Variable Volume Patents (Class 229/101)
  • Publication number: 20040200890
    Abstract: A storage container that is foldable between a first, second and third position, and having a generally planar base, a pair of opposing end panels, and a pair of opposing side panels. In the first position, the side panels and end panels are folded to form a generally planar shape. When formed into the second position, the end and side panels are folded generally perpendicular to the base to form an open container shape. In the third position, the base panels, side panels and end panels are folded to form a closed box shape. The base includes a bottom portion located between a pair of base panels. The end panels are foldably connected to the base panels. The side panels are foldably connected to the base and the end panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Olivier Denys Andre Mesly
  • Patent number: 6676009
    Abstract: A container having a plurality of selectable volumes including a plurality of fold facilitating creases adapted to allow panels to be folded or removed along a fold facilitating crease and/or perforation, further including a first set and a second set of perforations or other separating mechanism extending substantially parallel to a corner edge to thereby define a removable strip for unconnecting panels that form a corner edge from one another. The first set of perforations and the second set of perforations or other separating mechanism are positioned at a spaced distance from each other. The first set of perforations or other separating mechanism is provided on a first panel while the second set of perforations or other separating mechanism is provided on either the corner edge itself or a second panel that form the corner edge. The container may further include lateral perforations as well as flaps, tabs, slits and slots along a top edge of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Harold J. Rose
  • Patent number: 6622860
    Abstract: In packaging for shipping material (26), a universal pack (10) for accommodating materials (26) of different sizes, includes a precut form (12) conformed to form a box (32) with more than one discontinuous side (14), a discontinuous bottom (16), one continuous side (18) and a continuous top (20). More than one extension (22) is connected to discontinuous bottom (16) and connectors (24) are attached to the more than one extension (22). Material (26) is inserted into box (32) and extensions (22) are secured around material (26) so that material (26) is secured against movement both side to side and front to back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: John Alexander Horbal
  • Patent number: 6578756
    Abstract: A filing device (1), which has a reference cover-forming member (2) having a cover (21), a spine (22), and a back cover (23) integrated in one body, and a movable cover-forming member capable (3) of relative movement with respect to and along the inner surface of the reference cover-forming member (2), and in which the reference cover-forming member (2), in the area where the aforementioned spine (22) is formed, is provided with a cover motion-enabling insertion engagement section (25) extending in the longitudinal direction of the spine-forming section, and, along with that, is provided with a guiding section (26) controlling the motion of the movable cover-forming member (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: Ren Marumi
  • Publication number: 20030052038
    Abstract: A corrugated container for shipping products includes a product storage compartment mounted and an integral pallet for lifting the container with a forklift vehicle. The container side walls include opposed end panels and opposed side panels. One pair of panels extends to the bottom of the product storage compartment and is integral with storage compartment bottom panels. The other pair of panels extends further than the bottom of the storage compartment to a container bottom and is integral with container bottom panels. The distance between bottoms is sufficient to accommodate the tines of a forklift vehicle. In one embodiment, the side walls are collapsible for storage and transport when empty. Stacking blocks formed of wrapped honeycomb material are positioned between the container bottom and the storage compartment bottom to support the storage container bottom above the container bottom. The blocks are spaced apart to permit insertion of forklift tines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Benjamin Boersma
  • Patent number: 6523738
    Abstract: The invention concerns a package for a bottle including an envelope having parts which are alternatively planar and accordion-folded, and capable of being unfolded to receive a liquid for refrigerating the bottle. Each accordion-folded part is folded on each side of a planar folding line, extending in zigzag from the base of the envelope to a free edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Maison Fondee en 1772
    Inventors: Giorgio Sarne, Benoit Simottel
  • Patent number: 6478216
    Abstract: Packaging suitable for food products has at least one wall which is formed in a semi-rigid material such as cardboard and has at least one edge defining an opening for inserting articles, in particular foods, and at least one first flap articulated to that edge along a folding line. The packaging can be conformed into a service configuration in which the flap uncovers the opening and a first storage configuration in which the flap closes the opening. The wall includes reversible deformation arrangements for conforming the packaging into a second storage configuration in which the first flap clamps the wall in a substantially sealed manner along the folding line and in the area of the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Dailycer
    Inventor: Laurent Wiart
  • Patent number: 6431363
    Abstract: A slotted holder is positioned in a shipping carton having a tear strip extending along its side walls. Product packages having a stiff thin edge fit within the holder and are held upright through the support of the holder. In use, the tear strip is removed enabling the upper portion of the box to be separated with the lower portion and serve as a display tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: One Source Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark G. Hacker
  • Patent number: 6394336
    Abstract: An adjustable container includes top, bottom and four side panels. Each of the four side panels is scored along at least one longitudinal score line extending substantially parallel to the top and bottom panels. Two of the opposing side panels are scored along oblique score lines, each oblique score line extending from one corner of the side panel toward and intersecting the longitudinal score line. The height of the container is adjustable by folding the side panels inwardly toward the interior of the container along the longitudinal and oblique score lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Motion Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Beneroff, Eric Kim, Jeffrey A. Smith
  • Patent number: 6364199
    Abstract: A container having a plurality of selectable volumes having a bottom portion, two side panels, and two end panels with lateral perforations extending across these panels to allow removal of at least a portion thereof. Each of the two end panels includes hypotenuse creases adapted to allow the two end panels to be selectively inwardly folded to thereby form a top closure for the container with a portion of the two side panels. In addition, the containers may be provided with a vertical perforation, a closure flap with side flaps, and identifiable marking to facilitate identification of the perforations and hypotenuse creases. Moreover, the container may also include a plurality of fold facilitating creases laterally extending across the two side panels and the two end panels, as well as through-holes on the hypotenuse creases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Harold J. Rose
  • Patent number: 6279818
    Abstract: A multipurpose adjustable single sheet container for storing and shipping various sizes and shapes of items. The single sheet container is characterized by having end flaps that can be either cut or folded, at the option of the user, for enclosing the ends of the container. The container has vertical fold lines which allow the user of the container to adjust the length and the width of the container for forming different geometric shapes. The container includes a plurality of side panels. Opposite sides of the side panels are divided by vertical fold lines. Opposite ends of the side panels include upper horizontal fold lines and lower horizontal fold lines. The upper horizontal fold lines divide the side panels from a plurality of upper flaps. The lower horizontal fold lines divide the side panels from a plurality of lower flaps. Opposite sides of the upper and lower flaps are divided by vertical perforated lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventors: Richard H. Kim, Bobby Kim, Susie Y. Kim, Debra Y. Kim
  • Publication number: 20010004086
    Abstract: Packaging suitable for food products has at least one wall which is formed in a semi-rigid material such as cardboard and has at least one edge defining an opening for inserting articles, in particular foods, and at least one first flap articulated to that edge along a folding line. The packaging can be conformed into a service configuration in which the flap uncovers the opening and a first storage configuration in which the flap closes the opening. The wall includes reversible deformation arrangements for conforming the packaging into a second storage configuration in which the first flap clamps the wall in a substantially sealed manner along the folding line and in the area of the edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventor: Laurent Wiart
  • Patent number: 6227438
    Abstract: A paperboard display tray having adjustable depth including an outer tray support with a back wall and a pair of integral side walls having a tapered profile from back wall to the front. The side walls are composed of double walls with a space in between. The display tray also includes a slidable tray section with a bottom wall, a front wall along the front edge of the bottom wall, and a pair of side walls. The side walls of the slidable tray section engage the space in side walls of the outer frame in a sliding engagement and have detents to prevent the slidable tray from disengaging from the outer frame. The overall depth of the display tray can be adjusted by sliding the slidable side walls of the slidable tray section back and forth with the walls of the tray support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Smurfit Stone Corporation
    Inventor: Eric Hiltke
  • Patent number: 6216942
    Abstract: A packaging system for bulk goods or material comprises a hollow polygonal blown plastic form or container for accommodating the material which is to be contained therein. A cardboard cover surrounds and is fixed to the hollow plastic form. The hollow plastic form has at least one outer edge indentation in a corner area, corresponding to a polygonal area of the cardboard cover which can be folded inside for locking or securement purposes, which is symmetrical to a corner fold line of the cardboard cover, and which is connected to the cardboard cover by at least one stamped line arranged perpendicular to the corner fold line and two fold lines forming a V-shape. The packaging system enables secure fastening between the hollow plastic form and the wrapper. To achieve this, the polygonal area of the cover is shaped as a square, and the V-shaped fold lines merge into two stamped lines culminating in a point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien
    Inventor: Peter Kittscher
  • Patent number: 6206277
    Abstract: A quality-enhancing pizza carton having an improved fall-back side wall structure with a diagonal wall for verticalizing the fall-back side wall, an improved corner wall structure having a connector panel disposed at an oblique angle to the bottom panel, and a cover anti-shift structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: John D. Correll
  • Patent number: 6164526
    Abstract: A disposable and recyclable cooler (300) made of paper coated with a polymer. Some embodiments of the present invention transform from a first configuration that snugly retains a set of beverage containers to a second, expanded configuration that retains ice proximate the beverage containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Jodi A. Dalvey
    Inventor: Jodi A. Dalvey
  • Patent number: 6155477
    Abstract: A blank for forming a plurality of containers includes a sheet of material having a plurality of edges and first and second pluralities of score lines. The first plurality of score lines, together with the edges, define a first plurality of panels. The blank is foldable along the first plurality of score lines to define a primary container. The second plurality of score lines are defined within at least one of the first plurality of panels. The at least one panel is detachable from the remainder of the blank, and is foldable along the second plurality of score lines to define a secondary container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Jay Herrera, Tim Tunnell
  • Patent number: 6138901
    Abstract: A blank sheet of foldable material has vertical fold lines and horizontal fold lines defined thereon and a tab for forming the blank into a closed shape. By creasing or folding the container along the pre-formed horizontal and vertical fold lines, containers of various shapes may be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventors: Bobby Kim, Susie Y. Kim, Richard H. Kim, Debra Y. Kim
  • Patent number: 6119929
    Abstract: A container having a plurality of selectable volumes which selectable volumes are made by inwardly folding sides and ends of the container along selectable foldable creases. The invention may also be a container in unassembled form. Preferably the container, when assembled, is rectangular in cross sectional shape, and preferably formed from layered cardboard material. The assembled container has two side panels attached to two end panels and to the bottom portion along the panel edges thereby forming the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Harold J. Rose
  • Patent number: 6079616
    Abstract: An adjustable box formed from a blank is disclosed. The box has two rectangular sides; a front panel and a back panel. The front panel and back panel each have two pairs of vertical fold lines on one side thereof, the front pair of vertical fold lines being on the opposite side from the back pair of vertical fold lines. Cooperating flaps including a tongue and groove arrangement are provided to close the box at the top and an automatic setup construction is provided to close the box at the bottom. As a result, the box can be folded along an inner fold line of the front and rear pair of vertical fold lines so that the bottom of the box has a first width. Alternatively, the box can be folded along an outer fold line of the front and rear pair of vertical fold lines so that the bottom of the box has a second width which is smaller than said first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Avmor Ltd.
    Inventors: Mattie Chinks, Koen De Winter
  • Patent number: 6053400
    Abstract: A container has a movable end closure for accommodating expansion or contraction of the product packaged therein. The container includes a hollow body portion with opposed open ends and an inside surface and an end closure positioned at each of the open ends of the hollow body portion and secured thereto for closing the container with product contained therein. One of the end closures is of a generally cup-shaped configuration and has a radially-extending central portion of generally the same configuration and dimensions as the inside surface of the body portion and an accordion-folded sidewalk extending axially from the central portion toward the body portion open end to define a free end area secured to the inside surface of the body portion at the open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Rea
  • Patent number: 6016951
    Abstract: A non-rectangular, non-collapsible, expandable box having a roll-over expandable wall section comprising a roll-over wall structure, a single-panel wall structure, and an angle-changeable wall structure. The roll-over wall structure comprises parallel inner and outer wall panels, the single-panel wall structure comprises a wall panel and a corner flap panel attached thereto, and the angle-changeable wall structure comprises a plurality of foldline-connected movable panels that is movable from a first disposition to a second disposition. A method of use is associated with the box. The primary purpose of the box is for packaging pizza and similar products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: John D. Correll
  • Patent number: 5975411
    Abstract: A collapsible container formed from a single sheet of foldable material. The container includes a bottom portion and a number of side walls extending upwardly therefrom. The side walls are provided with fold lines which permit such to be compressed onto the bottom portion prior to use. The fold lines are positioned in a manner which eliminates the need for leak-inducing cuts in the sheet for the side walls to be easily compressed or extended. A top portion extending upwardly from the side walls provides means for closing the container as well as carrying it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: John F. Windolph, III
  • Patent number: 5881948
    Abstract: A one-piece expandable pizza box having a bottom panel, a fully-reclinable rear wall, a cover attached to the rear wall, at least one fall-back side wall structure with a side wall that can assume both a vertical position and a fall-back position, and a double-panel wall adjacent the side wall; plus an associated method of use involving placing a pizza into the partially-erected expandable pizza box and causing the side wall to move from the fall-back position to the vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: John D. Correll
  • Patent number: 5823421
    Abstract: A lid for a tray, the lid being comprised of a light weight foldable material such as cardboard, is produced from a one-piece blank. The blank has a main body panel and eight side wall panels hingedly extending therefrom. Four of the side wall panels have protrusions for engaging slots in adjacent side wall panels when the lid is erected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Field Group PLC
    Inventor: John Shilcock
  • Patent number: 5725144
    Abstract: A collapsible carton comprises opposing front and back panels, opposing top and bottom panels generally bridging said opposing front and back panels, a first pair of accordion panels connecting said front panel to said bottom panel, and a second pair of accordion panels connecting said back panel to said bottom panel. The carton further includes a plurality of side closure flaps extending from opposing ends of the top and bottom panels and the front and back panels. When the carton is in open-sided form and after a compressible product is loaded into the carton through one of the open sides, the carton is collapsed in response to moving the top and bottom panels toward each other so as to cause the first and second pairs of accordion panels to spread outward in accordion-like fashion into overlapping relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventors: James L. Stone, Timothy P. Burda
  • Patent number: 5707003
    Abstract: Box file (10) composed with first and second box forming components (11, 12) capable of being coupled together. First box forming component (11) has bottom plates (16) and back walls (17) between a pair of side walls (14, 15) in a state that side walls (14), bottom walls (16) and back walls (17) are provided with cut-off portions (14B, 16A, 17A). Second box forming component (12) has bottom plates (21) and back walls (22) connected with the side walls (20) and partition walls (24) provided between bottom plates (21) and back walls (22). Partition walls (24) are designed to pass over cut-off portions (14B) and bottom plates (21) and back walls (22) of second box forming component (12) are received in cut-off portions (16A, 17A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Kokuyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuichiro Miyake
  • Patent number: 5706947
    Abstract: A gift container including a lid. Also, included is a bottom member. The bottom member has a base portion with four peripheral side walls integral therewith and interconnected one to another to form a box-like structure that is capable of being covered by the lid. Lastly, a plurality of holders are provided. Each holder has a front wall and a bottom end that is attached to one of the side walls of the bottom member. Each holder has a pair of accordion-like side walls that are connected to the front wall and the side walls of the bottom member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Joseph A. Hodges
  • Patent number: 5645212
    Abstract: A display tray formed from corrugated or solid fiber paper is useful for packaging, shipping, displaying and transportation of various goods. The tray includes a planar bottom which has a central and two extreme sections formed by a pair of parallel score lines. Opposing ends and sides are joined to the bottom and each side includes a pair of vertical and angular score lines which intersect proximate the bottom score lines for folding purposes. The tray can be easily changed from an open to either a partially or fully closed tray by manually bending along the sides at the described score lines to rotate the end assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Packaging Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry L. Potter
  • Patent number: 5624031
    Abstract: A tray-type package for receiving a series of articles is constructed from a blank which enables the user to vary the size of the horizontal surface on which the articles are placed. The blank includes a bottom panel and a series of side walls which are interconnected with the bottom panel via connection structure which defines a series of fold locations, and the user selects the appropriate fold location according to the size of articles being packaged such that, when a predetermined number of articles are placed on the tray, the outer articles are in close proximity to, or engage, the tray side walls. When the tray side walls are folded at the different fold positions, the position of the adjacent side wall ends varies, and retainer structure is interposed between the side wall ends which accommodates such variation and which secures the side walls together. The retainer structure is an extension section formed on one of the side walls which overlaps the other side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Green Bay Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Fowler, Charles E. Wood
  • Patent number: 5582343
    Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable and recyclable cooler made of paper coated with a polymer. Some embodiments of the present invention transform from a first configuration that snugly retains a set of beverage containers, to a second, expanded configuration, that retains ice proximate the beverage containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventor: Jodi A. Dalvey
  • Patent number: 5526958
    Abstract: A outer cardboard box is provided for an inner bag, the box having a spout so that viscous, creamy or pasty material can be dispensed from the spout. In this box, the bottom wall opposite to the pouring spout is connected with only two sidewalls so that when the sidewalls are compressed to cause a flow of material from the inner bag and through the spout, the bottom wall bulges inwardly and the other sidewalls bulge outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Inventor: Gerd Kuppersbusch
  • Patent number: 5499726
    Abstract: An adjustable height pedestal is formed of one, two, or more identical or variant height pleated upright members. The pleated upright members are interconnected by two or more connector rings at either end of each pleated upright member. When two or more pleated upright members are used to form one display pedestal, one connector ring interconnects the area between two of said pleated upright members. A disc rests upon four lid/base supports inside the topmost connector ring, and is covered by a lid which interconnects with said connector ring. A second identical disc rests on the four lid/base supports inside the bottom-most connector ring. Display pedestals over 12" in height are generally stabilized with a heavy block which is readily accessible and which sits on top of the disc in the bottom of the display. In one embodiment the lid and disc are not used leaving an open display pedestal for cylindrical merchandise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Inventor: Patrick J. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 5495727
    Abstract: A package for packaging individual containers which is expandable to accommodate ice to chill the individual containers. The package includes drain holes which allow for drainage of any fluids which condense on the containers or which leak from the containers during shipment and handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Inventors: Bryan Strong, Nichalous Dahlheimer
  • Patent number: 5476215
    Abstract: A paperboard blank is provided which can be assembled into a self-supporting food holder for a pita bread sandwich or the like. The paperboard blank has a generally pentagonal main panel defined by score lines. Rear left-side and right-side rip-away extension panels are attached to the pentagonal rear main panel along a left-upper score line and right-upper score line, respectively. A left-side and right-side front panel are attached to the rear main panel along a left-lower score line and a right-lower score line, respectively. A front left-side rip-away extension panel and a front right-side rip-away extension panel are attached to the front panels along score lines. A stand panel is attached to the rear main panel along a center-lower score line, having (i) a center portion which is foldable to partially overlap the right-side and left-side front panels in the assembled food holder, and (ii) a stand portion which is foldable to form an integral stand to support the assembled food holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Inventor: Carum Baroud
  • Patent number: 5381892
    Abstract: A support structure for retaining items, such as pots of flowers, bottles, bags and the like in position includes a peripheral side wall having an open top and an open bottom defining at least two bag-containing compartments. The support structure is foldable from a folded, generally flat, storable configuration to an unfolded, in-use configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventor: William M. Allen
  • Patent number: 5361895
    Abstract: A tray is provided for the shipping and display of a row of articles, the tray when configured for shipping being adapted to receive a particular number of such objects and when configured for display being adapted to receive a different number of such objects, the difference in configuration involving an end portion of the tray which is movable between a first position constituting an elongation of the main portion of the tray and a second position closing an end of that main portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: WFR Ribbon, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Wilson, Beverly A. Bahnken
  • Patent number: 5307986
    Abstract: An article carrier which permits ice to be added to the carrier after removing the top to cool the contents. The carrier is formed from a paperboard blank having a waterproof interior surface. The end and side panels are connected by gusset panels, the end portions of which are adapted to be in nonadhered face-to-face relationship. When the top panel of the carrier is removed, these portions of the gusset panels are relaxed, allowing the side and end panels to pivot out about their foldable connection to the bottom panel for a limited distance to expand the interior of the carrier while maintaining the carrier in watertight condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Richard L. Schuster
  • Patent number: 5303863
    Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a carton of the type having a compartment for multiple containers of beverage and means for holding a coolant such as ice in heat exchange relationship to containers, e.g., cans. In the improved carton, the holding means includes a plurality of panels in stacked relationship to one another in a repose position, i.e., when the carton is in the "as sold" configuration. In such configuration, the carton main compartment is of substantially conventional size to hold, for example, twelve or twenty-four 12 oz. cans of beverage. When the user desires to chill the cans (or keep them chilled), the panels are unfolded to a utility position to form an ice bin atop the compartment. Ice is poured into the bin and cans are cooled by direct contact with the ice. By first withdrawing plural cans from the compartment, pouring in ice and then nestling the withdrawn cans back into the bin-contained ice, many or all cans are in direct cooling contact with the ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: James D. Arasim
  • Patent number: 5261701
    Abstract: An expansion pocket is provided for use with folders, binders or the like which allows large quantities of materials to be securely inserted into the expansion pocket. The expansion pocket cover member is provided with a series of slits which run along the two adjacent edges of the cover member secured to the folder or ring binder, along with a relief cut-out made in the cover member at the corner defined by these two adjacent sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: American Trading and Production Corporation
    Inventor: Robert N. Walters
  • Patent number: 5249550
    Abstract: A disposable litter box is defined by a foldable closed container and includes a supply of litter. The box is adapted to be unfolded into a unitary litter box having a continuous outer perimeter of even height for defining an open topped litter box for use by pets and the like. After use is completed, the box may be refolded to confine the soiled litter, which may then be readily disposed. Visual indicators are provided to facilitate closing the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Inventors: Lisa C. Hines, Charles B. Hines
  • Patent number: 5192019
    Abstract: A point-of-purchase product display box having an adjustable length for the receptacle. The display box comprises first and second telescopically-engaged segments each of generally rectangular parallelepipedon configuration with back panels, a pair of side flaps, and one end flap, all extending at right angles from the back panel. The side flaps of each of the first and second segments have spaced-apart rows of aligned bores formed therein along row axes generally parallel to the common juncture line between the side flaps and the back panel, including an upper row and a lower row with the axes of the separate rows being aligned, and with a number of bores being arranged to permit telescopically-engaged relationship between the segments in either closely coupled or elongated relationship so as to accommodate the available space at the point-of-purchase location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: The Mike Meehan Company
    Inventor: Kermit E. Meehan
  • Patent number: 5190777
    Abstract: A shelf stable package for shipping and popping corn in a microwave oven comprising, a bowl formed of microwaveable plastic, transparent to microwave energy with a conical bottom, a charge comprising corn kernels and a shortening, which is solid at room temperature, said kernels having a moisture content of at least about 11.5 percent by weight, and a plastic swirl cover layer, said plastic swirl being in the form of a plurality of folds disposed in a spiral arrangement being transparent to microwave energy, and being expansible in response to internal steam pressure generated by popping of said corn kernels. A microwave transparent paperboard shell covers at least a portion of said bowl. A metallized barrier layer can overlay said plastic swirl bonnet cover layer and in turn a paperboard outer cover overlaying said metallized barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: American Home Food Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary D. Anderson, George B. Bourns, Earl E. Hoyt, Howard P. Siegel
  • Patent number: 5170934
    Abstract: A can or bottle drink carton comprising expandable compartments affixed to its opposite sides. Tear strips associated with each compartment are activated to facilitate deployment of the compartments. The carton can be converted into an ice chest by unzipping a tearstrip on each side of the carton, lifting ice cover flaps on both sides of the carton, popping out expandable ice compartments on both sides of the carton resulting in compartments ready to receive ice to keep the can or bottle drinks cold. The preferred embodiment would not employ the tearstrip nor the flap created thereby. Rather, it would facilitate securing the compartments closed against the sides of the chest with impermeable glue. This allows the compartments to be deployed by tugging the compartment free from the side of the chest. After use the carton is disposable and recyclable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Inventor: Ryne P. Lemoine
  • Patent number: 5148940
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for collecting, storing, transporting, and disposing of biohazardous medical waste material with minimum handling and reduced risk of cross-contamination. A liquid-tight plastic bag (96), disposable fluid collection drape (98), and other disposable items (100) used in a medical procedure are received at the point of use in a vertically expandable paperboard carton (11). During a medical procedure, the drape (98) is used to funnel liquid wastes into the waste receptacle (106) consisting of the opened carton (11) lined with the enclosed bag (96). At the conclusion of the procedure, the drape (98) and other waste materials are also disposed of in the receptacle (106). The bag (96) is sealed closed, left in the carton (11), and the carton (11) is the selectively closed and sealed to the appropriate size to accommodate the volume of wastes in the bag (96). The entire waste receptacle (106) remains sealed until disposed of.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Microtek Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas E. Mendise
  • Patent number: 5129364
    Abstract: A disposable cat litter box is provided which is made entirely of a single piece of cardboard. The litter box has a lower portion to hold cat litter and an expandable upper portion which completely encloses the cat litter except for providing an opening for ingress and egress of the cat. A removable mesh-type litter bag is provided which can be simply removed and thrown away when the litter box is full to renew the same for additional use. A charcoal filter can be provided to control odors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventor: Randall Pirkle
  • Patent number: 5094359
    Abstract: A combination packaging/shipping carton and ice bucket for a plurality of can or bottled type of beverage containers, wherein the carton assumes a minimum volume position during packaging and shipping then can be moved to an expanded or increased volume position when it is intended to be used as an ice bucket. Each corner of the carton includes triangular webs which move from an abutting together position to a substantially in-line position during movement of the carton to the increased volume position. The side and end panels of the carton have attached thereto foldable flaps which fold over upon theirselves, when the carton is in the minimum volume position, closing the enclosing chamber of the carton to the ambient. When these foldable flaps are moved away from each other to assume a substantial in-line position with their respective side panel and end panel, the enclosing container is open to the ambient with this enclosing container increasing in size to permit usage of the carton as an ice bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Inventors: Robert A. DeMars, Spencer L. Mackay
  • Patent number: 5071062
    Abstract: A box having a full size configuration and a reduced size configuration is provided. The full size box can hold, for example, an entire pizza. When the full volume is no longer required, the box can be reduced in size by eliminating certain portions thereof by tearing along preformed perforated score lines and folding along specially provided score lines. In accordance with the invention, no tools are required to form the smaller size box from the blank of the full size box. A microwave susceptor material can be provided on the base of the box to crispen leftovers that are heated in a microwave oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Inventors: David E. Bradley, Michael A. Jaworski
  • Patent number: 5065936
    Abstract: An oblong shaped box for tissues or papers with an opening (21) on top through which tissues or papers are removed one at a time. Moving the bottom up is made possible by folding in the lower sections of the four sides along punctured fold lines (30), and crushing in the corners along lines (40, 60). Lines (50) near but inside the borders of the bottom create the needed space to allow the bottom to move up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Inventor: Charles S. King
  • Patent number: 5060849
    Abstract: A disposable, dual purpose box or carton, made from suitable material such as light weight corugated cardboard, with two configurations unlikely designed and constructed so that the empty box of configuration (1), a closed shipping, handling and storage carton for material can be refolded into a new configuration (2), an open top container or tray with new dimensions and volume suitable for reuse for display or to facilitate the use of the material contained in the box when in configuration (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Inventor: Fred King