Portion Moves To Expose Content Patents (Class 206/774)
  • Publication number: 20110315750
    Abstract: A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a bottom panel, a first side panel foldably, and a second side panel. At least one end flap comprises a first portion foldably connected to the one of the first side panel and the second side panel, a second portion foldably connected to the first portion, and a third portion foldably connected to the second portion. The carton has at least one reinforced corner that comprises a reinforced end panel and a reinforced portion of one of the first side panel and the second side panel. The reinforced end panel comprises the second portion and the third portion of the at least one end flap. The reinforced portion comprises the third portion of the at least one end flap and a portion of the one of the first side panel and the second side panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Karl A. Kohler
  • Patent number: 8066147
    Abstract: A crate, such as for transporting egg cartons or other items, includes a base, opposed side walls and a rear wall extending upward from the base. A front wall opposite the rear wall is selectably moveable between a closed position and a retracted, open position. In the retracted position, access to the interior of the crate is provided. In one embodiment, the front wall includes a plurality of pivotably connected sections, such that the front wall can be retracted to provide access to the interior. A latch selectively prevents movement of the front wall to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Ryan C. Meers, Justin M. Smyers, Roger S. Hsu
  • Publication number: 20110284621
    Abstract: A shelf-ready shipper display system having a tray portion, a hood portion, and one or more zones of weakness that enable the hood portion to be separated from the tray portion so that the shipper display system can be converted from a shipping configuration to a display configuration. In certain embodiments, the shipper display system is made from a single blank. In some embodiments, the shipper display system includes a reinforcement panel that is also capable of being separated from the tray portion as the shipper display system is converted from the shipping configuration and to the display configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: David G. Couture
  • Patent number: 8056727
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to an expanding pallet skirt (EPS) are shown and described. In one example, an EPS includes a side including a stabilizer flap (SF), a display flap (DF), and a convertible shelf (CS) positioned between the SF and the DF. The SF has a ship-orientation and a display-orientation. The DF has a ship-orientation and a display-orientation. The CS converts from a shipper-rest-orientation to an expansion-spacer-orientation. Some systems may optionally include a removable shipper-cover configured to interface with the EPS when the DF is in its ship-orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Carolina Container Company
    Inventor: Craig S. Marsh
  • Publication number: 20110272457
    Abstract: A carton for containing and displaying a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising a first panel, a second panel foldably connected to the first panel, a third panel foldably connected to the second panel, and a fourth panel foldably connected to at least one of the first and third panels. The carton further comprises at least one end panel foldably connected to at least two panels of the plurality of panels to at least partially close an end of the carton. The at least one end panel comprises an oblique edge and an oblique fold line extending from the oblique edge toward a corner of the at least one end panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 8038017
    Abstract: A spring alignment mechanism utilizes a guide inserted into a display carton below merchandise items. A spring-driven rear pull member travels on the guide so that as items are removed from the carton, remaining items are pulled forward. In one example, the guide is inserted between the bottom of merchandise items and the carton bottom. In another example, merchandise items are supported on cardboard support rails built into the bottom of the carton, or provided on a carton insert; and the guide is inserted between the cardboard support rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Close in Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: James Garth Close
  • Patent number: 8028839
    Abstract: A combination shipping and dispensing carton contains a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. At least two end flaps are respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels and are overlapped with respect to one another to at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The carton is for shipping articles to the point of sale vendor and can be converted to a dispensing carton that displays the articles and allows removal of the articles from the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Angela E. Learn
  • Patent number: 7992716
    Abstract: A container comprising a front panel, a first back panel, a second back panel, a first side panel bridging the front panel and the first back panel, a second side panel bridging the front panel and the second back panel, a top portion, and a bottom portion. The front panel, first and second back panels, first and second side panels, top portion, and bottom portion define an interior of the container. The container further comprises a divider extending from the first back panel into the interior of the container and attached to the front panel. The container further comprises a detachable portion comprising a removable section of the top portion, a removable section of the front panel, and a removable section of the divider. The detachable portion is separable from the container along a plurality of lines of weakness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventor: Keith A. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7959007
    Abstract: A one-piece tray for shipping and then displaying articles in an upright position at a point of sale has a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, and opposite side walls and is made of corrugated board having a bottom liner, a top liner, and a fluted medium. A plurality of grooves extend across the width of the bottom wall in a top surface thereof to engage bottom edges of articles standing upright in the tray and hold them in position as other articles are removed from the front of the tray. The grooves are formed by cuts made through the top liner and a portion of the medium and crushed areas extending along one side of each cut, forming a rearwardly facing abutment at each cut for engaging bottom edges of articles to prevent the bottom edges from sliding forward in the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: International Paper Co.
    Inventors: John Robert Ballentine, Richard George Wachter, Sherwood Dean Kemp, Michael Gene Long, Melvin Scott Miller
  • Patent number: 7857133
    Abstract: A windshield wiper package for containing a windshield wiper includes a front portion having a recess for receiving the windshield wiper, a back portion connected to the front portion for containing the windshield wiper within the recess, and an opening disposed in the back portion to allow loading or unloading of the windshield wiper. The opening is sized such that a length of the opening is less than about one-third of a length of the wiper package. A door is slidingly received by the back portion such that the door can be moved between an open position and a closed position. Complimentary detents and indentations are provided for securing the door in the open position or the closed position, the detents being positioned on one of the back portion and the door, and the indentations being positioned on another of the back portion and door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Jamak Fabrication-Tex, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Alan Skurdalsvold, Michael Todd Lindars
  • Publication number: 20100276333
    Abstract: A shelf-ready shipper display system having a tray portion, a hood portion, and one or more zones of weakness that enable the hood portion to be separated from the tray portion so that the shipper display system can be converted from a shipping configuration to a display configuration. In certain embodiments, the shipper display system is made from a single blank. In some embodiments, the shipper display system includes a reinforcement panel that is also capable of being separated from the tray portion as the shipper display system is converted from the shipping configuration and to the display configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: David G. Couture
  • Patent number: 7823732
    Abstract: A carton for storing and displaying a plurality of articles including a bottom panel, front and rear panels, first and second side panels, and a top panel. The front and rear panels extend from opposing first and second edges of the bottom panel. The first and second side panels extend from opposing third and fourth edges of the bottom panel. The top panel extends from the rear and second side panels opposite the bottom panel. A gap is defined between corresponding edges of the first side panel and the front panel. A front face is at least partially defined by the front panel, a side face is at least partially defined by the first side panel, and a top face is at least partially defined by the top panel. The carton is configured to permit viewing of contained articles from the front face, the side face, and the top face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Todd A. Lutkauskas, Joel A. Vokaty, Craig D. Schinzer
  • Publication number: 20100270204
    Abstract: A shipping and display carton is provided that may be used for panel filters. The carton preferably has two display positions including horizontally flat and vertically upright positions to provide a retailer with display options. The box has several features such as releasable interlocked retainer flaps to retain filters in one display position, perforated removal portions including a removable card carrying a cover lid, a single glue seam with interlocking bottom panels so as to provide break down without a cut knife, and other features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Clarcor Air Filtration Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Sinclair, LaMonte A. Crabtree
  • Patent number: 7784609
    Abstract: A convertible holder for enclosing a consumer article formed by at least two combinable pieces forming an enclosure wherein at least one combinable piece may be converted from forming a part of the enclosure to a support base that attaches to another combinable piece at a transverse angle and the other combinable piece continues to partially enclose the article. The combination of base and enclosing pieces supporting the article at a height above a base surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: David Frost
  • Publication number: 20100072218
    Abstract: A blister package is provided including a blister for holding and dispensing articles. The blister package includes a backing and a blister defining an opening and having an integral, re-closable closure for selectively covering the opening. The closure may include snap elements that can be snap-fitted into notches in the blister for securely retaining the blister in a closed position. Optionally, the closure may joined to the blister by an integral, flexible fastener, which may be a strap and/or a living hinge. A method of packaging an article in a blister package includes: (a) forming a plastic blister, (b) forming an opening in the blister, and (c) forming a closure integral with the blister for covering the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: DISPLAY PACK, INC.
    Inventors: Marc R. Meyer, David H. Bult, Timothy J. Riegling, Andrew J. Blackmore
  • Publication number: 20100059410
    Abstract: Containers for products, such as folded textile products, include a receptacle for receiving a product and a cover overlying the receptacle and configured to retain a product within the receptacle while allowing a substantial amount of the product to be displayed. The receptacle has a floor, opposing upright end walls and opposing upright side walls attached to the floor that define a rectangular product cavity having a width and length, and an open upper end. The cover has a width that is substantially less than the width of the cavity such that the product in the cavity is exposed. The cover has a width that is less than one half the width of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Tracy A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100051505
    Abstract: A fitting system cart is provided for golf club heads and shafts which have releasable connections between the golf club head and the shaft. The fitting system cart includes a base with a back panel, two side panels, and a top panel which all define an interior portion, a shaft container, and a set of golf club head cases. The fitting system cart may include two door panels connected to the base and movable between an open and closed position. The fitting system cart may include a set of cases for carrying golf club heads. The cases may have a bottom portion for holding golf club heads and a top portion connected to the bottom portion, wherein the top portion rotates between an open and a closed position. The shaft container may have a configuration wherein the shaft container is closed, and a configuration wherein the shaft container is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: James S. Thomas, Robert Lukasiewicz
  • Patent number: 7669718
    Abstract: A convertible display fixture comprising: a top portion; a front portion coupled to the top portion; at least one side portion coupled to the front portion; a back coupled to the at least one side portion; a bottom portion coupled to the front portion; wherein the top portion, the at least one side portion, the back portion, the bottom portion and the front portion form a shipping container; and wherein the top portion, the at least one side portion, the back portion and the bottom portion collapse towards the front portion to form a display fixture. In alternate embodiments, the convertible display fixture further comprises a collapsible lock box coupled to the front portion and top portion. Other embodiments further comprise at least one skid and at least one wheel coupled to the bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Harry Patty
  • Patent number: 7650996
    Abstract: A product packaging system is provided including a receptacle having an opening to a compartment and a collapsible cover that may be configured to enclose product components within the receptacle. In some embodiments, the collapsible cover takes the form of a folded panel configured to extend across one or more compartments of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Michelle Mark
  • Patent number: 7614497
    Abstract: A carton with an improved dispensing feature at one end of the carton, which preserves the integrity of the carton, while enabling the display and enhanced access and vending of containers within the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond R. Spivey, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7584854
    Abstract: A shipping and display assembly for a plurality of complementary primary and secondary products such as wrapping paper and adhesive tape. The assembly includes a box having a first section and a second section which are connected together for shipping and are separable for displaying the products. The first section includes a first compartment for holding and displaying the primary products and a second compartment for holding and displaying the secondary products. The second section of the display assembly restrains the primary and secondary products within the first and second compartments during shipping and is removed from over the first and second compartments when the products are to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Kitaru Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Ashok V. Chandaria
  • Patent number: 7578393
    Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of package which can be used in a first condition for retail purposes such that an item or items and/or information relating to the item(s) within the package, can be viewed externally of the package, and a second condition for use as, for example, a gift, in which the item and/or information is masked from external view. In one embodiment the change between first and second conditions can be achieved by moving a flap of the packaging between first and second locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Origin Products Limited
    Inventor: Kevin Gillon
  • Publication number: 20090134058
    Abstract: A combined shipping and display device formed by folding from a single blank of sheet material such as corrugated cardboard. The device includes a display part, and a removable cover which is hingedly connected to the display part at a score or fold line. Preferably, the cover has two lines of perforation which are parallel and adjacent to the fold line to define a connection strip between the display part and the cover. A pull tab is attached to each end of the connection strip to separate the cover from the display part. When such a merchandising display is used as a shipping carton, the cover closes to enclose the merchandise contained in the display part as well as a portion of the display part. Removing the cover from the display part will open the shipping carton and display the merchandise on the display part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey Alexander
  • Patent number: 7533773
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reclosable consumable product package for retaining an array of products until the products are desired to be removed. The package includes a container packet formed of a planar extent roll for retaining and enclosing the array of products. A cover with adhesive attached thereto defined by an openable flap overlies the packet. The packet is scored along its surface in such a way that opening of the flap causes the packet to open along the scoring to expose the product for dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Cadbury Adams LLC
    Inventors: Allen Sydney Aldridge, Charles F. Flynn, IV, James S. Mandle
  • Publication number: 20090120835
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container (10) with a container body (12) and a cover (14), with which the container body (12) can be closed on its upper side. The container (10) is embodied as a hood container which has a lower part (16), which can be detached from the container body (12) and is further provided with a recess. The container body (12) has on its lower side a circumferential extruded profile (44), which interacts with an extruded profile (44) on the upper side of the lower part (16), wherein a plurality of bent lever closures are provided for connection between the container body (12) and the lower part (16). By closure of the plurality of bent lever closures the container body (12) can be connected to the lower part (16) such that a seal (62) inserted between both extruded profiles (44) can be compressed by stop faces of the extruded profiles (44) by a specified level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Rainer Ublacker, Karl Scheithauer
  • Patent number: 7520390
    Abstract: A container for transporting articles and displaying articles includes a set of joined walls capable of forming an enclosed configuration where an interior volume is enclosed by the joined walls with each of the joined walls in their respective closed positions. The container is convertible to a display configuration where access to the interior volume is provided. The set of joined walls includes a bottom, a top moveable relative to the bottom and sides moveable relative to the bottom. In converting from the enclosed configuration to the display configuration, the top moves relative to the bottom to provide a first access opening to the interior volume and at least one side moves relative to the bottom to provide a second access opening to the interior volume. The second access opening extends from the bottom to the first access opening, and at least one other side remains in its closed position to form a first edge of the second access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: The Kroger Co.
    Inventor: James A. Sonon
  • Patent number: 7478745
    Abstract: A container for storing and displaying produce made from a blank having a variety of side panels, top panels, and bottom panels. The various side panels are arranged such that one of the side panels and its associated top panel are attached to the adjoining side panels via separable perforation lines. Additionally, the two major top panels or designed to form an overlap area that helps prevent any sealing elements from contact any other panels thereby affecting the opening aspect of this container. As such, the top panel and the side panel may be easily pulled away from the rest of the container thereby providing easy access to the contents container therein. Once pulled away from the rest of the container, the top panel and the side panel may be folded around such that they form a leaning support for the container or removed altogether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Philips
  • Publication number: 20080289994
    Abstract: Provided is a unitary blank cut from a single sheet of paperboard stock and an improved display carton assembled from the unitary blank that efficiently utilizes the paperboard stock from which it is fabricated. The display carton includes an enclosure having an interior volume adapted to contain a product and a single-ply backer board on which the enclosure is supported. The paperboard stock from which the unitary blank is cut requires only one treated surface adapted to high-quality printing to provided high-resolution product indicia on all the display surfaces of the display carton that are presented to a consumer at a point of sale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Bruce Bitowft
  • Patent number: 7451878
    Abstract: A shipping container for facilitating the conversion of the shipping container into a dispensing or all-around display container from formed an outer blank (10) having a centrally positioned bottom wall (12), front and rear walls (18, 26), top panels (32, 38), side flaps (14, 16, 22, 24, 28, 30, 34, 36, 40, 42) and an interior divider structure (50) for structural stacking support both during shipping and display modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Oscar Rochefort, Michael McLeod
  • Box
    Patent number: 7410062
    Abstract: A box suitable for packaging a product during transportation comprises a closed structure formed from a folded blank which is separable into a tray part and a lid part along breakable lines of weakness. The tray part is suitable for displaying the product e.g. for retail. The box is strengthened by top side flaps whose bottom edges abut the base of the box and the top edge of the bottom side flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Jacob White (Packaging) Ltd
    Inventor: Robert William Monk
  • Publication number: 20080142085
    Abstract: A method for processing a material, which is stored in a flexible packing container, comprises the following steps: At least one material or material mixture is fed to a first material or material mixture already located inside the packing container via a filling opening situated on the packing container; the filling opening is closed; the materials inside the packing container are mixed; a portion of the packing container is detached, and; the material mixture is processed via the resulting opening in the package container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventor: Fritz Burkard
  • Publication number: 20080105594
    Abstract: A merchandise display is capable of being shipped in a compact package of limited longitudinal length complete with merchandise items pre-loaded in place, and selectively expanded for displaying the merchandise items at a point-of-purchase location wherein there is a shelf which makes available at the point-of-purchase location a predetermined longitudinal shelf length exceeding considerably the limited longitudinal length of the compact package. The merchandise display includes a case and at least one display tray for carrying merchandise items arranged for display and dispensing at the point-of-purchase location. The display tray is coupled with the case for telescoping movement into and out of the case between a retracted position telescoped within the case such that merchandise items carried by the display tray are housed within the case, and an advanced position extended longitudinally out of the case for displaying the merchandise items at the point-of-purchase location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: Henschel-Steinau, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Luberto
  • Patent number: 7284662
    Abstract: An enclosed carton is provided that allows a product to be shipped, displayed, and dispensed all from the same carton. An enclosed carton is filled with product, sealed, and shipped to its destination. The carton can be “cracked” in half along a tear line and the back half is hinged downward to set the carton upright on its sealed ends, with one-half facing outward and the other half facing inward. A detachable dispenser, large enough to dispense product, is removed from the lower front half of the carton. Once the front half is emptied of product, it can either be detached from the back half at the tear line or remain as void filler on the shelf. The carton then is rotated 180 degrees at its base and a detachable dispenser, large enough to dispense product, is removed from the lower end of the back half of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick James DeBusk, Chuck Tarlton
  • Patent number: 7234594
    Abstract: A corrugated cardboard delivery box has a bottom wall, side walls front and rear walls and a pair of foldable lids, and an electronic piano is put in the delivery box together with pads in such a manner that the bottom board of the piano body is faced to the bottom wall; perforated lines are formed along the periphery of the bottom wall; when the package arrives at a purchaser's home, the deliveryman directs the bottom wall sideways, and detaches most of the bottom wall on the perforated lines by strongly pressing the periphery of the bottom wall so that the deliveryman can attach the legs to the piano body without taking out the piano body from the delivery box before taking out the piano body from the delivery box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Naohiko Niimi
  • Patent number: 7172668
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for constructing a rotatable label and attaching the rotatable label to a container. The rotatable label system comprises an inner label attached to the container and a rotatable outer label. The inner label may have adhesive on a rear surface of a trailing end alone, adhesive on a rear surface of both the leading and trailing end for fixedly attaching it to a container, or adhesive on the entire rear surface. The outer label may only have adhesive on a rear surface at or near a trailing end to secure the outer label to itself. The outer label is temporarily coupled to, the container while the outer label is wrapped around the container. Once the trailing end is attached to a front surface of the outer label at or near a leading end of the outer label, the outer label can be rotated about the container over the inner label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Stephen Key Design, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen M. Key
  • Patent number: 7080736
    Abstract: A container for distribution and display of goods is convertible from a first configuration for distribution into a second configuration for display. The conversion is accomplished by removing a front cover panel. The front cover panel may be attached to the container using a variety of methods, including a perforated score line, a tear-away strip, adhesives, tapes, or a combination of these methods. When the front cover panel is removed for retail display, an access opening is uncovered, allowing users to easily view and access the contents of the container. The front cover panel may further cover graphics and text provided along the front of the container so that the graphics and text are not marred or otherwise damaged during distribution. In addition, the front cover panel may be provided with distribution information thereon, which is unimportant to an end user such as a retail customer and is easily removed for display of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventors: Keith A. Jackson, Joseph P. Schomisch
  • Patent number: 7066333
    Abstract: A shipping container converts into a display tray, wherein the container has a base and a removable lid, and a single tear line crosses a plurality of side, end and bottom panels of the base, dividing the base into two sections of unequal size. The smaller section of the base is removed and discarded, leaving the larger section as the display tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Timothy J Justice
  • Patent number: 7014039
    Abstract: Smoking articles, such as filter cigarettes, are packaged in a metal box which is curved to a shape that conforms to the curvature of the human body so that the box can be comfortably carried in a shirt or pant pocket. The metal box comprises a lid and a four sided tray. The lid and the tray have rolled lips which interengage to mechanically and slidably retain the lid to the tray. The lid covers the open front of the tray and is slidable along an arcuate path corresponding to the radius of curvature of the lid to selectively open or close the front of the tray. The lid of the box includes an abutment that prevents the lid of the box from being completely removed unless additional force is applied to push the abutment past the rear wall of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jane Cottrell Henson, Veronica Nicole Walton
  • Patent number: 6976588
    Abstract: An easy-open display shipping container formed from a tray and a cover secured to the tray. A portion of the tray may be covered with a material having a releasing property. An adhesive strip secures the cover to the tray. The material having a releasing property allows the adhesive strip to be easily removed from the container without damaging the tray. The container may be opened at a retail point of sale to display items contained in the container in the undamaged tray. Graphics, such as advertisements, may be embedded in the material having a releasing property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC
    Inventors: Henry Wischusen, David Couture
  • Patent number: 6896134
    Abstract: A protective carrying case for a computer includes a top portion and a bottom portion for supporting the computer. The top portion is configured to close over the computer and mate with the bottom portion to form a complete enclosure around the computer, with padding to protect the computer. The bottom portion advantageously provides a low peripheral profile, allowing access to peripheral ports disposed on the sides of the computer while the computer is disposed thereon. The case may also include enlarged cushioned corners for providing additional protection to the corners of the computer, and an openable back portion, configured to selectively expose the computer's external connector ports, to allow connection of the computer to external components while the computer remains substantially enclosed within the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul G. Russell, Christopher M. Bradley, Michael L. Simmons, Benjamin Chu, John Christopher Edwon, Daren W. Hebold, Christophe Phillipe Guy Koch
  • Patent number: 6755306
    Abstract: A blank for forming a carton includes a top flap, top panel, front panel, bottom panel, and rear panel which are connectively hinged together in the named order such that when folded, the top flap is fastened to the rear panel. Right and left side flaps are also connectively hinged to the aforementioned panels. A first tear strip is placed within the front panel and the right and left side flaps attached thereto and a second tear strip is placed at the juncture of the top flap and top panel. After tearing and removing the tear strips, a display carton is formed to hold and display a plurality of articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Inc.
    Inventor: David George Maus
  • Publication number: 20030192809
    Abstract: This invention is concerned with display units made by folding blanks cut from cardboard, or other flat material, into three-dimensional forms. In particular, the invention provides a brochure display unit, a gravity-fed product dispensing unit and an alternative gravity-fed product dispensing unit featuring an internal false bottom. There is provided the preferred shape of each of the at least two blanks required to form the display units. There is also provided the methods of assembling the finished units from each of the given blanks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Charles Bucknell
  • Publication number: 20030146130
    Abstract: A container is disclosed having a plurality of interconnected panels forming sidewalls surrounding a central space. Flaps extend from lower sidewall edges and fold along fold lines to form a bottom. Support flanges are arranged along upper sidewall edges on oppositely facing sidewalls. The support flanges are oriented at right angles to the sidewalls and provide a support surface allowing the containers to be stacked one atop another without collapsing or nesting within each other. Each support flange is supported by a truss formed by a panel segment extending angularly from the support flange to a support panel biased against the sidewall to which the support flange is attached by a retaining flap extending from an inner sidewall layer. Locking tabs at the ends of each panel segment are received within recesses positioned in sidewall panels perpendicular to the support flanges. The container is transformed from a knockdown formed from a unitary blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Allen Kanter, Peter S. Jaffe, Brian J. Tibbels
  • Patent number: 6557708
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cardboard pallet-like container which also acts as an exhibitor. The container is obtained from a single sheet of die-cut and folded cardboard by means of which the entire structure is obtained. The container is a parallelepiped which is cut, on each lateral face, along a diagonal so as to obtain a base semi-container provided with legs and a top semi-container which can be fitted over the base semi-container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Giorgio Polacco
  • Patent number: 6554135
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an inner container configured for shipping, storing, and displaying products. The container comprises upper and lower portions linked by a discontinuous line of weakness, wherein the upper portions collectively form a container top section that can be easily and cleanly removed and disposed of, while the lower portions collectively form a container bottom section that is retained for displaying contained products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Luceri, Jeffery S. Majetich
  • Patent number: 6478159
    Abstract: A combination shipping and display container includes a unitary blank of material foldable into a substantially rectangular container for receiving one or more items packed therein. The container has a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall and first and second side walls. The container has a line of continuous perforations extending across the rear wall, the first side wall, the front wall and the second side wall for dividing the container into a first or tear away top section and a second or bottom section. The perforations in the first and second side walls define curved slopes extending between the rear wall and the front wall. The top section may be torn away from the bottom section along the perforations formed in the container for converting the bottom section into a display container for displaying the one or more items, commonly referred to as primary packages, packed in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: Thomas H. Taylor, David Dombrowski, Brian W. Foster, Peter A. M. Robberecht, Ramon Edward Stroink
  • Patent number: 6457637
    Abstract: A production blank 10 for forming a parallelepipedonal shipping and display carton has a plurality of spaced apart tear lines and fold lines. A first flap 12 joins to a cover 14 by a tear line 16 on a first edge of the cover. A front side 18 joins the cover 14 on a second edge of the cover 14 by a fold line 19. A bottom 20 joins the first side on a second edge of the side 16 by a tear line 22. A back side 24 is joined to the bottom on a second edge of the bottom by a fold line 26; and a plurality of lateral flaps 28, 28′attached to the top, and 30, 30′ attached to the bottom and 32, 32′ and 34, 34′ attached, respectively, to the front and back sides. The lateral flaps form opposite sides of the parallelepipedon. All of the lateral flaps are attached by fold lines and at least some of the lateral flaps have glue thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Fritz, James J. Salvamoser
  • Patent number: 6435351
    Abstract: A shipping and display case having a unique series of perforated tears and cuts for opening the case. The case may have a conventional box shape, including front, back, left, right, top and bottom panels, and the case is provided with a perforated tear line that is used to open the case. The score line is formed by a multitude of perforations or slits; and the slits in selected portions of the tear line are substantially longer than the slits in the rest of the tear line. In particular, in the portions of the tear line that cross over left and right front edges of the case, and in selected angled portions of the tear line, the slits are substantially longer than the slits in the rest of the tear line. These longer slits make it easier to cut or tear through areas where it is normally difficult to tear cleanly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Gibb
  • Patent number: 6386366
    Abstract: A shipping and display container includes a tray and a cover. The tray includes a bottom panel, a back panel extending upward from the bottom panel, and a front panel also extending upward from the bottom panel. The back panel extends upward beyond the front panel and a pair of bottom side flaps each extending upward from opposite sides of the bottom panel. The cover includes a top panel and a front panel extending downward from the top panel. The cover is positionable over the tray to establish a first configuration facilitating shipping and storage of the container and is removable from the tray to establish a second configuration facilitating support and upright display of a packaged product positioned on the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventor: Davide R Friedman
  • Patent number: 6311845
    Abstract: A shipping and display container having packaged product arranged for shipping and display to consumers that minimizes shipping space and manual handling of the individual packages contained therein. The container has side walls and top and bottom walls defining a compartment and a removable section that is affixed to the container during shipment of the packaged product and is removed to provide an opening for displaying product for sale to consumers. The container further includes a plurality of irregular shaped packaged articles each having a display card and a housing for housing one or more products, wherein the housing has a thickness substantially greater than the thickness of the display card. The arrangement includes an upper packaged article offset and supported on a lower packaged article to provide efficient use of container space. The packages may also include a retainer for retaining the upper packaged articles supported on the lower packaged article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne E. Uren, Jeffrey P. Pirro