With Distinct Corner Or Edge Protector Patents (Class 206/586)
  • Publication number: 20030010663
    Abstract: A container for packaging and unwinding a welding wire comprising: a square cardboard box with four vertical side walls and four vertically extending corners, each defining an apex, a center cylindrical core, an inner vertically extending tubular liner with an octagonal outer shape having four outer walls, each generally overlying a side wall of the box and four alternate inner walls between two of the outer walls and spaced from the corner apexes to define generally triangular, vertical cavities with an at rest dimension from the apex of a corner to one of the alternate inner walls and a vertically extending corner reinforcing element in each of the cavities. The element in each cavity has a diagonal pressure rib extending from the apex to the inner wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Barton, Lisa M. Byall, James T. Land, Herbert H. Matthews III.
  • Publication number: 20020189969
    Abstract: A single piece protective device that can be stacked or nested in an unfolded position and then folded into the desired shape when ready for use is provided. The device is made from a substantially rectangular sheet of laminated paperboard. The sheet comprises an outer wall and an inner wall connected by a hinged area running longitudinally from top to the bottom. The hinged area comprises a plurality of longitudinal creases or scores. The sheet is made of multiple plies of material laminated together. The plies can be made from different types of materials, and may be oriented in different directions to achieve desired structural properties. The unfolded sheets are nestable for efficient storage and shipping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Renck
  • Patent number: 6496362
    Abstract: An information storage device (10) includes a cartridge (14) which can be removably inserted into a cradle (13) coupled by a cable (12) to a host computer. The cartridge includes an outer housing (54) containing a chamber (122), and having an electrical connector (63) on the exterior. An inner housing (128) contains a hard disk mechanism, and is resiliently supported within the chamber by four resilient elements (131-134). A flex circuit (146) extends from the inner housing to the connector, and permits relative movement of the inner and outer housings. The resilient elements are formed by cutting a cross-shaped part (402) from a foam sheet, cutting two square parts (406-407) from a different foam sheet, adhesively laminating the outer parts to opposite sides of the center part, and then cutting the resulting assembly along two planes to form the four resilient elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan D. Osterhout, Scott P. Thomas, Paul C. Kunz, Allen T. Bracken
  • Publication number: 20020185403
    Abstract: A reusable, inflatable packing system comprised of a multi-chambered shipping pad formed of first and second outer film layers and a third, central layer located between at least a portion of the outer layers, and having two or four discrete inflatable zones, wherein each zone is further comprised of a plurality of inflatable chambers, preferably conical in shape. The multi-chamber design facilitates absorption of impact upon the pad by permitting redistribution of an inflation gas, e.g., air, from an area of impact to a non-impacted area removed a distance therefrom within the same zone. The flow of inflation gas into and/or out of the pad zones is controlled by at least one tab valve assembly, each of which is comprised of a main and a working tab valve frame, which main frame is mounted within an outer film layer while the working frame is mounted in the central film layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas L. Russo
  • Patent number: 6488153
    Abstract: A cushioning member with three interconnecting parts provides a full internal corner for contacting and protecting the external surfaces of an article during shipping and handling. The three interconnecting parts also provide a full external corner. Both full internal and external corners provide a rugged shipping and handling protector for an article (e.g., personal computer) to be shipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: John Jay Morris
  • Patent number: 6471067
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting an article during shipment is provided. In one embodiment, a packaging apparatus includes a formed body comprised having a first resiliency. The formed body has a plurality of recesses disposed on a first side of the formed body. An insert having a resiliency greater than the resiliency of the formed body is disposed in at least one of the recesses disposed in the formed replace. In another embodiment, a method for packing an article includes inserting an insert of resilient material into selected recesses in a cushioning material in locations where additional protection of a packaged device is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing, S.A.
    Inventor: Robert Charles Lancaster
  • Patent number: 6464197
    Abstract: An antislip pad is designed for protectively mounting onto an end of a changeover switch that is used to change over computer peripherals to be connected to a main unit of the computer. The pad is made of a material providing good softness. When a changeover switch has two antislip pads mounted onto two ends thereof, a bottom surface of the switch is not in direct contact with a surface on which the switch is positioned, protecting the switch from easily slipping over or dropping from the surface. The antislip pad is provided at upper and lower end surfaces with corresponding recesses and projections, respectively, so that two or more antislip pads could be stacked with the projections of an upper pad fitly engaging with the recesses of a lower pad to prevent the stacked pads from slipping relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Aten International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kevin Chen
  • Publication number: 20020139706
    Abstract: A packing box has a bottom surface formed double by folding flaps 11 through 14 extending downward from respective four side surfaces 1 through 4 such that mutually-opposing flaps are folded in a pair. Cushioning members 31 through 34 are individually disposed at four corners of an inner bottom of the packing box. Smaller flaps 51, 52 are formed in the flaps 11 and 12 which constitute an inner bottom surface of the double bottom surface. Notches 51a, 51b, 52a, and 52b are formed in the smaller flaps 51, 52 to come into contact with the corresponding outer shapes of the cushioning members 31, 32, 33, and 34 when the smaller flaps 51, 52 are raised. By raising the smaller flaps 51, 52, the cushioning members 31 through 34 are held between the side surfaces 1 through 4 of the box and the notches 51a, 51b, 52a, and 52b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: Haruhiko Fujii
  • Patent number: 6458448
    Abstract: An edge protector for the edges of roll shaped articles, e.g. pallets, reeled steel and paper products is made from an elongated sheet (10) of plastics material, the sheet having an indentation (11) extending longitudinally along a major surface of the sheet and extending only partially into the thickness of the sheet. The indentation (11) divides the sheet into webs (12, 13) which are folded into an L-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: ITW Limited
    Inventor: Raymond John Hunt
  • Patent number: 6458396
    Abstract: The preferred embodiment protective packaging (10) is directed to a protective packaging for hard taco shells (27). It is understood, however, that the present invention may be modified to provide an improved packaging container for other brittle yet perishable food substances. The packaging (10) includes a pad (11) having legs (12, 13, 14, 15) that are compressed when a force is exerted upon them without breaking the taco shells (27). The pad (11) covers an area greater than the area covered by the taco shells (27). The taco shells (27) are packaged in a nested arrangement, and the packaging (10) also utilizes a paper board U-shaped insert (35) placed in the opening of the end taco shell, which protects the shells (27) from breaking in side to side impact. The shells (27) are shrink-wrapped onto the pad (11) and the pad (11) is then placed inside a protective carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Hormel Foods, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel J. Hirst
  • Publication number: 20020108886
    Abstract: An air cushion for shock absorption according to the present invention, comprises a flexible and elastic foam material capable of restoring an air cell thereof to its original shape and size under a static pressure transformable by an impact force, a cover made of a soft non-porous material for closely enclosing the foam material in the inside thereof, a discharge valve formed in the cover for discharging an air in the inside of the air cell of the foam material to the atmosphere when the air cell is subject to the shock, and one or more intake valve formed in the cover separately from the discharge valve for intaking the atmosphere to the air cell when the air cell is restored to its original size and shape after impacted. When shocked or restored, the shock can be efficiently absorbed by selectively operating the discharge valve and intake valve and differing their volumes from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: June-Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 6412635
    Abstract: An item to be packaged which has at least a first substantially planar surface is positioned within the carton, also having at least a first substantially planar exterior carton surface such that the plane of the item to be packaged is non-orthogonal to and non-parallel with the plane of the carton exterior. In one aspect, a substantially parallelepiped-shaped item is rotated about one, two or three orthogonal axes for placing in a carton which may itself have a substantially parallelepiped exterior shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Torence Lu
  • Patent number: 6405866
    Abstract: A shock absorbing device includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion. The first arm portion is made of resin having a shock absorbing function. The second arm portion is made of resin having a shock absorbing function, and is jointed with the first arm portion at, at least two positions. The first arm portion includes at least one deformation portion. The second arm portion includes at least one deformation portion. A fitting space is formed between the first and second arm portions as a result of the deformation portions being deformed, a to-be-shock-absorbed article being held in the fitting space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Teac Corporation
    Inventor: Seibi Arima
  • Patent number: 6390296
    Abstract: The protection of items such as preassembled cabinets, furniture, major appliances or electronics against damage during shipping is a problem that has been approached in many different ways throughout the years. Manufacturers desire to pack their products as inexpensively, both in materials and labor, as possible while providing a maximum of protection against potential damage. This has typically entailed packing an item snugly in a preassembled carton, protected by systems such as styrofoam edge protectors. This procedure can, however, be quite awkward, especially with larger items such as furniture or cabinets. The present invention, however, offers a packaging system which can be built around the item to be packed, easing the packing procedure by employing a spacing lip along the lower edge of the bottom spacing pads which allow a packing sleeve to easily fit between the spacing pads and a bottom packing tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventors: Marty L. Griffith, Alan T. Biggs
  • Publication number: 20020056656
    Abstract: The present invention proposes an extensible packing protector for protecting an edge portion of a plate-like object. The packing protector comprises a first and a second complementary half members each comprising a plate for covering a respective main face of the edge portion. Each half member also comprises a row of alternating recesses and projections extending at right angle with the plate, the row of projections and recesses of the first member having a complementary configuration to the row of projections and recesses of the second member for slidably moving and fitting together the first and second half members with respect to one another and thereby obtaining an extensible side wall of the packing protector for covering the side wall of the edge portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Beliveau
  • Patent number: 6382422
    Abstract: A packaging system and a method for packaging a family of products. The packaging system may comprise a top cushion and an identical bottom cushion. The top and bottom cushions may interchangeably be placed on the top or bottom side of any of the products in the family. The packaging system may further comprise a plurality of side cushions adapted to be placed on the sides of a product. The side cushions have at least one break-away portion, allowing them to be utilized on any of the products in the family, whether the product is comprised of one, two, or three or more units. Each of the cushions have interlocking portions adapted to securely, removably interlock the top cushion and the bottom cushion with the side cushions to form a packaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Patricia R. Bocek
  • Patent number: 6368694
    Abstract: A corner protector useful for shielding the corner of a cabinet from damage during shipping, storage, handling or the like, comprises a top member having an outer portion, an inner portion, and a generally flat planar bottom portion. A first pair of arm members is connected to the top member outer portion and projects downward therefrom, with the first pair of arm members being positioned substantially perpendicularly to one another, each of the first arm members having a generally flat planar bottom edge portion oriented substantially parallel with one another and substantially parallel with the top member bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Marsh, Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 6367626
    Abstract: A Clearview packaging assembly for containing an irregular shaped appliance such as a washer or dryer is provided. The assembly comprises a clamshell-like framework placed around the appliance and wrapped tightly in transparent film. The framework includes a hinged top cap, front corner posts glued to the front portion of the top cap, rear corner posts glued to the rear portion of the top cap, front and rear bottom pieces glued to the lower ends of the corner posts, and a basiloid piece glued to the two rear corner posts. The top cap and the basiloid piece cooperate to form a three-layer thick basiloid handling flange to facilitate basiloid lifting of the packaging assembly with the appliance contained therein. The top cap has triangular shaped side walls that, along with the front corner posts, maintain the structural integrity of the package and prevent trapezoiding during basiloid handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: David B. Muyskens
  • Patent number: 6364111
    Abstract: An apparatus for protecting an article. The apparatus is a single sheet of material that is folded to define a saddle portion recessed between two extending portions. The protected article is extendible into the saddle area. The two extending portions of the apparatus are defined by planar portions that form a triangular area when viewed from the side. The saddle area is defined by two triangular elements when viewed from the side, and which are defined by planar portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Robert James Wilson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6357587
    Abstract: A shipping package for accommodating a box-like object such as a drawer-type storage unit. The shipping package includes substantially identical top and bottom trays which respectively extend over top and bottom ends of the furniture unit, and a set of four corner posts which embrace vertically extending corners of the furniture unit and have opposite ends engaged with the trays. The corner posts comprise elongate L-shaped members which are hollow in cross-section and are relatively rigid to permit transmission of vertical stacking loads therethrough. The bottom tray mounts therein a load-bearing insert structure which includes two inserts, each formed from a one-piece corrugated fiber-board blank, with the inserts being secured within the tray and having raised upper surfaces which are in load-bearing engagement with the bottom frame of the furniture unit. The inserts also have appropriate recesses for accommodating legs or casters provided on the furniture unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick G. Melms, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020023857
    Abstract: A unitary product cushioning structure for supporting a shock sensitive product in an outer packaging container is formed of moldable resilient plastics material. It has an outer container contacting wall at each side which is intended to contact an outer packaging container, and a flexible shock absorbing spring section at each such side. A product supporting region is bounded by outer product supporting region defining walls, inner product contacting walls, an upper ridge between them, and a product supporting platform. Shock absorption support for a shock sensitive product is provided in at least two of three mutually perpendicular directions; most embodiments, including end pieces, end caps, trays and covers, and corner pieces, provide shock absorption protection in three mutually perpendicular directions. The structure is usually thermoformed, but may be otherwise molded from a suitable resilient and moldable plastics material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventor: Forrest Smith
  • Publication number: 20020020649
    Abstract: An apparatus for protecting an article. The apparatus is a single sheet of material that is folded to define a saddle portion recessed between two extending portions. The protected article is extendible into the saddle area. The two extending portions of the apparatus are defined by planar portions that form a triangular area when viewed from the side. The saddle area is defined by two triangular elements when viewed from the side, and which are defined by planar portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Applicant: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Robert James Wilson
  • Publication number: 20010037955
    Abstract: A package for a roll having flexible edge protection including at least one protective end cap adjacent one end of the roll and an outer cylindrical film layer surrounding the outer roll surface. The flexible edge cap and the cylindrical film layer form the flexible edge protection package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventor: Daniel J. Pienta
  • Publication number: 20010030141
    Abstract: A cushioning member formed by stacking a plurality of sheet-like cushioning materials and surrounding the periphery of the cushioning materials with a sheet-like member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Kasakura
  • Publication number: 20010027931
    Abstract: A transport packing for fragile goods, particularly for supply containers for microscopic slides, comprises a columnar packing chamber formed by inner packing walls (10). The goods to be transported are accommodated in the packing chamber. Buffer spaces (12,13) formed by outer packing walls (14,16,18 and 20,22,24, respectively) are arranged adjacent the inner packing walls (10). The buffer spaces (12,13) prevent damage of the goods during transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Olaf Sollbohmer, Florian Bosch, Andreas Lippke
  • Patent number: 6286683
    Abstract: A multiple-piece corner post used for cushioning and supporting large appliances is provided. The corner post is made from two or more structural members joined together. The multiple structural members are shaped into the desired shapes and then joined together near the ends to form a generally “L” shaped corner post. Similarly shaped structural members may be nested to save space during shipping prior to assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Argriculture, Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Hunt, Yanping Qiu
  • Patent number: 6276526
    Abstract: An edge protector for a fenestration product is integrally formed of a single sheet of corrugated paperboard that has been perforated, slit, scored, glued, and folded in a particular manner so as to be generally flat in overall configuration prior to being placed in use. At the time of installation, the protector is partially unfolded out of its flat plane to assume an overall generally transversely L-shaped configuration, having a pair of legs intersecting one another at right angles to form a receiving corner for the face and side margins of the product. One leg of the protector forms a flap that covers a marginal portion of the face of the product when the protector is fitted onto the product, while the other leg forms a second flap that covers a marginal portion of the sides of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Pella Corporation
    Inventors: Scot C. Miller, Jeffrey S. Wetter, Fred L. Hrdlicka
  • Patent number: 6267255
    Abstract: A merchandiser which has a product containing interior region is provided with a plurality of panels secured to the top surface of the merchandiser. The panels are foldable between a shroud forming position in which they cover the side faces of the merchandiser and a header forming position in which they project upwardly from the top surface of the merchandiser. The panels, when in the header forming position interlock with and hold one another in the header forming position. When the panels are in the header forming position, the product receiving interior region of the merchandiser is visible through the side faces of the merchandiser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventor: John Brush
  • Patent number: 6268039
    Abstract: A packing buffer assembly includes a pair of sleeves and an accessory supporting plate. Each sleeve has a first buffer member, a pair of second buffer members mounted on the first buffer member in a wedging manner, and a pair of shoulder pads. Each first buffer member has a pair of upper and lower plates, a side plate, and a first receiving space. The shoulder pads of each sleeve are disposed in the first receiving space. Each second buffer member has upper and lower end portions. The accessory supporting plate has a central part, a pair of risers, a second receiving space which is defined by the central part and the risers, and a pair of wings which extend oppositely and respectively from the risers so as to be laid on the sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming-Hsun Chou, Shu-Chin Chen
  • Patent number: 6261653
    Abstract: A unitary product cushioning device is provided for supporting a shock sensitive product in an outer packaging container, and is formed of a moldable resilient plastics material. The device comprises a post structure, with a first closed end and a second open end, with the open end having a curved ridge formed at at least a first side of the post structure, and terminating in a container contacting flange at the end of the curved ridge remote from the open end. A portion of the curved ridge presents a product supporting surface; and a further portion of the curved ridge is curved in a direction outwardly and away from the post structure. There may be a container contacting surface near the closed end of the post structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Forrest Smith
  • Patent number: 6257412
    Abstract: A cushioning material for packaging is provided, which is used when an article having a rectangular cross section or a cubic shape is packaged in an outer case, such as a corrugated cardboard box. The cushioning material is suitable for packaging the article therewith in an outer case while an end portion, which has a pair of corner sections, of the article is inserted into and supported by the cushioning. The cushioning material is provided with a grooved retainer (1) and a pair of end support members (2,2) disposed so as to close the ends of both end portions of the grooved retainer (1). The grooved retainer has a raised bottom (10) and two side walls (11,11) and is adapted to receive one inserted end portion of the article having a rectangular cross section or a cubic shape. The end support members each have a plurality of hollow portions (20), which are arranged in parallel in a predetermined direction, and a rectangular cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the hollow portions (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignees: Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Yokoyama Sankoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Yamamoto, Yoshimasa Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 6253917
    Abstract: An apparatus for protecting an article. The apparatus is a single sheet of material that is folded to define a saddle portion recessed between two extending portions. The protected article is extendible into the saddle area. The two extending portions of the apparatus are defined by planar portions that form a triangular area when viewed from the side. The saddle area is defined by two triangular elements when viewed from the side, and which are defined by planar portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Robert James Wilson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6247596
    Abstract: A corner post for protecting and cushioning large products such as appliances that compresses to a stronger shape than its original shape when the corner post and product are wrapped in clear plastic film. The corner post comprises beads formed along the vertical lengths of the inner and outer walls. When wrapped in plastic film, the beads lock together to form a stable structure that resists further compression while exerting an outward force on the plastic film to insure that the plastic film stays tight during shipping and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: David B. Muyskens
  • Patent number: 6234314
    Abstract: A product support such as a corner post used for cushioning and supporting large appliances is provided. The support post comprises spaced substantially parallel opposing walls connected at the ends. The opposing walls have at least one area of contact spaced from the ends wherein the opposing walls are joined along at least part of the area of contact. The opposing walls may be joined by adhesive, stitching, or other suitable means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Yanping Qiu, Donald E. Widman
  • Patent number: 6227366
    Abstract: A new and improved pallet cap is formed in one flat piece that can be stored flat; and, when it is desired, the flat piece can be easily erected in a pallet cap which can cover a side edge of a stack of material on the pallet. This is achieved by providing a flat sheet of paperboard with an elongated flange having fold lines to allow the flange to be folded to project at an angle to a flat panel which is to lie flat on the top or bottom side of the pallet load. The preferred shape of the pallet cap is generally in the shape of a T with the flange being in the crossbar head of the T and the flat panel being the leg of the T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: R. R. Donnelley and Sons Company
    Inventors: Terry Lee Eckard, Brian Taylor Riding
  • Patent number: 6207249
    Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine, method and product characterized by a connecting assembly that provides a mechanical interlock between overlapped portions of sheet-like stock material to prevent “unzippering” of a low density cushioning product produced by the cushioning conversion machine. The connecting assembly comprises a pair of rotatable stitching members, a first one having a plurality of radially outwardly extending projections, or teeth, around the circumference thereof, with the projections having at least two axially spaced apart segments defining a recess therebetween. The second stitching member includes at least one axial punch segment which includes a peripheral edge portion dimensioned to be received in the recess in the first stitching member during rotation of the stitching members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Ranpak Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Lencoski, Edwin P. Belerlorzer, Edward W. Lintala
  • Patent number: 6206195
    Abstract: An impact protecting modular block includes an anchoring portion adapted to be secured on a corner of an industrial computer, and an abutment portion integrally formed with and extending transverse to the anchoring portion and adapted to abut against a surrounding wall of the industrial computer. The anchoring portion of a first modular block can be stacked upon and can be secured on the anchoring portion of a second modular block so as to permit the abutment portion of the first modular block to abut against the abutment portion of the second modular block, thereby raising rear corners of the base body relative to front corners of the base body of the industrial computer for convenient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Getac Corporation
    Inventor: Ted Cheng
  • Patent number: 6202848
    Abstract: A corner protector comprises two sheets of superposed material joined along two straight edges that meet at an angle of 135°. It is open along any other edge. The sheets are swingable relative to each other about the joined edges, whereby when the sheets are swung about the joined edges until the two edges are at a right angle to each other, a corner protector is produced which has three flat sides each of which meets the other two sides at a right angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Manufacturer's Equipment & Supply Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Avalon Tindoll, Stanley Hendrix, Brian P. Tindoll, J. Scott Tindoll
  • Patent number: 6199700
    Abstract: A cushioning material for packaging is formed of a foldable and regenerable sheet, such as a corrugated cardboard or thick paper, and is used to protect an article of a rectangular cross-sectional shape packaged in an outer case. First and third frame members (1a, 1c) for forming a pair of parallel edge members of a rectangular frame, and second and fourth frame members (1b, 1d) for forming the other pair of parallel edge members of the same frame are provided, and the frame members (1a-1d) are formed of hollow bodies having a plurality of hollow portions (10) arranged in parallel, the contour and sizes of cross sections intersecting the hollow portions (10) being substantially equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignees: Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Yokoyama Sankoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Yamamoto, Yoshimasa Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 6189692
    Abstract: A protective furniture shipment and storage bag is formed as an envelope comprised of inner and outer transparent film layers with protective cushioning foam elements sandwiched therebetween at opposite ends of the envelope to define a furniture viewing window longitudinally between the foam elements. Such bags are fabricated by sandwiching foam elements in spaced relation between two essentially coextensive transparent film layers, folding the sandwiched components along the longitudinal fold line, and heat sealing or otherwise attaching the folded film layers and foam elements at the opposite ends to form the aforedescribed envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Robert L. Campbell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6186329
    Abstract: An improved post made of multiple sheets of paper for supporting and cushioning a product. The sheets are joined end to end and wound into a tubular shape having a strong-weak-strong profile in the transverse direction. The ends of the sheets are joined together in such a way that the post has a uniform wall thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Yanping Qiu
  • Patent number: 6183840
    Abstract: An extruded plastic strip (1) adapted for use in protecting the edge of an article having a curved surface: said strip including alongitudinal groove (6), a flexible covering portion (2) extending from one side of the longitudinal groove adapted to be placed over and conform with the curve surface of an article to be protected and a plurality of tabs (3-5) hinged to and extending from the other side of the longitudinal groove, wherein said covering portion includes a plurality of holes (9, 10) which are located at or proximate the outer most edge of the covering portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Nylex Corporation Limited
    Inventor: Edward Morris Arrowsmith
  • Patent number: 6149009
    Abstract: A carton for shipping fragile wares comprising a regular slotted container and an insert for suspending the wares between the top, bottom and side panels of the regular slotted container. The insert is characterized in that it includes upwardly and downwardly sloping sidewalls which meet at a vertex to form a "v" shape. The fragile wares are placed on the downwardly sloping sidewalls of the insert and the top of the container is closed, thereby clamping the fragile wares away from the sides, top, and bottom of the container. This suspension construction protects the wares from outside shocks and forces during shipping. Preferably, the insert of the present invention is formed from two symmetric "C" shaped pieces and is made of corrugated cardboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Robert C. DeNola
  • Patent number: 6142304
    Abstract: A unitary fragility packaging article for packaging at least one shock sensitive item within a container having multiple panels, includes in a preferred embodiment a platform portion defining a floor for supporting at least a portion of the item and having a peripheral edge including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel side edges; a plurality of ribs disposed on the platform portion to project from the floor and to divide the floor into a plurality of item-supporting cells; and at least one of the cells being provided with at least a portion of a crush depression for forming a cushion distance between the floor and an adjacent panel of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignees: Plastofilm Industries, Robert, Stephens, Van Amburg Packaging
    Inventors: Michael S. Moren, Fred Schindler
  • Patent number: 6132842
    Abstract: A cushioning product having plural layers of a sheet-like stock material folded upon themselves to form a pillow-like portion. The lateral edges of the outer layer of the stock material are overlapped and connected together to maintain the geometry of the pillow-like portion. The lateral edges of the outer layers are connected together (for example, they are mechanically interlocked) separate from the central portion of the outer layer. The overlapped edges of the outer layer may form a tab portion projecting from the pillow-like portion. Alternatively, the overlapped lateral edges of the outer layer may be generally coplanar with adjacent unoverlapped portions of the outer layer. Preferably, the stock material comprises layers of paper, more preferably biodegradable, recyclable and reusable paper, and even more preferably Kraft paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventors: James A. Simmons, Jr., Edwin P. Beierlorzer
  • Patent number: 6123199
    Abstract: A packaging element in the form of an integrally molded encasement piece in the form of a shell of pulp material is produced through forming by suction a layer of a suspension of pulp whilst maintaining a draught angle on a porous mold for forming the piece. Removal of the piece from the mold and subsequent drying of the piece produce a finished element intended and designed to surround, embrace and support a free side region or end region of a mainly box-shaped article in an external shipping or presentation packaging. The packaging element has a substantially rectangular base surface of substantially the same shape and dimensions as a side surface or end surface of a side region or an end region of the article to be packaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Brodrene Hartman A/S
    Inventor: Steen Ulrik Madsen
  • Patent number: 6103335
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for padding corners of, for example, equipment housings. The device has two arms joined to each other at an angle and cheeks. The cheeks are fitted to the outside of the arms. To enable a device of this kind to be used in a variety of applications, i.e., over a wide range of housing sizes, and still remain firmly in place, each arm of the device has a honeycomblike structure designed so that it can be stretched in the lateral direction of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Storopack Hans Reichenecker GmbH + Co.
    Inventors: Michael Zoller, Heiko Hummel, Volker Schumacher
  • Patent number: 6092651
    Abstract: A sheet of material having a first layer of a first density is patterned to include a main body having a plurality of sides and a side member pivotably attached to the main body adjacent at least one side thereof. At least one relief is formed in the main body for decoupling a portion of the main body from the respective side member. The reliefs permit the side member to move relative to the decoupled portion of the main body in a direction generally perpendicular to the respective side of the main body. The sheet of material may further include a second layer of a second density, different than the first density. The second layer is patterned to form a hinge between the main body and each respective side member to enable each side member to be pivotable relative to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Dell USA, L. P.
    Inventor: Michael Thomas Miller
  • Patent number: 6092654
    Abstract: A package for a compressor having a base to which a shell is attached includes a box having side walls and also a bottom wall and a top wall formed from overlying flaps. In addition, the package includes a rigid base formed from overlying panels of slab-like paperboard material. The panels fold relative to each other, and the upper of the two panels contains a cutout which enables that panel to pass over the compressor shell, or over the compressor base, to a position overlying the compressor base. Once the upper panel is over the compressor base, the lower panel is folded under the compressor base so that the compressor base is captured between the two panels of the package base. In this condition the compressor and the package base are inserted into the box. The package base comes to rest against the bottom wall of the box. A sleeve fits around the shell of the compressor and extends between the upper panel of the package base and the upper wall of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Innovative Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter W. Webb
  • Patent number: RE37253
    Abstract: A unitary structure for packaging a shock sensitive article within a container is provided. The structure has a side flange adapted to contact a side end portion of the article and a number of sidewall structures disposed about the periphery of the flange which extend over the side end portion of the article to contactingly support the article. Each of the sidewalls cushions the article against shocks by having an outboard wall which operably and supportingly contacts the container and a bridge section integral with the inboard wall and the outboard wall to cushioningly space the outboard wall from the inboard wall. The structure also includes a crush depression integral to the flange, inward of the sidewall and generally extending away from the article to supportingly contact a lateral sidewall of the container thereby forming a cushion distance. The crush button is configured to absorb shock loading of the article directed generally toward the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignees: Plastofilm Industries, Inc., Roberts, Stevens, Van Amburg, Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Moren, Fred Schindler, Randall K. Loga