Abstract: A container comprises a sheet of polymer formed into a base portion. The base portion has cavities for receiving frangible items. An intermediate cover portion has cavities for covering the frangible items. A first hinge rotates the intermediate cover portion onto the base portion to hold the frangible items captive. A top cover portion has at least one concavity. A second hinge rotates the top cover portion onto the intermediate cover portion to hold the base, intermediate and the top cover portions closed together. Flanges define peripheries of the base, intermediate and top cover portions. The intermediate peripheral flange has a cut-out at each corner of the intermediate cover portion defining a cut-out edge that is non-parallel to the longitudinal edges of the base portion, and has a dimension greater than a corresponding lateral flange portion of the top peripheral flange in a longitudinal dimension of the container.

Abstract: Nestable packaging lids are described. Generally, the packaging lids include a generally planar lid member having an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of dome expansions extending upwardly from the lid member, and a plurality of elongate projections extending downwardly from the lower surface of the lid member. Each dome expansion defines a downwardly facing recess and includes a base perimeter defining a base center, and the dome expansions are arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse columns. In an implementation, at least one projection is disposed transversely between a longitudinally adjacent pair of dome expansions and at least one projection is disposed longitudinally between a transversely adjacent pair of dome expansions.

Abstract: Methods and containers suitable for reducing or eliminating bacteria such as Salmonella© in eggs for human consumption are provided. Such methods and containers use at teas! one N,N-dihal?-5,5-diaiky!hydant?in in which each of the alky! groups Independently comprises from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A container comprises a sheet of polymer formed into a base portion. The base portion has cavities for receiving and supporting frangible items. A cover portion has cavities for covering the frangible items. The cover portion has a flat peripheral wall defining concavities. A first hinge rotates the cover portion onto the base portion to hold the items captive. An elongated tab has male connectors oriented with a ramp portion. A female connector projects from the peripheral wall of the cover portion and is in vertical alignment with the male connectors. A second hinge rotates the tab toward the interior of the base portion. Connectors block the cover portion to the base portion when closed together. A grasping wall spans between and projects from the receiving cavities and from the container, defining a grasping surface. A clearance is positioned between the female connector and the base portion when the container is closed.

Abstract: A stackable tray obtained by vacuum molding of a sheet of plastic material, said tray comprising, in open position: a) a top and a bottom; b) at least one receiving cavity opened upwardly; c) spacing means to keep, in a stack of trays, the top portion and the bottom portion of neighboring trays at distance from each other to thereby prevent interlocking. A stack of said trays and a method using said trays.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a packaging unit for eggs or similar fragile articles, the packaging unit for instance being made of moulded pulp, and including a bottom part including compartments matching at least partially the outer contours of the articles contained within the unit, a cover part including a top surface and substantially planar front- and rear surfaces and substantially planar end surfaces, the cover part substantially having a rectangular shape with rounded corners, wherein the cover part includes denesting element near the end surfaces near the top surface of the cover part. The invention further pertains to such a packaging unit wherein the cover part at its corners includes portions reflecting the shape of the articles contained within the packaging unit, a portions being formed as a part taken out of a rounded corner and a part of the end surface of the cover part.

Abstract: A container for receiving frangible items comprises a sheet of polymer formed into a base portion having a plurality of item-receiving cavities for supporting frangible items. The item-receiving cavities have a frustoconical portion having a generally frustoconical geometry. A cover portion has an item-covering concavity for covering the frangible items. A first hinge is between a first longitudinal edge of the base portion and the cover portion for rotating the cover portion onto the base portion to hold the frangible items captive in the item receiving cavities. A hollow bridge spans between at least two adjacent item-receiving cavities of the container, a bottom edge of the hollow bridge being lower than a midheight of the frustoconical portion of the item-receiving cavities.

Abstract: A container for receiving frangible items comprises a sheet of polymer formed into a base portion having a plurality of item-receiving cavities for supporting frangible items. A cover portion has an item-covering concavity for covering the frangible items. A first hinge portion is positioned between a first longitudinal edge of the base portion and the cover portion for rotating the cover portion onto the base portion to hold the frangible items captive in the item-receiving cavities. The first hinge portion comprises a pair of longitudinal grooves formed into the first hinge portion and extending parallel to the first longitudinal edge of the base portion, with a web defined between the longitudinal grooves, and a hinge-reinforcement wall at least one end of the longitudinal grooves. A fold line is formed in the web and in the hinge-reinforcement wall when the cover portion is rotated onto the base portion.

Abstract: A packaging material comprising a plurality of flexible strips of material integrally interconnected to one another along one end thereof so as to form a unitary mass and so that the strips of material are intertwineable with one another to form a resilient tuft. The strips of material interconnected via a border have a bonding material disposed thereon for bondingly connecting the packaging material to a container.

Abstract: A packaging material comprising a plurality of flexible strips of material integrally interconnected to one another along one end thereof so as to form a unitary mass and so that the strips of material are intertwineable with one another to form a resilient tuft. The strips of material interconnected via a border have a bonding material disposed thereon for bondingly connecting the packaging material to a container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display and distribution packaging unit for fragile articles, especially for eggs, comprising a bottom part (2) which at least partially matches the outer contours of the articles housed within the unit and a cover part (3) comprising planar top- and side surfaces (10, 14, 15) for the provision of graphical information about the contents of the unit, where portions of the cover part (8) are furthermore shaped to reflect the shape of the eggs housed within the display and distribution package. The structure of the bottom and cover parts furthermore adds mechanical strength to the unit.

Abstract: An efficient means for providing packaging materials comprises foam sheets which have been at least partially cut into regular segments which may be configured by hand into nearly any shape to fit a void space which may surround an article to be packaged in a container. The sheets may be stacked into a cube for ease of transport and storage. The foam sheets may be easily separated into segments by hand by snapping (rigid) or tearing (flexible) the foam into a custom shape which best fits the void space. In one particular embodiment, the segments may comprise a thermoplastic foam which may be configured into corner pads for supporting an article within an outer container.

Abstract: A rotating egg container is disclosed having a body and an internal rotating unit for storing a plurality of eggs. The internal rotating unit has a plurality of egg holding sections joined to two opposing tracks defining a pathway through which the egg holding sections can be moved.

Abstract: A container for frangible articles comprising a tray molded in a sheet of polymeric material having a hinge portion separating a bottom portion from a cover portion with the cover portion being pivotable into engagement with the bottom portion to conceal the frangible articles in the container. The bottom portion comprises rows of cavities with each cavity adapted to support a frangible article. The cavities have lugs projecting inwardly and from bottom to top from a main surface of the cavity to support the frangible article while maintaining air gaps between the frangible article and the main surface. Corner cavities are positioned at opposite leading corners of the bottom portion and each have a protective rib oriented toward its respective leading corner and projecting outwardly from the main surface and from bottom to top to provide structural integrity to the opposite leading corners of the container.

Abstract: A container (10) that is formed of sheet plastic that has been deformed, includes a base (12) having a plurality of egg-receiving recesses (20) and a cover (14) that can be latched closed on the base. The cover has a plurality of latch parts (30) spaced along each side and has a plurality of outwardly deformed chimney parts between the latch parts, that form chimneys (70) for ventilation of the eggs. Each egg-receiving recess in the base, has inclined ribs (62) that limit sideward egg movement and allow air circulation, has a recess bottom wall (66) for supporting the bottom of an egg, and has an air circulation region (64) lying between the recess bottom wall and rib bottoms for allowing the movement of air around the lower portion of the egg. The outer portion of the ventilation region forms legs (68) that support the container on a flat surface while holding the recess bottom above that flat surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an eggs packing container, and more particularly, to an eggs packing container using paperboard to produce box structures and packed-material supporters provided therein, thereby preventing the environments from pollution and effectively preventing received eggs from the damages due to any external impact. The eggs packing container according to the present invention has a receiving portion 100 and a lid portion 200 like the shape of the conventional synthetic resin packing container, thereby making use of the existing egg packing production automation facilities.

Abstract: Transparent egg cartons suitable for being made from a variety of transparent polymeric materials and particularly from polylactic acid or other biodegradable polymers are described. The egg cartons use a “W” shaped hinge or box hinge element for hingedly connecting the lid to the tray or a flap to the tray. The flap is made with lattice struts to increase the lateral strength thereof, and contains at least three button tabs for interlocking the flap with the lid. The lateral most button tabs are located about ?th the length of the flap from the ends of the flap. The egg cartons have an awning portion that extends from the front surface of the lid to cover the “W” shaped hinge or box hinge when the lid is closed. A space is provided between the edge of the awning and the hinge for a consumer to place a finger for disengaging the lid from the flap.

Abstract: An egg carton comprises a base having a plurality of egg cells, the base being attached to a lid and locking flap by at least one hinge member. The lid has a plurality of closing apertures adapted to receive a plurality of buttons located on the locking flap. The lid further has an outer closure mechanism adapted to interlock with an inner closure mechanism located on the locking flap. The egg carton may also be equipped with a venting system.

Abstract: The object of this invention is a packaging comprising a cover, a bottom part with recesses and an insert for subdividing the bottom part into receptacle cells for holding round or egg-shaped packaged materials, manufactured from essentially flat blanks and a method of uprighting the insert.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling produce contained in ventilated trays arranged in a five-down configuration on a pallet. The ventilated trays according to the present invention have openings that correspond to fluid passageways in contained clamshells in order to efficiently and effectively channel cooling air into the clamshells and over the contained produce. The present invention creates direct airflow channels to the produce that cause an optimal amount of the forced air to enter and flow over the produce within the produce carrying containers and not around the produce carrying containers as can occur with conventional six-down configurations. As a result, more air enters the produce carrying containers, more passes over the produce and more produce is effectively cooled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device made of an elastic plastic material for the optical and/or haptic marking of hen's eggs to characterize their properties, which device is at least partly adapted to the outer shape of the egg in a positive locking (form-locking) and/or non-positive locking (force-locking) way.

Abstract: A method of making an energy-absorbing structure in the form of a sheet having a pattern of alternating front and rear projections in front of and behind a median plane with each projection having an end face, a pitch region spaced from the end face, and a transition region therebetween including varying at least one parameter of the structure from the group consisting of local variation in sheet thickness in the pitch region, local variation in slope in the pitch region, geometry of the end face and geometry of the transition region, analyzing the energy absorption characteristics of the structure in response to the variation of the or each parameter, selecting the value of the or each parameter which gives a desired absorption characteristic and making a structure with the selected values of the or each parameter.

Abstract: The object of this invention is a packaging comprising a cover, a bottom part with recesses and an insert for subdividing the bottom part into receptacle cells for holding round or egg-shaped packaged materials, manufactured from essentially flat blanks and a method of uprighting the insert.

Abstract: A packing tray is provided for use in both cell pack and tray pack arrangements. The packing tray is unitarily formed from polystyrene foam to have a cellular structure. Cells are arranged in longitudinal rows of alternating odd and even numbers, and the cells are partially separated by cell dividers, which have at least major portions recessed within the tray.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device made of an elastic plastic material for the optical and/or haptic marking of hen's eggs to characterize their properties, which device is at least partly adapted to the outer shape of the egg in a positive locking (form-locking) and/or non-positive locking (force-locking) way.

Abstract: A tray of molded material, in particular for fruit, comprising cells for receiving individual fruits, wherein the cells are disposed in successive rows of high cells and of low cells, the high cells and the low cells also presenting a relative disposition in a staggered configuration.

Abstract: A packing tray is provided for use in both cell pack and tray pack arrangements. The packing tray is unitarily formed from polystyrene foam to have a cellular structure. Cells are arranged in longitudinal rows of alternating odd and even numbers, and the cells are partially separated by cell dividers, which have at least major portions recessed within the tray.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel packaging system comprising a packaging frame and one or more suspension membrane suspended from the frame, which membrane comprises a flexible membrane material that forms a pocket area shaped to accept an item. The shape of the pocket area allows the area to be self-sizing to accommodate irregularly shaped objects and a variety of sizes in the same package. The flexible pocket area also minimizes pressure points on the packaged item and keeps the item from contacting other items or potentially damaging surfaces.

Abstract: A container for carrying atmospherically sensitive items or perishables is provided that keeps the damage to the items at a minimum and also allows for extended duration containment of the items while minimizing quality degradation thereof, such as for shipping, display and/or storage. The container has a strong, robust container body such as formed of rigid walls that cooperate to form an internal space in which the items are received in a protected manner. To allow for a controlled exchange of gasses between the container interior space and the ambient exterior environment in accordance with the needs of the atmospherically sensitive items contained in the container for maintaining the product quality for long duration containment thereof, at least one of the container walls includes a window or port opening at which a semi-permeable membrane is mounted.

Abstract: A tray of molded material, in particular for fruit, comprising cells for receiving individual fruits, wherein the cells are disposed in successive rows of high cells and of low cells, the high cells and the low cells also presenting a relative disposition in a staggered configuration.

Abstract: A pallet packaging and display assembly for shipping products to a retail establishment and displaying the products in the establishment. The present assembly is particularly configured for shipping and displaying fresh produce, such as grapes. The assembly has retail package and pallet box components. The retail package is a generally box-shaped container having a transparent top section hingedly attached to a bottom section configured to hold the products. The pallet box has a base portion forming a cavity configured to removably receive a plurality of retail packages in a generally side-by-side relationship and a top portion configured to at least partially enclose the retail packages inside the cavity during shipment. The top portion can be a cover or lid to fully enclose the retail packages in the cavity. The consumer can selectively remove one or more of the retail packages from the pallet box for inspection and purchase.

Abstract: The invention provides packaging means which are formed by holders suitable for transport and storage of delicate goods such as fruit, sweets such as chocolate, flowers, glass objects, Christmas decorations, electronic components and the like, wherein the holders are separated from each other by a standing wall. Recommended for larger objects such as apples and the like are holders with the upper part in folded-back form, particularly those wherein the rib profiling of the upper and lower parts take an integral form and thereby enclose firmly the object for transporting (FIG. 4b). Smaller objects can advantageously be transported on a mattress of upper parts of smaller holders (FIG. 5b).

Abstract: A method for making available and distributing manufacturer coupons inside a grocery store is disclosed. The method comprises making available manufacturer coupons inside egg cartons. Customers, wishing to purchase eggs usually inspect eggs prior to purchase. Manufacturer coupons, positioned between the eggs and the lid would be discovered by the customer during inspection. The coupons are removable from the egg carton and can be used by the customer during that visit for redemption of products identified by the coupon.

Abstract: Package (1) for receiving agricultural or industrial products to be packed comprising a bottom part (2) and a cover part (3), whereby the cover part (3) is provided with an enlarged side surface.

Abstract: An improved egg tray is disclosed. The egg tray is comprised of a thin-walled body of rigid fiber pulp material and has a plurality of pockets and a plurality of posts. Each pocket has a bottom surrounded by a plurality of posts and each pocket has an egg-supporting surface for supporting an egg. The egg-supporting surface is a continuous part of a substantially ellipsoidal surface approximating the surface of the pointed part of an egg, and the pockets are within an egg size interval for which the egg tray is intended to be used. The egg-supporting surface has a continuous circular zone and a plurality of lower tongues extending downwardly from the continuous zone. Advantageously, the egg-supporting surface has a plurality of upper tongues extending upwardly on the sides of the posts from the continuous zone.

Abstract: A container liner comprising a waterproof backing, a porous covering, a seed carrier interposed between the backing and the covering, and a plurality of seeds embedded in the seed carrier such that upon germination the seeds will sprout through the porous covering to form a soft, natural, protective cushion for objects, such as candies or Easter eggs. The container liner is sufficiently flexible so that the container liner can be easily manipulated to substantially conform to the interior contour of the container.

Abstract: This invention deals with an egg tray system comprising a base (filler flat) and a transparent lid that provides lateral stability for the trays when stacked but that avoids the increasing cost that results from the eggs being damaged or broken. The lid is formed of transparent synthetic material that facilitates visual inspection of the eggs and is comprised of upwardly extending conical shaped elements and contains a downwardly shaped rim that is comprised of notches that assist in securing the lid to the filler flat. The filler flat is comprised of a plurality of downwardly extending pockets and a plurality of upwardly extending posts. A shrink film band is placed around the filler flat with lid applied to secure the lid during handling and make the finished product “tamper evident.” The shrink film band may be pre-printed with product information and other relevant items.

Abstract: A tray for packaging sliced tomatoes is disclosed that maintains the tomatoes is fresh condition by controlling the atmosphere surrounding the tomatoes and reducing contact between tomatoes and their serum exudate. This is achieved by a tray configuration that holds the tomato above the exudate which is collected in a reservoir at the base of the tray. Means are provided to facilitate loading tomatoes into the tray and for removing the tomatoes from the tray.