Plural Patents (Class 206/526)
  • Publication number: 20010022276
    Abstract: A packaging box having a bottom. A supporting insert resting on the bottom of the packaging box. The supporting insert includes a ridge support, a partition panel, and a tab panel. The ridge support includes two support panels. Each support panel has a first side resting against the bottom of the packaging box, and a second side, opposite the first side, joined along a ridge line substantially above the bottom of the packaging box. The partition panel is substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the packaging box. The partition panel has a third side joined to the first side of one of the support panels. The tab panel is at a substantial angle to the partition panel. The tab panel has a first end joined to the partition panel along a line parallel to the ridge line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: Mark L. Freiborg, Bennie Freiborg
  • Patent number: 6209724
    Abstract: A dispenser for compressible fiberglass nonwoven pads including a bag into which a stack of fiberglass pads is placed. A significant portion of the air within the bag is removed, compressing the stack of filter pads to reduce space. At least two flanges are formed on two adjoining edges of the bag. The flanges can be cut along a portion of their length to form an aperture through which the filter pads can be removed, while retaining the filter pads until deliberate removal by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Superior Fibers, Inc.
    Inventor: William D. Miller
  • Patent number: 6196387
    Abstract: A single-piece cardboard sheet into which slots and tabs are strategically cut to permit its folding into a carton for packaging a pair of western spurs. The unfolded carton is substantially symmetrical with respect to both its major and minor axes and comprises a bottom section from which two pairs of largely equal structural segments (a front and a back section) project outwards along the longitudinal axis. A cut at the boundary between the bottom section and each of these structural segments defines an extension sufficiently large to support the tips of the sides of the two spurs. The front section of the cardboard carton contains a cut that defines a substantially rectangular tab and a corresponding opening suitable for passing the sides of two spurs therethrough. The top of the front section also contains a hanging slot suitable for receiving the hook of a display rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Eastwest International (Taiwan) Enterprises
    Inventor: Chang Hsi-Chang
  • Patent number: 6152305
    Abstract: A packaging assembly, and method of packaging a plurality of products, for economically and safely shipping and displaying a plurality of products. The packaging assembly includes a display stand, a plurality of display packs holding the plurality of products. Display stands with display packs can be stacked on a pallet. The display stand includes two parallel side panels having a plurality of slots. Each display pack is made of transparent, vacuum-molded plastic, having front and rear portions, flanges, and a product chamber configured to hold the products. The corresponding pairs of slots are configured to receive the display pack flanges to support and display the products in the product chamber. The front and rear portions also include frames configured to adjoin with the frames of adjacent display packs to provide structural support to each succeeding display pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Optical Merchants, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrie Green
  • Patent number: 6135289
    Abstract: A shipping container and display case for storing, transporting and displaying a plurality of pre-assembled packages of small items. The shipping container includes a top carton and a bottom carton integrally formed and connected along a score line around the container, in such a manner that the container can be broken into the top and bottom cartons along the score line. An upper insert is inserted in the top carton and a lower insert is inserted in the bottom carton respectively. The upper and lower inserts each has a plurality of slots configured for respective insertion of the plurality of pre-assembled packages. The shipping container can be used for storing and transporting the plurality of pre-assembled packages, and the top carton can be removed by breaking the container along the score line and the upper insert can further be removed to convert the container into a display case with the lower insert left in the bottom carton and the plurality of pre-assembled packages exposed for retail display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Master Fasteners Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher T. Miller
  • Patent number: 6129211
    Abstract: A rectangular folding box comprises at least four side walls (1 to 4 inclusive), which are connected to one another by fold lines, and a bottom wall (5 to 8 inclusive) comprising flaps. In order to provide the folding box with a display function, one of the side walls (1) has in the center a tear line (14) which runs perpendicular to the bottom wall (5 to 8 inclusive). Furthermore, the bottom wall has in the center a tear line (16, 17) which adjoins the tear line (14) of the said side wall (1). The side wall (3) which is situated opposite the side wall (1) provided with a tear line (14) can be folded along a line (15) which adjoins the tear line (16, 17) of the bottom wall and runs parallel to the tear line (14) of the first side wall (1) mentioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventors: Bouwe Prakken, Martin Prakken
  • Patent number: 6116449
    Abstract: A strip of containers for liquids, pastes or powders. The containers may be used for pharmaceutical, diagnostic, cosmetic or similar uses. The series of containers are closed at one end and have a removable plug at the other end. The containers are joined together by breakable intermediate connection elements near their longitudinal center and by breakable terminal connection elements positioned in correspondence with the plugs. The intermediate and terminal breakable connection elements lie in different planes than the one which contains the longitudinal axis of the containers so that the structure of the container strip is stiffened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Chiesi, Luigi Tagliapietra, Marco Del Corno, Ross De Salvo
  • Patent number: 6109447
    Abstract: A system for shipping and displaying small articles, the system having three parts consisting of rectangular display box with an open top; a metal rack to carry the goods thereon, which fits within the display box; and a shipping carton, which has an open bottom designed to slip over the top of the display box when the rack is in the box. When the goods are shipped hanging on the metal rack, the only step required for display at the retail end is removal of the shipping carton from the display box and placement of the display box, with the goods hanging from the display rack within the box, on the retail sales floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Rooster Products International, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Cabana
  • Patent number: 6109441
    Abstract: Two similar urinals are nested in a package so that both urinals occupy a volume less than twice the volume occupied by one of the urinals. Each urinal has a body having a lower wall, an upper mouth, a front wall having an upper portion and a lower portion, and a back wall defining a tangent plane. The upper mouth has a margin defining a plane meeting the tangent plane defined by the back wall at an acute angle. Each urinal fits between an upper plane and a lower plane, each meeting the plane tangent defined by the back wall of said urinal at a right angle. Each urinal has a handle unitary with the body of said urinal and projecting from the body of said urinal, near the upper mouth of the body of said urinal, toward the lower portion of the front wall of the body of said urinal, so as to define a gap between the handle and the upper portion of the front wall of said urinal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Premium Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6079562
    Abstract: A bag of folded disposable diapers including folded diapers arranged in at least two superimposed stacks in a direction substantially parallel to their thickness. Each of the diapers has a pair of substantially planar surfaces which are oriented to be substantially parallel to the side panels of the bag and each diaper is folded along at least one folding line in the cross direction so as to define at least one folded area and two non-folded end areas. The diapers are arranged in the bag such that the non-folded end areas corresponding to the waist areas are positioned inwardly, away from the end panels of the flexible bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Rainer Richard Bernd Bauer, Bruce Kevin Bitowft, Andreas Flohr
  • Patent number: 6050420
    Abstract: A packaging assembly, and method of packaging a plurality of products, for economically and safely shipping and displaying a plurality of products. The packaging assembly includes a display stand, a plurality of display packs holding the plurality of products, and a shipping cover. The display stand is constructed from a single sheet of cardboard, and includes a rectangular base panel, a front panel having a gap for viewing, and two parallel side panels. Each side panel includes a plurality of slots that correspond with slots in the other side panel. Each display pack is an approximately planar assembly formed from front and rear portions of transparent, vacuum-molded plastic. The front and rear portions are each configured with a flange, the flanges each forming conforming notches allowing the two portions to be adjoined and heat sealed or glued together. The display pack includes a product chamber configured to hold the product, and further contains a product display card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Optical Merchants, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrie Green
  • Patent number: 6016906
    Abstract: An L-Card for accommodating stacks of articles such as soap bars. The L-Card includes a compartment for receiving promotional items which may be sold with the stacked articles. The rear face of one of the panels forming the compartment advantageously constitutes part of the L-shaped area housing the soap bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company
    Inventors: Joyce Lynn Kruse, David Frederic Gnadt
  • Patent number: 5992636
    Abstract: A parts supplying apparatus for supplying an array of resin molded part (10) includes an elongated guide member (80) having a longitudinally extending guide passage (81) through which the parts array is fed, and a rotatably driven winding device (43). The guide member has a guide surface (83) along which the parts array is guided and is also provided with at least one hole (85) through which the carrier (31, 33) is drawn to allow the carrier to be drawn away and separated from the molded parts. The carrier is adapted to be wound on the winding device for pulling the carrier and effecting movement of the parts array within the guide passage and for causing the carrier to be separated from the molded parts as the molded parts move past the hole in the guide member. A parts array utilized in conjunction with such an apparatus includes a plurality of molded parts and a carrier to which each of the molded parts are arranged in a row on the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Elmar Mock, Yasuyuki Moriyama
  • Patent number: 5979662
    Abstract: A packaging assembly, and method of packaging a plurality of products, for economically and safely shipping and displaying a plurality of products. The packaging assembly includes a display stand, a plurality of display packs holding the plurality of products, and a shipping cover. The display stand is constructed from a single sheet of cardboard, and includes a rectangular base panel, a front panel having a gap for viewing, and two parallel side panels. Each side panel includes a plurality of slots that correspond with slots in the other side panel. Each display pack is an approximately planar assembly formed from front and rear portions of transparent, vacuum-molded plastic. The front and rear portions are each configured with a flange, the flanges each forming conforming notches allowing the two portions to be adjoined and heat sealed or glued together. The display pack includes a product chamber configured to hold the product, and further contains a product display card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Optical Merchants, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrie Green
  • Patent number: 5975294
    Abstract: A single-piece cardboard sheet into which slots and tabs are strategically cut to permit its folding into a carton for packaging a pair of western spurs. The unfolded carton is substantially symmetrical with respect to both its major and minor axes and comprises a bottom section from which two pairs of largely equal structural segments (a front and a back section) project outwards along the longitudinal axis. A cut at the boundary between the bottom section and each of these structural segments defines an extension sufficiently large to support the tips of the sides of the two spurs. The front section of the cardboard carton contains a cut that defines a substantially rectangular tab and a corresponding opening suitable for passing the sides of two spurs therethrough. The top of the front section also contains a hanging slot suitable for receiving the hook of a display rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Eastwest International (Taiwan) Enterprises
    Inventor: Chang Hsi-Chang
  • Patent number: 5960957
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding and organizing small items, comprising storage bags having a bag portion and a closure portion. The apparatus further comprising at least one base member having a surface area with slots disposed therein. The slots are wider than the bag portion, but narrower than the closure portion of the bags. The slots receive the bag portions while the closure portion holds the bag within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Arthur L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5927497
    Abstract: In a pack of substantially parallel-stacked transportable washers, at least two through-holes are provided in each washer, the two legs of a substantially U-shaped metal or plastic wire being positioned in the two through-holes of the stack of washers. The free ends of the legs projecting beyond the stack are bent over to positions oriented at approximately right angles to the respective legs. By appropriate force on the crosspiece, or on an extension, the wire is pulled back out of the stack of washers, the free ends being restraightened in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: SFS Industrie Holding AG
    Inventors: Stefan Baumgartner, Daniel Gasser, Jurg Maurer, Walter Seifert
  • Patent number: 5894923
    Abstract: A label package consisting of only label stock, in which labels are formed, releasably secured to liner stock, said two ply structure being formed into discrete panels along lines of weakness to thereby provide an accordion folded multi-panel set of panels, together with (a) an aligned hole in the set of accordion folded panels to thereby enable the set to be suspended from prong means and (b) a single staple or other securement means which maintains the set in a structurally self-supporting condition for shipment and display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Batts, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall W. Hamstra, Jan M. Wiersma
  • Patent number: 5887722
    Abstract: A bandoleer package and method for the making thereof in which bandoleer packages can be used to hold objects that are dimensioned or relatively thick without the usual risk of damage to the object caused by burst rollers. The preferred embodiment is made by forming a tube from a first web around a card cut from a secondary web and an object to be packaged, heat sealing the tube to itself to form a bottom seam of the package and a top seam of a previous package, then bonding the edges of the tube to the card. By bonding the edges to the card, the dimensioned object is kept away from the edges, thus preventing crushing of the object by burst rollers. The second web is preferably coated with a material that facilitates bonding to the first web material. In the preferred embodiment, the first web and the coating are formed from resinous materials, such as polyethylene; but any suitable materials can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: American Creative Packaging
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Albrecht, Hector L Vega, Donald A. Guth
  • Patent number: 5878885
    Abstract: A blister package with a hole in it for hanging the package on a rod has a thin plastic front sheet attached to back and a raised receptacle or blister is formed in the plastic sheet sized to enclose an article. The plastic sheet further has a raised formation near each top corner on the front of the blister package. The raised formation is shaped to space the package from an adjacent package when hung on a rod and to resist getting caught on the top edge of an adjacent blister package if the package is rotated about the rod. The raised formation has a peak and sloping sides extending from the peak toward the edges of the package. The profile is generally smooth such that there are no ledges to catch on the top edge of an adjacent blister pack. The hole is located a first distance from the top edge of the blister package and each projection is spaced a second distance from the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Automated Healthcare, Inc.
    Inventors: Manoj K. Wangu, Allen D. Bowers
  • Patent number: 5826727
    Abstract: A shipping and display container, a generally C-shaped or L-shaped configuration enabling vertical orientation of an elongated motor driven tool is disclosed. The container allows access to the tool without destruction or manipulation of the shipping and display container. In addition, the tool may be utilized as a handle for carrying both the tool and container. The container has display surfaces adapted to receive point of sale display graphics while greatly increasing the viewing angle of consumers approaching the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Ryobi North America Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald A. Fraser
  • Patent number: 5806680
    Abstract: A process for filling a non-self-supporting pack with cylindrical, pellet-like products by introducing into a pack closely surrounding at least one multiple-row layer of the products in such a manner that the products are arranged beside and above one another in linear contact with one another at their cylindrical surfaces and are arranged closely adjacent one another in the pack so that they fit exactly into the pack, are self-supporting, and disperse a pressure applied externally to the pack through the cylindrical surfaces of the products. The pack is brought into a transportation position wherein the products are in an upright position. A pack unit of the products is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventors: Wolfgang Barthel, Werner Kuenzel, Hubert Droessler, Monika Schmitt, Klaus Meyer, Stefan Huchler
  • Patent number: 5730286
    Abstract: A container (1, 1', 28) has a pressure vessel for regenerating and storing tennis balls (21, 21') under a positive gas pressure, preferably a positive air pressure. The container has a bottom (3, 20, 35) and a pressure-tight lid (3', 4, 31, 31') with an inlet valve (24, 24') and a gas pump (8, 8', 34) linkable thereto. The gas pump (8) is constructively integrated inside the pressure vessel (2, 30, 30') or the container (1, 1', 28). A removable receptacle (12) made of several mutually detachable parts (13, 14) is inserted into the pressure vessel (2). The receptacle contains mutually separated recesses (15, 16) having substantially the size of tennis balls (21, 21') and interconnected by means of the inlet valve (24, 24') in such a way that gas can flow from one recess into another recess. The recesses (15, 16) are located within the parts (13, 14) that constitute the receptacle (12) and which make up chambers (15, 16) for tennis balls when the molds are aligned and assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: Peter Eska
  • Patent number: 5718338
    Abstract: A one-piece blank which is folded to provide a shroud is used in conjunction with a bottom tray and securing mechanism to form a display case for enclosing an array of packages. The one-piece blank or shroud formed thereby includes a central top panel and a pair of side panels hinged thereto so that when the side panels are bent along the hinge lines to form the shroud the side panels are located adjacent respective opposed side faces of the array of packages. The blank or shroud also includes a pair of opposed projecting portions hinged to each side panel with a central hinge line therein to define a reinforcing panel and a leg panel so that when the reinforcing panels of each pair of projecting portions are bent back onto the associated the side panel the leg panels are bent perpendicular to the reinforcing panels to come together and to form a leg which is inserted laterally into the side face of the array of packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Yucknut, Panagiotis Kinigakis
  • Patent number: 5713470
    Abstract: A mesh housing defining an interior cavity and enclosing side walls and top walls is fabricated of a coarse open mesh material. The housing includes access door apertures which facilitate the storage of toy articles within the mesh housing interior cavity. A plurality of toy articles such as toy action figures or the like are readily stored and displayed upon the outer surfaces of the mesh housing by engaging the coarse mesh housing and hanging the articles thereon. A variety of mesh materials and mesh styles are utilized. Alternate embodiments are shown setting forth cylindrical and triangular mesh housing shapes as well as free standing or wall and door attachment embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventor: Donald J. Presta
  • Patent number: 5695061
    Abstract: Improvements may be incorporated in the literature holder and blank therefor, which allow it to be attached to display surfaces other than shelf pricing channel. For attachment of the literature holder to vertical surface with horizontal opening, improvement may be made wherein four cuts are made from the four points where the shelf strip panels meet the side panels, and which said cuts extend to a point which enables the shelf strip panels to be flexed so they may be inserted in horizontal openings of vertical surface. Improvement may be made to the holder and blank therefore with addition of four holes located so that cuts may be made to them from the four points where the shelf strip panels meet the side panels, which enables the shelf strip panels to be flexed so they may be inserted in horizontal openings of a vertical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: Brian Keating Stompe
  • Patent number: 5690212
    Abstract: A box for retaining keys includes a pair of bases secured to the upper portion and the lower portion and a pair of brackets secured to the bases. The brackets each includes a pair of parallel plates and each includes one or more shafts secured between the plates. One or more panels each includes a pair of fins secured to the upper portion and the lower portion and secured to the shafts of the brackets for allowing the panel to be rotatably secured to the shafts. The shafts each includes a neck portion of reduced size. The fins each includes an orifice for rotatably engaging with the shafts and each includes a notch for engaging with the neck portion of the shaft and for allowing the shaft to be engaged with the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventor: Chin-Lien Huang Hsu
  • Patent number: 5664684
    Abstract: A shrink wrapped package which provides improved aesthetics in the shrink wrapping of a stack of articles. A stack of articles are received within a sleeve which surrounds the stack of articles and maintains them in stacked relation. One of the end articles in the stack has sidewalls which are spaced from the sleeve. The end of the sleeve adjacent the end article has pivotable panels dependent therefrom, which are moveable from a position spaced from the sidewall of the end article into abutment with the sidewall of the end article. The articles are received in the sleeve with the panels spaced form the article sidewall, and the sleeve is then wrapped in a sheet of shrinkable material. Upon shrinkage of the shrinkable material, the material pulls the flaps into contact with the article sidewall, and the shrinkable material conforms smoothly to the contour of the sleeve without inward bending or warping of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: H.J. Heinz Company
    Inventor: Daniel Don Evert
  • Patent number: 5620088
    Abstract: A packaging arrangement for the containment of at least one hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution More specifically, pursuant to the packaging arrangement, a plurality of disposable hydrophilic contact lenses are contained in a specific number of individual packaging arrangements collectively housed in a box-like container or carton so as to provide a specified or essentially measured supply of contact lenses for use by a consumer over a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Wallace A. Martin, Kornelis Renkema, Victor Lust
  • Patent number: 5611431
    Abstract: A wrap-around carrier for packaging three rows of beverage cans or other related articles. A reinforcing strip having clip-type support panels at either end is glued to the underside of the top panel of the carrier. The support panels assist in supporting the end cans of the middle row to prevent the end cans from falling out of the open ends of the carrier and also provide a two-ply handle construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Randall L. Harris
  • Patent number: 5593041
    Abstract: A display package for holding and displaying a first article and a second article together in a complimentary fashion, the display package comprising of a back wall and base assembly, the back wall including a first provision for displaying and holding the first article in place with respect to the back wall, the base assembly having a second provision for displaying and holding the second article in place with respect to the base, the display package further including a support associated with the back wall for holding the second article and for supporting the back wall in a substantially vertical orientation relative to the base, the display package in a preferred embodiment being constructed from a piece of cardboard or like material, folded from a flat pattern along a plurality of predetermined fold lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Dan-Dee International Limited
    Inventor: Lee Capozzi
  • Patent number: 5579288
    Abstract: A wristwatch display package is made using two elongated sheet members of transparent plastic joined end-to-end by a flexible hinge. The sheets are folded together, nested and sealed together around the peripheral edges. An elongated display card having printing thereon is disposed between the sheet members and within the sealed peripheral edges. The card has a window for displaying a portion of a wristwatch. The sheet members have protrusions which together form an arcuate cavity. The arcuate cavity is surrounded by the window in the display card and adapted to receive a wristwatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Timex Corporation
    Inventors: James B. Malloy, Charles G. Barrett
  • Patent number: 5577614
    Abstract: A combined shipping and dispensing package for fluid containers has an outer container and an internal packing. The internal packing has mating support members, each having a rib section with openings with extending, compliant jacket walls that form cavities to receive and support the fluid containers. Collar portions are formed in the rib section and upper cavity walls to provide support for dispensing conduits extending outwardly of the fluid containers. Compliant spacer walls extend laterally from the rib section to provide lateral support and shock absorption for the jacketed cavities. The package may be used for direct positioning of the fluid container dispensing conduits onto mating fluid receptacles on associated processing equipment without removing the fluid containers from the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Fernando Palmeroni, Jr., Clark E. Harris
  • Patent number: 5566824
    Abstract: The present invention relates to packaging assemblies with improved stackability. The packaging assembly comprises multiple inner containers which are combined by a tight fitting outer case into the packaging assembly. The inner containers are flexible and contain a fluid and a gas filled head space. By providing the inner containers with an inside pressure above the ambient pressure, the stackability of the otherwise non or at least unreliably stackable packaging assembly is substantially improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Joris G. J. Tack, Christian D. Verhelle
  • Patent number: 5555982
    Abstract: A shipping container apparatus is provided which, upon opening, may be converted to a display apparatus for items shipped and contained therewithin the shipping container. The convertible shipping container--display apparatus includes a cover configured for facilitated opening, to permit access to and viewing of the goods shipped and contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Stone Container Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne H. Kuhn, Robert B. Leftwich
  • Patent number: 5549202
    Abstract: A blank for forming a U-shaped support envelope for a container package containing rectangular carton containers of uniform height, shape and size, the containers each having a top, a bottom and sides, the U-shaped support envelope having an uncovered top, two opposed uncovered sides, two opposed planar side wall members extending from a planar base, each side wall member having a top edge. Tongue-slot combinations are disposed at the corners of the blank so as to have available cushion tabs for engaging the upper uncovered face of end containers in the package. The tabs extend from slots for engaging a band for holding the containers in the U-shaped envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventor: Michael Whiteside
  • Patent number: 5533618
    Abstract: A reusable surgical device which is suitable for carrying elongated surgical instruments having a backing plate which supports a plurality of detachable receptacle members contained on the backing plate in fixed engagement. The device is made of a transparent thermoplastic which is electrically insulating, nonflammable, and which can be sterilized at temperatures above 300.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventor: Robert F. Pickels, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5520285
    Abstract: A package for small parts having a first shipping and/or storage position, a second display position, and a third service position. The package has an areal support which is divided into four section by a transversely extending hinge connection and a longitudinally extending hinge connection. In the first position, the right and left portions of the package are folded over on one another to form a package enclosing the parts. In the second position the areal support is laid open in substantially the same plane where the parts are visible but cannot readily be removed from the package. In the third position, the package is folded back on itself along the longitudinal axis to provide access to the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventors: Michael Mursch, Peter Knopp
  • Patent number: 5507388
    Abstract: A stack of plastic articles and a process of forming the stack are disclosed. Preferably the stack is of heat-fusible plastic slide elements for use in a diagnostic analyzer, the elements being temporarily and non-destructively fused together so that the stack can be used free of a cartridge.In another embodiment, the stack can be of any plastic article temporarily fused to adjacent elements, one side edge of each element bearing a colorant and another bearing no colorant, so that a bar code for the stack is inherently formed simply by rotating each element to project outwardly the colored side edge or the side edge lacking colorant, prior to fusing the elements together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Clinical Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice A. Kildal, Frank A. Richardson, Claude E. Monsees
  • Patent number: 5497882
    Abstract: A package holder comprises a top panel portion extending into a pair of opposed receiving panel portions. Each receiving panel comprises a plurality of slots being adapted to receive upper opposed corners of a package. Each package may comprise laterally opposed cut-outs into which respective edge strips of each receiving panel may extend for the purpose of carrying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Calidad Holdings Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Robin G. B. Kenyon
  • Patent number: 5495950
    Abstract: A sorting device has a base with an upper horizontal support surface having an outer mounting edge to which a tray is hingedly connected. The tray has a bottom wall providing a sorting surface and sidewalls around the periphery of the bottom wall. The sidewalls have converging portions that converge toward a discharge end to define a discharge opening. The hinge is attached to the bottom of the tray at a location spaced inwardly from the discharge end to permit the tray to be pivoted between a sorting position, in which its bottom wall rests on the support surface, and a discharge position, in which the discharge end is tilted downwardly relative to the mounting edge to allow discharge of articles from the sorting surface, through the discharge opening, and into a container placed adjacent to the base. The base may have a box-like configuration and provide storage space for containers. In such case, the tray preferably covers the open top of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Inventor: Roger D. Jellum
  • Patent number: 5495937
    Abstract: A shipping and display container, a generally C-shaped or L-shaped configuration enabling vertical orientation of an elongated motor driven tool is disclosed. The container allows access to the tool without destruction or manipulation of the shipping and display container. In addition, the tool may be utilized as a handle for carrying both the tool and container. The container has display surfaces adapted to receive point of sale display graphics while greatly increasing the viewing angle of consumers approaching the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Ryobi North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald A. Fraser
  • Patent number: 5472092
    Abstract: A shrink wrapped package which provides improved aesthetics in the shrink wrapping of a stack of articles. A stack of articles are received within a sleeve which surrounds the stack of articles and maintains them in stacked relation. One of the end articles in the stack has sidewalls which are spaced from the sleeve. The end of the sleeve adjacent the end article has pivotable panels dependent therefrom, which are moveable from a position spaced from the sidewall of the end article into abutment with the sidewall of the end article. The articles are received in the sleeve with the panels spaced form the article sidewall, and the sleeve is then wrapped in a sheet of shrinkable material. Upon shrinkage of the shrinkable material, the material pulls the flaps into contact with the article sidewall, and the shrinkable material conforms smoothly to the contour of the sleeve without inward bending or warping of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: H. J. Heinz Company
    Inventor: Daniel D. Evert
  • Patent number: 5450926
    Abstract: A checkout counter order divider bar includes merchandise to be purchased and which is displayed through transparent walls of the divider bar. A customer signals an operator at the checkout counter orally or visually that he/she wants to buy the merchandise in the divider bar or by activating a signalling device on the order divider bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: William A. Fraser
  • Patent number: 5427222
    Abstract: An article delivery box for accommodating long articles includes an outer box having a bottom portion, which is formed to include through-holes, and upper side which is open, and a bottom-rest member laid upon a bottom surface of the outer box and formed to have projections that penetrate the through-holes and holding portions for holding lower ends of the articles. An article supply method using this article delivery box includes the steps of supplying article delivery boxes to continuous supplying units for supplying the article delivery boxes to the prescribed working location one box at a time, retaining and positioning the articles relative to the bottom-rest member of the article delivery box by a box supply member having a positioning member for performing positioning by acting upon the projections of the: bottom-rest member, and successively extracting articles by article extracting units after the articles have been positioned and retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiko Miura, Ryohei Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5425474
    Abstract: A package (10) is disclosed including a dispensing carton (12) containing a stack of covered bowls (54) holding ready-to-eat breakfast cereal. The carton (12) includes a removable tab (64) including an upper, linear, perforated line (66) and a lower, linear, perforated line (68) spaced from and parallel to the bottom edge (44) of the front panel (18). The side panels (24, 32) of the carton (12) each include a cut, arcuate line (70) extending from the upper line (66) and a linear, perforated line (72) parallel to its bottom edge (40) and extending from the arcuate line (70) to the corner between the front panel (18) and the side panel (24, 32). The front panel (18) further includes first and second cut lines (74) extending from the linear lines (72) of the side panels (24, 32) to the opposite ends of the lower line (68) which are spaced from the corners between the front panel (18) and the side panels (24, 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory P. Dalea, Bruce A. Peik
  • Patent number: 5417842
    Abstract: Disclosed is a magazine for holding semiconductor devices during storage and shipping wherein a portion 22 of the magazine is cut to form a tab 28 which is pushed through an opening 29 in a wall 23 of said magazine to block the end of the magazine, preventing semiconductor devices from falling out of said magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Jay R. Sedita
  • Patent number: 5411139
    Abstract: A keybox capable of being oriented in a horizontal or vertical position is disclosed. Keypanels are maintained in the keybox and may be secured in either a horizontal or vertical extended position for viewing. The keypanels are slidably mounted in grooved tracks thereby being located upright and parallel within the keybox. Upwardly extending keyhooks are located on the keypanels for retaining keys. The keypanels are square so that the keyhooks may be located extending upwardly when the keybox is oriented upwards or sidewards. The keypanels are accessible through an opening in the keybox and may be slid out of the keybox to an extended position through the opening. Each keypanel may be secured in a horizontal extended position on the keybox by locating a lower edge of the keypanel on a shoulder of the keybox and securing the keypanel thereon by locating a retaining bar coupled to the keybox in a notch in an upper edge of the keypanel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Inventor: James Victory
  • Patent number: 5405009
    Abstract: A package for a caramel apple, candy apple or the like includes a base having at least one recess for the receipt of an apple, a ridge extending substantially around the periphery of an open end of the base, and a first substantially flat outer surface abutting the ridge, and a cover accommodating a stick protruding from the apple and having a shoulder extending substantially around the periphery of an open end of the cover for sealing contact with the ridge of the base when the cover and the base are in a closed position, and a second substantially flat outer surface abutting the shoulder and being located adjacent the first substantially flat outer surface of the base to permit a single label to be affixed to an area of both of the first and the second substantially flat outer surfaces to maintain the package in a closed position and provide a tamper evident seal. Other embodiments of a protective package are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Tastee Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Charles G. Hackenbracht
  • Patent number: 5392903
    Abstract: A package is provided for retaining a plurality of surgical sutures which includes a housing and a plurality of superimposed suture retainer reels disposed within the housing. Each of the suture retainer reels has a peripheral channel defined therein for maintaining a wound suture in such a manner so that the wound suture in one of said peripheral channels is disposed in an annular vertical plane which is substantially distinct from the annular vertical plane in which an adjacent wound suture is disposed. Structure is associated with the housing for maintaining the suture retainer reels in superimposed relationship. The package may also be provided with a needle park for releasably maintaining surgical needles in a position for ready removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventor: Hans-Jurgen F. Sinn