Patents by Inventor Phil B. Sheffer

Phil B. Sheffer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20080265726
    Abstract: A folded and glued container that quickly erects into a container having multiple shelf structures is formed of a plurality of panels defining a back panel, a front panel opposite the back panel, two longitudinally opposite endwall panels joined to the back panel and the front panel. The container further includes two laterally opposite sidewalls joined to the front panel. The back panel is integrally joined to one of the two endwall panels and attached to the other of the two endwall panels. Inwardly folded bellows panels extend between and integrally joined to the other of the two endwall panels and the sidewalls. When the sidewalls are folded upwardly from a knock-down-flat configuration of the container, the sidewalls erect the two endwall panels and the back panel into a rectilinear box in which multiple shelf panels cut out from the front panel are erected in unison into their final configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Publication number: 20080169340
    Abstract: A folded and glued container has panels defining a back panel and laterally opposite first and second sidewalls and one or more shelf panels attached to the back panel and extending laterally between the two sidewalls. The container is constructed as a compact folded and glued container that can be readily erected by the end user and provides one or more shelf or partition like structures formed in part by panels that are affixed, in addition to an integral die cut panel, when processing the container in a fold and glue machine line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Publication number: 20030141356
    Abstract: A container of paperboard, corrugated craft paper or the like is provided with one or more walls that moves inwardly with erection of the container and bears against an in-fold flap of an adjacent wall, to square up and reinforce the container. In one arrangement, two opposite hollow walls of a rectilinear container expand inwardly against two inner in-fold flaps, during folding of outer in-fold flaps associated with the two hollow walls, into a position in the plane of the container bottom. Embodiments are disclosed with variations including multiple plies, center dividers, integral lid panels and tear-outs. The container preferably is produced in a knocked down flat shape with four sidewalls folded flat on one another. The container is erected into a rectangular shape by pressing its diagonally opposite corners toward one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: 6527167
    Abstract: A container is made in a collapsed configuration with bellows fold corners for self erection. Outer end wall panels are joined to the container bottom, leading to horizontal ledge panels and inner end wall panels fold over and down to lock via tabs into openings in the bottom. Columns reside under the ledge panels and are provided by column forming panels folded inwardly and glued to the inner end wall panels. Fold lines define the corners of each column and bear against inner sides of the front and back walls holding the columns open. The column forming panels have protruding tabs back by corresponding tabs on one of the ledge panels betwen the inner and outer panels of the end walls. These tabs form a two thickness registration tab that engages a corresponding opening in the container bottom for stacking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Pack ā€˜Nā€™ Stack
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: 6513705
    Abstract: A preferably one-piece fold-and-glue container has corners reinforced by extensions that fold over and compress self-erecting bellows or gusset corner joints, and cutouts in each of the four front, back and end walls. The corrugated paperboard panels of a single flat blank define a bottom, opposite front and back walls and longitudinally opposite end walls. The joints have bellows panels integral with the front, back and end walls, joined at folds oriented diagonally and being glued to one of the adjacent walls to pull one another perpendicular to the bottom when erected. The end walls have an outer end wall panel integrally extending from the bottom and joined adjacent to the front or back to an extension having a protruding tab at its free end for locking into the bottom when the extension is folded over the gusset joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Pack ā€˜Nā€™ Stack
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: 6116498
    Abstract: An open-top fold-and-glue container is provided a collapsed or knocked-down-flat configuration and can be erected into a nested stacking frusto-pyramidal configuration in which the container walls are inclined outwardly and an upper container is supported on self-erecting shoulders in a lower container in the stack. The container has a bottom integral with opposite end walls and side walls, the end and side walls each being formed of an inner panel folded downwardly against an outer panel. The shoulders are located in the inner panels of the end walls, and are self-erecting in the manner of an expanding parallelogram between upper and lower glue strips and a support strip projecting substantially vertically downwardly from the shoulder to the bottom. The attachment of the upper glue strip to the outer panel of the end wall forms a reinforcement at the rim. The ledge is disposed adjacent to and under this reinforcement, and a manual grip can be placed immediately under the ledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Pack N'Stack, Inc.
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: 6098873
    Abstract: A container is made in a collapsed configuration with bellows fold corners for self-erection and has spaced-panel end walls encompassing hollow columns for vertical reinforcement. An outer end wall panel is joined to the container bottom, leading to a ledge panel that is horizontal when the container is erected, and an inner end wall panel folds over and down to lock via tabs into openings in the bottom. The hollow columns reside under the ledge panel and are provided by column-forming panels folded inwardly and glued to the inner end wall panels. Score or fold lines define the corners of the hollow column and are placed to bear against inner sides of the front and back walls, which holds the hollow columns open when the container is erected. The column-forming panels have protruding tabs backed by corresponding tabs on a ledge panel between inner and outer panels of the end walls. These tabs form a two thickness registration tab that engages a corresponding opening in the container bottom for stacking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Pack `N` Stack, Inc.
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: 6029886
    Abstract: A collapsible container for packing, shipping and displaying articles is formed from an integral piece of corrugated craft, paperboard or similar foldable material. The container includes a plurality of panels which are connected to form a bottom, front, back and exterior sidewalls, and preferably also a top. A bellows fold connects each of the exterior sidewalls with at least one of the front and back walls. Each exterior sidewall is provided with a respective interior sidewall which together support a horizontal ledge. The horizontal ledges are useful for stacking multiple cartons in vertical alignment and can support containers that are somewhat out of registry. Locking tabs extend from the bellows panels of the container to limit lateral deflection of the sides and deformation of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Pack "N "Stack, Inc.
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: 5839650
    Abstract: A container formed from an integral piece of corrugated material includes projections extending from its upper side edges, and notches disposed on its lower side edges. The projections of one container are placed and sized to engage the notches of a similar container so that the containers engage when stacked. The engagement of the sides is such that the containers are unlikely to be inadvertently horizontally displaced, and have increased vertical weight bearing strength. The containers are apt for shipping and display cartons stacked on pallets accessed directly by end-user customers. The containers have four-layer sides to further bear vertical forces, to resist inadvertent collapse of the container or a stack of containers, and to increase horizontal rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Triangle Container Corporation
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: 5826728
    Abstract: A shipping and display container is formed from an integral piece of corrugated board, paperboard, or the like. The container has a top which includes two opposing flaps allowing access to the contained space of the container for loading. The two flaps are adhered to each other at their opposing edges when the container is closed and sealed for shipping. The top may be removed from the container by separating the top from the sidewalls at perforation lines extending generally at the outer edges of the top. The front of the container has removable portions which are integrally attached to the top so that a pair of windows is formed when the container is opened by the end user's removal of the top together with the removable portions. Product is accessible through the two windows as well as through the top of the opened container. The container is folded and glued from an integral flat blank, and is erected from a collapsed parallelogram shape by moving together outer transverse edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Pack 'N Stack, Inc.
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: 5524815
    Abstract: A reinforced display carton is cut from a single sheet of material and folded to form exterior wall panels, bottom flaps and an internal subdividing web, that can be collapsed flat for shipping. The bottom flaps lock together when the carton is erected into a rectilinear state, and engage with the subdividing web, which is reinforced by folded over panels. A barb shaped slotted tongue on one of the bottom flaps fits into a slot between the other bottom flaps to lock them, and straddles a lower edge of the internal web. The subdividing web is formed from an extension of a half-width rear panel folded at a rear glue joint with a second half-width rear panel, and is attached at a glue tab to the back side of the front panel. The web has upper and lower reinforcing panels folded up and down over one another and locked in the slot of the tongue. Access openings extend up to the top edge of the front wall on either side of the central web, and the central web reinforces the carton against vertical forces, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Triangle Container Corporation
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: 5413276
    Abstract: A carton is cut out and foldably formed from an integral piece of corrugated paperboard or similar sheet material, and has foldable bottom flaps and foldable closure flaps attached to panels forming side walls. Some of the panels define sidewalls forming a rectilinear carton, and at least one panel defines a partition dividing the carton into at least two compartments. Another panel defines a front wall of the carton, and has openings permitting access through the front wall to the compartments. The closure flaps have flanges which cover the access openings during shipping and inventory storage of the closed carton. The closure flaps are defined by fold lines that are weakened by scoring, perforating or the like, and are easily severed at the weakened fold lines. The carton can be assembled and folded flat, and erected for closure of the bottom, loading with product, and closure of the top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Triangle Container Corporation
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: 4736537
    Abstract: A foldable corrugated fiberboard decorative insert which is intended for use in the enhancement of the appearance of a bookshelving unit and also for use as a general advertising means. The invention inherently includes a novel method of display advertising which may be effectively utilized by retail merchants without the need for costly expenditures for complex advertising display systems. The invention structure is designed to be shipped in a flat or knockdown position so that multiple units may be most economically shipped and warehoused as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Merchandising Innovations Co.
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: 4685401
    Abstract: An easy-to-assemble coffee table made entirely of corrugated fiberboard for reduced shipping costs.All components in the coffee table kit are designed to be shipped in a flat or knockdown position to reduce shipping volume requirements.A unique component interlocking design allows the coffee table kit to be simply built-up into a highly durable and attractive piece of furniture without the need for separate fasteners of any kind.The inventive interlocking design also avoids the complex assembly procedures often associated with furniture of the knockdown variety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Merchandising Innovations Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: 4676383
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing a light weight yet durable shelf or panel unit. The preferred material of the invention is corrugated fiberboard. It will be appreciated, however, that the inventive concepts may will be applied to other materials such as plastic compounds and derivatives.In use of the design, light weight materials are folded together to yield a durable shelving structure with fastening means being formed on side edges thereof. The basic panel is designed as a one-piece unit with two rectangular pieces inserted therein in use of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Merchandising Innovations Co.
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: 4664268
    Abstract: A bar or bookshelf subassembly construction which is comprised almost entirely of a light-weight corrugated fiberboard material. The device comprises plural layers of factory formed and glued corrugated fiberboard materials which are arranged such that bar shelving elements may be easily placed therein. A plastic track means (80) is factory glued to the subassembly so that various advertising messages or school logos, for example, may be readily slid into a display area of the bar. An engineered construction is utilized whereby the rough corrugated edges are hidden from view within the bar such that a very attractive bar or bookshelf is produced from light-weight and inexpensive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Merchandising Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: D399739
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Pack `N` Stack, Inc.
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: D399740
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Pack `N` Stack, Inc.
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: D399741
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Pack `N` Stack, Inc.
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: D415680
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer