Trapezoidal Patents (Class 229/112)
  • Patent number: 5996795
    Abstract: A set of tiered trapezoidal cartons bundled together for holding goods. Each carton has a generally trapezoidal profile and the set of cartons stacks together to have a generally trapezoidal combined profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: David S Kellar
  • Patent number: 5918797
    Abstract: A pizza box blank having a special double-panel wall structure and a non-centrally-positioned interlock receptor means that allows the inner panel of the double-panel wall structure to be formed into a special shape that, in turn, allows the box blank to be made with less material than would be required if the blank contained a conventional double-panel wall structure and interlock receptor means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: John D. Correll
  • Patent number: 5909841
    Abstract: A container including an outer shell, a flexible bag within the outer shell, a mouth and a handle. The outer shell has a top, a bottom and sidewalls. The outer shell also defines an opening. The flexible bag within the outer shell defines an aperture. The mouth is secured to said flexible bag surrounding said aperture and defines a fluid passageway. The mouth is sized and shaped such that fluid can be poured through the mouth from a source having an outlet spaced above the mouth. The handle extends outward from said top of said outer shell and has sufficient strength to provide essentially all support for said container when the bag is filled with liquid in either of two positions, with the first position being where the opening is facing upwards and the second position being where opening is facing sidewards. Desirably, the mouth and opening are sized and shaped such that when the opening is facing upwards the human eye can detect when a level of fluid in the container is approaching the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: J & M Coffee Container Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared P. Andrews, Sr., John W. Goodin
  • Patent number: 5897050
    Abstract: A container for solids or liquids is formed to have two walls which converge and meet at the apex thereof. A container opening is formed at the apex. Each of the walls converging at the apex is extended beyond the apex to form a flap or spout hingedly connected to the container at its apex. The contents may be sealed in the container by making the flap or spout to be an enclosed triangular shape and/or by sealing the flap or spout against one of the converging walls. Thus, access to the contents of the container requires either that the triangular spout or flap be cut, and/or that it be unsealed from the wall. The container may be resealed by applying a plastic clip to the folded flap or spout and/or by providing a reusable fastening to selectively retain the flap or spout against one of the converging walls. The container has a triangular configuration at its apex. This configuration may be continued throughout the whole of the container or it may be provided at its upper portion only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Derek L. Barnes
  • Patent number: 5836509
    Abstract: A storage box formed from a single folded sheet, comprising a bottom panel, and two side panels. Each side panel is integrally formed with a side edge of the bottom panel and has a sloped front edge and a straight back edge so that the free end of each side panel is narrower than the side edge of the bottom panel. A front panel is integrally formed with the front edge of the bottom panel and has a free end that is wider than said front edge of said bottom panel. A rear panel is integrally formed with the rear edge of the bottom panel and has a free end that is wider than the rear edge of said bottom panel. A plurality of flaps are integrally formed with the front and back edges of each of the side panels. A slit is arranged along the front and back edges of one of the side panels, and an insertion flap is attached to one of the front and back edges of the other side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Simple Pleasures Flowerbulbs & Perennials, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruno Van Loo
  • Patent number: 5715992
    Abstract: A container including an outer shell, a flexible bag within the outer shell, a mouth and a handle. The outer shell has a top, a bottom and sidewalls. The outer shell also defines an opening. The flexible bag within the outer shell defines an aperture. The mouth is secured to said flexible bag surrounding said aperture and defines a fluid passageway. The mouth is sized and shaped such that fluid can be poured through the mouth from a source having an outlet spaced above the mouth. The handle extends outward from said top of said outer shell and has sufficient strength to provide essentially all support for said container when the bag is filled with liquid in either of two positions, with the first position being where the opening is facing upwards and the second position being where opening is facing sidewards. Desirably, the mouth and opening are sized and shaped such that when the opening is facing upwards the human eye can detect when a level of fluid in the container is approaching the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: J & M Coffee Container Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared P. Andrews, Sr., John W. Goodin
  • Patent number: 5605279
    Abstract: A disposable carton accommodates food and drinks of a type commonly associated with fast food restaurants and spectator events. The carton includes a bottom and sidewalls which cooperate to form an upwardly opening box configuration. Overlapping top panels are selectively interconnected to partially enclose the carton. At least one skewed intermediate panel is disposed between a sidewall and a top panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Flour City Packaging Corporation
    Inventor: David J. Adamek
  • Patent number: 5522538
    Abstract: A carton for a food product or the like is prepared from a pre-cut and scored single blank of paperboard with a provision for a locking top closure and self-erecting rhombic shaped end panels. The rhombic shaped end panels include integral connector panels and paired intermediate end panels, at least one pair of which are adhered to a side wall of the carton to assist in the self-erection of the carton as it is folded from a flat pre-formed condition to an upright fully formed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Larry D. Gray
  • Patent number: 5503324
    Abstract: A shipping and display box is provided that has stacking holes in a bottom wall and stacking tabs protruding above a top wall for being received in stacking holes of a second shipping and display box stacked on top of the shipping and display box to prevent relative movement of the stacked boxes and to align the stacked boxes and facilitate drainage of water from the second shipping and display box into lower shipping and display boxes. Drain holes are formed proximate edges of the bottom wall of the shipping and display box, and diverter tabs are formed in side walls. The holes formed proximate the edges of the bottom wall facilitate drainage of water from an upper stacked box into holes formed by the diverter tabs in the side walls of lower stacked boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Advanced Container Corporation
    Inventors: Mark R. Bacchetti, Ronald E. Heiskell, Ezra E. Pheys
  • Patent number: 5462220
    Abstract: A shipping and display box is provided that has stacking holes in a bottom wall and stacking tabs protruding above a top wall for being received in stacking holes of a second shipping and display box stacked on top of the shipping and display box to prevent relative movement of the stacked boxes and to align the stacked boxes and facilitate drainage of water from the second shipping and display box into lower shipping and display boxes. Drain holes are formed proximate edges of the bottom wall of the shipping and display box, and diverter tabs are formed in side walls. The holes formed proximate the edge of the bottom wall facilitate drainage of water from an upper stacked box into holes formed by the diverter tabs in the side walls of lower stacked boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Advanced Container Corporation
    Inventors: Mark R. Bacchetti, Ronald E. Heiskell, Ezra E. Theys
  • Patent number: 5427808
    Abstract: A method for preserving and displaying fresh mushrooms is provided which minimizes air flow, moisture penetration and mushroom shrink. The container method includes disposing fresh mushrooms in a container which has a plurality of ventilation openings and a cover. The container is transparent to provide an upscale and attractive display and to allow a consumer to see the container's contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: United Foods, Inc.
    Inventor: Loyal Adams
  • Patent number: 5375762
    Abstract: A container tray is provided with a tray member and an insert member that are able to be assembled in conjunction with each other. The tray member is shaped to provide a series of extension members, tabs and notches that form end portions of the tray member that lock the side panels together in a robust manner. The extension members, notches, slots and tabs are also arranged to facilitate the assembly of a flat paper structure into a strong tray member. The insert member is provided with a plurality of risers and notches that are shaped to be received by associated components in the tray member and lock the insert member rigidly into place within the tray member. The container tray can be used during the assembly and testing process of components and can also be used to shipped the finished components to a customer without having to remove the product from one tray and place it into another shipping container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Honeywell, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 5263612
    Abstract: A container in the form of a six-sided enclosure having opposing top and bottom walls, opposing side wall inner panels which are hingedly connected to opposing edges of the bottom wall, and opposing end walls formed from a corrugated or solid fibreboard blank. A pair of flaps are hingedly connected to opposing sides of each of the end walls and are adapted to overlie an adjacent side wall inner panel. A pair of side wall outer panels are hingedly connected to opposing edges of the top wall and each is adapted to overlie the flaps which overlie the adjacent side wall inner panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventor: Terrill L. Nederveld
  • Patent number: 5178396
    Abstract: A folding game board system is provided for use with game pieces. The system includes a flat game board. The game board has a plurality of side wall panels and a plurality of end panels. Each of the side wall panels is hinged to an adjacent side wall panel and each of the end panels is hinged to at least one of the side wall panels whereby the game board folds into a container. The container forms an enclosure for holding and storing the game pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Inventors: Mark D. Lyon, Charles W. Girsch
  • Patent number: 5130152
    Abstract: A fresh produce packing assembly and method for storing and transporting fresh produce. The produce packing assembly includes a hollow container having a liquid collection volume therein defined by a liquid impervious device and a passageway providing for liquid communication between the interior and exterior of the container. Produce pieces are positioned in the container and liquid, usually water, is added to the container for retention in contact with a portion of the produce positioned in the collection volume. The produce packing method includes the steps of placing produce pieces within a package having a liquid collection volume, closing the package to secure the pieces inside, introducing a liquid into the package for accumulation within the collection volume, and draining any liquid exceeding the amount retained by the collection volume from the interior of the container through the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Alameda Development Corp.
    Inventor: Robert Alameda
  • Patent number: 5115935
    Abstract: A disposable bag box is trapezoidal in shape to permit easy and releaseable engagement in a cavity at the bottom of a trash receptacle. The trapezoidal box is adapted to be low in height, thus providing more easily accessible trash receiving receptacle volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Inventor: Ralph J. Lemongelli
  • Patent number: 5100151
    Abstract: A folding game board system is provided for use with game pieces. The system includes a flat game board. The game board has a plurality of side wall panels and a plurality of end panels. Each of the side wall panels is hinged to an adjacent side wall panel and each of the end panels is hinged to at least one of the side wall panels whereby the game board folds into a container. The container forms an enclosure for holding and storing the game pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Inventors: Mark D. Lyon, Charles W. Girsch
  • Patent number: 5040721
    Abstract: A packaging carton and insert assembly for use in packaging an article. The assembly has an outer carton and a stiffening insert. The outer carton is collapsible to form a relatively flat profile and has a non-collapsed wedge shaped profile. The insert has a general wedge shaped profile and when inserted into outer carton, wedges two opposite sides of the carton apart to prevent the carton from collapsing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Franklin N. Essack
  • Patent number: 5038998
    Abstract: A tote container for perishable produce such as asparagus comprising a pair of identical molded end shells which form the side walls of the tote container, with an intermediate blank cut and scored from a sheet material such as double-faced corrugated plastic extending between and securely attached to each of the end shells. The blank is folded to form a bottom panel, back panel, pivoting top lid and front lid panels, and a front tray panel to the tote container. The tote container defines a receptacle region with an open top and front, and the blank defines a bottom tray portion within that receptacle region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Liberty Diversified Industries
    Inventors: Richard J. Morris, David T. Sarych, Mark S. Stoll, LeRoy Miller, Stanley R. Thorud
  • Patent number: 4951868
    Abstract: A container has a base panel of generally rectangular shape bounded by four edges. Two generally rectangular, opposed side panels are connected to the base. Each side panel is connected at one of its edges to one of two opposed edges of the base panel and projects upward therefrom. Two generally rectangular, opposed end panels are connected to the remaining opposed edges of the base panel and project upward therefrom. Four folded gussets are connected between the adjacent side panels and end panels, one at each of the corners of the base panel. A generally rectangular top panel lies substantially parallel to the base panel and has each of two of its opposed edges connected to one edge of each of the side panels. Each of the two remaining edges of the top panel forms one outer layer of a pair of substantially sealed, gathered end closures of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Waldorf Corporation
    Inventor: Duane R. Mode
  • Patent number: 4917290
    Abstract: A rigid shoe tote bag formed from a single corrugated board blank that is die-cut and scored with fold lines to define interhinged twin shoe boxes in back-to-back relation, each box having a back panel with a slotted upper section forming the handle of the bag. Each compartment further includes a first side panel, a front panel and a second side panel having an extension flap which is joined to the back panel to form the body of the box. The side panels and the front panels are provided at either end with closure flaps which when folded in and locked enclose the body of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Inventors: Shinzo Saiki, Kuniaki Nomura
  • Patent number: 4880944
    Abstract: A bar for electric induction devices is in the form of a lengthwise rolled-up strip of an insulating material, having at least one layer, the figure obtained in the cross-section of this rolled-up strip being a polygon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Nauchno-Issledovatelsky, Proektno-Konstruktorsky I Tekhnologichesky Institut Transformatorostroeniya
    Inventors: Viktor L. Kanaljuk, Anatoly M. Surakov, Vasily M. Chornogotsky, Lazar N. Shifrin
  • Patent number: 4871111
    Abstract: A package for holding food for cooking in a microwave oven has a flat central panel for supporting the food, which has at least three linear panel edges. A flat side wall is attached at a fold line to at least two of the panel edges of the central panel. Each side wall has an inner panel and an outer panel affixed against the inner panel. The outer panel has a maximum width as measured perpendicular to the fold line connecting the side wall to the central panel that is greater than the width of the inner panel, also measured perpendicular to the fold line. The invention also encompasses a flat blank that can be folded and locked or glued into the preceding package configuration. For microwave oven use, the blank is made from paperboard material having a layer of microwave interactive material that heats to browning temperatures when exposed to microwaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Waldorf Corporation
    Inventor: Duane R. Mode
  • Patent number: 4836439
    Abstract: A disposable, collapsible, sleeve-type, microwave carton, formed from a unitary blank of foldable paperboard, at least partly coated with a discontinuous layer of electrically conductive material, and comprising top, bottom, side and end walls foldably joined to each other, wherein the top wall is substantially wider than the bottom wall and is partially supported by a pair of retaining panels extending laterally from upper edges of the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Container Corporation of America
    Inventor: Joseph J. Hart
  • Patent number: 4804136
    Abstract: A carton having a bottom, end and side walls, and a two part top, the top having slots receiving locking tabs on the side walls for maintaining an interlocking slotted relationship therebetween. The bottom, side and end walls and top parts are integral, formed of one piece of material with the top parts and end walls wider than the width of the bottom, so as to overlie and be supported by the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Grafcor Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Hall
  • Patent number: 4736846
    Abstract: This one-piece packaging is made from a blank of foldable material and includes a top wall whose width is less than the width of the bottom wall, and is not greater than half the maximum transverse dimension of the articles. This width may, in the limit, be zero. As a result: at least a portion of the height of the front wall is sloping; the windows cut out in the front wall which have bottom portions that are narrower than the maximum transverse dimension of the bottom regions of the articles in order to retain the articles in the packaging also have top portions whose width is equal to the maximum transverse dimension of the top regions of the articles so that said top regions of the articles project as much as possible from said packaging; and the side end faces of the packaging which are optionally closed by walls are at least partially trapezoidal, and in said limit are at least partially triangular when said top wall is of zero width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Verrerie Cristallerie d'Arques J. G. Durand & CIE.
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques Durand
  • Patent number: 4733775
    Abstract: A display package for swim goggles and the like comprises a transparent plastic container with a support therein for holding the goggles to be displayed. The support includes a generally trapezoidal foamed plastic insert and the straps of the goggles fit around the sides and back of the support to secure the goggles against the front thereof. The visible parts of the support may contain indicia identifying and/or describing the article displayed. The support has a front panel which is slanted rearwardly and its bottom extends forwardly to the bottom of the container on which the bottom of the goggles can rest. Owing to its construction, the package is substantially pilferproof in view of the time that it would take to remove the goggles from the package and the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Aqua Leisure Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Barry R. Fireman
  • Patent number: 4714190
    Abstract: A scoop-type carton of thermal insulating material for containing fast food items such as French fries and keeping them hot has a body portion comprising a bottom and side panels upstanding and tapered outwardly from the bottom. The carton also has a cover that is integrally hinged to one of the side panels and is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position in which the cover covers the open end. The cover is releasably held in the closed position by interengagement of the cover and a side panel remote from the side panel to which the cover is integrally hinged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Inventor: Diane M. Morrocco
  • Patent number: 4699312
    Abstract: The disclosed ballot box and counter display has fixed front, rear, top and side walls; and has a bottom wall hinged to the rear wall, to be opened and closed. The top wall has an inner top wall panel hinged to the upper edge of one side wall and extended to the opposite side wall, and an outer top wall panel hinged along its rear edge to the upper edge of the rear wall panel and adapted to overlie the inner top wall panel. A flap hinged to the upper edge of the other side wall may underlie the inner top wall panel, and a flap hinged to the inner top wall panel may be fitted through slot means in this other side wall flap, for support of the inner top wall panel. A front wall outer panel is hinged at its upper front edge to the lower front edge of the front wall outer panel, and a flap on the lower edge of the outer front wall panel is folded around the lower edge of the front wall and fitted between the adjacent side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Inventor: Richard A. Owen
  • Patent number: 4621733
    Abstract: A package for horticultural items with a receptacle includes a container having a base portion for supporting the receptacle and side portions connected to and extending upwardly from the base portion about the receptacle. A flexible sleeve engages the container side portions to support the container and enclose the horticultural item. The sleeves are supported on a pedestal having flexible straps for spreading the sleeves and allowing removal of a sleeve for packaging the horticultural item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Inventor: Charles C. Harris