Parcel-receptacle liner adapted for removable installation in a self-supporting parcel receptacle and for transitioning the orientation of parcels within the receptacle

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A parcel-receptacle liner is adapted for cooperative support by a self-supporting parcel receptacle of complementary dimensions that includes a bottom wall and opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls depending upwardly from the bottom wall and terminating in top edges. The liner has a mid-portion joined to left and right side portions, each of which portions is movable with respect to the other two. The liner includes opposed left and right edges, opposed first and second edges extending between the left and right edges and top and bottom surfaces. The liner is disposed in the parcel receptacle such that (i) the mid-portion extends along the interior of the bottom wall; (ii) the left and right side portions extend upwardly along, and are supported by, opposite ones of the first and second side walls; and (iii) a portion of each of the left and right side portions extends above the top edge of the side wall by which it is supported. Generally planar parcels are deposited onto the top surface and mid-portion of the liner until they accumulate to a predetermine level. The orientation of the parcels is transitioned from horizontal to vertical by drawing the left and right edges of the liner body toward one another in order to constrictedly retain the parcels, and the liner is lifted and rotated to stand the parcels on edge.

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Description
PROVISIONAL PRIORITY CLAIM

Priority based on Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/636,748, filed Thursday, Dec. 16, 2004, and entitled “PARCEL-RECEPTACLE LINER ADAPTED FOR REMOVABLE INSTALLATION IN A SELF-SUPPORTING PARCEL RECEPTACLE AND FOR TRANSITIONING THE ORIENTATION OF PARCELS WITHIN THE RECEPTACLE,” is claimed.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Although not so limited in its utility or scope, implementations of the present invention are particularly well suited as parcel-receptacle liners adapted for use in the transition of sequentially stacked parcels contained within a self-supporting parcel receptacle from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation for subsequent processing within a parcel-sorting facility such as, by way of non-limiting example, a mail processing facility.

2. Brief Description of an Illustrative Environment and Related Art

In a typical mail sorting facility, automated sorting machinery conveys and sorts mail pieces throughout the facility and deposits them in bags, bins, carts and other receptacles. Mail pieces that are relatively planar (e.g., letters and so-called “flats”) are, at some point in a typical handling process, sorted and deposited into self-supporting parcel receptacles such as bins or trays. Entire bins and trays containing mail pieces sorted to a predetermined level of sortation refinement are placed upon conveyor belts and roller conveyors for movement about the sorting facility and delivery, within the facility, to locations appropriate to the transport vehicles upon which those mail pieces will be transported from the facility. Flats and letters are typically deposited into trays and bins in a horizontal orientation (e.g., laying flat) and in a predetermined sequence. However, there are points in a typical mail-sorting process when vertical orientation of mail pieces within a bin or tray is at least advantageous, if not required. Traditionally, personnel were assigned to the task of manually reorienting horizontally deposited mail pieces to a vertical orientation for subsequent processing. It will be appreciated that such manual handling is inefficient and extremely costly to the postal system. More recently, fully automated equipment has been introduced for sorting and depositing mail directly into mail trays and bins in a vertical orientation. Although this automated equipment is effective, it is also very expensive and has not been, nor is it likely to be, ubiquitously installed throughout the postal system and the sorting facilities of private couriers.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a mail-piece re-orientation solution that obviates the inefficiency, and susceptibility to error, of the traditional, manual method of reorientation while also avoiding the need to universally install expensive automated machinery for depositing mail pieces into trays in a vertical orientation.

SUMMARY

In a typical embodiment, a parcel-receptacle liner is adapted for removable insertion into, and support by, a self-supporting parcel receptacle (e.g., a tray or bin) which self-supporting parcel receptacle typically includes a bottom wall and four joined parcel-receptacle side walls, including opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls, depending upwardly from the bottom wall, and terminating in top edges, to form a parcel-capturing enclosure. Although each embodiment of a selected set of alternative embodiments comprises a liner body that is one of (i) fabricated throughout from one or more flexible materials (e.g., rubber, leather, nylon), (ii) fabricated partially from flexible material and partially from relatively rigid self-supporting materials (e.g., in the form of panels) connected by at least one region of relatively flexible material, or (iii) fabricated primarily from relatively rigid panels hingedly joined to facilitate flexibility of the body as a whole, a typical embodiment generally includes a liner body having a mid-portion joined to left and right side portions, each of which portions is movable with respect to the other two. Moreover, the liner body of a typical embodiment, when opened out upon a planar surface, is generally rectangular in shape and includes opposed left and right edges extending along a minor axis, opposed first and second edges extending between the left and right edges along a major axis and top and bottom surfaces extending between the left and right edges and the first and second edges. Specific embodiments are configured for cooperative disposition into self-supporting parcel receptacles of complementary dimensions. More specifically, a “properly dimensioned” and installed embodiment is disposed in a self-supporting parcel receptacle such that (i) the mid-portion of the liner body extends along and, in various embodiments, contacts the interior bottom-wall surface of the parcel receptacle; (ii) the left and right side portions extend upwardly along, and are supported by, opposite ones of the first and second parcel-receptacle side walls; and (iii) the distance between the left and right edges is sufficient to permit a portion of each of the left and right side portions of the liner body to extend above the top edge of the parcel-receptacle side wall by which it is supported.

Parcels, such as relatively planar mail pieces (e.g., flats and letters), are deposited onto the top surface and mid-portion of the receptacle liner until they accumulate to a desired height. To transition the orientation of the parcels deposited onto the liner body, the left and right edges of the liner body are drawn toward one another in order to retain the parcels by constriction. The parcel-receptacle liner is then lifted and rotated about an axis passing through the left and right side portions to stand on edge parcels retained thereby. In some embodiments, the left and right side portions are flap portions that may be overlapped such that the parcels are essentially wrapped in the liner body for constriction and rotation. In alternative embodiments, at least the left and right side portions are relatively rigid panels and the parcels are constricted edgewise between the panels for reorientation. Alternative illustrative embodiments in which the liner body is made entirely from flexible material and in which the body includes relatively rigid, hingedly joined panels are described in brief further in this summary and more completely described in the detailed description. Moreover, each of various alternative embodiments is in the form of a kit that includes a self-supporting parcel receptacle and a parcel-receptacle liner cooperatively dimensioned to function in combination with the parcel receptacle.

One illustrative embodiment of a parcel-receptacle liner includes a liner body segmented to define (i) a base panel having opposed left and right edges, opposed first and second edges extending between the left and right edges and top and bottom surfaces; (ii) a left side panel hingedly depending from the left edge of the base panel; and (iii) a right side panel hingedly depending from the right edge of the base panel. The base, left side and right side panels correspond, respectively, to the mid-portion, the left side portion and the right side portion of the liner body. Each of the left and right side panels includes inner and outer surfaces that partially co-extend with, respectively, the top and bottom surfaces of the liner body. Furthermore, each of the side panels is bounded by a base edge by which that side panel depends from the base panel, a distal edge opposite the base edge and opposed side-panel first and second edges extending between the base and distal edges. The distal edges of the left and right side panels coincide with, respectively, the left and right edges of the liner body; the first edges of the base panel, the left side panel and the right side panel coincide with the first edge of the liner body; and the second edges of the base panel, the left side panel and the right side panel coincide with the second edge of the liner body. Extending along each distal edge in a location more proximate that distal edge than the base edge of each side panel is a handle which, in various embodiments, is simply an elongated handle opening in the side panel. Various versions further include at least one receptacle-wall-engaging clasp extending outwardly from the outer surface of each side panel and adapted for selective supporting engagement with the top edge of a parcel-receptacle side wall.

An illustrative parcel-receptacle liner is installed in, and supported by, a parcel receptacle such that the bottom surface of the base panel extends along and, in various embodiments, contacts the interior bottom-wall surface of the parcel receptacle. The left and right side panels extend upwardly from the base panel with the outer surfaces thereof extending along interior side-wall surfaces of first and second opposed parcel-receptacle side walls. Arranged thusly, the parcel-receptacle liner is readied to receive parcels. Typically, the at least one receptacle-wall-engaging clasp is located closer to the base edge of the side panel than at least a portion of the handle such that, when the clasp is engaged with the top edge of a parcel-receptacle side wall, the handle is accessible to a user's hand from a location external to, and typically above, the parcel-capturing enclosure. In alternative versions, the clasp may simply include a hooking member that hooks over the top edge of a side wall or it may include a resilient member that hooks over and squeezably engages the parcel-receptacle side wall, by way of non-limiting example.

With the parcel-receptacle liner installed to receive parcels, parcels are deposited in a predetermined sequence onto the top surface of the base panel. Once the stacked parcels accumulate to a predetermined height or “fill level,” the parcel-receptacle liner is grasped by the handles, the left and right side panels are drawn toward one another in order to retain the parcels within the parcel-receptacle liner, and the parcel-receptacle liner is lifted within the parcel receptacle and rotated about an axis passing through the left and right side panels in order to transition the parcels from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation and set them to rest on the interior bottom-wall surface of the parcel receptacle. With the parcels at rest on the interior bottom-wall surface of the parcel receptacle, the parcel-receptacle liner is lifted out of the parcel receptacle and the parcels are supported in a vertical orientation by at least one parcel-receptacle side wall, with the parcels maintained in the same sequence in which they were stacked.

An alternatively embodied illustrative parcel-receptacle liner has a liner body fabricated entirely of flexible material (e.g., includes no relatively rigid, self-supporting panels) that, when opened out upon a planar surface, is substantially rectilinear and includes opposed left and right edges extending along a minor axis, opposed first and second edges extending between the left and right edges along a major axis and top and bottom surfaces extending between the left and right edges and the first and second edges. The body further includes a parcel-receiving mid-portion, a left side flap portion to the left of the mid-portion, a right side flap portion to the right of the mid-portion, and first and second opening sets. The first opening set includes a first-set left-side opening extending at least partially in the left side flap portion and being more proximate the first edge than the second edge of the flexible body and a first-set right-side opening extending at least partially in the right side flap portion and being more proximate the first edge than the second edge of the flexible body. The second opening set includes a second-set left-side opening extending at least partially in the left side flap portion and being more proximate the second edge than the first edge of the flexible body and a second-set right-side opening extending at least partially in the right side flap portion and being more proximate the second edge than the first edge of the flexible body.

The relative dimensions of the flexible body and a parcel receptacle for which the parcel-receptacle liner is adapted (i.e., configured) are such that the length of the flexible body between the left and right edges is sufficient to permit resting engagement of at least a portion of the mid-portion of the flexible body on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle and the draping of a portion of each of the left and right flap portions over a parcel-receptacle side wall for the support of the flap portions by opposed side walls such that the parcel-receptacle liner is in a parcel-receiving attitude for the sequential deposit of parcels onto the top surface and in the mid-portion of the body with each parcel in a substantially horizontal orientation. The first and second opening sets are situated within the body such that, when parcels have been sequentially stacked onto the top surface to a predetermined height, the left and right flap portions can be drawn inward and overlapped over the parcels such that at least a portion of the first-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the first-set right-side opening and at least a portion of the second-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the second-set right-side opening such that a portion of one of the left and right hand of a person can be introduced through the at least partially aligned openings of the first opening set and the other of the left and right hand of a person can be introduced through the at least partially aligned openings of the second opening set to facilitate the person's grasping the receptacle liner, with the parcels constrictedly retained therein, and lifting and rotating the receptacle liner in order to transition the stacked parcels from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation within the parcel-receptacle side walls.

Although a manner of using a flexible-body version of a parcel-receptacle liner in order to transition from a horizontal to a vertical orientation parcels deposited into a self-supporting parcel receptacle is implied above, an illustrative method is now explicitly recited in order to facilitate clarity. A method includes setting the parcel-receptacle liner in a parcel-receiving attitude within the parcel receptacle such that (i) at least a portion of the mid-portion of the flexible body rests on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle and (ii) a portion of each of the left and right flap portions is draped over a parcel-receptacle side wall opposite the parcel-receptacle side wall over which a portion of the other of the left and right flap portions is draped. With the parcel-receptacle liner in a parcel-receiving attitude, parcels are stacked onto the top surface and mid-portion of the flexible body of the parcel-receptacle liner to a predetermined height. Once parcels have been stacked to a predetermined (e.g., a desired fill) height, the left and right flap portions are drawn inward and overlapped over the stacked parcels such that at least a portion of the first-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the first-set right-side opening and at least a portion of the second-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the second-set right-side opening. At least a portion of one of a (i) mechanized and (ii) manual gripper (a portion of a person's hand) is introduced through the at least partially aligned openings of each of the first and second opening sets and the stacked parcels are constrictedly retained by the flexible body. With the parcels constricted and retained by the flexible body, the parcel-receptacle liner is lifted and rotated to transition the parcels from a horizontal to a vertical orientation. The parcel-receptacle liner is then set down on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle, with the stacked parcels therein, such that the mid-portion extends along one of the parcel-receptacle side walls, and the parcels are permitted to settle onto the interior bottom-wall surface of the parcel receptacle. With the parcels at rest on the interior bottom-wall surface, the parcel-receptacle liner is lifted out of the parcel receptacle and the parcels are supported in a vertical orientation by at least one parcel-receptacle side wall, with the parcels maintained in the same sequence in which they were stacked.

Although the capacity to maintain the sequence in which transitioned parcels are initially stacked is recited as an advantage in connection with various implementations, it is to be understood that the capacity to maintain parcel-sequence integrity is dependent upon such factors as variance in parcel size, shape and dimensions. Accordingly, the maintenance of parcel sequence is to be regarded only as an advantage that may be realizable by some implementations under a limited set of conditions and, therefore, implementations in which parcel sequence is not maintained are well within the scope and contemplation of the invention. One limited set of conditions that facilitates the maintenance of parcel sequence arises when all parcels stacked onto the parcel-receptacle liner are relatively flat and of the same dimensions (e.g., they are all magazines). However, when parcels of varying dimensions (e.g., letters, magazines, etc) are stacked, the maintenance of sequence integrity is less likely because smaller parcels are free to move around, etc. In addition, while many implementations envision manual handling of the parcel-receptacle liner by the hands of a person, alternative embodiments and implementations are adapted for incorporation as part of an automated transition in orientation and, for example, in implementations including side panels hingedly joined to a base panel, the side panels may be grasped by mechanized grippers depending from one or more robotic or other mechanical arms for the orientation transition process.

Representative embodiments and implementations are more completely described and depicted in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative parcel-receptacle liner and a self-supporting parcel receptacle by which the parcel-receptacle liner is adapted to be supported;

FIG. 2 shows the parcel-receptacle liner of FIG. 1 installed in, and supported by, the parcel receptacle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts parcels deposited into the parcel receptacle and onto the parcel-receptacle liner;

FIG. 4 depicts the parcel receptacle, parcel-receptacle liner and parcels following the rotation of the parcel-receptacle liner and parcels within the parcel receptacle in order to transition the parcels from a horizontal to a vertical orientation;

FIG. 5 shows the parcels vertically oriented within the parcel receptacle after removal of the parcel-receptacle liner;

FIG. 6 is a top view of an alternatively embodied parcel-receptacle liner having a flexible liner body laid open on a planar surface;

FIG. 7 shows the parcel-receptacle liner of FIG. 6 installed in, and supported by, a self-supporting parcel receptacle;

FIG. 8 depicts parcels deposited into the parcel receptacle and onto the parcel-receptacle liner of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 shows the flaps of the parcel-receptacle liner of FIG. 8 folded over parcels stacked to a predetermined height and indicates that, with the parcels constrictedly restrained in the parcel-receptacle liner, the liner is lifted and rotated to transition the orientation of the parcels while maintaining the stacking sequence thereof;

FIG. 10 depicts the parcel receptacle, parcel-receptacle liner and parcels following the rotation of the parcel-receptacle liner of FIG. 9 within the parcel receptacle; and

FIG. 11 shows the parcels vertically oriented within the parcel receptacle after removal of the parcel-receptacle liner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of various embodiments of a parcel-receptacle liner and representative environments for which they are configured is illustrative in nature and is therefore not intended to limit the scope of the invention or its application of uses.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 6, each of two alternatively configured illustrative parcel-receptacle liners (100 and 200) generally includes a liner body 15 having a mid-portion 35 joined to left and right side portions 45 and 55, each of which portions is movable with respect to the other two. Moreover, the liner body 15 of a typical embodiment, when opened out upon a planar surface, is generally rectangular in shape and includes opposed left and right edges 18 and 20 extending along a minor axis, opposed first and second edges 22 and 24 extending between the left and right edges 18 and 20 along a major axis and top and bottom surfaces 26 and 28 extending between the left and right edges 18 and 20 and the first and second edges 22 and 24. While the embodiment of FIG. 6 is shown opened out along a plane (not identified), one can appreciate how the embodiment of FIG. 1 can open out such that the mid-portion 35 and the left and right side portions 45 and 55 are coplanar and the liner body 15 is generally rectangular. Each of the alternative, non-limiting embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 is describe in turn below.

Referring to FIG. 1, an illustrative parcel-receptacle liner 100 is shown with an illustrative self-supporting parcel receptacle 500 for which the parcel-receptacle liner 100 is adapted. The parcel receptacle 500, while generic, is representative of the type used in the U.S. Postal System, and postal systems throughout the world, and includes a bottom wall 510 having interior and exterior bottom-wall surfaces 512 and 514. Depending upwardly from the bottom wall 510 are four joined parcel-receptacle side walls 520a, b, c, and d, each of which includes a respective one of each of (i) interior side-wall surfaces 522a, b, c and d, (ii) exterior side-wall surfaces 524a, b, c and d, (iii) side-wall bottom edges 530a, b, c and d, by which it is joined to the bottom wall 510, (iv) side-wall top edges 532a, b, c and d, (v) first side-wall edges 534a, b, c and d and (vi) second side-wall edges 536a, b, c and d.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the illustrative parcel-receptacle liner 100 includes a liner body 105 segmented to define a base panel 120, and left side panel 140 and a right side panel 160. The base panel 120 has opposed left and right edges 122 and 124, opposed first and second edges 126 and 128 and opposed top and bottom surfaces 130 and 132 extending between the left and right edges 122 and 124 and the first and second edges 126 and 128. The left side panel 140 includes a base edge 142 that is hingedly attached to the left edge 122 of the base panel 120, a distal edge 144 opposite the base edge 142, opposed left-side-panel first and second edges 146 and 148 extending between the base and distal edges 142 and 144 and opposed inner and outer surfaces 150 and 152 extending between the base and distal edges 142 and 144 and the left-side-panel first and second edges 146 and 148. Analogously, The right side panel 160 includes a base edge 162 that is hingedly attached to the right edge 124 of the base panel 120, a distal edge 164 opposite the base edge 162, opposed right-side-panel first and second edges 166 and 168 extending between the base and distal edges 162 and 164 and opposed inner and outer surfaces 170 and 172 extending between the base and distal edges 162 and 164 and the right-side-panel first and second edges 166 and 168. Extending along the distal edges 144 and 164 of, respectively, the left and right side panels 140 and 160 are left and right handles 154 and 174. In a typical embodiment, such as that illustrated in FIG. 1, each of handles 154 and 174 comprises an elongated handle opening in a respective one of side panels 140 and 160 and is located more proximate the distal edge 144 or 164 of the respective side panel 140 or 160 in which it is formed than the base edge 142 or 162 of that side panel 140 or 160.

In alternative embodiments, at least one of the base panel 120, the left side panel 140 and the right side panel 160 is sufficiently rigid and dimensioned such that, when the receptacle liner 100 is installed in a parcel receptacle 500 exhibiting dimensions to which the receptacle liner 100 is cooperatively adapted, each of the left and right side panels 140 and 160 extends along one of the opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls (e.g., 520d and 520b) and above the top edges (e.g., 532d and 532b) thereof such that each of the distal edges 144 and 164 of, respectively, the left and right side panels 140 and 160 is at an elevation higher than the top edge (e.g., 532d and 532b) of the side wall 520 along which that side panel 140 or 160. In a typical version, the side panels 140 and 160 are not necessarily unbendable by an average user, but are at least sufficiently rigid to be self-supporting and, in various embodiments, possess “memory” to return to an unflexed position if flexed when drawing panels together to retain parcels therebetween. Moreover, irrespective of whether any of the panels 120, 140 or 160 is “rigid,” various versions further include at least one receptacle-wall-engaging clasps 180 that extends outwardly from the outer surface of each side panel 140 and 160 and facilitates support of the parcel-receptacle liner 100 by the self-supporting parcel receptacle 500 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 2 and 3. Referring to FIG. 2, the illustrative parcel-receptacle liner 100 is installed in, and supported by, the parcel receptacle 500 such that the bottom surface 132 of the base panel 120 extends along, and, in various embodiments, contacts the interior bottom-wall surface 512 of the parcel receptacle 500. The left and right side panels 140 and 160 extend upwardly from the base panel 120 with the outer surfaces 152 and 172 extending along two opposed interior side-wall surfaces (e.g., 522b and 522d) of the receptacle 500. Arranged thusly, the parcel-receptacle liner 100 is readied to receive parcels. Typically, as shown in FIG. 2, the at least one clasp 180 on each of the side panels 140 and 160 is located more distant from the distal edge 144 or 164 than at least a portion of the handle 154 or 174 such that, when the clasp 180 is engaged with the parcel-receptacle side wall 520b or 520d, and disposed over the top edge 522b or 522d thereof, the handle 154 or 174 is accessible to a user's hand from a location above the top edge 522b or 522d of the parcel-receptacle side wall 520b or 520d.

Referring to FIG. 3, parcels 250 are deposited in a predetermined sequence onto the top surface 130 of the base panel 120 of the parcel-receptacle liner 100. Once the stacked parcels 250 reach a predetermined height or “fill level,” the parcel-receptacle liner 100 is grasped by the handles 154 and 174, the left and right side panels 140 and 160 are drawn toward one another in order to retain the parcels 250 within the parcel-receptacle liner 100, and the parcel-receptacle liner 100 is lifted within the parcel receptacle 500 and rotated about an axis AR passing through the left and right side panels 140 and 160 in order to transition the parcels 250 from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation and set them to rest on the interior bottom-wall surface 512 of the parcel receptacle 500, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 combined. Also as shown in FIG. 4, with the parcels 250 at rest on the interior bottom-wall surface 512, the parcel-receptacle liner 100 is lifted out of the parcel receptacle 500 and the parcels 250 are supported in a vertical orientation by at least one parcel-receptacle side wall (e.g., 520c), as shown in FIG. 5, with the parcels 250 maintained in the same sequence in which they were stacked.

FIGS. 6 through 10 illustrate an alternatively embodied parcel-receptacle liner 200 adapted for removable installation into, and support by, a self-supporting parcel receptacle 500 including a bottom wall 510 and four joined parcel-receptacle side walls 520a, b, c and d including two sets of opposed side walls (e.g. 520a and 520c and 520b and 520d) depending upwardly from the bottom wall 510 and terminating in side-wall top edges 532a, b, c and d in order to form a parcel-capturing enclosure. The parcel-receptacle liner 200 includes a flexible body 205 that, when opened out upon a planar surface as shown in FIG. 6, is substantially rectilinear and includes opposed left and right edges 208 and 210 extending along a minor axis AMin, opposed first and second edges 212 and 214 extending between the left and right edges 208 and 210 along a major axis AMaj and top and bottom surfaces 216 and 218 extending between the left and right edges 208 and 210 and the first and second edges 212 and 214. The flexible body 205 further includes a parcel-receiving mid-portion 220, a left side flap 240 portion to the left of the mid-portion 220 and a right side flap portion 260 to the right of the mid-portion 220. Formed within the flexible body 205 are first and second opening sets 270 and 280. The first opening set 270 includes a first-set left-side opening 272L extending at least partially in the left side flap portion 240 and being more proximate the first edge 212 than the second edge 214 of the flexible body 205 and a first-set right-side opening 272R extending at least partially in the right side flap portion 260 and being more proximate the first edge 212 than the second edge 214 of the flexible body 205. The second opening set 280 includes a second-set left-side opening 282L extending at least partially in the left side flap portion 240 and being more proximate the second edge 214 than the first edge 212 of the flexible body 205 and a second-set right-side opening 282R extending at least partially in the right side flap portion 260 and being more proximate the second edge 214 than the first edge 212 of the flexible body 205.

Referring to FIG. 7, the relative dimensions of the flexible body 205 and of a parcel receptacle 500 for which the parcel-receptacle liner 200 is configured are such that the length of the flexible body 205 between the left and right edges 208 and 210 is sufficient to permit resting engagement of at least a portion of the parcel-receiving mid-portion 220 of the flexible body 205 on the bottom wall 510 of the parcel receptacle 500 and the draping of a portion of each of the left and right flap portions 240 and 260 over opposed parcel-receptacle side walls (e.g. 520b and 520d) for the support of the flap portions 240 and 260 by the opposed side walls 520b and 520d such that the parcel-receptacle liner 200 is in a parcel-receiving attitude for the sequential deposit of “flat” parcels 350 onto the top surface 216 and in the mid-portion 220 of the body 205 with each parcel 350 in a substantially horizontal orientation, as shown in FIG. 8. In some embodiments, including that of FIGS. 6-8, the parcel-receptacle liner 200 includes first and second flexible, resilient flap restraints 245 and 265 adapted for selectively engaging a portion of the perimeter lip 580 characteristic of numerous parcel receptacles 500 with which various embodiments are compatible and retaining, respectively, the left and right flap portions 240 and 260 in place over the top edges 532d and 532b of parcel-receptacle side walls 520d and 520b. For illustrative purposes, FIGS. 7 and 8 show the parcel-receptacle liner 200 with the first resilient flap restraint 245 not in use and hanging down into the inside of the parcel receptacle 500, while the second flap restraint 265 is selectively engaged with that portion of the perimeter lip 580 extending along the parcel-receptacle side wall 520b supporting the right flap portion 260. In the embodiment depicted, the flap restraints 245 and 265 are in the form of resilient cords, each of which is attached to one of the left and right flap portions 245 and 265 such that a portion of each flap restraint 245 and 265 emanates from each of the first and second edges 22 and 24 of the liner body as shown in FIG. 6. Each of the cord-like flap restraints 245 and 265 may be endless or have distinct first and second ends (not shown), although, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, for instance, the restraints being endless could cause interference with a gripper introduced through the first and second opening sets 270 and 280.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first and second opening sets 270 and 280 are situated within the flexible body 205 such that, when parcels 350 have been sequentially stacked onto the top surface 216 to a predetermined height Hp, the left and right flap portions 240 and 260 can be drawn inward (e.g. within the side-walls 520a, b, c, and d) and overlapped over the parcels 350 such that at least a portion of the first-set left-side opening 272L aligns with at least a portion of the first-set right-side opening 272R and at least a portion of the second-set left-side opening 282L aligns with at least a portion of the second-set right-side opening 282R. The at-least-partial alignment is such that a portion of one of the left and right hand of a person (not shown) can be introduced through the at least partially aligned openings 272L and 272R of the first opening set 270 and the other of the left and right hand of a person can be introduced through the at least partially aligned openings 282L and 282R of the second opening set 280 in order to facilitate the person's grasping the parcel-receptacle liner 200, with the parcels 350 constrictedly retained therein, and lifting and rotating the parcel-receptacle liner 200 in order to transition the stacked parcels 350 from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation within the parcel-receptacle side walls 520a, b, c and d as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. As shown in FIG. 11, with the parcels 350 at rest on the interior bottom-wall surface 512 on the parcel receptacle 500, the parcel-receptacle liner 200 is lifted out of the parcel receptacle 500 and the parcels 350 are supported in a vertical orientation by at least one parcel-receptacle side wall (e.g., 520c) with the parcels 350 maintained in the same sequence in which they were stacked.

The foregoing is considered to be illustrative of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since modifications and changes to various aspects and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, it is to be understood that the foregoing does not limit the invention as expressed in the appended claims to the exact construction, implementations and versions shown and described.

Claims

1. A parcel receptacle and parcel-receptacle liner kit adapted for receiving and containing sequentially deposited parcels in a horizontal orientation and, once the parcels have accumulated to a predetermined level within the parcel receptacle, collectively transitioning the orientation of the parcels from a horizontal to a vertical orientation, the kit comprising:

a self-supporting parcel receptacle including a bottom wall and opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls depending upwardly from the bottom wall and terminating in top edges; and
a parcel-receptacle liner adapted for removable installation into, and supported by, the parcel receptacle and including a liner body having opposed left and right edges, opposed first and second edges extending between the left and right edges and top and bottom surfaces extending between the left and right edges and the first and second edges, the body further including a parcel-receiving mid-portion, a left side portion to the left of the mid-portion and a right side portion to the right of the mid-portion, each of which portions is movable with respect to the other two portions;
wherein the relative dimensions of the liner body and the parcel receptacle are such that the liner is installable into the parcel receptacle such that (i) the mid-portion of the liner body extends along and at least partially contacts the interior bottom-wall surface of the parcel receptacle; (ii) the left and right side portions extend upwardly along, and are supported by, opposite ones of the first and second parcel-receptacle side walls; and (iii) the distance between the left and right edges is sufficient to permit a portion of each of the left and right side portions of the liner body to extend above the top edge of the parcel-receptacle side wall by which it is supported.

2. The kit of claim 1 wherein the parcel-receptacle liner further comprises:

a base panel having opposed left and right edges, opposed first and second edges extending between the left and right edges and top and bottom surfaces extending between the left and right edges and the first and second edges;
a left side panel including a base edge that is hingedly attached to the left edge of the base panel, a distal edge opposite the base edge, opposed left-side-panel first and second edges extending between the base and distal edges and opposed inner and outer surfaces extending between the base and distal edges and the left-side-panel first and second edges; and
a right side panel including a base edge that is hingedly attached to the right edge of the base panel, a distal edge opposite the base edge, opposed right-side-panel first and second edges extending between the base and distal edges and opposed inner and outer surfaces extending between the base and distal edges and the right-side-panel first and second edges;
wherein at least the left and right side panels are sufficiently rigid and dimensioned such that, when the receptacle liner is installed in the parcel receptacle, each of the left and right side panels extends along one of the opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls and above the top edge thereof such that the distal edge of each of the left and right side panels is at an elevation higher than the top edge of the side wall along which that side panel extends and wherein each of the left and right side panels includes a handle extending along the distal edge of the side panel in a location more proximate that distal edge than the base edge of the side panel.

3. The kit of claim 2 wherein the handle of at least one of the left and right side panels comprises an elongated handle opening in the panel, the elongated handle opening extending along a longitudinal axis that extends along the distal edge of the panel.

4. The kit of claim 3 wherein, when the receptacle liner is installed in the parcel receptacle, at least a portion of the elongated handle opening extends above the top edge of the parcel-receptacle side wall along which the panel including the elongated handle opening extends in order to facilitate to the hand of a user access to the handle opening.

5. The kit of claim 2 wherein the parcel-receptacle liner further comprises at least one receptacle-wall-engaging clasp extending outwardly from the outer surface of at least one of the left and right side panels and being adapted for selective supporting engagement with a parcel-receptacle side wall such that the side panel from which the clasp depends is supported in a substantially upright attitude by the parcel receptacle side wall with which the clasp is in supporting engagement.

6. The kit of claim 5 wherein the at least one clasp is adapted to engage a parcel-receptacle side wall over the top edge of that parcel-receptacle side wall and wherein the clasp is located closer to the base edge of the side panel from which it extends than at least a portion of the handle of the same side panel such that at least a portion of the handle extends above the top edge of the parcel-receptacle side wall along which the panel extends in order to facilitate to the hand of a user access to the handle.

7. A method of using the kit of claim 2 in order to transition from a horizontal to a vertical orientation parcels deposited into the parcel receptacle, the method comprising the steps of:

installing the parcel-receptacle liner into the parcel receptacle such that the base panel extends along the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle and the left and right side panels of the parcel-receptacle liner extend along opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls and above the top edges thereof such that the distal edge of each of the left and right side panels is at an elevation higher than the top edge of the side wall along which that side panel extends;
depositing parcels into the parcel receptacle to form a stack of parcels on the top surface of the base panel of the parcel-receptacle liner;
lifting the parcel-receptacle liner and drawing the side panels toward one another in order to constrictedly retain the stacked parcels between the side panels;
rotating the parcel-receptacle liner about an axis passing through the left and right side panels; and
setting the parcel-receptacle liner down on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle, with the stacked parcels therein, such that the base panel extends along one of the parcel-receptacle side walls.

8. The kit of claim 1 wherein the parcel-receptacle liner further comprises:

a flexible body wherein the parcel-receiving mid-portion is fabricated from flexible material and the left and right side portions are, respectively, left and right side flap portions fabricated from flexible material; and
first and second opening sets, wherein (i) the first opening set includes a first-set left-side opening extending at least partially in the left side flap portion and being more proximate the first edge than the second edge of the flexible body and a first-set right-side opening extending at least partially in the right side flap portion and being more proximate the first edge than the second edge of the flexible body and (ii) the second opening set includes a second-set left-side opening extending at least partially in the left side flap portion and being more proximate the second edge than the first edge of the flexible body and a second-set right-side opening extending at least partially in the right side flap portion and being more proximate the second edge than the first edge of the flexible body;
wherein (i) the relative dimensions of the flexible body and a parcel receptacle for which the parcel-receptacle liner is adapted are such that the length of the flexible body between the left and right edges is sufficient to permit resting engagement of at least a portion of the mid-portion of the flexible body on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle and the draping of a portion of each of the left and right flap portions over a parcel-receptacle side wall for the support of the flap portions by opposed side walls such that the parcel-receptacle liner is in a parcel-receiving attitude for the sequential deposit of parcels onto the top surface, and in the mid-portion, of the body with each parcel in a substantially horizontal orientation and (ii) the first and second opening sets are situated within the body such that, when parcels have been sequentially stacked onto the top surface to a predetermined height, the left and right flap portions can be drawn inward and overlapped over the parcels such that at least a portion of the first-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the first-set right-side opening and at least a portion of the second-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the second-set right-side opening such that a gripper can be introduced through the at least partially aligned openings of each of the first and second opening sets to facilitate grasping of the receptacle liner, with the parcels constrictedly retained therein, and lifting and rotating the receptacle liner in order to transition the stacked parcels from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation within the parcel-receptacle side walls.

9. A method of using the kit of claim 8 in order to transition from a horizontal to a vertical orientation parcels deposited into the parcel receptacle, the method comprising the steps of:

setting the parcel-receptacle liner in a parcel-receiving attitude with the parcel receptacle such that (i) at least a portion of the mid-portion of the flexible body rests on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle and (ii) a portion of each of the left and right flap portions is draped over a parcel-receptacle side wall opposite the parcel-receptacle side wall over which a portion of the other of the left and right flap portions is draped;
stacking parcels onto the top surface and mid-portion of the flexible body of the parcel-receptacle liner to a predetermined level;
drawing the left and right flap portions inward over the stacked parcels such that at least a portion of the first-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the first-set right-side opening and at least a portion of the second-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the second-set right-side opening;
introducing at least a portion of one of a (i) mechanized and (ii) manual gripper through the at least partially aligned openings of each of the first and second opening sets;
constrictedly retaining the stacked parcels with the flexible body;
lifting and rotating the parcel-receptacle liner; and
setting the parcel-receptacle liner down on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle, with the stacked parcels therein, such that the mid-portion extends along one of the parcel-receptacle side walls.

10. A parcel-receptacle liner adapted for removable installation into, and support by, a self-supporting parcel receptacle including a bottom wall and four joined parcel-receptacle side walls, including opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls, depending upwardly from the bottom wall and terminating in top edges in order to form a parcel-capturing enclosure, the parcel-receptacle liner comprising:

a base panel having opposed left and right edges, opposed first and second edges extending between the left and right edges and top and bottom surfaces extending between the left and right edges and the first and second edges;
a left side panel including a base edge that is hingedly attached to the left edge of the base panel, a distal edge opposite the base edge, opposed left-side-panel first and second edges extending between the base and distal edges and opposed inner and outer surfaces extending between the base and distal edges and the left-side-panel first and second edges; and
a right side panel including a base edge that is hingedly attached to the right edge of the base panel, a distal edge opposite the base edge, opposed right-side-panel first and second edges extending between the base and distal edges and opposed inner and outer surfaces extending between the base and distal edges and the right-side-panel first and second edges;
wherein at least the left and right side panels are sufficiently rigid and dimensioned such that, when the receptacle liner is installed in a parcel receptacle exhibiting dimensions to which the receptacle liner is cooperatively adapted, each of the left and right side panels extends along one of the opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls and above the top edge thereof such that the distal edge of each of the left and right side panels is at an elevation higher than the top edge of the side wall along which that side panel extends and wherein each of the left and right side panels includes a handle extending along the distal edge of the side panel in a location more proximate that distal edge than the base edge of the side panel.

11. The parcel-receptacle liner of claim 10 wherein the handle of at least one of the left and right side panels comprises an elongated handle opening in the panel, the elongated handle opening extending along a longitudinal axis that extends along the distal edge of the panel.

12. The parcel-receptacle liner of claim 11 wherein, when the receptacle liner is installed in a parcel receptacle exhibiting dimensions to which the receptacle liner is cooperatively adapted, at least a portion of the elongated handle opening extends above the top edge of the parcel-receptacle side wall along which the panel including the elongated handle opening extends in order to facilitate to the hand of a user access to the handle opening.

13. The parcel-receptacle liner of claim 11 further comprising at least one receptacle-wall-engaging clasp extending outwardly from the outer surface of at least one of the left and right side panels and being adapted for selective supporting engagement with a parcel-receptacle side wall such that the side panel from which the clasp depends is supported in a substantially upright attitude by the parcel receptacle side wall with which the clasp is in supporting engagement.

14. The parcel-receptacle liner of claim 13 wherein the at least one clasp is adapted to engage a parcel-receptacle side wall over the top edge of that parcel-receptacle side wall and wherein the clasp is located closer to the base edge of the side panel from which it extends than at least a portion of the handle of the same side panel such that at least a portion of the handle extends above the top edge of the parcel-receptacle side wall along which the panel extends in order to facilitate to the hand of a user access to the handle.

15. A method of using the parcel-receptacle liner of claim 10 in order to transition from a horizontal to a vertical orientation parcels deposited into a self-supporting parcel receptacle including a bottom wall and four joined parcel-receptacle side walls depending upwardly from the bottom wall and terminating in top edges, the method comprising the steps of:

installing the parcel-receptacle liner into the parcel receptacle such that the base panel extends along the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle and the left and right side panels of the parcel-receptacle liner extend along opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls and above the top edges thereof such that the distal edge of each of the left and right side panels is at an elevation higher than the top edge of the side wall along which that side panel extends;
depositing parcels into the parcel receptacle to form a stack of parcels on the top surface of the base panel of the parcel-receptacle liner;
lifting the parcel-receptacle liner and drawing the side panels toward one another in order to constrictedly retain the stacked parcels between the side panels;
rotating the parcel-receptacle liner about an axis passing through the left and right side panels; and
setting the parcel-receptacle liner down on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle, with the stacked parcels therein, such that the base panel extends along one of the parcel-receptacle side walls.

16. A parcel-receptacle liner adapted for removable installation into, and support by, a self-supporting parcel receptacle including a bottom wall and four joined parcel-receptacle side walls, including opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls, depending upwardly from the bottom wall and terminating in top edges in order to form a parcel-capturing enclosure, the parcel-receptacle liner comprising:

a flexible body that, when opened out upon a planar surface, is substantially rectilinear and includes opposed left and right edges extending along a minor axis, opposed first and second edges extending between the left and right edges along a major axis and top and bottom surfaces extending between the left and right edges and the first and second edges, the body further including a parcel-receiving mid-portion, a left side flap portion to the left of the mid-portion and a right side flap portion to the right of the mid-portion; and
first and second opening sets, wherein (i) the first opening set includes a first-set left-side opening extending at least partially in the left side flap portion and being more proximate the first edge than the second edge of the flexible body and a first-set right-side opening extending at least partially in the right side flap portion and being more proximate the first edge than the second edge of the flexible body and (ii) the second opening set includes a second-set left-side opening extending at least partially in the left side flap portion and being more proximate the second edge than the first edge of the flexible body and a second-set right-side opening extending at least partially in the right side flap portion and being more proximate the second edge than the first edge of the flexible body,
wherein (i) the relative dimensions of the flexible body and a parcel receptacle for which the parcel-receptacle liner is adapted are such that the length of the flexible body between the left and right edges is sufficient to permit resting engagement of at least a portion of the mid-portion of the flexible body on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle and the draping of a portion of each of the left and right flap portions over a parcel-receptacle side wall for the support of the flap portions by opposed side walls such that the parcel-receptacle liner is in a parcel-receiving attitude for the sequential deposit of parcels onto the top surface, and in the mid-portion, of the body with each parcel in a substantially horizontal orientation and (ii) the first and second opening sets are situated within the body such that, when parcels have been sequentially stacked onto the top surface to a predetermined height, the left and right flap portions can be drawn inward and overlapped over the parcels such that at least a portion of the first-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the first-set right-side opening and at least a portion of the second-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the second-set right-side opening such that a portion of one of the left and right hand of a person can be introduced through the at least partially aligned openings of the first opening set and the other of the left and right hand of a person can be introduced through the at least partially aligned openings of the second opening set to facilitate the person's grasping the receptacle liner, with the parcels constrictedly retained therein, and lifting and rotating the receptacle liner in order to transition the stacked parcels from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation within the parcel-receptacle side walls.

17. A method of using the parcel-receptacle liner of claim 16 in order to transition from a horizontal to a vertical orientation parcels deposited into a self-supporting parcel receptacle including a bottom wall and four joined parcel-receptacle side walls depending upwardly from the bottom wall and terminating in top edges, the method comprising the steps of:

setting the parcel-receptacle liner in a parcel-receiving attitude with the parcel receptacle such that (i) at least a portion of the mid-portion of the flexible body rests on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle and (ii) a portion of each of the left and right flap portions is draped over a parcel-receptacle side wall opposite the parcel-receptacle side wall over which a portion of the other of the left and right flap portions is draped;
stacking parcels onto the top surface and mid-portion of the flexible body of the parcel-receptacle liner to a predetermined height;
drawing the left and right flap portions inward and overlapping them over the stacked parcels such that at least a portion of the first-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the first-set right-side opening and at least a portion of the second-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the second-set right-side opening;
introducing at least a portion of one of a (i) mechanized and (ii) manual gripper through the at least partially aligned openings of each of the first and second opening sets;
constrictedly retaining the stacked parcels with the flexible body;
lifting and rotating the parcel-receptacle liner; and
setting the parcel-receptacle liner down on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle, with the stacked parcels therein, such that the mid-portion extends along one of the parcel-receptacle side walls.
Patent History
Publication number: 20060157486
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 14, 2005
Publication Date: Jul 20, 2006
Applicant:
Inventors: Thomas Arnold (Owego, NY), David Benninger (Vestal, NY), Michael Caporali (Endicott, NY), Reed Durand (Owego, NY)
Application Number: 11/304,506
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: 220/23.870
International Classification: B65D 21/02 (20060101);