Octagonal Patents (Class 229/109)
  • Publication number: 20030141354
    Abstract: A container made from corrugated paperboard has more than four sides and is constructed to resist distortion when force is applied to the ends or sides of the container, and also to resist crushing when containers are stacked on top of one another. In one embodiment, the container has six sides, with two side walls, two end walls, and two diagonally opposed diagonal corner panels and two diagonally opposed square corners. In another embodiment, the container has seven sides, with two side walls, two end walls, and three diagonal corner panels and one square corner. In a further embodiment, the container has eight sides, with two side walls, two end walls, and four diagonally opposed diagonal corner panels. In this embodiment, the diagonal corner panels are oriented so that they subtend an angle of from about 35° to about 40°, and preferably 38°, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Benjamin Quaintance
  • Patent number: 6598785
    Abstract: A container made from corrugated paperboard has more than four sides and is constructed to resist distortion when force is applied to the ends or sides of the container, and also to resist crushing when containers are stacked on top of one another. In one embodiment, the container has six sides, with two side walls, two end walls, and two diagonally opposed diagonal corner panels and two diagonally opposed square corners. In another embodiment, the container has seven sides, with two side walls, two end walls, and three diagonal corner panels and one square corner. In a further embodiment, the container has eight sides, with two side walls, two end walls, and four diagonally opposed diagonal corner panels. In this embodiment, the diagonal corner panels are oriented so that they subtend an angle of from about 35° to about 40°, and preferably 38°, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Benjamin Quaintance
  • Patent number: 6588651
    Abstract: An octagonal bulk bin of corrugated paperboard has opposed parallel side walls spaced a predetermined distance apart and opposed parallel end walls spaced a predetermined distance apart. The side and end walls are joined by diagonal corner panels. The diagonal corner panels are made wider than the corner panels in a conventional bin, and the side and end walls are narrower, with the corner panels and the end walls having approximately the same width, while maintaining the predetermined spacing. This configuration reduces the bulge experienced when product is loaded into the bin. In addition to the wider corner panels, or in lieu thereof, scores may be placed in at least one of the side and end panels to define a line along which controlled and predetermined buckling will take place, if buckling occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Benjamin William Quaintance
  • Publication number: 20030116612
    Abstract: Packets of cigarettes (2) sold in multiples are wrapped in a rigid carton (1) with a predominating longitudinal axis (L) that extends parallel to the longitudinal axes (7) of the single packets (2) and presents a prismatic shape of polygonal section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Roberto Polloni, Chiara Colo
  • Patent number: 6550645
    Abstract: A flexible bladder is enclosed within a plurality of overlapping plastic sheets, with the ends of the sheets being secured in place by the weight of the flexible bladder, when filled. The preferred plastic is an extruded, twin-walled, fluted plastic based upon a polypropylene copolymer. In a alternative embodiment, a pair of hexagonal, coaxial sleeves of the preferred plastic have an internal bladder for shipping materials. With both embodiments, hot chocolate is pumped into the bladder and cooled, in situ, to stop the chocolate from cooking further. The container is shipped, and then the chocolate is heated to facilitate pumping the chocolate out of the container. The cooling and heating processes involve the use of a heat exchange pad located between the bladder and the inner sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Cortainer Patent Warehouse, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Charles M. Nelson, James D. Patton
  • Publication number: 20030047592
    Abstract: A container made from corrugated paperboard has a bottom wall, opposite side and end walls, and a self locking arrangement on the end walls holding the container in erected condition. The self locking arrangement includes first and second end panels on opposite ends of the side walls, and a third end panel on opposite ends of the bottom wall. The end panels form the end walls of the container. The first and second end panels have at least one notch formed in an upper edge, and a roll over flap is foldably joined by at least one web to an upper edge of each of the third end panels and is folded inwardly and downwardly over the upper edges of the first and second end panels into a locked position to hold the end panels and thus the container in erected condition. In the locked position, the web is engaged in the notch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
    Inventor: Benjamin W. Quaintance
  • Publication number: 20030042297
    Abstract: The present invention includes a blank and container wherein the container includes truncated corner panels and the container is configured to attach or otherwise sit upon a supporting structure, such as, without limitation, a pallet. The truncated corners of the container coupled with the non-truncated corners of the supporting structure cause the corners of the supporting structure to extend beyond the perimeter of the container. Corner tabs having hazard-warning indicia upon an upper surface are configured to extend over the exposed supporting structure corners. Consequently, attention is drawn to the extended supporting structure corners thereby helping to prevent tripping over the pallet corners The indicia may be brightly colored stripes, solid fields or any other indicia. The indicia may be printed and formed in same process as printing labels on the container, thereby requiring no additional manufacturing steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: William J. Remaks, Ronald D. Timbrook
  • Patent number: 6523739
    Abstract: A carton for food products comprising a bottom, a top and four side faces. This carton is such that at least a portion of each of two first opposite side faces is foldable about a generally horizontal fold line and is movable with regard to second opposite side faces or a remainder of the first side faces or can be separated therefrom. In addition, two dividing lines are formed on at least a top face defining, on one hand, two outer wall portions, which are foldable in connection with foldable portions of the first opposite side faces and, on an other hand, an inner wall portion between the two dividing lines, constituting a handle when the outer wall portions are separated along the dividing lines and folded outwards. The first side faces comprise beveled wall portions in lateral regions of the first side faces. Furthermore, a carton blank for a carton for food products comprising a top face portion, two first side face portions, two second side face portions, and a bottom face portion is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Kraft Foods R&D Inc.
    Inventors: John Heeley, Alain Kowalewski, Luigi Tettamanti
  • Publication number: 20030024971
    Abstract: A container assembly for bulk materials and a kit for assembling same are disclosed. A forming member having a plurality of sidewalls defines an internal cavity for receiving bulk materials. The sidewalls are arranged relative to one another and are locked into position so as to define a geometric volume of predetermined shape, by means of a locking assembly. The locking assembly can be integrally attached to or can be separable from the sidewalls, and can form a bottom of the container assembly. A tubular sleeve of continuous material is sized to snugly engage and overlie substantially the entire outer surface area of the sidewalls. The sleeve provides the containment strength, while the forming member provides structural shape and stability to the container assembly. Additional layers of corrugated material or woven polypropylene material or their combination may be used as inserts engaging the inner peripheral sidewall areas of the forming member to provide additional strength to the container assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Robert J. Jones, Michael R. Jones
  • Publication number: 20030019920
    Abstract: A container made from corrugated paperboard has more than four sides and is constructed to resist distortion when force is applied to the ends or sides of the container, and also to resist crushing when containers are stacked on top of one another. In one embodiment, the container has six sides, with two side walls, two end walls, and two diagonally opposed diagonal corner panels and two diagonally opposed square corners. In another embodiment, the container has seven sides, with two side walls, two end walls, and three diagonal corner panels and one square corner. In a further embodiment, the container has eight sides, with two side walls, two end walls, and four diagonally opposed diagonal corner panels. In this embodiment, the diagonal corner panels are oriented so that they subtend an angle of from about 35° to about 40°, and preferably 38°, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
    Inventor: Benjamin Quaintance
  • Publication number: 20030019919
    Abstract: A container made from corrugated paperboard has at least one mitered corner, with an extended edge portion of one of the container walls extending beyond the mitered corner. A bag cuff grab is formed on the extended edge portion to engage and at least temporarily hold in position a bag placed in the container while product is placed in the bag and container. In one embodiment, the container has six sides, with two side walls, two end walls, and two mitered corners. In another embodiment, the container has seven sides, with two side walls, two end walls, and three mitered corners. In a third embodiment, the container has eight sides, with two side walls, two end walls, and four mitered corners. A bag cuff grab can be formed on only one or all of the mitered corners, and can be limited to two bag cuff grabs on diagonally opposite mitered corners. In a preferred embodiment, the bag cuff grab is a notch formed in the extended edge portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
    Inventor: Benjamin Quaintance
  • Publication number: 20020158114
    Abstract: A corrugated paperboard bulk box has opposed pairs of parallel side walls, and in a preferred embodiment, has interposed diagonal corner panels to form an octagonal box. The bottom of the box is closed by first and second opposed pairs of flaps, wherein a T-shaped locking tab is formed on the free edge of one of the flaps of the first pair, and a notch is formed in the free edge of each of the flaps of the second pair. In erecting the box, the flaps of the first pair are first folded inwardly over the bottom of the box, with the free edges thereof confronting one another and the flaps lying in substantially flush, coplanar relationship. The flaps of the second pair are then folded inwardly over the first pair, with the free edges of the flaps of the second pair lying in confronting relationship with one another and the notches therein defining a central opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: John Evans, William F. Moss, Steve Mynes, Stephen R. Byrski
  • Patent number: 6471121
    Abstract: A container is described having a series of bottom panels and a center divider. The center divider divides the container into compartments. Extended outer end panels are provided at the end edges of one compartment, and unextended outer end panels are provided at the end edges of an adjacent compartment. The unextended end panels have inner end panels attached to their outermost edges. Each of the extended outer end panels includes an extension portion. As assembled, these extension portions are sandwiched between their respective unextended outer end panel and its inner end panel. Various embodiments are presented, including one in which minor end flaps are used at the end edges of a center divider panel and inner end panels are attached to the outer edges of the extended end panels. As assembled, the minor end panels are sandwiched between their respective extended outer end panel and its inner end panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser
    Inventor: Roderick S. Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20020148883
    Abstract: A bulk bin container and blank is provided having container walls formed of triple wall paperboard material. At least one tear tape is attached laterally to the inside surface of the triple wall material. The tear tape includes first and second ends, with the tear tape itself defining upper and lower container portions. An opening mechanism is provided at the tear tape first end for starting the tape. During use, an operator grasps the opening mechanism and pulls outward and upward on the tear tape, thereby stepping through the triple wall material and separating the upper container portion from the lower container portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventors: Ronald D. Timbrook, William J. Remaks
  • Patent number: 6446859
    Abstract: A foldable container comprising a sheet of material having a plurality of panels hingedly connected together to permit folding thereof into a polygonal shape for storing liquid, solid or granular material. Male and female flaps are hingedly connected to the panels, and are foldable into an interlocked arrangement to form the container bottom. A lid can be provided having a lid panel and one or more lid flaps hingedly connected thereto. The lid flaps each have a lid opening and a handle portion, and the sheet has corresponding panel openings and handle portions. The lid flaps have locking tabs that can be extended through the aligned lid and panel openings to secure the lid in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: John Thomas Holladay
  • Publication number: 20020121542
    Abstract: A foldable container comprising a sheet of material having a plurality of panels hingedly connected together to permit folding thereof into a polygonal shape for storing liquid, solid or granular material. Male and female flaps are hingedly connected to the panels, and are foldable into an interlocked arrangement to form the container bottom. A lid can be provided having a lid panel and one or more lid flaps hingedly connected thereto. The lid flaps each have a lid opening and a handle portion, and the sheet has corresponding panel openings and handle portions. The lid flaps have locking tabs that can be extended through the aligned lid and panel openings to secure the lid in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: Pratt Industries, Inc
    Inventor: John Thomas Holladay
  • Patent number: 6431435
    Abstract: A container assembly for bulk materials and a method and kit for assembling same are disclosed. A forming member having a plurality of sidewalls defines an internal cavity for receiving bulk materials. The sidewalls are arranged relative to one another and are locked into position so as to define a geometric volume of predetermined shape, by means of a locking assembly. The locking assembly can be integrally attached to or can be separable from the sidewalls, and can form a bottom of the container assembly. A tubular sleeve of continuous material is sized to snugly engage and overlie substantially the entire outer surface area of the sidewalls. The sleeve provides the containment strength, while the forming member provides structural shape and stability to the container assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: RMC Jones LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Jones, Michael R. Jones
  • Publication number: 20020096559
    Abstract: An octagonal bulk bin of corrugated paperboard has opposed parallel side walls spaced a predetermined distance apart and opposed parallel end walls spaced a predetermined distance apart. The side and end walls are joined by diagonal corner panels. The diagonal corner panels are made wider than the corner panels in a conventional bin, and the side and end walls are narrower, with the corner panels and the end walls having approximately the same width, while maintaining the predetermined spacing. This configuration reduces the bulge experienced when product is loaded into the bin. In addition to the wider corner panels, or in lieu thereof, scores may be placed in at least one of the side and end panels to define a line along which controlled and predetermined buckling will take place, if buckling occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: International Paper Co.
    Inventor: Benjamin William Quaintance
  • Patent number: 6386437
    Abstract: A collapsible octagonal bulk box has a bottom structure that closes automatically when the box is moved from a folded-flat condition to an erected condition. The box has opposed side walls and opposed end walls foldably connected by diagonal corner panels. A pair of diagonally opposite corner panels are bisected by longitudinal fold lines, and these fold lines define the outer edges of the folded-flat box. A major bottom flap is foldably connected to the bottom edge of each side wall, and a minor bottom flap is foldably connected to the bottom edge of each end wall. Each major bottom flap has a lateral side extension on its opposite side edges, and a diagonal fold line extends across one extension on each flap to define a triangular portion on each flap. The triangular portions are adhesively attached to an adjacent minor bottom flap, and in the folded-flat condition of the box the flaps project outwardly of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Daniel John Larson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6371363
    Abstract: A collapsible container made of paperboard and particularly a bottom structure for a collapsible containers. More particularly, a relatively flat bottom structure for a rapid set-up, octagon-shaped bulk box. The container includes an eight-sided body and a floor positioned to lie in a bottom opening of the eight-sided body upon movement of the eight-sided body from a collapsed, flattened position to assume an expanded, opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Inland Paperboard and Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy M. Franklin, Donald E. Newcomer
  • Patent number: 6364200
    Abstract: A corrugated paperboard bulk box has opposed pairs of parallel side walls, and in a preferred embodiment, has interposed diagonal corner panels to form an octagonal box. The bottom of the box is closed by opposed pairs of interlocking major and minor bottom flaps, wherein one pair of flaps have notches in their free edges and the other pair of flaps have T-shaped locking tabs in their free edges. The notches form a central opening in the bottom when the flaps are folded closed, and the locking tabs are pushed through the opening to lock the flaps closed. Aligning tabs project outwardly from opposite side edges of one pair of opposed bottom flaps, and complemental slots are formed at the folding connection of another pair of bottom flaps, so that when the flaps are folded inwardly toward one another, the tabs extend into the slots to square the box and hold it square.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: William F. Moss, Brian K. Jambois, John Evans, Stephen R. Byrski, John R. Boutin
  • Publication number: 20020027159
    Abstract: An object is to secure a sufficient area for bonding a spout open/close member (51). A packaging container has a pair of seal portions; at least five side-surface panel portions (27) for forming a circumferential wall; an end-surface panel portion (35) disposed between the seal portion and the side-surface panel portions (27) and adapted to form a polygonal end-surface portion in cooperation with an intermediate portion (15a) of the seal portion; and flap portions (31) projected, together with end portions (15b) of the seal portion, from the end-surface panel portion (35), each of the flap portions (31) being bent toward a specified panel portion (27a) among the side-surface panel portions (27) and being welded to the specified panel portion (27a). In this case, since the flap portions (31) are welded to the specified panel portions (27a), and the end-surface portion is thus made substantially flat, a sufficiently large flat area can be secured on the end-surface portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: PETER MARBE, PATRIK HYLTA
  • Publication number: 20010010327
    Abstract: A carton and blank for forming a carton for accommodating a pizza or the like, comprising a top, a base panel, a pair of oppositely disposed side panels interconnecting said top and said base to provide a flat tubular structure and an end closure arrangement to close opposite ends of the carton including end flaps adjoining said top and said base panel and a corner closure structure at each corner of the carton including an ellipsoidal panel adjoining at least one of said top panel and said base panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Alain Saulas
  • Publication number: 20010010325
    Abstract: A carton and blank for forming a carton for accommodating a pizza or the like, comprising a top, a base panel, a pair of oppositely disposed side panels interconnecting said top and said base to provide a flat tubular structure and an end closure arrangement to close opposite ends of the carton including end flaps adjoining said top and said base panel and a corner closure structure at each corner of the carton including a corner panel interconnecting a respective said side panel and said end flap and at least one gusset adjoining said corner panel and disposed in face contacting relation with a respective corner of said base panel or said top panel forming a flanged recess for said corner panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Alain Saulas
  • Publication number: 20010010326
    Abstract: A carton and blank for forming a carton for accommodating a pizza or the like, comprising a top, a base panel, a pair of oppositely disposed side panels interconnecting said top and said base to provide a flat tubular structure and an end closure arrangement to close opposite ends of the carton including end flaps adjoining said top and said base panel and a corner closure structure at each corner of the carton including a plurality of overlapping gusset panels wherein each said gusset panel adjoins a respective said side panel, said end flap and one of said top panel or said base panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Alain Saulas
  • Publication number: 20010009262
    Abstract: A carton and blank for forming a carton for accommodating a pizza or the like, comprising a top, a base panel, a pair of oppositely disposed side panels interconnecting said top and said base to provide a flat tubular structure and an end closure arrangement to close opposite ends of the carton including end flaps adjoining said top and said base panel and a trapezoid-shaped corner structure at each corner of the carton adjoining said top, said base panel, said side wall and said end flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Alain Saulas
  • Patent number: 6244439
    Abstract: A carousel suitable for storing dolls having a plurality of compartments with doors opening into each compartment and a top storage above the compartments with doors that cover the storage space and for the top of the carousel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Gerald Dennis
  • Patent number: 6241148
    Abstract: A polygon-shaped container comprising a plurality of normally rigid boards providing sides of a polygon-shaped container having a predetermined polygon configuration; a plurality of connecting members each connecting adjacent edges of the plurality of normally rigid boards together, each of the plurality of connecting members having sufficient strength to maintain the polygon-shaped container in the predetermined polygon configuration and yet sufficiently flexible to enable the plurality of normally rigid boards to be shipped flat to a user who will form the polygon-shaped container into the predetermined polygon configuration; a first arrangement to close a bottom of the polygon-shaped container; and a second arrangement to close a top of the polygon-shaped container after being filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Chaim Schwimmer
  • Patent number: 6237838
    Abstract: A paperboard container for a hot water heater or similar manufactured article. The container comprising a body having eight sides, a bottom member closing the bottom of the container body, and a top member closing the top of the container body. The bottom member having eight bottom member sides, each bottom member side in contact with one of the eight body sides, having an interior face for supporting and preventing lateral movement of the hot water heater within the container, and having an exterior face for supporting the container on a floor or other surface. A tab on each container body side is attached to the bottom member exterior face for holding the bottom member in place as the container bottom. The container employs only about 85% of the paperboard required in a square cross section container for the same size hot water heater, and has greater strength than the square cross section container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Bradenbaugh
  • Patent number: 6223978
    Abstract: A quickly and easily erected octagonal package for round items such as pizza, cakes and pies includes a top and a bottom. The bottom includes a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of side walls. The side walls are foldably connected to the front and rear walls by bridging panels at corners of the package. The connection provided by the bridging panels allows the bottom and all its walls to be erected quickly and easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventor: Shawn P. Drager
  • Patent number: 6220508
    Abstract: A corrugated paperboard bulk box has opposed pairs of parallel side walls, and in a preferred embodiment, has interposed diagonal corner panels to form an octagonal box. The bottom of the box is open in the center and is formed by opposed pairs of interlocking major and minor bottom flaps, wherein one pair of opposed flaps have locking notches in their free edges and the other pair of opposed flaps have locking notches in their outer end edges. The locking notches in the respective pairs of flaps are adapted to interengage when the flaps are folded inwardly toward one another and pressure is exerted on one pair of the flaps, to lock the flaps in their folded relationship. An aligning notch is on a free edge of a pair of opposed bottom flaps for cooperative interengagement with an aligning slot at an adjacent end of the folding connection of an adjacent bottom panel for squaring the box as it is being set up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: David G. Wisser
  • Patent number: 6193148
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a folding type box-shaped container comprising a container body having a hollow member whose top portion and bottom portion are open, a bottom member removably attached to the bottom portion of the hollow member, and a lid member being fitted onto the top portion of the hollow member. The hollow member has a cross-sectional form of a polygon having N sides, where N is an integer of 4 or more, when the hollow member is cut through a plane perpendicular to an axial line thereof. The hollow member has side surface portions in the number of N, and has lingual portions each of which extends from a lower end portion of the side surface portion. Each lingual portion is folded back inwardly and has two sides and an end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignees: Tohsho Logitech Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Fukutomi
    Inventor: Masaharu Shimada
  • Patent number: 6182888
    Abstract: The present invention is a carton having a forty-five degree off-set seal from its bottom and a blank therefor. The carton may have a square cross-section or an octagonal cross-section. The forty-five degree off-set seal allows for a stiffer package and material savings of up to seven percent over a traditional gable top carton. A method and apparatus for fabricating the forty-five degree off-set seal are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SA
    Inventor: Tommy Bo-Goran Ljungström
  • Patent number: 6089446
    Abstract: Inner folds (3) are defined on the surface of material (2) made of thin paper. The surface of the material (2) is divided by the inner folds (3) between a bottom (4) corresponding to the bottom of cake and a sidewall (5) contacting the bottom (4). Inner folds (6) and outer folds (7) are defined on the surface of the sidewall (5). A container body (1) is shaped like a cup by the inner folds (3, 6) and the outer folds (7). The sidewall is divided into a plurality of bent pieces (8, 9, 10) by the folds (6, 7). A step portion (13) intersecting the inner folds (6) and outer folds (7) to form a difference in level is defined at each bent piece (8, 9, 10). When a restoring force of the material (2) is applied to the inner folds (6) and the outer folds (7), each fold (6, 7) is about to unfold. However, each fold (6, 7) is prevented from unfolding by the step portion (13) as resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Hirano Shiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunihiro Hirano
  • Patent number: 6085969
    Abstract: A carton is formed from a blank of cardboard or paperboard by folding the blank along preformed score lines or fold lines. The carton has front and rear walls, opposite side walls, corner walls, and top and bottom walls defining an enclosure for receiving the contents. Tabs are attached to the top and bottom walls at the corners and are folded downward over the corner walls to prevent light from entering the space between the corner walls and the top and bottom walls. Slots can be provided in the corner walls, and the ends of the tabs inserted into the slots to retain the tabs in a flush position against the corner walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Labatt Brewing Company Limited
    Inventor: Michel Burgoyne
  • Patent number: 6063415
    Abstract: A food container and its method of use are disclosed. The food container includes a top panel, bottom panel and plurality of sidewalls. A movable panel is hingedly connected to one of the sidewalls, allowing a consumer to open the container. Attached to the lower edge of the movable panel is a shelf supporting a food item. A consumer can access the food item by opening the movable panel, which causes the shelf to carry the food item outside the container into a position that permits the consumer to easily manipulate it. The food item or a portion thereof can then be replaced in the container by simply closing the movable panel. The shelf may engage one or more sidewalls of the bottom panel to assist in maintaining the container in a closed position after initial opening and reclosing. The container is suitable for packaging food items that include both microwaveable and non-microwaveable ingredients. A foldable blank for manufacturing the container is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventor: Candace Mary Walters
  • Patent number: 6027016
    Abstract: The present invention is a carton having side panels which intersect at beveled edges to provide greater grip stiffness and reduced surface area to volume, and a blank therefor. The blank has vertical score lines which extend along the entire length of the blank at least two of the edges in order to assist in the fabrication of the carton on a form, fill and seal packaging machine. The carton may have a rectangular cross-section, a square cross-section or the like. The carton may have a fitment attached thereto for accessing the product contained therein. The carton may have an overfolded bottom for protection against leakage and wicking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SA
    Inventors: Tommy Bo-Goran Ljungstrom, Russell Stacy-Ryan
  • 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: 6012629
    Abstract: A collapsible container movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position having a body including a side panel arranged to define an interior region and a bottom panel including a floor having a first floor section and a second floor section coupled to the first floor section at a floor fold line to enable pivoting movement of the second floor section relative to the first floor section about the floor fold line, a first collapsible floor mount coupled to the first and second floor sections and to the side panel, and a second collapsible floor mount coupled to the first and second floor sections and to the side panel, the first and second collapsible floor mounts cooperating to support the floor in one of a flat position wherein the first and second floor sections lie in coplanar relation to one another when the collapsible container is arranged in an expanded, opened position and a collapsed position wherein the second floor section is pivoted about the floor fold line to lie in close proximity t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Inland Paperboard and Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Newcomer
  • Patent number: 5950911
    Abstract: A device for holding a plurality of containers of any shape which employs a base and opposed side support sections extending upwardly from the base having a back portion positioned against the side walls of the base and an extension extending inwardly into a storage area to provide a device for storing and displaying the containers which can be viewed and removed from the side of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Union Camp Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Naughton, Neil E. Darin, Martin K. Harrelson, John R. Boutin, Greg K. Williams, Roger A. Brotz
  • Patent number: 5947292
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ventilated case, specifically designed for fruit and vegetable products, of the type made of corrugated cardboard or other like material, comprising a case body defining therein a holding space delimited by a bottom, two longitudinal sides and two transversal and opposite heads. The main feature of the invention is that each of the two heads is provided with at least two beveled or rounded corners, and that the longitudinal sides coupling the heads are provided with at least a perforated portion, slanted with respect to the vertical line or having a curved profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Domenico Giorgio Chelfi
  • Patent number: 5941452
    Abstract: A two- or three-piece barrel container for bulk flowable products and a method of assembling the two- or three-piece barrel container. The two-piece barrel container consists of a body portion and a bottom cap. The body portion includes a plurality of side panels and a plurality of top flaps integrally attached to the top of the side panels. The top flaps are adapted to be folded relative to each other to form a top of the container. The bottom cap includes a plurality of bottom flaps hingedly attached to a bottom hub. The bottom flaps are adapted to be folded upwardly and secured to the bottom end of the container and provide structural support to the bottom end of the container. The three-piece barrel container is similar to the two-piece container except that it includes a body portion, a bottom cap and a separate top cap with a plurality of top flaps adapted to be folded inwardly to form the top of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Williams, Paul L. Kaste, Kim A. Hanson
  • Patent number: 5938108
    Abstract: A two- or three-piece barrel container for bulk flowable products and a method of assembling the two- or three-piece barrel container. The two-piece barrel container consists of a body portion and a bottom cap. The body portion includes a plurality of side panels and a plurality of top flaps integrally attached to the top of the side panels. The top flaps are adapted to be folded relative to each other to form a top of the container. The bottom cap includes a plurality of bottom flaps hingedly attached to a bottom hub. The bottom flaps are adapted to be folded upwardly and secured to the bottom end of the container and provide structural support to the bottom end of the container. The three-piece barrel container is similar to the two-piece container except that it includes a body portion, a bottom cap and a separate top cap with a plurality of top flaps adapted to be folded inwardly to form the top of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventors: Daniel J. Williams, Paul L. Kaste, Kim A. Hanson
  • Patent number: 5938107
    Abstract: Substantially parallelepipedic packaging and gable-top containers for liquid contents, for example milk, are manufactured by folding and sealing of laminated packaging material and include two substantially planar end portions, as well as four vertical wall panels. The volume of the packaging container may be increased in relation to the area of the packaging material employed in that the vertical wall panels, the primary wall panels, are supplemented with secondary wall panels which are defined by straight, vertical fold lines which, at the upper and lower ends of the panels, respectively, merge into pairwise converging diagonal fold lines which intersect at a point. In a blank for the packaging containers, the wall panels are defined throughout the greater part of their length, by straight, parallel, vertical fold lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: David Anchor, Tommy Bo Goran Ljungstrom, Mauro Morandi
  • Patent number: 5921465
    Abstract: An octagonal bulk box well suited for use in pallet storage and transportation of large quantities of flowable solids has a construction allowing the box to be instantly manually erected by the end user. A box precursor which is erectable from a substantially flat condition to form the box is formed of a main blank providing the sidewall panels of the box and a floor blank from which the entire box floor structure is constructed. By forming the entire floor from a floor blank separate from the main blank, it is possible to reduce material expense and waste, since the entire floor blank can be constructed of fiberboard lower in strength and cost than that required for the sidewalls. The floor blank is attached to the main blank by connecting flaps extending about substantially the entire lower perimeter of the box walls, on an outside thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Georgia Pacific Corporation
    Inventor: Harold W. Garton
  • Patent number: 5915617
    Abstract: An automatically-operating bottom structure for use in a collapsible container includes a band (1080, 1084; 2080, 2084) pivotally connected to a first pair of panels (1016, 1020; 2016, 2020), a first pair of bottom flaps (1120, 1122 and 1160, 1162; 2120, 2122 and 2160, 2162) connected to a second pair of panels (1018, 1022; 2018, 2022), a second pair of bottom flaps (1124, 1126; 2124, 2126) connected to a third pair of panels (1017, 1019; 2017, 2019), a third pair of bottom flaps (1164, 1166; 2164, 2166) connected to a fourth pair of panels (1021, 1023; 2021, 2023) a first pair of web panels (1128, 1130; 2128, 2130) and a second pair of web panels (1168,1170; 2168, 2170). The band and bottom flaps are folded within the container when the container is in a folded-flat condition, but automatically form an operative bottom structure when the folded-flat container is moved to a fully expanded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Creative Tech Marketing
    Inventor: Thomas M. Gasper
  • Patent number: 5901904
    Abstract: A package to be provided on and around a box-shaped container having a flanged edge, manufactured from a material having resilient properties and an inherent stiffness and including an open tubular element composed of at least three sidewall panels and these connecting corner panels are each provided with a local recess for letting through a part of the flanged edge, the arrangement being such that when a package has been placed on the container, the parts of the flanged edge that extend through a recess project outside the outer circumference of the package at least in the area around that recess. Optionally, such a package can be provided by a tool of tubular form capable of retaining an unfolded package in its interior, which tool with the package secured therein is preferably slid around and on a container from below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Avot Beheer B.V.
    Inventor: Bernardus Johannes Avot
  • Patent number: 5871144
    Abstract: The present invention is an eight-sided carton and a blank therefor. The carton has eight side panels, a gable top structure and an inverse pyramidal bottom. The carton may have an octagonal cross-section. A plurality of diagonal score lines provide for a graceful transition from the gable top structure to the side panels, and from the side panels to the inverse pyramidal bottom. The blank has a plurality of vertical score lines which form the edges and the apices of the eight-sided carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA
    Inventors: David Anchor, Russell Stacey-Ryan
  • Patent number: 5816483
    Abstract: An automatically-operating bottom structure for use in a collapsible container includes a band (80, 84) pivotally connected to a first pair of panels (16, 20), a first pair of bottom flaps (120, 122 and 160, 162) connected to a second pair of panels (18, 22), a second pair of bottom flaps (124, 126) connected to a third pair of panels (17, 19), a third pair of bottom flaps (164, 166) connected to a fourth pair of panels (21, 23) a first pair of web panels (128, 130) and a second pair of web panels (168, 170). The band and bottom flaps are folded within the container when the container is in a folded-flat condition, but automatically form an operative bottom structure when the folded-flat container is moved to a fully-expanded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Creative Tech Marketing
    Inventor: Thomas M. Gasper
  • Patent number: 5806755
    Abstract: A pizza carton providing a high degree of product protection through employing one or more structural features including a warp-resistant cover panel to prevent the cover from contacting the pizza, product anti-slide cover flaps and movable diagonal walls to contain the product on eight sides while still providing a square corner for packing an extra item in the box, and quick-release corner connections and a specially contoured inner panel of a double-panel front wall to allow for slicing pizza in the box without need to slide the pizza back-and-forth. Also included is a method for making a box having a warp-resistant cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: John D. Correll