formed of natural cellulose fibers, an internal sizing composition incorporated into the paperboard substrate so as to render the paperboard substrate substantially resistant to saturation by liquid water, and a thermoplastic polymer layer on one of the major surfaces of the paperboard substrate. The thermoplastic polymer layer faces an interior of the container and forms an inner surface thereof for contact with soil or other growing medium placed in the container.

Abstract: A shipping base shaped like a square, truncated pyramid for use with a washing machine of the type having an undercarriage suspended below the wash tub. The shipping base has an opening in the top of the truncated pyramid into which the washing machine undercarriage is lowered until the undercarriage is suspended within the space defined by base, and an integrally formed frame-like pallet for supporting the washing machine. The opening is only slightly larger than the dimensions of the undercarriage so that the shipping base prevents any significant lateral movement of the undercarriage or the washing machine tub.

Abstract: An overcap is provided and forms a closure for at least a portion of an access opening on the container. A stand-off rim is formed on the upper surface of the overcap adjacent the peripheral edge. The overcap includes a closure body. A sealing flap is pivotally attached to the closure body and movable between a first position for covering the container access opening and a second position for exposing the access opening. A projection is positioned adjacent the stand-off rim on the closure body and defines a receiving gap for receipt and frictional engagement of the stand-off rim on the sealing flap in the open position. The frictional engagement of the sealing flap releasably retaining the sealing flap in the open second position.

Abstract: A corner reinforcement for distributing a load placed on top of a packaging unit is provided. The corner reinforcement comprises a top panel and two downwardly extending side panels and fits over the top end of a corner post to better distribute the load across the entire top end of the corner post and to reinforce the corner of the package to prevent the post and package from buckling, crushing or otherwise failing.

Abstract: A flexible package is defined by an inner package layer and a surrounding outer package layer. The inner and outer layers define a tubular body and opposing end portions. A first region of weakness is provided within the outer package layer and is spaced from one end of the package. The region of weakness within the outer packaging layer forms an opening mechanism for the outer layer to expose the inner packaging layer. A second region of weakness is provided within the inner package layer and is spaced from the end of the inner package. The second region of weakness positioned offset from the first region of weakness, to permit the two opening mechanism to be separately activated.