Abstract: Winding cores for elastically stretched or shrinkable materials are designed to significantly reduce the amount of roll strain energy developed during winding. This is accomplished by building into the core an energy-absorbing zone that can be collapsed by a substantial amount and in a relatively controlled fashion over a substantial period of time under the influence of a continued radially inward pressure exerted by the roll of wound material. The energy-absorbing zone is formed by one or more collapsible layers having repeated atomic regions projecting out of a plane of the sheet and each defining a plurality of normal vectors in different sub-regions of the atomic region, wherein the normal vectors, when projected onto the two-dimensional plane of the sheet, are in a plurality of different directions in the plane.

Abstract: Structures having an antenna incorporated therein are provided. Each structure may comprise one or more strips of flexible sheet material wrapped about an axis and secured together. The antenna may comprise an electrically conductive material secured to one or more of the strips in a pattern forming a closed loop except for a break in the loop defining a plurality of contracts for connection to an electrical device, which may be an RFID chip. The antenna may comprise a pair of spaced tracks with a connection therebetween, which may take the form of an intersection of the tracks or a connector. The antenna may extend for a substantial portion of the axial length of the tubular structure and may also extend helically around the tubular structure. Methods of manufacturing structures are also provided.

Abstract: A wood pallet includes a top deck affixed atop a plurality of spaced-apart wood spacer members such that openings for receiving tines of a forklift are defined between the spacer members. The top deck is formed by a plurality of elongate wood boards arranged parallel and side-by-side one another, the boards including two lead boards respectively located at two opposite edges of the top deck, and a plurality of intermediate boards disposed between the two lead boards. The intermediate boards are solid virgin wood boards. Each of the lead boards is a multi-ply laminated wood board made up of a plurality of wood material sheets adhesively laminated one atop another. The laminated wood boards have a capacity to withstand a greater number of edgewise forklift impacts of a given magnitude without failing, in comparison with the solid virgin wood boards.

Abstract: Structures having an antenna incorporated therein are provided. Each structure may comprise one or more strips of flexible sheet material wrapped about an axis and secured together. The antenna may comprise an electrically conductive material secured to one or more of the strips in a pattern forming a closed loop except for a break in the loop defining a plurality of contracts for connection to an electrical device, which may be an RFID chip. The antenna may comprise a pair of spaced tracks with a connection therebetween, which may take the form of an intersection of the tracks or a connector. The antenna may extend for a substantial portion of the axial length of the tubular structure and may also extend helically around the tubular structure. Methods of manufacturing structures are also provided.

Abstract: A low-density structural panel is made from used paper material such as shredded or divided old corrugated containers (OCC). The pieces of used paper material are mixed with an adhesive and the mixture is formed into a layer. The layer is compressed with a compression device to reduce its thickness and increase its density. The layer is heated to hasten the hardening of the adhesive. The process can be a batch process or a continuous process.

Abstract: A method for reusing used paper material such as paperboard cartons comprises the steps of collecting used paper material after it has been used for its original purpose, dividing the used paper material into pieces without repulping the used paper material, coating an adhesive material onto the pieces, and assembling the coated pieces together into a layer to form a structural panel, the adhesive material binding the pieces together upon curing or drying. The pieces can be long narrow strips and/or shredded pieces and/or fiberized pieces that are essentially randomly oriented in the structural panel.

Abstract: Winding cores for elastically stretched or shrinkable materials are designed to significantly reduce the amount of roll strain energy developed during winding. This is accomplished by building into the core an energy-absorbing zone that can be collapsed by a substantial amount and in a relatively controlled fashion over a substantial period of time under the influence of a continued radially inward pressure exerted by the roll of wound material. The energy-absorbing zone is formed by one or more collapsible layers having repeated atomic regions projecting out of a plane of the sheet and each defining a plurality of normal vectors in different sub-regions of the atomic region, wherein the normal vectors, when projected onto the two-dimensional plane of the sheet, are in a plurality of different directions in the plane.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reinforced panel that includes a face sheet having an interior side and an exterior side, a plurality of integral and intersecting ribs having distal ends and projecting from the interior side of the face sheet to form contiguous cells, and a reinforcing member positioned in a channel and secured thereto for increasing bending resistance of the panel.

Abstract: A post in post structure comprising a short inner post segment and a pair of hollow outer posts slipped over either end of the inner post segment and affixed to the inner post segment. The post in post structure is particularly suitable for use with a product packaging and display system of the kind having vertically spaced trays supported by outer posts located over openings in each tray and inner posts inserted inside the outer support posts and through the tray openings to lock the system together.

Abstract: A reinforced corner post assembly for cushioning and protecting a packaged article from axial and lateral forces. The assembly comprises a conventional corner post having an outer wall and an inner wall joined at opposing ends to form a hollow tube and one or more reinforcing tubes disposed longitudinally within the hollow interior of the corner post.

Abstract: A fibrous panel is molded in two or more progressively formed mold members each comprising a porous support plate to which a plurality of rigid mold pieces are affixed. The mold pieces are truncated 3D tapered structures, and are arranged on the support plate in a regular array so that an intersecting grid or lattice of channels is defined between them. A fiber stock is poured into a first mold member and the stock is compressed and dewatered to form a panel. The panel is removed from the first mold member and placed into a second mold member having narrower and shallower channels whose side walls are more upright than those of the first mold member. The panel is further compressed and dewatered in the second mold member, and is densified in both the vertical and lateral directions by virtue of the progressive formation of the mold members.

Abstract: A retortable container and an easy-opening closure for hermetic sealing of an open end thereof. The closure includes a metal end ring adapted to be double seamed to an open end of the retortable container, an intermediate area extending radially inward and defining an opening to an interior of the container, and a folded area folded into the interior of the container. The folded area extends radially outward from the opening and substantially parallel to at least an adjacent portion of the intermediate area. A first membrane patch overlaps and is bonded to an under side of the intermediate area of the end ring such that the first membrane patch prevents contamination of contents of the container by the metal end. A second membrane patch covers the opening and is bonded to an upper side of the first membrane patch.

Abstract: There is provided a lid with a center panel, a rim portion, and a hinge portion for sealing a container. The rim portion is designed to fit around an opening of a container and includes an inner wall for engaging a surface of the container opening. The hinge portion connects the rim portion to the center panel and includes flex points to allow axial movement of the center panel and corresponding radial movement of the rim portion to alternate the lid between an unsealing position and a sealing position. The sealing position provides an improved seal between the inner wall of the rim portion of the lid and the container. The lid may be formed by a two shot mold process in which the hinge portion consists of a more compliant material than the center panel and rim portion. The, lid may also include a flexible barrier membrane for enhanced sealing of the container.

Abstract: One or more sheet material layers in a multi-layer laminated structure is reinforced by adhesive bridges that extend through openings in the layer and tie together the layers on either side of the reinforced layer. A plurality of openings are provided in the layer or layers to be reinforced. The openings are spaced apart and distributed over the surface of the layer. Accordingly, when the layer is incorporated into a multi-layer structure, the adhesive applied to the layer, or to the layers on either side thereof, is forced through the openings so that a continuous adhesive connection is formed between the layers on opposite sides of the reinforced layer via the adhesive bridges that extend through the openings.

Abstract: A retortable container and an easy-opening closure for hermetic sealing of an open end thereof. The closure includes a metal end ring adapted to be double seamed to an open end of the retortable container, an intermediate area extending radially inward and defining an opening to an interior of the container, and a folded area folded into the interior of the container. The folded area extends radially outward from the opening and substantially parallel to at least an adjacent portion of the intermediate area. A first membrane patch overlaps and is bonded to an under side of the intermediate area of the end ring such that the first membrane patch prevents contamination of contents of the container by the metal end. A second membrane patch covers the opening and is bonded to an upper side of the first membrane patch.

Abstract: One or more sheet material layers in a multi-layer laminated structure is reinforced by adhesive bridges that extend through openings in the layer and tie together the layers on either side of the reinforced layer. A plurality of openings are provided in the layer or layers to be reinforced. The openings are spaced apart and distributed over the surface of the layer. Accordingly, when the layer is incorporated into a multi-layer structure, the adhesive applied to the layer, or to the layers on either side thereof, is forced through the openings so that a continuous adhesive connection is formed between the layers on opposite sides of the reinforced layer via the adhesive bridges that extend through the openings.

Abstract: A reinforced corner post assembly for cushioning and protecting a packaged article from axial and lateral forces. The assembly comprises a conventional corner post having an outer wall and an inner wall joined at opposing ends to form a hollow tube and one or more reinforcing tubes disposed longitudinally within the hollow interior of the corner post.

Abstract: A single piece protective device that can be stacked or nested in an unfolded position and then folded into the desired shape when ready for use is provided. The device is made from a substantially rectangular sheet of laminated paperboard. The sheet comprises an outer wall and an inner wall connected by a hinged area running longitudinally from top to the bottom. The hinged area comprises a plurality of longitudinal creases or scores. The sheet is made of multiple plies of material laminated together. The plies can be made from different types of materials, and may be oriented in different directions to achieve desired structural properties. The unfolded sheets are nestable for efficient storage and shipping.

Abstract: A single piece protective device that can be stacked or nested in an unfolded position and then folded into the desired shape when ready for use is provided. The device is made from a substantially rectangular sheet of laminated paperboard. The sheet comprises an outer wall and an inner wall connected by a hinged area running longitudinally from top to the bottom. The hinged area comprises a plurality of longitudinal creases or scores. The sheet is made of multiple plies of material laminated together. The plies can be made from different types of materials, and may be oriented in different directions to achieve desired structural properties. The unfolded sheets are nestable for efficient storage and shipping.

Abstract: A lightweight overcap for a cylindrical container that requires substantially less material. The material savings is realized by the use of thinner walls and intermittent closure, nesting and stacking structures.