Center Wall Patents (Class 206/180)
  • Patent number: 11919689
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier (90) for packaging a plurality of articles and to a blank (10) for forming the article carrier. The article carrier comprises a plurality of primary panels (12,14,16,18) for forming a tubular structure and defining an interior thereof. The plurality of primary panels includes a first panel (12) and a second panel (14) opposing the first panel. The article carrier further comprises a partition structure for dividing the interior into two or more article-receiving cells. The carrier is formed form a blank comprising a partition-forming section (PS) which comprises a primary partition panel (22,24) and a secondary partition panel(40,44,36,46) formed from the primary partition panel and hingedly connected at one of the opposing ends thereof to the primary partition panel. The upper edge (E1) of the secondary partition panel is defined at least in part by a cutaway (R1) extending from a free end edge (E3) of the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory P. Hayter, Matthew E. Zacherle, Andrew T. Peeler, Calvin L. Peterson, Brian D. Souza
  • Patent number: 9650192
    Abstract: A method of constructing a carrier for bottles (such as two or four craft beer bottles), wherein the layout fits through a digital printer, is disclosed. A flat of beverage board is printed upon (on one side or both, though all exterior surfaces are derived from one side of the board) with individualized and/or short-run graphics. The flat is die-cut and folded into a square or rectangle closed by a tab that is glued on the back of one of side panels, and bottom flaps are folded and glued into place. A riser extends up from each of a pair of opposite sides to support a handle flap, and the handle flaps are glued together across the top of the rectangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Zoxxbox, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Schindler
  • Patent number: 8511463
    Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers. The carrier comprises a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carrier. The panels comprise at least one bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and at least two end panels. The carrier comprises at least one divider flap comprising a longitudinal segment foldably connected to at least the first side wall or the second side wall, at least one transverse segment foldably connected to the first longitudinal segment, and at least one end segment foldably connected to the at least one transverse segment. A central divider wall divides the interior of the carrier into a front portion and a rear portion. The central divider wall comprises at least the at least one end segment of the at least one divider flap. A handle is attached to the central divider wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kirsten L. Brand
  • Patent number: 8365917
    Abstract: A carrier tray (1) for beverage cups, bottles, and consumables or edible products is disclosed which is able to be folded from a blank (11). The tray has a base (2, 3) an upper deck (5), side walls (12, 13), a handle (15) and container receiving apertures (6-9). The blank is able to be fabricated from a single sheet of cardboard without gluing and folded to form the carrier tray. Braces (32, 33) which fold out from the handle strengthen the tray. Unbalanced loads are able to be supported by the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Adam Olesen
  • Patent number: 7779997
    Abstract: The carrier has a central vertical support panel structure, and a pair of foldable receptacles extending outwardly from opposite sides of the vertical support structure. The receptacles have automatically-opening bottom walls with symmetrical bottom panels which overlap to even-out the strength of the bottom walls and minimize areas of reduced strength. At least two opposed bottom panels are shaped to interlock with one another to hold the carrier open once it has been unfolded. Elongated, connected reinforcing flanges strengthen the carrier in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: SJV Food & Beverage Carriers, Inc.
    Inventor: Angelo V. Cuomo
  • Patent number: 7753196
    Abstract: A foldable carrier for beverages and other objects has a pair of folding receptacles extending outwardly from a central vertical support panel structure. Horizontal slits are formed in the side walls across two or four corners of the carrier, and the resulting horizontal strips of material are bent inwardly to form dividers for separating objects from one another in the receptacles. If the slits are positioned just below the upper edges of the side walls, bending the strips inwardly effectively forms compartments of reduced height to facilitate the accommodation of objects of varying height, and/or displaying additional areas of the beverage containers and their labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: SJV Food & Beverage Carriers, Inc.
    Inventor: Angelo V. Cuomo
  • Patent number: 7735640
    Abstract: A carrier is formed of foldable sheet material, the carrier being usable with a container. The container has a top, a bottom and sides, the top having a handle, and at least one of the sides having a mouth for emptying contents from the container. The carrier includes a bottom, side panels adjoined and connected to the bottom, and a handle panel formed with at least one of the side panels. The handle panel includes a first aperture for fitting over the handle on the top of the container such that at least a portion of one of the side panels of the carrier rests against a side of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: LBP Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Cook, Barry L. Silverstein, Kurt M. Wolf, James A. Hubbard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7699164
    Abstract: The carrier has a vertical support structure, a pair of foldable receptacles extending from opposite sides of said vertical support structure. The receptacles have automatically unfolding bottom walls. Each receptacle has at least one divider member extending upwardly and laterally from the upper edge of one side-wall of each receptacle to a reinforcing panel secured to said vertical support structure. The dividers and reinforcing panels are formed in a foldable blank from a single sheet of material and need no gluing to secure them to the carrier structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: SJV Food & Beverage Carriers, Inc.
    Inventor: Angelo V. Cuomo
  • Patent number: 7690502
    Abstract: The carrier has a central vertical support panel structure with two foldable receptacles extending outwardly from the vertical support panel structure. The outside wall of each receptacle is extended upwardly and bent over to cover the receptacle, and the top portions of those walls are joined together to form a carrying handle structure, either with or without the upper portion of the vertical support panel structure. The potions of the outside walls forming the covers can have openings to receive the necks of bottles such as wine and beer bottles to give added lateral support for the bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: SJV Food & Beverage Carriers, Inc.
    Inventor: Angelo V. Cuomo
  • Patent number: 7681723
    Abstract: The carrier has a folded-panel central vertical support structure with a handle and a pair of trays or receptacles attached to the central support structure, and an optional auxiliary tray with a slotted bottom which can be fitted onto the central support panel. A folded side-wall structure can be unfolded to start the formation of the trays, and a plurality of folded flanges unfold to form a bottom for each receptacle. Dividers separate each receptacle into the three compartments to hold six beverage or other containers in the trays or receptacles. The carriers can be made from a single sheet and advertising printed entirely on one side to facilitate efficient fabrication at a moderate cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: SJV Food & Beverage Carriers, Inc.
    Inventor: Angelo V. Cuomo
  • Patent number: 7677387
    Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers. The carrier has panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carrier. The panels comprise at least one bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and at least two side panels. A divider flap is foldably attached to the back panel and the front panel. The side panels, the back panel, the divider flap, and the front panel are arranged to at least partially define at least two container-receiving spaces of the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirsten Laura Brand, Colin P. Ford
  • Publication number: 20080272014
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a basket carrier for carrying at least one bottle or the like, comprising a central partition wall comprising a first and a second partition wall part which are connected to each other; a first bottom wall part which is connected to the first partition wall part along a first bottom folding line positioned on a side of the first partition wall part opposite the top edge and folded along the first bottom folding line in such a way that the first bottom wall part protrudes from the first partition wall part; a first end wall which is folded with respect to the first bottom wall part in upward direction towards the top edge along a third bottom folding line; a second bottom wall part connected to the second partition wall part along a second bottom folding line folded along the second bottom folding line in such a way that the second bottom wall part protrudes from the second partition wall part; a second end wall which is folded with respect to the second bottom wall part in upw
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: VAN GENECHTEN BIERMANS
    Inventor: Serge Taets
  • Patent number: 7267224
    Abstract: The carrier has a folded-panel central vertical support structure with a handle and a pair of trays or receptacles attached to the central support structure, and an optional auxiliary tray with a slotted bottom which can be fitted onto the central support panel. A folded side-wall structure can be unfolded to start the formation of the trays, and a plurality of folded flanges unfold to form a bottom for each receptacle. Dividers separate each receptacle into the three compartments to hold six beverage or other containers in the trays or receptacles. The carriers can be made from a single sheet and advertising printed entirely on one side to facilitate efficient fabrication at a moderate cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: E Z Media, Inc.
    Inventor: Angelo V. Cuomo
  • Patent number: 7070045
    Abstract: There is provided a basket style bottle carrier having a lengthwise central wall 30, 31 and receiving compartments for bottles 12 on each side of the central wall. A handle portion 14, which is separate from the central wall 30, 31, is connected to the remainder of the carrier device by interconnecting webs 17 extending from the side walls 23 of the compartments. The handle 14 is movable relative to the central wall 30, 31 between raised and lowered positions. In some arrangements the handle portion 14 has a downwardly extending portion 21 with hook formations 22 for engaging in notches 38 to retain the handle 14 in its lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Marcus Theelen
  • Patent number: 6948615
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for applying adhesive to packaging in a variety of configurations. The adhesive may be applied by a nozzle in a first direction, a second direction and a stationary spot, wherein the first direction and the second direction are transverse to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Kenneth E. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20030111363
    Abstract: There is provided a basket style bottle carrier having a lengthwise central wall 30, 31 and receiving compartments for bottles 12 on each side of the central wall. A handle portion 14, which is separate from the central wall 30, 31, is connected to the remainder of the carrier device by interconnecting webs 17 extending from the side walls 23 of the compartments. The handle 14 is movable relative to the central wall 30, 31 between raised and lowered positions. In some arrangements the handle portion 14 has a downwardly extending portion 21 with hook formations 22 for engaging in notches 38 to retain the handle 14 in its lowered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: Marcus Theelen
  • Publication number: 20020117407
    Abstract: A basket-style carrier is formed from a single blank and includes parallel first and second side walls, parallel first and second end walls, and a composite handle structure arranged between the first and second side walls. The handle structure has first and second handle panels secured together in a juxtaposed relationship. A first securing member is hingedly connected to the first handle panel and glued to the inside surface of the first end wall to create a joint between the handle structure and the first end wall. A first joint-reinforcing member is hingedly connected to the second handle panel and glued to the inside surface of said first end wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: John M. Holley
  • Publication number: 20020079237
    Abstract: An article carrier and a blank for forming an article carrier of the basket type comprising in sequence a first end panel, a first side panel, a second end panel, a second side panel and a third end panel foldably connected together one to next. A base panel is hinged to respective one of the side panels and a handle structure comprising first and second handle panels is foldably connected to the second end panel. The first handle panel is foldably connected to the first end panel and the second hand panel is foldably connected to the third end panel. The first and second handle panels are adjacent to the first and second side panels respectively and are separated therefrom. The first and second handle panels are so constructed and arranged to be placed in face contacting relationship to form a two ply handle when the carrier is set up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Martinus C. M. Bakx
  • Patent number: 6371287
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a basket carrier that provides full protection for the bottles being carried, and which can be glued on a straight-line gluer. The provision of nicks (i.e., temporary bridges) between the handle panels and the side walls serves to keep the handle panels in proper alignment during the folding and gluing operation on the gluer. These nicks are easily broken when the carrier is opened to receive bottles in the bottling plant. The present invention also utilizes nicks between the partition panel and the handle ply to hold them in contact but yet prevent bunching of paperboard during the folding and gluing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventors: Marty Jones, Robert L. Sutherland, Jean-Manuel Gomez
  • Patent number: 6230881
    Abstract: A bottle carrier is foldable from two blanks, and is relatively strong, inexpensive to manufacture, aesthetic in appearance, and easy to assemble. The carrier has several advantages: it provides a reduction in paper board costs, improves manufacturing costs, retains the “basket” features demanded by the marketing needs of the beverage industry, and improves packaging line production at the beverage manufacturing location. The carrier is made by joining two blanks, one of which is a component referred to as a shell. The shell provides all “basket” printed surfaces and a handle visible to the consumer on the display shelf. The second component provides the internal longitudinal and transverse product separation, handle reinforcement, and bottom closure flaps. This component is referred to as a partition assembly. The shell and the partition assembly are formed as die cut components, which are then accurately joined by adhesive applied to designated locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Peter C. Collura
  • Patent number: 6189687
    Abstract: The present invention and its preferred embodiments relate to an article carrier which is shaped to provide satisfactory strength to hold the bottles securely but with a degree of flexibility so that the load transferred to the handle is absorbed by a carrier. The shape of the blank minimises the amount of paperboard required. The carrier can be applied to an array of bottles by hand or automatic machinery. It is anticipated that the invention can be applied to a variety of carrier and not limited to those of the basket carrier type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: Martinus C. M. Bakx
  • Patent number: 6168013
    Abstract: A carrier blank (40) for making a basket-style carrier (10) for containing and carrying a plurality of articles, with the carrier blank (40) including an elongate central section (41) and first and second exterior sections (42, 43) formed alongside the elongate central section. The elongate central section has formed therein side panels (21, 22) and end panels (18, 19). The first exterior section has formed therein a plurality of handle panels (26) and partitions (38, 39). The second exterior section has formed therein first and second bottom panels (31, 32). The bottom panels (31, 32) are sized, shaped, and spaced to be nestably received in spaces adjacent bottom panels of an adjacent carrier blank. With the exception of the bottom panels (which can be nestably received with adjacent bottom panels of an adjacent carrier blank), the remainder of the carrier blank comprises a substantially rectangular shape to minimize waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Jean-Manuel Gomes
  • Patent number: 6131729
    Abstract: A container carrier with a box-shaped carrier container of a first foldable flat material, with a floor wall, lateral walls and end walls; with a middle wall parallel to the lateral walls, of a further foldable flat material with transverse flaps which can be folded out, for forming compartments for the containers. The first foldable flat material is a reinforced cardboard and the second foldable flat material is a recycling cardboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: FCP Europa Carton Faltshachtel GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Eckermann, Hilger Scheelcke, Bernhard Skolik
  • Patent number: 6089638
    Abstract: A handled foldable paperboard carrier is disclosed that includes peripheral walls defining an upwardly opening basket and a closed bottom joined to and extending between the walls. Stabilizers cooperate with the bottom to form a support base for the carrier, which stabilizers extend laterally outward from the walls and have base edges substantially coplanar with the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Dopaco, Inc.
    Inventor: Simon Whitnell
  • Patent number: 5879041
    Abstract: A basket-style carrier for packaging bottles or other articles on opposite sides of a center handle panel. The carrier is formed from an elongated blank including a partial end panel section at one end and a handle panel section at the other end. A handle reinforcement flap is foldably connected to the upper edge of the handle panel. The reinforcement flap of one blank abuts the lower edge of the handle panel section of an adjacent blank in a web layout, allowing the blanks in the layout to be nested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 5791462
    Abstract: A carton blank formed utilizing a pattern layout with adjacent blanks nesting with each other to minimize the material required and reduce waste between adjacent blanks. The formed carton is a modular carrier with a central hand grip opening and a peripheral wall with a pair of reduced height corner portions, and is adapted to lock to a laterally adjacent duplicate carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Dopaco, Inc.
    Inventor: Simon Whitnell
  • Patent number: 5680930
    Abstract: A two-piece, crash-bottom basket carrier includes a bottom wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a pair of opposing end walls, a longitudinal partition, and one or more transverse partitions. The side walls and the end walls extend upward from the bottom wall, and the end walls bridge the opposing side walls. The bottom wall, the side walls, and the end walls are all formed from a first unitary paperboard blank. The longitudinal partition extends between the opposing end walls and is located approximately midway between the opposing side walls. The longitudinal partition is generally perpendicular to the bottom wall and the end walls and is generally parallel to the side walls. A handle is formed along an upper central handle section of the longitudinal partition to permit carrying of the basket carrier. Each of the transverse partitions extends between the longitudinal partition and one of the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventor: James L. Stone
  • Patent number: 5590762
    Abstract: A basket-style carrier with means for maintaining the carrier open during loading. The carrier includes tabs foldably connected to the end panel sections at one end of the carrier. When the tabs are folded in at substantially right angles to the end panel sections, they engage a vertical support member to prevent the carrier from closing. When the articles being loaded reach the tabs, they fold the tabs up against the inside face of the end panel sections. The articles themselves maintain the carriers open at that point and the tabs are no longer needed for that purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Glenn R. Harrelson
  • Patent number: 5579904
    Abstract: A carrier for a plurality of objects arranged in at least two rows includes a reinforced handle and is formed from first and second side walls, first and second end walls interconnecting the side walls, and a medial panel extending between and connected to the first and second end walls, the medial panel being disposed between the first and second side walls. A primary bottom wall is connected and extends between lower portions of the first and second side walls. The handle includes a handle opening defined in the medial panel, first and second outer handle panels foldably connected at a first end edge thereof to a side edge of the medial panel and extending across the medial panel, and first and second handle reinforcing panels foldably connected at a first end edge thereof to second end edges of the first and second outer handle panels, respectively, and extending across the medial panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Holley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5531319
    Abstract: A basket-style carrier for packaging four bottles or other articles in two adjacent rows. A partition panel connected to opposite side panels is formed from a cutout in the body of a central handle panel. The layout, glue pattern and partition panel formation permits the carrier to be rapidly formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Glen R. Harrelson
  • Patent number: 5484053
    Abstract: A carrier with both a bottom panel and an upper panel containing openings through which the necks of packaged bottles extend. The upper panel is comprised of adjacent sections foldably connected to a central handle panel and to an intermediate panel. The latter panel also contains bottle openings and is foldably connected to a central vertical support panel. The arrangement permits loading by placing bottles on the bottom panel and pushing down on the handle panel, which causes the upper panel sections to pivot down over the bottles. Support tabs may surround the bottle openings in the upper panel to engage shoulders on the bottle necks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Randall L. Harris
  • Patent number: 5221001
    Abstract: A two pack carrier adapted for coupling to a duplicate carrier and including a lower basket and an upper handle integral therewith. The handle includes a latch lug thereon in the plane of one side of the carrier immediately adjacent a transverse wall of the handle. The transverse wall of the handle, adjacent the lug, includes a lug-receiving aperture and a lug-locking flap, the aperture receiving the lug of an adjacent carrier which is in turn locked within the aperture by the locking flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Dopaco, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Eisman
  • Patent number: 5161732
    Abstract: A paperboard carton having an improved locking bottom. The disclosed carton has a collapsed position and an expanded position. In its expanded position, it has a square flat bottom which includes four flaps. A first pair of floor flaps, foldably attached along the bottom edges of opposite sidewalls have tabs which interlock when the carton is in the expanded position. The second pair of floor flaps, foldably attached along the bottom edges of the remaining opposite sidewalls, are relatively large and overlie the first pair of flaps and overlap each other when the carton is in the expanded position. Each of the first pair of floor flaps is divided into two sections by a foldline when extends from a corner of the expanded carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Accurate Rolal Co. Limited
    Inventors: Allen W. Clein, Warren J. Clein, Bruce D. Clein
  • Patent number: 5069335
    Abstract: A paperboard article carrier suitable for modular construction. The complete carrier is adapted to carry four cans or bottles (a four pack) and is formed by assembling two identical two pack article carriers. The two pack article carriers are each formed of a single blank of paperboard which is folded and glued. Each two pack carrier includes a lower basket like portion and an upper, centrally positioned, handle fashioned from two layers of paperboard. One portion of each handle contains a pair of projecting friction latch tabs. The lower or basket portion of each two pack carrier is provided with a latching tongue and a latching recess, the tongue and recess of each being positioned at opposite ends of the basket. Each carrier may be separately employed as a two pack carrier. If desired, the carriers may be assembled to form a four pack carrier by placing the latching tongues into respective latching slots and by securing the friction latching tabs of the handle portions together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Jonathan T. Beales
  • Patent number: 5052552
    Abstract: A carton structure erectable by folding from a substantially flat blank includes two side panels, a bottom panel, two top panels, a center divider panel and two end panels, each extending from the bottom panel. Each end panel has slot means for engaging the center divider panel when the carton is erected. The carton structure further includes four reinforcing areas, each having a first edge connected by a first fold line to an end panel and a second edge connected by a second fold line to one of the side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: James River-Norwalk, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond V. Maroszek
  • Patent number: 5031760
    Abstract: A basket style article carrier having bottom, side and end walls together with telescoping medial and handle panels forming a medial longitudinal strut is provided with transverse partition panels interconnected between the medial longitudinal strut and the side walls, the transverse partition panels being spaced so as to form end cells of the same size and form a center cell of a different size on one side of the medial strut and which on the opposite side of the medial strut transverse partition spacer straps are interconnected between the medial panels and the adjacent side wall so as to provide an article receiving cell which is of substantially the same configuration and size as the end cells at each corner of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: James T. Stout
  • Patent number: 4972944
    Abstract: A multi-celled article carrier suitable for conveying articles such as cans and bottles, and a method for manufacturing the article carrier are disclosed. The article carrier preferably comprises four cells defined by a bottom wall, two side panels and two end walls. The article carrier is divided into cells by the combination of a medial partition extending from end wall to end wall and by a transverse partition extending from side panel to side panel to form four distinct cells. The medial partition further comprises an integral perforated handle consisting of two handle portions which cause the article carrier to become erected when united to form the perforated handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: United Packaging Company
    Inventor: Michael R. McNeill
  • Patent number: 4927009
    Abstract: The article carrier for bottles and the like includes a bottom wall, opposed side walls joined to the bottom wall along opposite side edges thereof, and end wall panels joined respectively to the end edges of the side walls and extending inwardly of the carrier. A first pair of riser panels is foldably joined respectively to the end wall panels at one end of the carrier, is foldably joined to each other along a riser fold line, and extends medially inward of the carrier. A second pair of riser panels is foldably joined respectively to the opposite end wall panels and extends medially inward of the carrier. A pair of handle panels is foldably joined respectively to the first pair of riser panels and is foldably joined to each other along a handle fold line. The first pair of riser panels is provided with a plurality of elongated openings which lie with their axes of elongation along the riser fold line so as to extend into each of the first pair of riser panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: James T. Stout
  • Patent number: 4798285
    Abstract: A basket-type carrier in which the cells are longer than they are wide in order to receive articles which are elongated in transverse cross section. The blank for forming the carrier contains spaced centrally located support panel sections which are foldably connected to riser panel sections and to the ends of partition straps. The folds connecting the center support panel sections to the partition straps are located between the folds connecting the side panels to the end panel sections and the folds connecting the end panel sections to the riser panel sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: Manville Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Hernandez
  • Patent number: 4792038
    Abstract: A basket-type carrier in which the cells are longer than they are wide in order to receive articles which are elongated in transverse cross section. The blank for forming the carrier contains spaced centrally located support panel sections which are foldably connected to riser panel sections and to the ends of partition straps. The folds connecting the center support panel sections to the partition straps are located between the folds connecting the side panels to the end panel sections and the folds connecting the end panel sections to the riser panel sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Manville Corporation
    Inventor: Leonard M. Cooper
  • Patent number: 4770294
    Abstract: A two-piece beverage carrier is disclosed comprising a one-piece folded longitudinal partition insert which is adhesively secured to the end panels and to the bottom panel of a separate paperboard shell. The shell may be constructed as a wrap-around carrier or it may be constructed in the form of a basket style. The insert for either type of shell has formed thereon a plurality of transverse butterfly partition panels which also have formed thereon glue tabs for adhesively securing the butterfly partitions to the side panels of the paperboard shell. The insert utilizes a low caliber, single thickness of paperboard in formation of the production blank and by the structure and outline of the butterfly partition panels, heavier thickness is obtained between cells of the erected carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Manville Service Corporation
    Inventor: Earl J. Graser
  • Patent number: 4610349
    Abstract: A four-pack bottle carrier requiring minimal gluing and materials, which can be readily glued up with existing machinery, which will lie flat after gluing and prior to erection, and which can be folded flat again after use. The carrier which is formed from a single piece of paperboard includes four side panels (12, 14, 16, 18) of substantially equal width, a side glue flap (26), and two pairs of opposed bottom panels (66, 68 and 80, 82). The upper portion of the side panels are provided with suitable die cuts (34, 36, 38, 40, 42) and cutouts (56, 62, 64) which facilitate the forming of the bottle dividers (94, 96) and a combined handle and bottle dividers when the bottle carrier is glued up and erected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: Wagner Folding Box Corp.
    Inventors: Arthur Schwartz, Paul O. Scott
  • Patent number: 4469222
    Abstract: A two-piece beverage carrier is disclosed comprising a one-piece folded longitudinal partition insert which is adhesively secured to the end panels and to the bottom panel of a separate paperboard shell. The shell may be constructed as a wrap-around carrier or it may be constructed in the form of a basket style. The insert for either type of shell has formed thereon a plurality of transverse butterfly partition panels which also have formed thereon glue tabs for adhesively securing the butterfly partitions to the side panels of the paperboard shell. The insert utilizes a low caliber, single thickness of paperboard information of the production blank and by the structure and outline of the butterfly partition panels, heavier thickness is obtained between cells of the erected carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Manville Service Corporation
    Inventor: Earl J. Graser
  • Patent number: 4403690
    Abstract: A slide-up handle useful for example in beer boxes is formed from a partition panel and a handle panel. A first handle member is cut from the partition and a second handle forms a portion of the handle panel and the two handles are foldably interconnected at their top edge by a fold line connection. The first handle is provided with a pair of lateral abutments. A pair of straps are positioned one on each side of the second handle and have one end of each strap foldably connected to the handle panel and the opposite end foldably connected to the partition panel by means of fold lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1983
    Inventor: David Fischer
  • Patent number: 4382505
    Abstract: A wrap around carrier package for returnable beverage bottles is disclosed which is formed by wrapping about an assembly of the bottles which are arranged in double row and transversely paired relation, a cut and scored blank of foldable sheet material, so as to form a tubular configuration, having bottle retention means, and securing the end panels of the blank by interengaging locking and latching elements thereon with cooperating elements on the bottom margin of a center partition forming member which is disposed between the rows of bottles and which has a handle portion at its top margin, the handle portion being rendered accessible by tearing out a substantial portion of the top wall panel of the package so as to release the bottles for removal through the resulting top opening and permit return of the empty bottles, thereby converting the carrier to an open-top basket style carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1983
    Assignee: Federal Paper Board Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Sutherland, George S. Holmes
  • Patent number: 4319682
    Abstract: A compliance carrier of the basket type having a row of cells on each side of the center handle panel. Each row's cell divider panel section and cell compliance panel section are positioned and structured within the carrier blank so that the cell divider panel and cell compliance panels are glued together along a fold line oriented in the cross machine direction relative to the machine direction travel of the blank through a carton gluing machine, that fold line being a leading edge on the panel section not folded. Further, each row's cell divider panel section and cell compliance panel section are oriented and structured so that no glue tabs or panels within either section needs to be folded prior to gluing of the cell divider panels and cell compliance panels one to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: The C. W. Zumbiel Company
    Inventors: William H. Wright, John M. Kruse
  • Patent number: 4318470
    Abstract: A carton with a plurality of cells and a handle and a blank for forming same have a collapsible arrangement for automatically forming a bottom, partitions and a handle. This arrangement includes bottom panels hingedly coupled to the bottom edges of the wall panels, divider panels separated into first and second sections hingedly coupled to two of the bottom panels at edges thereof remote from the wall panels, and a handle structure coupled to the divider panels at edges thereof remote from the bottom panels. This permits the carton to be shipped and stored in an essentially flat, collapsed configuration and then easily arranged to its assembled, expanded configuration by the application of inwardly directed forces against the side edges of the collapsed carton. These forces cause the bottom panels, divider panels and handle structure to move automatically with the movement of the side wall panels of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: Champion International Corporation
    Inventor: James Montealegre
  • Patent number: 4084688
    Abstract: A carrier made from a one-piece blank comprising when erected a pair of cells with each cell including an end wall. A pair of opposed side walls and a dividing wall opposed to said end wall including handle means therein. Each dividing wall is adjacent and coextensive with a respective dividing wall of the other cell. The bottom walls of each cell are formed by a continuous panel extending from the respective end walls of each cell and a rectangular flap is connected to the bottom edge of at least one side wall in each cell to substantially overlay the bottom wall portion of the cell thereby reinforcing the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1978
    Assignee: Continental Can Company of Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert G. Hughes