Convertible Patents (Class 229/103)
  • Publication number: 20080237319
    Abstract: Articles of furniture and home décor formed of a single panel of unfinished honeycomb cardboard cut in a compressed state along a first plane to have a predefined shape and expanded along a second plane; and fixing means for fixing the cut honeycomb cardboard in an expanded state. In preferred embodiments, the compressed honeycomb cardboard may be cut in the first plane to have the profile of a sofa, a chair, a table, a vase, or a tray, such that when the honeycomb cardboard is expanded it takes on a three-dimensional form thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Cathy Hensey, Vahid Pourkay
  • Publication number: 20080237318
    Abstract: The present invention includes a blank and container formed of cellulose-based materials configured to form a reusable and collapsible container. The container in the partially assembled, knock-down position lies substantially flat and is capable of being stacked and shipped. Arrival at a job site or at a time requiring the use of the container, the partially assembled knock-down container may be easily converted into a fully erect container ready for use as intended. Once loaded with product, the first and second top panels may be folded down to enclose the container. The container positions the relief scores primarily in the side panels with only a single relief score in the bottom panel. This configuration allows the bottom panel to distend while the container is in the collapsed state while not adversely affecting overall container strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Weyerhaeuser Co.
    Inventor: Jack A. McClure
  • Publication number: 20080237321
    Abstract: A storage box includes a flexible box body, a hard support board removably mounted in the box body to support the box body, and a cover removably mounted on the box body. The support board is receivable into the cover, and the box body is foldable when being compressed and receivable into the cover. Thus, the support board and the box body are received in the hollow inside of the cover to reduce the volume of the storage box to the minimum size so that the storage box has a smaller volume when not in use, thereby greatly saving the space of storage, and thereby facilitating packaging, storage and transportation of the storage box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Yi-Chuan Chen
  • Publication number: 20080185424
    Abstract: A megaphone popcorn cup is provided. The cup includes a first end, which is open to an interior of the cup, and a second end, which has a smaller diameter than the first end. The cup has a side wall with overlapping first and second side edges that are attached to one another. An end cap at least partially seals the second end. The end cap is vertically offset from the second end toward the first end and is formed with the side wall as a single, continuous piece of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Jon A. Richie
  • Patent number: 7334686
    Abstract: A box includes a bottom, a plurality of collapsible sides affixed to the bottom, and a lid for holding them in place. A support structure provided for the box includes sides that drop away from the center where an item or gift is stored. The bottom and sides are typically formed from a single piece of support material that may be scored where the side and bottom meet. This thickness of the scored area is thinner than that of the sides and bottom. This operates to allow the sides to be rotated upward to form around the item or gift stored within the box. Removal of the lid allows the sides to drop away from the stored item that rests on the bottom of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Natalie Filardi
  • Patent number: 7317573
    Abstract: A tray with an upstanding billboard or panel that displays a three-dimensional image is provided by a carton assembly comprising sheet material having fold lines defining parts that are movable to assembled positions presenting a tray for receiving food, beverage or other items of interest to the user, and a display panel having an image printed thereon by a three-dimensional process. The display panel is part of a panel structure that provides a carrier for a viewer that may be removed from the panel structure by the user in order to see and enjoy the three-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Kid Stuff Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: William D. Billen
  • Patent number: 7273162
    Abstract: A fry scoop with one or two cells store food and condiments within a folded container. The fry scoop starts as a single blank with a rear panel, a rear wall, a bottom, a front wall with flanking side panels, and a front panel. The panels fold onto their respective walls, the walls fold upwardly from the bottom, and the sides then fold and attach to the rear wall. With the sides, front wall, and rear wall upright, an open top food container forms. Pulling the front and rear panels inwards opens two condiment cells. The front and rear panels have similar edge shapes and attain the same height from the bottom. The similarity between the front and the rear of the present invention allows consumers, or restaurant staff, to load the scoop from the front or the rear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Altivity Packaging, LLC
    Inventor: Mark P. Baker
  • Patent number: 7097041
    Abstract: A convertible shipper container used for shipping and displaying packaged products. The shipper includes a top panel, a bottom panel and a partially open front side. The shipper additionally includes a first side including a first slot therethrough and a first portion of a separation strip included therein. The shipper further includes a back panel including a second portion of the separation strip included therein and a second side including a second slot therethrough and a third portion of the separation strip included therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Ralcorp Holding, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Marrale
  • Patent number: 7055976
    Abstract: A collapsible tabletop lighting apparatus consisting of a box-like structure for photographing 3D subjects in an evenly illuminated environment. The interior of the box-like structure is evenly illuminated by an integrated use of a detachable single fluorescent lighting unit, a single light diffuser panel, and a plurality of reflective interior surfaces. For storage or transporting of the apparatus, the single fluorescent lighting unit easily detaches from the said structure and is stored on the said structures floor while the lid and side panels of the said structure fold inward, on top of each other to form a closed, secured compact box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas Charles Blanford
  • Patent number: 7051919
    Abstract: A space saving box and a box useful for pizza and other relatively flat food products is provided. The box generally includes a one piece cardboard or paperboard blank having a first portion hingedly connected to a second portion. The blank is structured to include various score lines such that first and second portions are formable into a full sized pizza box. In addition, the blank is structured such that, when separated from the second portion, the first portion is formable into a reduced sized, space saving box having a tapering depth, for facilitating storage of leftover pizza slices, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: William R. Walsh
  • Patent number: 7004377
    Abstract: A food serving apparatus having a flat food-supporting member consisting of a material sized to prevent served food from contacting unsanitary surfaces, and having sufficient rigidity, to support one or more food items. The food-supporting member has at least one food-retaining portion integrally formed adjacent thereto which extends upward, or can be positioned upward by a user, relative to the food-supporting member, in a manner which increases rigidity of the member. The food-supporting member has at least one bendable cross-section tangent to at least one user-breakable joint of a food-retaining portion to allow separation of the separable joint(s). Breaking of the joint(s) allows a user to bend the food-supporting member downward and away from food supported to facilitate the eating experience. The apparatus accommodates a variety of shapes and optionally includes a fold-over tab to assist a user in securing food beneath the tab and above the food-supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Darrell J. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 6966483
    Abstract: A relatively large food container includes a food box member in combination with a removable relatively small unfolded food container blank or insert. More specifically, the food box member includes an outside box member portion, the unfolded food container blank or insert is in a form of an inside box member portion, and perforations or slit cuts connect the outside box member portion to the inside box member portion. The removable unfolded food container blank is shaped and has fold lines so that when suitably manipulated it is adapted to form a triangularly-shaped small food box. The triangularly-shaped small food box is eminently suitable for storing left-over triangularly-shaped pieces or “wedges” of pizza.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventor: Michael W. Manninen
  • Patent number: 6905065
    Abstract: An ambidextrous sectional pizza box lid that can be divided into sections, which are shaped in such a way so that the sections can be easily grasped with either the left or right hand without the use of tools. The pizza box having a bottom portion and a top portion which comprises a top portion being removably attached to the bottom portion. The top portion may have plurality plate portions that are removably formed in the top portion and are shaped for ambidextrously grasping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Pizza Box 2000, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Guy Lawrence Holden
  • Publication number: 20040149814
    Abstract: A hat is made from a can carton that has a pattern marked on it. The pattern is cut out and the hat is assembled from the pieces. An 18 or 24 can carton can be used to make the brim of the hat and 12 and 18 can cartons can be used to make the crown. Hats of various shapes and styles can be made from the cartons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Peter A. Montana
  • Patent number: 6752263
    Abstract: An article of manufacture is provided. The article of manufacture includes a sheet of foldable material. The sheet of foldable material is configured to be folded a first way to form a container for an object. The sheet of foldable material is configured to be folded a second way to form a shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Stephanie Dubsky
  • Publication number: 20030209592
    Abstract: An ambidextrous sectional pizza box lid that can be divided into sections, which are shaped in such a way so that the sections can be easily grasped with either the left or right hand without the use of tools. The pizza box having a bottom portion and a top portion which comprises a top portion being removably attached to the bottom portion. The top portion may have plurality plate portions that are removably formed in the top portion and are shaped for ambidextrously grasping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Christopher Guy Lawrence Holden
  • Publication number: 20030201316
    Abstract: A relatively large food container includes a food box member in combination with a removable relatively small unfolded food container blank or insert. More specifically, the food box member includes an outside box member portion, the unfolded food container blank or insert is in a form of an inside box member portion, and perforations or slit cuts connect the outside box member portion to the inside box member portion. The removable unfolded food container blank is shaped and has fold lines so that when suitably manipulated it is adapted to form a triangularly-shaped small food box. The triangularly-shaped small food box is eminently suitable for storing left-over triangularly-shaped pieces or “wedges” of pizza.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventor: Michael W. Manninen
  • Patent number: 6631803
    Abstract: A beverage cooler box is provided which is intended to receive ice or other cooling means to keep containers packaged therein cool. The box is made of a material which is impervious to liquid which may be contained within the box during use. The box includes folding end panels which extend continuously between adjacent front and rear panels; therefore, there are no seams or breaks in the material around the lower portion of the box which might degrade the ability of the box to hold a liquid. Also disclosed is a method of assembling the cooler box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignees: Coors Brewing Company, Graphic Packaging Corporation
    Inventors: Terrance E. Rhodes, Brett Lee Schuetz, Michael Christopher Cruz, Patricia O. Shibata, Lee Buxton, Patrick B. Edson, Raymond Scott Kastanek, Gary Lawrence Gresge, Stephen Mark Kaczmarek
  • Patent number: 6481617
    Abstract: A barrel has a sector-shaped main board and a polygonal base board. A plurality of periphery plates are disposed on a periphery of the polygonal base board. Each periphery plate has a periphery folding line and a round hole. The sector-shaped main board has a plurality of longitudinal folding lines, a connection plate, a plurality of rectangular plates, and a plurality of decoration plates. Each rectangular plate has a slot. Each decoration plate has a transverse folding line and an insertion protrusion. The connection plate and one of the rectangular plates are fastened together. Each periphery plate and each rectangular plate are fastened together by a bolt and a nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: Zhi-Yuan Yang
  • Publication number: 20020134827
    Abstract: A carton of laminate material to hold beverage containers with provision to open a portion of the top of the carton to provide a receptacle to receive a coolant such as ice to cool the beverage containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Mark R. Sinclair, John H. Tokarski
  • Patent number: 6443797
    Abstract: A built-up toy car includes a body, and a front-wheel assembly and a rear-wheel assembly connected to lower front and lower rear ends, respectively, of the body. Both the front and the rear wheel assemblies include a flat axle part supported in two open-bottomed axle holes provided at the lower front and the lower rear ends, respectively, of the body, and two flat wheel parts connected to two ends of the axle part. Each of the axle parts is provided at upper and lower edges at positions engaging with the axle holes with two pairs of upper and lower notches to form thereat a reduced width slightly smaller than the axle holes, so that the axle parts of the front and the rear wheel assemblies are rotatable in the axle holes relative to the body of the toy car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Kuo-Ching Liu
  • Patent number: 6435503
    Abstract: The top of a jigsaw puzzle box is propped at an angle for easy viewing by the person constructing the puzzle, by means of a simple and inexpensive easel attached to the underside of the box top, much like a framed photo is propped on a table or dresser. The easel is preferably attached to the inside of the box top at the time of manufacture and is ready to be used immediately after opening the box. It may, however, be free inside the box along with the puzzle pieces, and be adhered in the appropriate location by the purchaser just after opening the box. In addition, the easels may be sold as separate stand-alone items for attachment to existing puzzle boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: George Eric Laughlin
  • Patent number: 6402016
    Abstract: A parallelepiped package box is made of continuous boards and has front, rear, top, bottom and opposite side surfaces. Two parallel first tearing lines are formed on the box and extend along the front, rear and side surfaces to delimit a tear strip that are removable from the box to separate the box into a top cap and a bottom receptacle. An opening zone is delimited in the front surface of the cap by two spaced, first hinge lines extending in a vertical direction and two spaced, second tearing lines extending in a horizontal direction to connect between the first hinge lines. A third tearing line is also formed on the front surface of the cap, connecting between the second tearing lines and located between the first hinge lines. By tearing off the second and third tearing lines, two flaps are formed on the cap. The flaps are selectively folded along the hinge lines into the cap for forming an opening in the front surface of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Harry Lee
  • Patent number: 6209780
    Abstract: An otherwise conventional paperboard french fry scoop and container is provided with a game or quiz accessory construction to improve its utility. The rear (higher) wall (16) of the scoop is provided with a pair of parallel slits (24, 26) which slidably receive a tear off strip (62), the latter carried by a glue panel (50) glued to the rear wall of the scoop. The tear strip carries indicia (66, 68) in the form of two rows of respective questions and answers, the indicia being viewed through openings (28, 30) between the two slits. The user tears off the tear strip, inserts it through the slits, and proceeds to read the questions and answers. All components of the scoop are readily formed from the blank, the mode of assembling the device, as well as the basic form of the unitary paperboard blank from which it is formed, being essentially the same as that of known paperboard french fry scoops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Kurt Jensen
  • Patent number: 6189775
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a packing box transformable to real scenery display table mainly having two connectable cases inside of which an accommodation space is disposed in order to receive and fix all kinds of objects; accordingly, a basic structure of the packing box is created and characterized in that the surfaces of the two cases of the packing box are respectively provided with real scenery plain patterns corresponding to accommodated objects; locating surfaces for receiving the objects are disposed at pre-arranged position; moreover, when the two cases with downward opening are connected on a basic surface, the packing box is developed to a real scenery display table so that the objects accommodated inside can be located on the pre-arranged locating surfaces to create a three-dimensional effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Yin-Yin Wu
  • 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: 6059179
    Abstract: A container may be folded into a configuration for a shipping container, a configuration for a picnic basket, and a configuration for a eating upon as a mat. The container may have a table cloth indicia depicted on its interior surface or a game board indicia or other printed matter. A top portion of the container may be configured as a handle for carrying the container or as a flat top for shipping. Certain portions of the container may be scored or perforated for easy removal in order to better adapt the mat as an eating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Debbie L. Giampapa
  • Patent number: 6021941
    Abstract: A generally rectangular package top defines a planar top surface and a quartet of perpendicular sidewalls joined to enclose the top surface. A package bottom is configured in substantially the same manner as the package top but is slightly smaller and thus insertable within the sidewalls of the package top. The package top and package bottom are inverted to allow the package top to form an upwardly open-faced base receiving the downwardly open package bottom. A plurality of extensions defining substantially planar surfaces support tabs folded downwardly therefrom which are insertable into the spacing between sidewalls of the package top and package bottom to secure the extensions in a cantilevered support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Lucy Schultz
  • Patent number: 5967405
    Abstract: A cup is readily converted to an acoustic megaphone by removal of the base. The paper construction, enabled by the features of the invention, offers a good printing surface and simultaneously ensures that the cup is biodegradable. In a first embodiment, a removable tape seal is used to releasably seal and retain a cup bottom to cup side walls. In a second embodiment, a more permanent seal is provided, along with a tear cord. Other embodiments illustrate pull tabs, handles, and a releasable adhesive. The base may also only be partially separated, thereby opening the cup into a horn, while still retaining the base to reduce the amount of waste paper which may become scattered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Hanauska
  • Patent number: 5836451
    Abstract: A package for containing both longer and shorter components and being transformable into a secondary package for carrying the shorter components. The package includes a unitary, tubular base carton having first and second ends and a first length extending between the first and second ends. A tear line is formed in the base carton between the first ends and defines a tubular sub-carton and a remainder portion. The sub-carton has a second length extending between the first end of the base carton and the tear line. The second length is less than the first length. A tray is slidably disposed in the sub-carton. The tray has first and second ends and a third length extending between the first and second ends of the tray. The third length is less than the first length of the base carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Mebane Packaging Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney D. Dixon
  • Patent number: 5829671
    Abstract: A carton functioning as a pet litter scoop, formed as a carton having a front, back, and a pair of side walls, a bottom closure for the carton, a scoop flange securing proximate the upper edge of the back wall, a pair of gussets formed between the scoop flange and the upper edges of the carton side walls, said scoop flange and gussets securing interiorly proximate the upper edge of the carton, a lid, with closure flap, pivotally connecting to the upper edge of the back wall, and when folded over holding the carton and its scoop flange into closure, a pair of lateral flaps extending from the sides of the lid, and a pair of side flanges extending from the upper edges of the side walls, all cooperating to either hold the scoop flange into its functional position, or to secure the carton into closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: Richard B. Hawk
  • Patent number: 5785238
    Abstract: A package for eating utensils such as chopsticks is foldable into a rest upon which to support said utensils when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Daniel Tai
  • Patent number: 5601230
    Abstract: An integrated packaging system, including a funnel, for containers of motor oil or other pourable materials. The packaging system is formed into a box out of a sheet of material, such as corrugated cardboard. One or more walls of the cardboard are partially die cut to allow selective removal of a section, with fold lines pre-stamped, which when folded form a funnel. The funnel is convenient, included as a part of the box, storable within the box and recyclable with the box when discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Union Camp Corporation
    Inventor: Jackie E. Bell
  • 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: 5522537
    Abstract: A carton has a top wall having eight side edges which circumscribe a top wall surface area and a bottom wall having four side edges which circumscribe a bottom wall surface area. Four trapezoidal side walls, each having a major edge, a minor edge and two side edges, extend between the top wall and the bottom wall, such that the major edges of the sidewalls abut, respectively, adjacent of the side edges of the bottom wall and such that the minor edges of the sidewalls abut, respectively, alternate of the side edges of the top wall. The carton has four triangular corner wall portions, each having a base, which abuts the top wall at a position displaced inwardly from one of the top wall edges that does not abut one of the minor edges of the side walls, and two sides, one of which abuts one of the side edges of one of the adjacent side walls. A device for opening the carton is positioned in one of the trapezoidal side walls, and a line of weakness is positioned in the bottom wall or in the top wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: David A. Barlow
  • 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: 5476214
    Abstract: The present design is pizza box top that has a number of spatula-type trapezoidal shaped plates. These plates can be separated from the box and then used to lift out individual slices of pizza. The plates have a sharp point that cuts easily through the cheese in the center of the pizza. A pizza slice, resting on the plate can be picked up cleanly and safely, ready to eat. The number and size of the plates varies depending on the size of the pizza box i.e., small, medium or large. A second design uses a box insert that has the plates cut into it. This insert can then be placed into the lids of existing pizza boxes. In this way, the millions of pizza boxes already in inventory can be used without having to waste or modify them. The inserts, like the boxes are sized to fit into appropriate pizza boxes. A third design is used for supermarket pizzas that use a circular cardboard base. The standard base can be replaced with a circular base using the spatula-plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Inventor: James Fisk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5420775
    Abstract: A spray shield for temporarily covering an open face of a fixture, particularly a canister light fixture. The spray shield is conveniently outlined on and removable from a panel of cardboard shelf packaging of the canister light. The spray shield provides a disk-shaped portion surrounded by radially extending tabs which can be bent off from to the disk-shaped portion to form a resilient shallow pan which is grippingly held within an inside surface of the canister light. The spray shield as a flat panel can be easily removed from a panel of the packaging which provides a weakened line around an outer circumference of the spray shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Thomas Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond J. Kusmer
  • Patent number: 5381890
    Abstract: In order to sell a multi-media product such as documentation and software in an effective yet unique manner, a convertible package/shelf organizer is provided. The convertible package/shelf organizer comprises a generally rectangular box having a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, and a pair of side walls defining an enclosure for shipping the contents of the box in a normal protected-product fashion. The front wall of the box is in the form of a cover hinged to one of the top and bottom walls and is movable from a closed position concealing and protecting the contents of the box during shipment to an open position providing access for removal of the contents of the box after shipment. The convertible package/shelf organizer is also such that the cover is moveable to a position within the enclosure juxtaposed against an inner surface of the one of the top and bottom walls to which it is hinged and also against the rear wall when the contents of the box have been removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: R. R. Donnelley & Sons Co.
    Inventor: Gavin Scobbie
  • Patent number: 5372094
    Abstract: A bird feeder is made from a paperboard container, such as those commonly employed to contain milk. In a first embodiment, two slots are cut in the container above the floor in opposing vertical walls, and two holes are formed near the floor, one hole located below each slot. Feed troughs are attached to the container by tabs which expand inside the container after being passed through a slot, each slot serving one trough. In this embodiment, a separate perch is provided by a rod or stick projecting from the container. The perch is supported by the container floor, and held in place by frictional fit as it penetrates the two opposing holes below the slots. In a second embodiment, there is only one hole and one slot, the slot being located at the level of the hole. The perch and trough are provided as a unitary structural element, the trough having a peg projecting outwardly, so as to provide a foothold for a bird.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Roger A. Zens
  • Patent number: 5358172
    Abstract: Collapsible box-like cartons of the type constructed to fold flat for storage and to be unfolded to form a rigid carton for shipping purposes are provided with secondary hinge and removable sections which thereby enable such cartons to be transformed from their first substantially rectangular geometric shape in which they are used as shipping cartons to a second useable shape so that they can be recycled for other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Omega Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Milton B. Hollander, David R. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 5356010
    Abstract: The present invention is a medication container which includes a package designed to receive a softpack of individually segregated unit dosages of medication and a softpack puncturing mechanism located on a flat surface of the package. The softpack puncturing mechanism has a base segment and a top segment hingedly connected to one another. The base segment has an orifice located thereon which is of sufficient size to receive a unit dosage section of a softpack and the top segment has a protrusion adapted to nest within the orifice of the bottom segment. The protrusion of the top segment has sufficient height so as to puncture a dosage unit section of a softpack of medication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Primary Delivery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Weinstein
  • Patent number: 5344065
    Abstract: A reversible container having opposite first and second surfaces may be formed of a single sheet of material. The first surface is folded outward to provide a container e. g., for the shipping, mailing or packing of various articles; provision is made for the disassembly of the container at its destination and for adhesive closure of the everted container for further use with the second surface facing outward, e. g., as a container for recyclable articles. Hand holds and openings in the hinged lid of the container for ease of insertion of articles therein, are also provided; the perforated areas of the lid may be reinforced during shipping by an underlying second sheet, which second sheet is removable at the time of modification to an everted form. The container is preferably formed of recycled corrugated fiberboard material, but may be formed of a variety of other materials such as non-corrugated cardboard or fiberboard, synthetic sheet material, plastics, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Inventor: Charles E. C. Moran
  • Patent number: 5340348
    Abstract: A doll has a body and an item that is sized to be releasably attached to the body. The item includes an attachment portion that is releasably engaged by engaging structure on the body. Covering structure is utilized to cover the engaging structure when the item is not attached to it. The engaging structure may include hook material and both the attachment structure and covering structure may include loop material. The doll may be outfitted with a uniform corresponding to a particular sport. The item may be a piece of sporting equipment proportionally sized relative to the doll and corresponding to the sport of the uniform. A kit may be provided for creating a sporting environment. The kit has an embodiment of the above-described doll, at least one item of sporting equipment proportionately sized relative to the doll, and a box for containing the doll and the sporting equipment. A uniform for the doll may also be included with the kit. The above-described attaching structure is on the sporting equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Inventor: Eric J. Schroeder
  • 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: 5294043
    Abstract: A paperboard panel having score lines thereon such that it can be folded to form a 4-point glued infold tray to contain product, can be folded flat for storage purposes or can receive product and be further folded to form a closed box-like structure totally enclosing the product and having a self-locking feature to keep the box in its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: The Packaging House, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald G. Platt
  • Patent number: 5269456
    Abstract: A rectangular box includes an internal storage compartment. A removable insert is dimensioned to fit snugly within the internal storage compartment to define a low card storage capacity subcompartment for storing flat rectangular cards with an orientation parallel to the base surface of the box. A foldable divider can be selectively positioned between extended and retracted positions. When displaced into the extended position after removal of the removable insert, the foldable divider subdivides the internal storage compartment into first and second equal sized subcompartments to create a second high card storage capacity where the cards are oriented perpendicular to the base surface of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: The Upper Deck Company
    Inventors: Bruce W. Regis, Christopher Corman
  • Patent number: 5255841
    Abstract: An initially flat and unfolded sheet of corrugated paperboard is cut and scored to first serve as a tier sheet or separator between tiers or layers of products loaded on a pallet and then, when foldably connected integral parts of it are erected, as a tote box thereby comprising a dual function device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Dale L. Ritter
  • Patent number: 5248081
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved carrying container for a food product such a roasted fowl, ham or the like impaled on a skewer rod. The, container comprises a bottom wall and side wall elements with a first and a second aperture defined in opposed walls. The skewer rod ends are insertable within the first and second apertures in the opposed walls for supporting the food product within the container interior of the container. The first and second apertures are positioned for spacing the food product from the bottom wall and the side wall elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Inventor: Dennis D. Hook