For Curved Panel (e.g., Curved Auto Glass) Patents (Class 206/448)
  • Patent number: 11767141
    Abstract: A system for enclosing curved objects includes a first panel may include a first top portion, a first rear portion, a first side portion, a first bottom portion, and a first front portion. A second panel includes a second top portion, a second rear portion, a second bottom portion, and a second front portion. And a third panel includes a third top portion, a third rear portion, a second side portion, a third bottom portion, and a third front portion. The first panel is coupled to the second panel by at least a tab and a slot. And the second panel is coupled to the third panel by at least a tab and a slot. Each top portion is coupled to a respective front portion by a tab and a cut-out aperture. Each panel is positioned at an angle relative to a neighboring panel. The angle may comprise an obtuse angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Peachtree Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: John Anton Cannavan
  • Patent number: 11594438
    Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing equipment has an outer case housing including a lower case extension to support a semiconductor panel. The lower case extension is fixed in position within the outer case housing. An inner case housing having an upper case extension is disposed within the outer case housing in proximity to the lower case extension. A mechanism draws the upper case extension toward the lower case extension and locks the semiconductor panel in place between the upper case extension and lower case extension. The mechanism has a cam assembly disposed above the inner case housing and operatable with a handle to rotate the cam assembly and apply pressure to the inner case housing and upper case extension to lock the semiconductor panel in place between the upper case extension and lower case extension. A spring or other elastic mechanism is disposed under the inner case housing to load the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: STATS ChipPAC Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyeonchul Lee, Kyounghee Park, Kyunghwan Kim
  • Patent number: 11066187
    Abstract: A transport jig includes: a frame member; and a support section that is installed on the frame member and that supports a plurality of elongated members. The elongated members are each entirely housed inside the frame member in a lengthwise direction and the support section supports the plurality of elongated members in parallel with one another in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Ishida, Yuji Ito
  • Patent number: 10870525
    Abstract: A protective padded panel that comprises a panel member of a predefined shape and magnetic cap members mounted on the corner members of the panel member is disclosed herein. The panel member comprises a covering member comprising a front layer and a back layer made of a first material, and an inner member made of a second material. Dimensions of the front layer, the back layer, and the inner member are the same. The inner member is embedded within the front layer and the back layer and define a first dimension, a second dimension, and a third dimension. The corner members are defined by the embedded inner member. Each magnetic cap member encompasses at least portions of adjacent surfaces along the third dimension of the corresponding corner member and a defined portion along a plane of the first dimension and the second dimension along the back layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Inventor: Lloyd Wood
  • Patent number: 10822142
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to receive, store and transport windows and doors that is further operable to provide assistance in the installation process. The apparatus includes a frame having a floor support assembly and a floor member superposed thereon. A frame is integrally formed with the floor support assembly and extends upwards therefrom on three sides thereof. The frame consists of four vertical support members and a plurality of horizontal support members. The frame defines the receiving area of the apparatus. Hingedly attached securing members are present on the vertical support members and are operable to assist in the securing of the apparatus during transport. A plurality of tie-down loops are secured to the frame. The floor support assembly is configured to be operably coupled with forks of a forklift. The frame further includes joining members and grooves configured to mateably couple when the apparatus are vertically stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Inventor: Mel Zuzak
  • Patent number: 10370144
    Abstract: A foldable tray comprises a baseplate, and a first side plate and a second side plate symmetrically arranged on the baseplate, both hingedly connected to the baseplate, and lie on the baseplate after being folded, and are height-adjustable side plates. An extension side plate that can be stretched out from the side plate is arranged at the top of the first and second side plates. The stretching height of the extension side plate is controlled by a prepositioning apparatus arranged in the first and second side plates. A side plate folding lock is arranged on the first and second side plates. The tray comprises roller shutter side plates symmetrically arranged on the baseplate and rolled in roller shutter storage apparatuses located in the baseplate, and can be pulled out under the action of external force. When the external force disappears, the roller shutter side plates can automatically retract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: TECHCYCLE PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hualong Wang
  • Patent number: 10370169
    Abstract: Damage to a packing device and a packed object caused by a load is prevented, and a box and the packed object are protected stably. A box of the packing device includes side surface portions, upper flaps, lower flaps, a protrusion, a fixing portion, and interior cushions. The protrusion is formed by folding part of an upper flap. The fixing portion fixes the protrusion such that the protrusion projects from the upper flap. In a state where an object is accommodated in the box, the protrusion is interposed between the upper flap and the packed object, and disperses the load applied to the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 10308390
    Abstract: A packaging box is formed of corrugated cardboard, wherein end portions of the packaging box are protruded relative to a middle portion of the packaging box so that the packaging box has a curved shape, and a corrugation direction of the corrugated cardboard is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the packaging box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woo-Seok Oh, Bong Sup Lim, Ji-won Lee, Hyun Jun Jung
  • Patent number: 9821954
    Abstract: A system for transporting fluid cargo within a shipping container, the system comprising an open topped box having side walls and end walls and a flexible membrane which either independently or in combination with the box contains the fluid cargo. The box supports the portion of the cargo within the box and is designed to flex and absorb at least part of the horizontal forces generated within the cargo during its transportation thus preventing overloading of the walls of the surrounding container. The membrane may be a bladder which completely encloses the cargo and is disposed partially within the box to contain the cargo independently of the box. The box may have a floor pan which can seal the box against leakage of any cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventors: Martin Clive-Smith, Brendan Paul McKenna
  • Patent number: 9701461
    Abstract: Packages and methods of packaging a plurality of glass sheets provide a stack of glass sheets with an interleaf protective sheet positioned between each adjacent pair of glass sheets. An outer portion of each interleaf protective sheet is bent over a portion of the peripheral edge of one of a corresponding adjacent pair of glass sheets to discourage relative shifting of the glass sheets with respect to one another. The stack of glass sheets are sandwiched between pressure members of an outer housing such that the pressure members each apply a support pressure that is distributed over an outer surface of a corresponding one of the pair of outermost glass sheets of the stack of glass sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Sean Matthew Garner, Jeffrey Allen Miller
  • Patent number: 9227498
    Abstract: A protrusion portion of a clip member is abutted against an end face of a front glass lower end, and the clip member is fixed to a back face of the front glass via an adhesive agent. An engagement portion that is formed in a tongue piece of a cowl-top cover is engaged with a target engagement portion of the clip member, and the cowl-top cover is mounted in a state in which a surface of the cowl-top cover and a surface of the front glass are arranged so as to be flush with each other. In addition, an engagement direction is defined as an engagement direction taken along a lengthwise direction oriented from a lower end to an upper end of the front glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Takenori Kurata, Daisuke Serizawa
  • Patent number: 9184075
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing a substrate on which a pattern is formed includes a main body storing the substrate, a first pad located at the bottom of the main body and including a first groove supporting one edge of the substrate, a second pad neighboring the first pad and including a second groove supporting the center of the substrate, and a third pad spaced from the first pad, the second pad being disposed between the first and third pads, the third pad including a third groove supporting the other edge of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji-Eun Kim, Dong-Yoon So, Han-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 9027752
    Abstract: A product is mounted on a support pad and suspended on the pad by wrapping a stretch wrapping film around the combination of the pad and product. The borders of the pad extend beyond the borders of the product so the package containing the product can be stood on edge, but the edge of the product is spaced away from the surface on which the package is stood. The borders of the pad also include notches on the top and bottom of the pad that receive the stretch wrapping film away from the borders of the pad and closer to the product. Thus the product, secured to the pad, is suspended away from that surface. Multiple packages can be packed into a shipping container and the loaded container can be lifted and transported by a lift truck with lifting forks received in passageways formed in the container by notches in the bottom edges of the support pads. The pads and containers are made of die-cut corrugated fiberboard material although other material could be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Arch W. Carroll, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8991601
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plate-shaped member holding system, which stably holds a plate-shaped member without damage during transportation. The plate-shaped member holding system includes a holder for holding a glass sheet as a plate-shaped member and a fixing member engageable with the holder. The holder includes a pair of retainers for clamping the plate-shaped member from both sides of a front side and a rear side thereof, a pair of supports for supporting the retainers, and a coupler for coupling the paired supports. When the holder is engaged with an engagement recess formed in the fixing member with the plate-shaped member being disposed between the paired supports, the holder utilizes the weight of the plate-shaped member to generate pressing forces in directions to bring the paired retainers much closer to each other so as to firmly clamp and stably holds the plate-shaped member by the paired retainers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hideaki Torikai, Masayasu Sato, Tomonori Koyama, Koichiro Okamura
  • Publication number: 20140332430
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of packaging a curved product with a concave back surface that includes positioning the curved product in contact with a suspension pad that includes a notch on the top and bottom edges then stretch wrapping a stretch film around the curved product and the suspension pad with the wrap received in the first and second notches to secure the curved product to the suspension pad which bends the suspension pad to form a planar curve shape that conforms to the periphery of the back surface of the product and minimizes the distance between the product and the pad and increases the surface contact area between the product and the pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Arch W. Carroll, JR.
  • Patent number: 8746450
    Abstract: A wiper blade package has a mouth portion that is openable by being pressed in a lateral direction. The wiper blade package has a first panel, a second panel opposed to the first panel, and a pair of side panels. The first panel is bendable around a bend line extending in a longitudinal direction and has a lid flap at its end. The lid flap is foldable around the bend line and is pivotable around a hinge line intersecting the bend line. The second panel has an engagement flap at its end. The lid flap engages a free end of the engagement flap at its free end and thereby closes a receiving portion in which a wiper blade is received. The lid flap is pivoted from the engagement flap by pressing the side panels toward the receiving portion and thereby opens the receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: The Korea Development Bank
    Inventors: In Kyu Kim, Kyung Jong Nam
  • Patent number: 8613357
    Abstract: A reclosable wiper blade package for holding a beam-type wiper blade in a substantially straightened condition in an upside down orientation with the wiping element of the blade facing upwardly toward a cover of the package. The package includes a blade-retaining package panel with a cavity formed therein having an adapter seat and blade engagement regions that engage corresponding arms of the wiper blade. Each blade engagement region is configured for snap fit engagement with an end portion of the wiper blade arm such as an end cap of the wiper blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Portage Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin Putnam
  • Publication number: 20130319891
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided for holding blades for a wind turbine. The arrangement includes a first end frame and a first centre frame. The first end frame is configured for holding a first root end of a first blade. The first end frame is formed for being coupled to a supporting base. The first centre frame is configured for holding a first centre section of the first blade in such a way that the first centre section is spaced from a first tip end of the first blade. The first centre frame is formed for being coupled to the supporting base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Kim Lieberknecht, Kenneth Helligsoe Svinth, Maja Rose Wieland
  • Publication number: 20130256172
    Abstract: A corrugated container for shipping a glass sheet, such as an automotive windshield, is disclosed. The container includes one or more support braces for contacting a first side of the glass sheet and one or more braces for contacting the opposing second side of the glass sheet. Suction cups can be connected to the braces. A cross-brace, generally perpendicular to the other support braces, can be provided for added protection and support of the glass sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Richard B. McDowell
  • Patent number: 8528732
    Abstract: A container for transportation and/or storage of items is in the form of an enclosure having a securing arrangement with an upright restraint configured to be advanced and retracted across the width of the container for holding the items in an upright orientation; and/or access to the enclosure provided through an uppermost portion and end portion of the container, and a movable side panel proximate an end of the container; and/or spaced slide elements extending in the direction of the width of the container, in the region of the bottom of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Carglass Luxembourg Sarl-Zug Branch
    Inventors: Ivo Westhovens, Damien Moran
  • Patent number: 8511471
    Abstract: A crate made from cardboard configured to have increased compression strength is disclosed herein. The crate can include four sides with a space formed between the four sides. The space can be configured to be selectively closed. The crate can have a bottom secured to the four sides. One or more corrugated panels can be located within the space adjacent the four sides. The corrugated panels can be configured to support the four sides. The corrugated panels can include a corrugated material disposed between two sheets of material. One or more cuts can be located within the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Hisco, Inc.
    Inventor: Talal Sannah
  • Patent number: 8505724
    Abstract: A wiper package assembly for use in packaging a pre-curved wiper blade. The wiper package assembly generally includes a package and a pair of end caps fittable onto the wiper blade and into the package. The package and end caps may be configured to cooperatively hold the pre-curved wiper blade in an at least partially straightened condition. The end caps may be configured to engage the wiper blade without altering the shape of the wiper blade tip, thereby reducing the risk of the wiper tip becoming deformed during by the package. In one embodiment, the end caps are ambidextrous in the sense that identical end caps can be used on opposite ends of the wiper blade. The end cap may include two support slots configured to correspond with the shape of the opposite ends of an asymmetrical wiper blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Display Pack, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Bult, George E. Raimer, Matthew D. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8474618
    Abstract: A corrugated container for shipping a glass sheet, such as an automotive windshield, is disclosed. The container includes one or more support braces for contacting a first side of the glass sheet and one or more braces for contacting the opposing second side of the glass sheet. Suction cups can be connected to the braces. A cross-brace, generally perpendicular to the other support braces, can be provided for added protection and support of the glass sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Menasha Corporation
    Inventor: Richard B. McDowell
  • Patent number: 8403142
    Abstract: A container for transporting glass sheets includes a bottom structure having a front edge and a back wall and first and second side walls extending upwardly from the bottom structure. The container also includes a floor support mechanism coupled to the bottom structure. The floor support mechanism includes a floor support member extending substantially horizontally from the back wall a first distance proximate to the front edge of the bottom structure. The floor support mechanism also includes a foam rail support member coupled to the floor support member. The foam rail support member extends substantially horizontally from the back wall a second distance proximate to the front edge of the bottom structure. The floor support mechanism further includes a foam rail coupled to the foam rail support member. The foam rail extends substantially horizontally from approximately the back wall a third distance that is less than the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Rosemill Packaging Resources, LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Rose, Spencer G. Miller, Ron G. Miller
  • Patent number: 8240473
    Abstract: A headliner packaging may be configured to package a headliner having a surface and a width. The system may include one or more elongated clamps. Each elongated clamp may be configured to releasable secure the headliner by applying clamping force to an area on the surface of the headliner. Each elongated clamp may have a length that exceeds the width of the headliner. Each elongated clamp may have a hinge on one end of the elongated clamp which is configured to allow the elongated clamp to rotatably swing into an open position to receive the headliner and to rotatably swing into a closed position to lock the headliner securely within the elongated clamp. The packaging system may be configured to package an article other than a headliner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Van Patten
  • Publication number: 20120080346
    Abstract: A container for transporting glass sheets includes a bottom structure having a front edge and a back wall and first and second side walls extending upwardly from the bottom structure. The container also includes a floor support mechanism coupled to the bottom structure. The floor support mechanism includes a floor support member extending substantially horizontally from the back wall a first distance proximate to the front edge of the bottom structure. The floor support mechanism also includes a foam rail support member coupled to the floor support member. The foam rail support member extends substantially horizontally from the back wall a second distance proximate to the front edge of the bottom structure. The floor support mechanism further includes a foam rail coupled to the foam rail support member. The foam rail extends substantially horizontally from approximately the back wall a third distance that is less than the second distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Michael R. Rose, Spencer G. Miller, Ron G. Miller
  • Patent number: 8141708
    Abstract: A container for transporting a plurality of curved glass sheets lined up side by side. The container includes a bottom structure, such as a pallet, a back wall extending upward from the bottom structure, a first side wall connected to a first end of the back wall and extending upward from the bottom structure, and a second side wall connected to a second end of the back wall and extending upward from the bottom structure. The container includes a cradle portion proximate the back wall extending into an interior portion of the container. The cradle portion including a glass sheet supporting surface for contacting a backmost one of the plurality of glass sheets. The supporting surface has a radius of curvature to correspond with the curvature of the backmost one of the plurality of glass sheets. The container can have two or more cradle portions. The container also includes two back corner support structures, each configured to support a portion of the respective side walls and a portion of the back wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Menasha Corporation
    Inventor: Richard B. McDowell
  • Patent number: 7918221
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a solar array on the roof of a residence or the like which uses a pan in the installation of the solar modules that make up the array. The pan may also be used as part of the packaging of the solar modules. The pan is comprised of a length of material having a trough-like cross-section. For packaging, shipping inserts are fitted into the trough of each pan. Opposite edges of a solar module are fitted into respective slots in the inserts of two facing pans and a protector is fitted over each end thereof to form a package for shipping. Once on site, the packages are disassembled, the pans are mounted on the roof, and the modules are connected to the pans to form the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Donald B. Warfield, Paul L Garvison, Dinesh S. Amin
  • Patent number: 7870958
    Abstract: A motor vehicle window panel or windshield has a lower edge portion with an attached extruded plastic molding having a downwardly projecting portion defining a cavity with an inlet gap for receiving a projecting fin on a cowl panel. A shipping insert of extruded substantially rigid plastics material supports the windshield and attached molding during shipping and handling and includes a base portion adapted to seat on shipping container support members and a tongue portion spaced above the base portion and projecting through the inlet gap into the cavity to support the molding. The insert also has an upper portion supporting a solid locating flange of the molding attached to a bottom edge of the windshield. The base portion of the insert has inclined opposite edge surfaces to facilitate sliding on the support members, and also has an upwardly projecting hook rib for retaining the insert on the molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Creative Extruded Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley M. Gross, Marvin O. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 7784613
    Abstract: A fully collapsible pallet is provided with easily adjustable rear stops, lower rear stops, and side restraints. A telescoping member is provided to allow shipment of partial pallets of windshields. Extensions allow the pallet to be used with windshields of various heights. The pallet is stackable in a folded condition as well as a loaded condition, even when extensions are used. A latch is provided to prevent leaning of the pallet even when the load is not centered in the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Safelite Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Angeletti, Steve Brown, Steve Micheli, Jeff Wester, Mark Clay, Doug Yaw, Dino Lanno, Terrell Bunn, Rich Glover, Joe Rotolo, Mark Barnes, Daniel F. Dufresne, Al Hoag
  • Publication number: 20100155283
    Abstract: A headliner packaging system may be configured to package a headliner that has a non-planer surface and a width. The system may include one or more elongated clamps. Each elongated clamp may have a length that exceeds the width of the headliner. Each elongated clamp may be configured to releasable secure the headliner by applying clamping force to an area of the non-planer surface of the headliner in a manner that causes the elongated clamping force to be substantially uniform throughout the area of the non-planer surface of the headliner and in a direction that is not substantially perpendicular to the length of the elongated clamp. The packaging system may be configured to package an article other than a headliner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Michael Van Patten
  • Patent number: 7731028
    Abstract: A product vulnerable to damage during shipping, such as an automobile windshield glass, for example, is mounted on a support pad and fixed onto the pad by wrapping a stretch wrapping film around the combination of the pad and glass. The borders of the pad extend beyond the borders of the glass so the package containing the glass can be stood on edge, but the edge of the glass is spaced away from the surface on which the package is stood. Thus the glass, secured to the pad, is suspended away from that surface. Multiple packages can be packed into a shipping container and the loaded container can be lifted and transported by a lift truck with lifting forks received in passageways formed in the container by notches in the bottom edges of the support pads. The pads and containers are made of die-cut corrugated fiberboard material although other material might also be used in the practice of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Arch W. Carroll, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7665280
    Abstract: Plies of paperboard are laminated to form a paperboard laminate having a front and a back. An automobile part is placed on the front of the paperboard laminate leaving exposed the front of the paperboard laminate. The automobile part and the exposed paperboard laminate are shrink-wrapped with plastic shrink-wrap material. For automobile window glass, some of the front side plies of the paperboard laminate have been cut out to form a cavity in the configuration of the glass product being packaged. The glass product is disposed in the cavity and a glass product conforming reinforcing block is placed against the backside of the paperboard laminate during the shrink-wrap operation. For automobile fenders, hoods, the paperboard laminate need not be cut out and the sides of the paperboard laminate are folded upwardly to form a carton bottom to which a lid is affixed for shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: American Corrugated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Youell, Jr., Rudy Youell
  • Patent number: 7658285
    Abstract: A sheet shipping and storage container includes a base supporting a stack of glass sheets in a vertical orientation, and a pair of telescoping end caps mounted on each side of the stack in facing relationship to one another. A first endless strap has its course around the end caps to bias the end caps toward one another about the stack; a second endless strap has it course around back end of each end caps and the back side of the stack to bias the back surface of the stack and the end caps downward toward the front of the base, and a third endless strap around the opposite end of the end caps and the front side of the stack to bias the end caps and the front side of the stack downward toward back side of the base to unitize the plurality of sheets, end caps and base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis M. Hagan, III, Lawrence A. DePaolis, John Leo Flick, John P. Marshall, III, Alexander S. Sobkin
  • Publication number: 20090301916
    Abstract: A container for transporting a plurality of curved glass sheets lined up side by side. The container includes a bottom structure, such as a pallet, a back wall extending upward from the bottom structure, a first side wall connected to a first end of the back wall and extending upward from the bottom structure, and a second side wall connected to a second end of the back wall and extending upward from the bottom structure. The container includes a cradle portion proximate the back wall extending into an interior portion of the container. The cradle portion including a glass sheet supporting surface for contacting a backmost one of the plurality of glass sheets. The supporting surface has a radius of curvature to correspond with the curvature of the backmost one of the plurality of glass sheets. The container can have two or more cradle portions. The container also includes two back corner support structures, each configured to support a portion of the respective side walls and a portion of the back wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: MENASHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Richard B. McDowell
  • Patent number: 7533771
    Abstract: A windshield packaging system that provides effective support for the windshield during substantial vertical drops, protects the windshield against side impacts, is simple in design, requires only modest skill to effectively assemble, protects windshields of different size with the same size carton, and minimizes inventory management problems. The windshield packaging system includes jaw components having a synergistic effect, horizontally-running flutes, and pressure-regulated clamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: David Allison
  • Publication number: 20090090652
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plate-shaped member holding system, which stably holds a plate-shaped member without damage during transportation. The plate-shaped member holding system includes a holder for holding a glass sheet as a plate-shaped member and a fixing member engageable with the holder. The holder includes a pair of retainers for clamping the plate-shaped member from both sides of a front side and a rear side thereof, a pair of supports for supporting the retainers, and a coupler for coupling the paired supports. When the holder is engaged with an engagement recess formed in the fixing member with the plate-shaped member being disposed between the paired supports, the holder utilizes the weight of the plate-shaped member to generate pressing forces in directions to bring the paired retainers much closer to each other so as to firmly clamp and stably holds the plate-shaped member by the paired retainers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Hideaki TORIKAI, Masayasu Sato, Tomonori Koyama, Koichiro Okamura
  • Patent number: 7441658
    Abstract: A container for transporting a plurality of curved glass sheets lined up side by side. The container includes a bottom structure, such as a pallet, a back wall extending upward from the bottom structure, a first side wall connected to a first end of the back wall and extending upward from the bottom structure, and a second side wall connected to a second end of the back wall and extending upward from the bottom structure. The container includes a cradle portion proximate the back wall extending into an interior portion of the container. The cradle portion including a glass sheet supporting surface for contacting a backmost one of the plurality of glass sheets. The supporting surface has a radius of curvature to correspond with the curvature of the backmost one of the plurality of glass sheets. The container also includes two back corner support structures, each configured to support a portion of the respective side walls and a portion of the back wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Menasha Corporation
    Inventor: Richard B. McDowell
  • Patent number: 7431158
    Abstract: A flexible substrate storage equipment of the present invention includes at least a pair of opposed members that constitute an outer frame of a storage equipment main body, wherein the pair of opposed members are disposed so as to maintain a predetermined interval to wedge a plurality of flexible substrates in between to hold them in a shape of a curve. As a result, a flexible substrate storage equipment for surely storing and holding a plastic substrate or other flexible substrate with a simple structure, and a storing method of such substrate can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kimihiko Yamada, Yoshiki Nakatani, Tetsuya Aita
  • Publication number: 20080142391
    Abstract: A fully collapsible pallet is provided with easily adjustable rear stops, lower rear stops, and side restraints. A telescoping member is provided to allow shipment of partial pallets of windshields. Extensions allow the pallet to be used with windshields of various heights. The pallet is stackable in a folded condition as well as a loaded condition, even when extensions are used. A latch is provided to prevent leaning of the pallet even when the load is not centered in the pallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Safelite Glass Corp.
    Inventors: Chris Angeletti, Steve Brown, Steve Micheli, Jeff Wester, Mark Clay, Doug Yaw, Dino Lanno, Terrell Bunn, Rich Glover, Joe Rotolo, Mark Barnes, Daniel F. Dufresne, Al Hoag
  • Publication number: 20080099358
    Abstract: A tray insert for securing fluid reaction members in a handling tray includes a body having first and second major surfaces, first and second ends, sliding members disposed on the first and second ends, which are configured to engage with a plurality of slots formed in the handling tray, and a first plurality of sockets extending into the first major surface, which are spaced from one another to receive and support a plurality of fluid reaction members. The tray insert is configured to hold the fluid reaction members in a suspended state, which prevents them from coming into contact with each other or a surface of the handling tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Bell, Michael John Niro
  • Publication number: 20080035513
    Abstract: A shipping carrier having a frame with an elongated tube and an elongated retainer attached to the tube. Dunnage made of a compressible material is attached to the retainer and that dunnage has a plurality of space for recesses, each of which has spaced-apart sides and are dimensioned to receive an edge of a component. A guard is attached to the dunnage so that the guard overlies at least a portion of one side of the dunnage recess. Additionally, a subcomponent may be attached to the dunnage with a screw anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: C & D Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Farley, Craig Hefner
  • Publication number: 20080006555
    Abstract: A container for transporting a plurality of curved glass sheets lined up side by side. The container includes a bottom structure, such as a pallet, a back wall extending upward from the bottom structure, a first side wall connected to a first end of the back wall and extending upward from the bottom structure, and a second side wall connected to a second end of the back wall and extending upward from the bottom structure. The container includes a cradle portion proximate the back wall extending into an interior portion of the container. The cradle portion including a glass sheet supporting surface for contacting a backmost one of the plurality of glass sheets. The supporting surface has a radius of curvature to correspond with the curvature of the backmost one of the plurality of glass sheets. The container also includes two back corner support structures, each configured to support a portion of the respective side walls and a portion of the back wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventor: Richard B. McDowell
  • Patent number: 7299923
    Abstract: A multi-part, multi-use container, having a larger, lower portion, particularly suitable for transporting large, relatively heavy items, such as vehicle glazings, and a smaller, upper portion particularly suitable for transporting accessories for use with vehicle glazings is disclosed. The upper portion of the container is formed from a combination of a plurality of vertically extending support members arranged in a predetermined pattern, and one or more horizontal support trays having slots formed therein in locations to coincide with the locations of, at least, a portion of the vertically extending support members, in order to form an interlocking structure of one or more tiers suitable for transporting, without damage, accessory items such as flexible polymeric gaskets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Pilkington North America, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Skilliter
  • Patent number: 7270236
    Abstract: A fully collapsible pallet is provided with easily adjustable rear stops, lower rear stops, and side restraints. A telescoping member is provided to allow shipment of partial pallets of windshields. Extensions allow the pallet to be used with windshields of various heights. The pallet is stackable in a folded condition as well as a loaded condition, even when extensions are used. A latch is provided to prevent leaning of the pallet even when the load is not centered in the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Safelite Glass Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Angeletti, Steve Brown, Steve Micheli, Jeff Wester, Mark Clay, Terrell Bunn, Rich Glover, Joe Rotolo, Mark Barnes, Daniel F. Dufresne, Al Hoag, Doug Yaw, Dino Lanno
  • Patent number: 7080735
    Abstract: A windshield packaging system that provides effective support for the windshield during substantial vertical drops, protects the windshield against side impacts, is simple in design, requires only modest skill to effectively assemble, protects windshields of different size with the same size carton, and minimizes inventory management problems. The windshield packaging system includes jaw components having a synergistic effect, horizontally-running flutes, and pressure-regulated clamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: David Allison
  • Patent number: 7001130
    Abstract: Robotic rack loading apparatus and method include features and loading steps that provide essentially damage free rack loading of automotive panel assemblies into a specially designed rack. The rack includes dunnage elements containing sets of slots with lead-in upper edge angles and sensing holes associated with the slots. The robot carries a modified end of arm tool including a sensor to sense the location of a sensing hole to position a panel for loading into a corresponding set of slots. Another sensor preferably senses objects or structure in the rack to position the tool in a preload position. A compliant device allows lateral and longitudinal compliance of the end of arm tool to allow assemblies to be funneled into position in the slots without encountering damaging stress. A programmed robot can thus automatically load panel assemblies into the rack without damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Lance T. Ransom
  • Patent number: 6886692
    Abstract: A windshield packaging system that provides effective support for the windshield during substantial vertical drops, protects the windshield against side impacts, is simple in design, requires only modest skill to effectively assemble, protects windshields of different size with the same size carton, and minimizes inventory management problems. The windshield packaging system includes jaw components having a synergistic effect, horizontally-running flutes, and pressure-regulated clamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Institute for Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California
    Inventor: David Allison
  • Patent number: 6789674
    Abstract: A windshield packaging system that provides effective support for the windshield during substantial vertical drops, protects the windshield against side impacts, is simple in design, requires only modest skill to effectively assemble, protects windshields of different size with the same size carton, and minimizes inventory management problems. The windshield packaging system includes jaw components having a synergistic effect, horizontally-running flutes, and pressure-regulated clamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: David C Allison
  • Publication number: 20040168946
    Abstract: A fully collapsible pallet is provided with easily adjustable rear stops, lower rear stops, and side restraints. A telescoping member is provided to allow shipment of partial pallets of windshields. Extensions allow the pallet to be used with windshields of various heights. The pallet is stackable in a folded condition as well as a loaded condition, even when extensions are used. A latch is provided to prevent leaning of the pallet even when the load is not centered in the pallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Safelite Glass Corp.
    Inventors: Chris Angeletti, Steve Brown, Steve Micheli, Jeff Wester, Mark Clay, Terrell Bunn, Rich Glover, Joe Rotolo, Mark Barnes, Daniel F. Dufresne, Al Hoag, Doug Yaw, Dino Lanno