For Plural Beverage-type Receptacles Patents (Class 206/427)
  • Patent number: 7475777
    Abstract: A carton includes a retaining structure that is arranged to retain articles within the carton when an end of the carton has been opened. The retaining structure includes an obstruction spaced from the opened end of the carton that abuts an article located at a dispenser opening of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Ho Fung, Andrea Coltri-Johnson, Jean-Manuel Gomes
  • Patent number: 7475772
    Abstract: A carrier is provided with vertical support panels, each with a receptacle extending outwardly from its lower region. Each receptacle has a top shelf with at least one opening to receive and provide extra support for beverage cups or other items such as ice cream cones, confection cups, etc. The top shelf panel is held in position either by tabs which fit into slots, or by vertical support panels, or by other structures. The carrier is easily convertible to one having only one top shelf, or none, as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: E-Z Media, Inc.
    Inventor: Angelo V. Cuomo
  • Patent number: 7472791
    Abstract: First and second handle flaps can at least initially be adjacent to one another, for at least partially obstructing a first handle opening. The first handle flap can pivot at least partially into the interior of the carrier so that the first handle flap at least partially covers, and at least partially conforms to the shape of, a first article within the carrier, whereby the first handle flap at least partially blocks the first article from view. The second handle flap can pivot at least partially into the interior of the carrier so that the second handle flap at least partially covers, and at least partially conforms to the shape of, a second article within the carrier, whereby the second handle flap at least partially blocks the second article from view. The first and second articles are adjacent to one another and proximate the handle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Rudolph Spivey, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7467729
    Abstract: According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a carrier for transporting a bottle or bottles, is provided. The carrier includes a tote having a non-rigid front and rear panel secured to one another along a right side terminal edge, a left side terminal edge and a bottom terminal edge to thereby define a pocket having an open top. A contact line is provided between the right side terminal edge and the left side terminal edge to divide the pocket into a first and a second pocket. The bottom terminal edge is scalloped such that each of the first and second pockets is in operative association with a lobe of the scalloped bottom terminal edge, wherein the tote is fabricated from neoprene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Built NY, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Lown, John R. Swartz
  • Patent number: 7467713
    Abstract: The carton of this invention is capable of carrying the plurality of containers stacked upon their ends in two tiers with a unique dispenser that permits the dispensing of containers on their sides. The dispenser is formed in a top side wall and extends into the end wall with most of the end wall being torn open but leaving a portion near the bottom side wall to prevent the bottom layer of containers from rolling out. Angled projections in the dispensing end of the carton near the top panel and bottom panel prevent the top layer of containers from rolling out. A divider may be inserted between the two tiers of containers to facilitate loading the carton and preventing the containers from accidentally rolling out when the dispenser is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen R. Harrelson
  • Publication number: 20080302692
    Abstract: A package (1) containing a set of side-by-side arranged articles (2) and a rigid or semi-rigid sidewall (14) comprises a front panel (15) covering the front end (8) of said set of articles, side panels (16, 17) which are arranged on both sides of the front panel and cover, respectively, two opposite sides (10, 11) of the set of articles which are adjacent to the front end (8), a removable shutter embodied at least partially in the front panel of the package in such a way that it makes it possible to access to the articles through front end (8) of the package, the sidewall (14) leaves the articles uncovered at least on one side (12) of the set of articles and a film (28) stretches the set of articles by covering at least the sides (10, 11) thereof over the side panels (16, 17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Valerie Dubosq, Francois Gosset, Jean-Felix Lesueur, Cyril Touchet
  • Publication number: 20080302691
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for an improved bottle packaging system and shipping container, and more particularly to a container wherein a common insert design is employed to stabilize the bottle(s) and to provide padding therefore during shipment to resist breakage and damage. The improved insert design permits a common insert to provide stabilization to the bottom and shoulder of the necked bottle(s) used for shipping chemicals and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: Fibercel Packaging, LLC
    Inventors: Mike Olson, James W. Gilfert
  • Publication number: 20080289987
    Abstract: A disposable containers package includes a plurality of identical disposable containers, and an identification arrangement. Each of the disposable containers has a container body defining a receiving cavity. The identification arrangement includes a plurality of identification badges formed on main container bodies of the disposable containers respectively, wherein each of the identification badges contains a unique identification element formed on the corresponding identification badge for uniquely identifying the corresponding disposable container so as to render each of the disposable containers recognizable by several users thereof through the unique identification element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Xiao Dong Yang
  • Patent number: 7448492
    Abstract: A wrap-around carrier package has side panels with inclined or tapered side edges that allow a greater surface area of containers accommodated within the carrier to be viewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 7448493
    Abstract: A bottle carrier includes a base and one or more arms extending downwardly from the base. The arms include an inwardly facing surface for contacting a neck of a bottle, and also include an inwardly extending tab having an upper surface for supporting a lip on the neck of the bottle. The tabs further include a lower surface angled away from the base as it extends away from the bottle. Upon insertion of a bottle into a bottle receiving area defined by the arms, the upper surface of the bottle contacts the lower surfaces of the tabs, thereby causing at least one of the arms to deflect outward, permitting insertion of the bottle cap and lip on the neck of the bottle into the bottle receiving area. Once the lip of the bottle is inserted past the tabs, the arms return toward their undeflected position, with the tabs positioned below the lip, retaining the bottle in the bottle neck receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Michael P. Wong
  • Publication number: 20080257762
    Abstract: A crate for supporting liquid-filled containers each with a sealed opening, has a bottom and connected sidewalls, and at least one insert engaging two or more of the sidewalls, the insert enabled, by virtue of through-openings of a common diameter, to support a plurality of liquid-filled containers in a horizontal array, as a layer of containers in the crate, in a manner that the liquid-filled containers are positioned with the caps below liquid level in the containers, and such that the liquid-filled containers are prevented from contact with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Padmanabhan Mahalingam
  • Patent number: 7438181
    Abstract: A carrier is provided with vertical support panels, each with a receptacle extending outwardly from its lower region. Each receptacle has a bottom panel which unfolds partially when the folded carrier is unfolded. An engagement structure such as a detent is provided to hold each bottom panel temporarily in the partially unfolded position to hold the receptacles open until the bottom panels are pressed downwardly by an object placed in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: E-Z Media, Inc.
    Inventor: Angelo V. Cuomo
  • Publication number: 20080245679
    Abstract: A carton (130) for packaging cylindrical articles, the carton (130) including a plurality of primary panels (120, 122, 124, 125) for forming the walls of the carton (130), end flaps (118a, 118b, 126a, 126b, 128a, 128b, 119a, 119b) for forming end closure structures (132, 134) of the carton (130), and handle panels (160, 162) and handle end flaps (182a, 182b, 183a, 183b) for forming a handle structure (160/162). The handle structure (160/162) and a panel (125) define a pocket that can be engaged by a user's hand (H1) to carry the carton (130).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Patent number: 7422104
    Abstract: A multi-pack packaging and dispenser that is suitable for carrying and dispensing glass bottles, such as beer bottles, as well as a variety of other objects. The packaging includes a main access panel that is generally located on the top of the package but, could also be located on the sides or bottom. The main access panel includes a weakened portion that extends the entire width of the panel and less the half of the depth of the panel. When the weakened portion is removed and the main access panel is turned to face a point of access, the contents can be removed through the opening in the access panel created by removing the weakened portion. By orienting the opening to be in the lower portion of the access panel and orienting the access panel to be perpendicular to the surface on which the package rests, as objects are removed from the package, other objects fall into the opening for dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: LAVA Group Packaging, LLC
    Inventor: Randolph Wills Perkinson
  • Publication number: 20080210581
    Abstract: A carrier includes multiple rows of container receptacles on each side of a central handle. The bottom of the carrier is reinforced with web panels. The container receptacles can be separated by longitudinal and transverse separator panels. The top edge of the longitudinal separator panel can be curved to facilitate erection of the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventor: Kirsten Laura Brand
  • Publication number: 20080179210
    Abstract: A nestable crate for bottles which includes a floor member and first and second pairs of opposed sidewalls integrally formed with the floor member. Each sidewall includes a side band member which is defined by a centrally disposed upper edge and lower edge. The lower edge is spaced above the floor member by a predetermined distance to define a sidewall nesting area therebelow. The upper and lower edges each contoured downwardly to form a corner band portion having a corner upper edge and corner lower edge, wherein each nesting area matingly receives a corresponding side band member of a crate nested subjacent thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald R. Koefelda, William P. Apps
  • Patent number: 7404486
    Abstract: A modular beverage can interlocking device which is adapted for forming a plurality of conventional beverage cans into a building block for use as a toy or in display applications. The device generally comprises a plurality of ring-shaped members, each having an upper and lower orifice which is optimally contoured to hold the lower and upper end of a conventional beverage can respectively via at least a snug friction-fit. Preferably, the lower orifice has an inwardly facing annular slot for releasable retention of the upper lip of a conventional can via a snap-fit, and most preferably, has multiple inwardly facing annular slots of varying diameter in order to provide a snap-fit for cans of varying outer dimensions. Optional designs are provided which enable the use of thermoplastic materials having a wide range of hardnesses as well as end-cap means which provide for rigid securement to any generally flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Matthew Charles Smithers
  • Patent number: 7392905
    Abstract: A temporary packaging method and a resultant package are provided for comprising temporarily bonding containers on a flat base member to stabilize the containers for further packaging, the method comprising the steps of providing a base member, providing containers, temporarily bonding the containers to the base member with a hot melt adhesive, advancing the base member with containers through the packaging or handling system so that further processing of the containers may optionally be effected, encapsulating the base member and bonded containers with a plastic shrink film to complete the package, followed by release of the containers from the bond to base member within minutes after shrink wrapping, with the adhesive remaining bonded to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Delkor Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Dale C. Andersen, Donald J. Lasecke
  • Patent number: 7387200
    Abstract: A harness for holding two tub-like containers together is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Oregon Precision Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Zakary James Borg
  • Patent number: 7383949
    Abstract: A carrier is provided with vertical support panels, each with a receptacle extending outwardly from its lower region. The carrier is made from blanks in which foldable panels are arranged in linear arrays. In the blanks, the vertical support panels can be folded and bonded to one another back-to-back. This facilitates close nesting of the blanks with one another on a sheet of fiberboard material so as to maximize the number of carriers which can be made from a given area of sheet material. Preferably, the vertical support panels and side panels are joined together serially along fold lines perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the linear array, while flanges forming bottoms for the receptacles are joined to the vertical support panels and side wall panels along fold lines parallel to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: E-Z Media Inc.
    Inventor: Angelo V. Cuomo
  • Publication number: 20080116251
    Abstract: A carton with an improved dispenser at an end of the carton which preserves the integrity of the carton when it is opened while permitting the bottom end flaps attached to the bottom panel to remain in place and also a portion of each side end flap that overlaps the bottom end flaps. This dispenser has a bottom tear line in the end of the carton which only extends partially across the end of the carton. The tear line extends upwardly from each side of the bottom tear line to form end retainers to prevent cans in the second row of the carton from rolling out. By placing the bottom tear line no higher from the bottom of the carton than necessary to retain a can in the bottom row and to make the end retainers on each side of the carton no larger than necessary to restrain a can in the second row from rolling out, easy access to the cans on the bottom row of containers is provided after the cans in the second and third rows of the carton have been removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Jean-Manuel Gomes, Glen R. Harrelson, Raymond R. Spivey
  • Patent number: 7374076
    Abstract: A package has an article group of at least one row of substantially cylindrical articles and a carton disposed around the article group. The carton includes a plurality of walls including a top wall, a base wall, a pair of opposed side walls connected to side edges of the top wall and side edges of the base wall, and an end wall interconnecting the side walls, and an article dispenser opening formed at the region of intersection of planes of the top wall, the opposed side walls and the end wall. A portion of the article dispenser opening is defined by the end wall terminating along an end wall severance line having all points disposed at elevations at a distance as measured from the plane of the top wall no greater than the diameter of the substantially cylindrical articles that lie in an upper row of the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: John Murdock Holley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7374043
    Abstract: A carton with an improved dispenser facilitates access to articles enclosed within by providing expansive side recesses that expose at least one article on the lowermost row and the two end most articles in the uppermost row. The dispenser opening is defined by one or more severance lines extending at least partially across the top, end, and side walls, with a portion of the end wall remaining as an article stopper after the at least partially detachable portion of the dispenser is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Mead Westvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Holley, Jr., Aaron Bates
  • Patent number: 7370755
    Abstract: The carrier has beverage cup-holding receptacles on opposite sides of a vertical support panel, and a third much larger receptacle formed from the same blank. The carrier is stored flat and is unfolded for use at a usage location such as a motion picture theater concession stand, where it can be used to carry beverage cups in the smaller receptacles and a bucket of popcorn in the large receptacle. A tray can be mounted on an upright handle structure through a slot in the bottom, and can be used to carry other food item such as candy, hot dogs, etc. The carrier can be used to carry out fast foods such as fried chicken, french fries and beverages. Solid, bulky foods such as popcorn and fried chicken can be carried in the larger receptacle directly, without the use of a bucket or other separate container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: EZ Media, Inc.
    Inventor: Angelo V. Cuomo
  • Patent number: 7367453
    Abstract: The carton is provided for carrying cylindrical containers, such as cans in three or more layers and having open ends at the top and bottom of each end of the carton. A dispenser flap is formed by zigzag tear lines in the exiting end of the carton. The carton is constructed so that the ends of a can adjacent the exiting end of the carton are exposed and can be grasped by a person pulling the can forward or up and commencing the tear line forming the flap. Preferable this tear line is of a zigzag configuration, or step format with interruptions in the riser. Cut tear lines in the step permit the controlled tearing of the tear line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20080099544
    Abstract: A container carrier made of cardboard, with a bottom wall, side walls, connected to the longitudinal sides of the bottom wall via first creasing lines, bottom wall flaps, connected to the transverse sides of the bottom wall via second creasing lines, side wall flaps, connected to the transverse sides of the side walls via third creasing lines, corner connections between the second and third creasing lines, comprising a layer split-off from at least one cardboard layer of the bottom wall flaps and/or the side wall flaps, wherein the layer split-offs are present between first scribing lines, which are introduced from the outside between adjacent regions of the side wall flaps and the bottom wall flaps and which are extended up to the corners between the second creasing lines and the third creasing lines, and second scribing lines, which are introduced from the inside into the bottom wall flaps and which are extended between the second creasing lines and the sides of the bottom wall flaps neighbouring to the sid
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: A & R CARTON BREMEN GMBH
    Inventor: Bernard Skolik
  • Publication number: 20080093243
    Abstract: A reversible modular beverage can interlocking device which is adapted for forming a plurality of conventional beverage cans into a building block for use as a toy or in display applications or in building construction. The device generally comprises a plurality of thermoplastic reversible annular means for can retention, each sized and shaped for the releasable retention of either the top lipped portion of a beverage can, or the bottom non-lipped portion of a beverage can.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventor: Matthew Charles Smithers
  • Patent number: 7360647
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for packaging bottles having a neck portion. The system includes a tray unit and a bridge. The tray unit has a planar base, first and second opposite sidewalls, and first and second opposite end walls. The sidewalls and end walls extend outwardly from a periphery of the base and connect thereto to define a rectangular structure for holding a plurality of bottles arranged in a series of rows. The bridge has a central planar portion and a plurality of arcuate recesses extending into a periphery of the central planar portion. Each recess is sized to receive a neck portion of one of the bottles. A method of packaging bottles having neck portions is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Ogg Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Ogg
  • Patent number: 7357254
    Abstract: A carton for dispensing articles having a dispensing feature is adapted for restraining articles within the carton until the consumer desires to remove the endmost articles from the carton. To erect the carton, a plurality of panels are connected together to define an end of the carton. A first detachable portion at the end of the carton may be detached from the carton to define an opening for dispensing articles from an upper or lower row of articles within the carton. A second detachable portion at the end of the carton borders the first detachable portion and may also be detached from the carton to enlarge the opening in an alternative embodiment. The second detachable portion restrains articles in an upper row of articles prior to detaching the second detachable portion from the erected carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Auclair, Patrick Blin, Aaron Bates, Erica Watson
  • Patent number: 7357247
    Abstract: A beverage holder is especially adapted for securing a three-pack arrangement of beverage containers. Three panels are joined along a central axis. The panels are spaced 120° from one another. Lower ends of the panels form stationary bases, and lower portions of the panels may be cut to form foldable base portions that may be deployed or retracted. When deployed, the foldable base portions form additional base support for the holder, and also support the bottom surfaces of the containers. One or more flexible retention members may be secured to the panels and routed around the containers. Because the holder has no top cover and open gaps exist between the panels, the holder is adapted for securing beverage containers of varying heights, diameters, and shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Coors Global Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy D. Guenther
  • Patent number: 7337942
    Abstract: A carton for enclosing a number of products. The carton may include a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a top panel tab positioned adjacent to the top panel and separated by a top panel fold line. The carton may have a first score line extending across the top panel from the first side panel to the second side panel and a pair of second score lines extending across the top panel from the first side panel and the second side panel to the first fold line, thus forming a first and a second corner flap along the top panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: James J. Wang
  • Patent number: 7331505
    Abstract: A carton is provided with side walls that are shaped to securely or tightly enclose a group of tapered cylindrical articles. The curvature of the edges of each side wall is selected to cause the end wall or end closure structure to conform to the tapered shape of articles in the end most row that is disposed adjacent to the respective end closure structure of the carton. More specifically, the edges of each side wall are substantially continuously arcuate and the curvature of the edge is determined such that the maximum width of each side wall is greater than the width of the respective bottom edge of the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: John M. Holley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7328798
    Abstract: A carton for dispensing and retaining articles such as cans or bottles is opened by at least partially removing a first detachable portion and then by at least partially detaching a second detachable portion. Removal of the first detachable portion defines an opening for dispensing articles, and defines means for retaining articles in the carton after one or both of the detachable portions have been removed, such as a stopper wall. Removal of the first detachable portion provides access to the second detachable portion to facilitate subsequent and at least partial detachment thereof. The second detachable portion may be yieldable so as to variably and reversibly redefine or reconfigure the opening to enlarge the opening to facilitate removal of articles that are being dispensed, and to reduce the opening to retain articles in the carton that are not being dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Auclair, Patrick Blin, Aaron Bates, Erica Watson, John W. Cargile, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7311201
    Abstract: The packing container for a bottled commodity is made a hollow cylinder with a cylindrical cover, both made from papers; the hollow area is for receiving the bottled commodity, the container especially suits containing a bottled liquid commodity such as wine, bubbled beverage etc. Wherein the bottom of the hollow cylinder has an inner flange with a predetermined height, the bottom of a glass bottle is braced at such predetermined height to prevent undue impact against the bottom of the glass bottle. And the cylindrical cover includes a sleeve having a lower area defining a protruding section to contact the shoulder of the glass bottle and position the bottle; thereby better protection as well as long-term preservation can be provided. The temperature of the bottled liquid can be kept for a long term, and an effect of heat preservation is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Yueh-Chun Lo
  • Patent number: 7306109
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a dry consumable with a liquid in the same assembly. The assembly includes a fluid container that is covered with a cap assembly. The cap assembly can be manually opened and closed, thereby selectively controlling the flow of fluid out of the fluid container. Consumable material is formed into a solid form on the exterior of the cap assembly. The material can include pharmaceutical compounds, nutraceutical compounds or can be inert compounds, such as confections. The material is formed into a solid that can be bitten or licked away from the cap assembly as the cap assembly is placed in the mouth. Once the material is received into the mouth, liquid can be drunk through the cap assembly to help wash the material down the throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Steven M Landau
  • Publication number: 20070278120
    Abstract: A carton includes a retaining structure that is arranged to retain articles within the carton when an end of the carton has been opened. The retaining structure includes an obstruction spaced from the opened end of the carton that abuts an article located at a dispenser opening of the carton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Charles F. Ho Fung, Andrea Coltri-Johnson, Jean-Manuel Gomes
  • Patent number: 7296731
    Abstract: A carton having a dispensing feature adapted for permitting the removal of articles from within the carton. To erect the carton, a plurality of panels are connected together to define an end of the carton. At least one removable portion is provided in the erected carton and is defined by an endless tear line. The endless tear line includes multiple portions defined in the top wall, one side wall, and end flaps extending from the top wall and the one side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean Michel Auclair, Diego Rovere, Patrick Blin, John Holley, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20070235351
    Abstract: A beverage carrier including at least two cartons and a tray having a retractable handle for holding the cartons is provided. The cartons and the tray are each formed from blanks of sheet material. Each carton includes a first and second side wall, a top panel, a bottom panel, and first and second end walls, wherein the side walls, the top panel, the bottom panel and the end walls are interconnected to form the carton. The tray includes a first and second side panel, a first and second bottom panel, a first and second divider panel, and a first and second end panel. The tray includes an opening through which a retractable handle is placed. The retractable handle is configured to move between a recessed position and an extended position. The tray is configured to hold at least two cartons for easy transport and storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventor: Karl A. Kohler
  • Patent number: 7243785
    Abstract: The food carrier has a central vertical support panel with a handle and a pair of trays or receptacles attached to the central support panel, and an optional auxiliary tray with a slotted bottom 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 folded bottom panel or two-panel structure unfolds and fits snugly into the side-wall structure to stabilize the side-wall and hold the carrier erect while it is resting on a flat surface, thus to make unfolding and loading the carrier quicker and easier. Beverage cup-holding holes or flat solid bottoms with pop-up side barriers can be used to support 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 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: E Z Media, Inc.
    Inventor: Angelo V. Cuomo
  • Patent number: 7240789
    Abstract: A carton for carrying containers, such as cans, or other articles in two layers which has an interlocking separator pad between the two layers is provided. This separator pad has two tabs on each end which extend through slots provided on the side end flaps on each end of the carton to hold the separator pad in proper position between two layers of articles or containers. The pad has a leading flap that is folded up or down on one end of the carton between the articles or containers and the side end flaps to assist in holding the separator pad in proper position during the removal of containers from the carton through a dispenser opening formed in the carton. Preferably, the separator pad has a leading flap on both ends to assist in holding the separator pad in proper position. This carton may be provided with a dispenser in the side panel near the end on which the carton is rested to dispense cans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 7237674
    Abstract: A package includes an article group formed of two or more vertically arranged tiers of similarly dimensioned, cylindrical articles disposed on their sides in a side-by-side parallel fashion, and a carton disposed around the group. The carton includes a top wall, opposed side walls, an end wall and an article dispenser. The side walls are disposed alongside the ends of the articles while the end wall is disposed adjacent to the side wall of an endmost article. The dispenser includes a corner portion of the carton formed from and detachably connected to the top, side and end walls to define an opening upon removal of the corner portion. The opening is shaped to define a recess in the end wall to reveal a part of the endmost article in the lowermost tier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Patent number: 7234596
    Abstract: A carton and a blank for forming a carton including a tray portion with an open top and a cover connected to the tray portion to close the top of the tray portion. The tray portion has a pair of opposed end walls each having a hand aperture, and the cover has a pair of end flaps disposed internally of the end walls of the tray portion. Another aspect of the invention also covers a package including a carton referred to above and a collapsible carrier retained within the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Philippe Lebras
  • Patent number: 7222777
    Abstract: The wrap-around carrier of the invention includes opposed side panels hingedly connected to a top panel and to a pair of bottom flaps. An end retention structure is connected to at least one of the side panels and to the adjacent one of the bottom flaps. The end retention structure includes an anchor panel hingedly connected to an end edge of the one side panel and disposed in a face-contacting relationship with the inside surface of the one side panel, a gusset panel hingedly connected to the anchor panel and extending toward the adjacent end opening of the carrier, and an end panel hingedly connected to the gusset panel and disposed to engage the adjacent end article packaged in the carrier to prevent it from dislodging form the carrier. The end retention structure further includes a relief panel that hingedly interconnects the end panel with the one bottom flap. The relief panel is disposed in the plane of the one bottom flap when the carrier is in an erected condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Garnier
  • Patent number: 7219814
    Abstract: According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a carrier for transporting a bottle or bottles, is provided. The carrier includes a tote having a non-rigid front and rear panel secured to one another along a right side terminal edge, a left side terminal edge and a bottom terminal edge to thereby define a pocket having an open top. A contact line is provided between the right side terminal edge and the left side terminal edge to divide the pocket into a first and a second pocket. The bottom terminal edge is scalloped such that each of the first and second pockets is in operative association with a lobe of the scalloped bottom terminal edge, wherein the tote is fabricated from neoprene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Built NY, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Lown, John Roscoe Swartz
  • Patent number: 7207474
    Abstract: A carton includes a top wall, a pair of opposed side walls connected to the side edges of the top wall, an end wall interconnecting the side walls and an article dispenser for dispensing articles from the carton. The dispenser includes a detachable portion of the carton formed at least from the side and end walls. The detachable portion is connected at least to the side and end walls by a detachable connection to be detached from the carton to define an opening for exposing at least an endmost article for removal. At least one of the side walls comprises a tear initiation arrangement for facilitating a user's cross-tearing motion for detaching the detachable portion along the detachable connection. The detachable connection of the detachable portion comprises a frangible line of joinder for defining an edge of the opening. The frangible line extends from the tear initiation arrangement into at least the end wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: John Murdock Holley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7195118
    Abstract: A carton with bevel corners for carrying cans, or other articles, which has an interlocking separator pad so the cans or articles can be contained in two layers is provided. The carton has two ends, each of which is closed by two side end closures and top and bottom end flaps. Each side end closure has an aperture that is interlocked with the end portion of an interlocking separator pad. In one embodiment of this invention, the interlocking separator pad has two tabs with the aperture in each side end closure being a slot through which a tab is extended. This pad may have a foldably attached leading flap that is lodged between cans or articles contained in the carton and the side end closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 7168558
    Abstract: A carton for carrying containers, such as cans, or other articles in two layers which has an interlocking separator pad between the two layers is provided. This separator pad has at least one leading flap which extends through slits provided on the side end flaps on the interlocking end of the carton so that the leading flap is folded up or down and the bottom end flap and top end flap folded and glued to the side end flaps of the carton. This pad may have a trailing flap that is folded up or down on the other end of the carton to assist in holding the pad in position. This pad may have a leading flap on both ends for interlocking both ends of the carton to the interlocking separator pad. This carton may be provided with a dispenser in the side panel near the end on which the carton is rested to dispense cans. This dispenser may extend into the top panel and the bottom panel so that the ends of the cans can be grasped for easy removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen R. Harrelson
  • Patent number: 7163103
    Abstract: A carton for packaging one or more articles, each having a laterally extending flange, includes a top wall panel, a side wall panel connected to the top wall panel, and an article retention structure with a tab formed from the side wall panel. The tab includes an upper edge for engaging the underside of the flange and an opposing lower edge defined by a pair of fold lines. The minimum distance between the top wall panel and the upper edge of the tab is less than the thickness of the flange, which causes the tab to pivot with respect to the adjacent side wall panel when the flange is received in the slit that is defined by the upper edge of the tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventors: Martinus C. M. Bakx, Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Patent number: 7159759
    Abstract: A fully enclosed pack is provided with a gusset that is capable of being formed from a blank without the use of tucker fingers. Nicks are provided between the side end panel and tuck-in panels of the carton. As the side end panels are folded, the nicks help pull the tuck-in panels inwardly to allow the gusset of the carton to take form without the use of tucker fingers in a folding/gluing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 7159735
    Abstract: A carrier comprising a bucket insert and bucket wherein the bucket insert comprises a first member having a handle having an opening, connectors, a second member joined or connected to the first member by the connectors, and wherein the first member defines openings for receiving beverage containers, and the second member supports beverage containers. The bucket having an internal stop member so that the bucket insert comes to rest on the stop member when installed in the bucket. A storage space defined by the second member, the base of the bucket, and the surrounding bucket wall. Another embodiment of the insert comprises a blow molded handle, connectors, and first and second members, such that the insert can be snapped together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Robert O. Morse