With Additional Receptacle Separator Patents (Class 206/196)
  • Patent number: 11926458
    Abstract: A carrier for a plurality of containers includes an upper web having a plurality of upper web apertures, each for receiving a chime and a neck of one of the containers therethrough. Each upper web aperture has a plurality of tabs formed at an inside edge thereof. Each tab is configured for bending upward when contacting the chime of one of the containers. A lower web has a plurality of lower web apertures, each for receiving a body of one of the containers therethrough. A side web connects the upper web with the lower web, and may be formed together with the upper web and the lower web as a single piece, or into two separate portions that may be adhered or otherwise fastened together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: FISHBONE PACKAGING INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Alan L'Heureux, Keith James Elliott, Wayne Gebhardt
  • Patent number: 11820569
    Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels including a top panel foldably connected to at least one attachment panel, and attachment features for attaching the carrier to the plurality of containers and for selectively separating one or more containers from the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventor: Ana Maria Gonzalez Manzano
  • Patent number: 11305924
    Abstract: A carrier for holding at least one article includes a plurality of panels and a handle. The plurality of panels extends at least partially around an interior of the carrier, and the plurality of panels includes a top panel, a bottom panel, and at least one side panel. The handle includes at least one handle feature in the top panel. The at least one handle feature includes a plurality of foldably connected handle sections that includes a first outer section and a second outer section each foldably connected to a central section and such that the at least one handle feature is positionable between a first, substantially flat configuration and a second, substantially recessed configuration wherein the handle is activated for carrying the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Graphie Packaging International, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Smalley
  • Patent number: 10633159
    Abstract: A flat cardboard blank forms tubular envelope type packaging for a pack of jars. The blank extends substantially along a plane formed by a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, where the plane further defines a packaging axis substantially perpendicular to the plane. The blank includes: tubular-blank panels including at least one top panel, two lateral panels, a base panel, a unit for securely attaching for closing the expanded blank on itself; cut lines, slot lines and score lines between the tubular-blank panels for folding the tubular-blank panels, expanding the blank and shaping the packaging of the pack; and a spacing/bracing part connected to the tubular-blank panels by cut lines, detachable from the tubular-blank panels when the packaging of the pack is shaped for being arranged and expanded into the bracing spacer and forming bracing walls of the braced jars on the lateral walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: SYNERLINK
    Inventor: Fabien Jego
  • Patent number: 8424677
    Abstract: A carton for carrying a plurality of articles that includes a top panel and at least one side panel foldably connected to the top panel. The least one side panel has a first retention feature for retaining a first portion of at least one of the plurality of articles, and a second retention feature for retaining a second portion of the at least one of the plurality of articles. The first retention feature comprises at least two first openings and the second retention feature is spaced apart from the first retention feature. The second retention feature comprises at least two second openings respectively aligned with a respective one of the at least two first openings, and at least two retention flaps foldably connected at a respective fold line. The at least two retention flaps are positioned between the at least two second openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond R. Spivey, Sr., Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 7850004
    Abstract: A disposable food and beverage container carrier is disclosed. The container has a lower carrier tray and an upper carrier tray that mate with each other. In another embodiment the two trays can be aligned in the same plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Paper Board Food Service Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Picciolo
  • Patent number: 7500557
    Abstract: A disposable food and beverage container carrier is disclosed. The container has a lower carrier tray and an upper carrier tray that mate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Break-A-Way Tray Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Picciolo
  • Patent number: 7134547
    Abstract: An article carrier of the basket type adapted to accommodate a plurality of articles, such as bottles, comprises a base, opposed side and end walls, and a medial partition structure. The bottles are received on both the sides of the medial partition structure. A securing flap is hinged to the medial partition structure and is secured to one end wall to create a joint between said medial partition structure and that end wall. The medial partition structure includes first and second medial panels hinged together along a first fold line. The first fold line is disposed inwardly of the carrier from the one end wall relative to a second fold line by which the securing flap is hinged to one of the first and second medial panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Patent number: 6571533
    Abstract: A bottle handling device for assisting in inserting a number of similar sized bottles into a secondary container, such as a partitionless beer carton. The device comprises a frame which, when inserted into the empty carton, provides a number of similar sized cells or compartments equal to the number of bottles which would completely fill the carton. The frame is maintained by support means above the shoulders of the bottles when located in the carton. Each bottle is inserted into, and its main body passes through, the frame until the bottle sits on the carton floor, the walls of each cell preventing a bottle in that cell from toppling over and hindering the insertion of further bottles and completion of filling of the carton. Upon completion and filling of the carton, the device is readily removed for reuse and the bottles are maintained in their upright condition by contacting adjacent bottles and the carton walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Labatt Brewing Company Limited
    Inventors: Bradley John Mahood, Edward Stanley James Miziolek, Robert G. Dickie, Bernard Beasley
  • Patent number: 6571941
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Holley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6109438
    Abstract: A wrap-around article carrier, comprising a bottom panel having opposing side edges and further having opposing end edges, a first side panel and an opposing second side panel, and a top panel having opposing side edges. Each one of the side panels has a top edge and an opposing bottom edge that is connected to one of the side edges of the bottom panel. The side edges of the top panel are connected to one of the top edges of the side panels. The carrier further has a first end panel and an opposing second end panel. Each of the end panels has a bottom edge that is connected to one of the end edges of the bottom panel. The carrier further has an article holder connected to the top panel. The article holder contacts and secures the top of articles contained within the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 6021897
    Abstract: A wrap-around article carrier, comprising a bottom panel having opposing side edges and further having opposing end edges, a first side panel and an opposing second side panel, and a top panel having opposing side edges. Each one of the side panels has a top edge and an opposing bottom edge that is connected to one of the side edges of the bottom panel. The side edges of the top panel are connected to one of the top edges of the side panels. The carrier further has a first end panel and an opposing second end panel. Each of the end panels has a bottom edge that is connected to one of the end edges of the bottom panel. The carrier further has an article holder connected to the top panel. The article holder contacts and secures the top of articles contained within the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 6021899
    Abstract: A wrap-around article carrier, comprising a bottom panel having opposing side edges and further having opposing end edges, a first side panel and an opposing second side panel, and a top panel having opposing side edges. Each one of the side panels has a top edge and an opposing bottom edge that is connected to one of the side edges of the bottom panel. The side edges of the top panel are connected to one of the top edges of the side panels. The carrier further has a first end panel and an opposing second end panel. Each of the end panels has a bottom edge that is connected to one of the end edges of the bottom panel. The carrier further has an article holder connected to the top panel. The article holder contacts and secures the top of articles contained within the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 6019220
    Abstract: A wrap-around article carrier, comprising a bottom panel having opposing side edges and further having opposing end edges, a first side panel and an opposing second side panel, and a top panel having opposing side edges. Each one of the side panels has a top edge and an opposing bottom edge that is connected to one of the side edges of the bottom panel. The side edges of the top panel are connected to one of the top edges of the side panels. The carrier further has a first end panel and an opposing second end panel. Each of the end panels has a bottom edge that is connected to one of the end edges of the bottom panel. The carrier further has an article holder connected to the top panel. The article holder contacts and secures the top of articles contained within the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 5984086
    Abstract: A wrap package and method for making the package are disclosed. The wrap permits the packaging of a plurality of containers in an array of two or more rows. The wrap includes a top panel, side panels, and end panels all of which provide adequate area for product markings. The wrap is adapted to hold the containers in close proximity while preventing contact therebetween. The wrap package provides adequate package rigidity to support a plurality of containers packaged in any number of rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Rock Tenn Company
    Inventors: Fred S. Foushee, Frank Crutchley
  • Patent number: 5553709
    Abstract: A container assembly is adapted for holding at least one plastic bottle which includes a capped top and a side handle with an upwardly facing flat area adjacent the handle. The assembly includes a container having a top wall, a bottom wall and side walls spanning the top and bottom walls. The side walls have a height greater than the height of the bottle so that the capped top of the bottle is spaced from the top wall when the bottle rests upright on the bottom wall. A bracing structure is positioned within the container in abutting interengagement between the flat area of the bottle and the top wall of the container to maintain the capped top of the bottle spaced from the top wall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Kinetics Container Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Wharton, Jr., James M. Wharton
  • Patent number: 5437363
    Abstract: A blank for forming a wrap-around carrier sleeve comprising a plurality of panels connected end to end and having first and second end panels that form the bottom of the sleeve. The first end panel includes at least one retainer flap struck from the panel which is joined to the panel along a fold line. The second end panel is configured to overlap the first end panel and includes at least one male supporting tab comprising a neck and at least one shoulder, the male tab being joined to the second end panel at a fold line. The male supporting tab is configured to extend through the opening in the first panel from which the retaining flap is struck and engage with the first panel to support the retaining flap within the carrier sleeve thereby forming a three-dimensional protuberance within the sleeve that serves to limit movement of an article in the sleeve towards an open end of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Ltd.
    Inventor: Greg Gungner
  • Patent number: 5400901
    Abstract: A basket-style carrier having a pilfer-proof handle. The carrier has an external handle panel and an internal handle panel directly beneath it. Intermediate panels, containing openings through which the tops of articles extend, connect the side panels Of the carrier to the external handle panel and prevent individual articles from being removed from the carrier. When the intermediate panels and the external handle panel are removed along easily severed lines, the internal handle panel is exposed and can be used to lift the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Glen R. Harrelson
  • Patent number: 5167325
    Abstract: A carrier for containers comprises a folded, generally stiff sheet, such as cardboard, defining a top wall, side walls, and a bottom wall. The carrier further defines apertures in the top wall for receiving the containers, with at least portions of the containers being positioned between the side walls. In accordance with this invention, the top wall defines a central, double-layered, integral handle portion of the folded sheet projecting outwardly from the remainder of the top wall. An inner sheet is positioned along the underside of the top wall and is attached to the folded sheet, to hold the handle portion in its outwardly projecting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Field Container Company, L.P.
    Inventor: John M. Sykora
  • Patent number: 5052557
    Abstract: A shipping package for beverageware which functions to also display the beverageware as it is offered for sale on retain shelves. The package is stackable with like packages during transit and handling at all points from the manufacturing source to the consumer's home, and can be thermoformed as one sheet with integral hinges and friction-type interlocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Newell Co.
    Inventors: Frederic L. Contino, Robert Greathouse
  • Patent number: 4875585
    Abstract: A paperboard carton for drinking glasses directly engages stems or other irregularly shaped portions to rigidly and securely hold the glasses within the carton. The carton is erected from a blank form in a method requiring no direct manual manipulation to position the stem holding portion of the carton. The carton is formed as an open ended rectangular sleeve with a stem holding panel extending horizontally across the interior of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: The Shelby Paper Box Co.
    Inventors: Richard G. Kadleck, William W. Nowak
  • Patent number: 4756419
    Abstract: A package accommodating a group of containers arranged in two tiers has an upper tier and a lower tier each comprising a plurality of like containers disposed in more than one row (R1,R2,R3,R4). The package includes an outer wrapper (10) which secures all the containers of the group together in a unit and a partition (50) provided between the bases of the containers in the upper tier and the tops of the containers in the lower tier. The wrapper includes bottom panels (12,20) on which the bases of the containers in the lower tier are seated. The partition and the bottom panels each include a keel (K1,K2) adapted to separate the containers in one row from those in an adjacent row in the upper and lower tiers and each of the keels have recesses (A,O) to separate one container from a neighboring container in each of the rows of containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: Philippe Le Bras
  • Patent number: 4498582
    Abstract: A wraparound type article carrier for use in connection with a plurality of articles comprising top, bottom and side walls interconnected to form a sleeve, a closure element preferably in the form of a sleeve enveloping one or more articles at one end of the carrier, the closure sleeve comprising a main panel and an auxiliary panel foldably joined along the upper edge thereof, and the auxiliary panel being angularly related to the main panel and extending inwardly of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventors: Roberto Tomassi, Claude Martin
  • Patent number: 4421232
    Abstract: A packaging box is assembled from a blank including a trapezoidal locking tab formed adjacent to one end edge of the blank by a cut formed therein. An insert tab extends from the other end edge of the blank and can be inserted into an opening which is formed when the locking tab is folded. When an article or articles are packaged, the insert tab is inserted into the opening from the outside while tilting the locking tab, and when fitted into the opening, the insert tab is urged by gravity of the articles, whereby it is locked in place. In this manner, the packaging box is rigidly maintained in its assembled condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: Shibuya Machine Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Konaka
  • Patent number: 4418818
    Abstract: A basket carrier having a bottom wall, opposed end walls, opposed side walls and a longitudinal central divider. A transverse slot is formed in the bottom wall. A U-shaped divider having vertical walls and a horizontal wall with a central crease in it is formed initially in a U-shape and thrust upwardly through a single slot in the bottom wall. When introduced, the horizontal wall spreads out to overlie a substantial portion of the bottom wall on each side of the slot where it is retained by the bottoms of bottles clamping it to the bottom wall on either side of the central divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Pack Image, Inc.
    Inventor: Orison W. Stone
  • Patent number: 4398631
    Abstract: A returnable wrap-around beverage carrier and production blank for forming a carrier. The beverage carrier and production blank are formed in a one-piece construction and contain an inner double-walled longitudinal partition in the preferred embodiment which is formed from a partial side panel and is fixedly attached to the bottom wall of the carrier through a plurality of glue tabs. The two longitudinal partition panels of the preferred embodiment contain handle means for carrying the erected carrier after the top panel has been torn off and the bottles have been removed by the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignee: Manville Service Corporation
    Inventor: Earl J. Graser
  • Patent number: 4372600
    Abstract: A carrier for use in connection with bottles comprises a bottom wall, a plurality of neck receiving apertures formed in the bottom wall, a pair of upwardly converging composite side walls joined to the side edges of the bottom wall, a plurality of top receiving apertures formed in the side walls and disposed in alignment respectively with the corresponding neck receiving apertures, a side wall extension panel extending generally downwardly from one of the side walls, and a cushioning panel joined to the side wall extension panel and disposed substantially perpendicular thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: Russel W. Leib, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4362240
    Abstract: A basket type multi-use carrier carton of the top-opening type having double thicknesses of material between each adjacent carried article. The carton is made from a cartonboard blank which minimizes the number of folds and the amount of blank material required by auxillary overlying separator strips adhered to the internal separator panels located in one area of the blank that separate some of the carried articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: Pacific Paperboard Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Elward
  • Patent number: 4049116
    Abstract: A carrier for glasses or bottles is formed from a single blank of material and with a single die. During assembly the adhesive may be applied with a single line gluer, and the assembled carrier is adjustable to accommodate articles of different heights. An optional separator piece is used to separate the top rims of various height glasses within the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1977
    Assignee: Neff Folding Box Company
    Inventor: Kenneth Cope
  • Patent number: 3948388
    Abstract: A composite frame-like holder for a plurality of articles such as containers, a blank for the composite holder, and a method of forming the holder from the blank. The composite holder is an aggregate of singly or multiply severable holder units which can be severed from the composite in a manner that maintains the integrity of the severed unit and of the remaining composite. Each unit has a sloping leg panel with an aperture for receiving an article, a vertical side panel and a top panel foldable over the article and having means adjacent its edge for securing it to the holder unit. The method includes folding the blank along its center line to place its sections in superimposed, substantially mirror-image juxtaposition, securing one section to the other along their center strips, severing the center line, depositing containers in leg panel apertures and securing the containers to the thereby formed holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1971
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1976
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventor: David Charles Mueller