Panel Forms Planar, Horizontal Flange, Or Flap Spaced From Box Bottom Patents (Class 229/169)
  • Patent number: 11370576
    Abstract: A container comprising a bottom panel defining a base of the container, and a plurality of side walls extending from the bottom panel and defining an interior area of the container, wherein the plurality of side walls include at least opposing first and second side walls. A first flange structure is connected to each of the first and second side walls along respective fold lines at an upper edge of the container. Each first flange structure straddles a respective side wall and comprises an inner flange portion extending over the interior area of the container, and an outer flange portion, coplanar with the inner flange portion, extending away from the interior of the container, wherein the outer flange portion is defined by one or more tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
    Inventor: Alex Dean Bevier
  • Patent number: 10450129
    Abstract: A package for a size-in-store window covering comprises a box having a first portion that extends for the width of the window covering and a second portion that extends for less than the width of the window covering. The window covering extends beyond an end of a bottom wall a first distance and the head rail extends beyond an end of a first side wall a second distance. A method of cutting a window covering comprises providing a window covering in a box as described above and positioning the box with the exposed portion of the window covering facing down and the exposed portion of the head rail facing a clamp. Methods of packaging a window covering comprise reducing the total number of loops in the window covering, and positioning inserts between adjacent components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Levolor, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Cluett, Kristi Jane Georgi, Brian Bellamy Johnson, James McCauley, William Norris Scott, Martin Richard Van Buren, Russell Dudley Wooten
  • Patent number: 9850020
    Abstract: A frame is injection molded onto a group of panels to form a container. The panels extend at least partially around, and at least partially define, a cavity of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. O'Hagan, Peter W. Blaas, Scott W. Middleton, Kevin J. Hjort, Bruce Barnard
  • Patent number: 8959732
    Abstract: A casket assembly includes a bottom panel, side panels, flaps and end panels. The bottom panel is formed of a pliable material. The side panels are formed intrinsically with the bottom panel. Each side panel includes a lower section and an upper section foldably attached thereto. The lower section extends vertically upward from the bottom panel. In a first configuration, the upper section extends upward from the lower section. In a second configuration, the upper section extends in a direction other than vertically upward from the lower section. The end panels are formed intrinsically with the bottom panel. The flaps extend laterally from each end of the upper section. The flaps in the first configuration extend upward from a first vertical level defined by the top portion of the lower section, and in the second configuration extend downward from the first vertical level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Vandor Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Cox, Gerald H. Davis, Chad L. Eversole
  • Patent number: 8590707
    Abstract: A flat foldable tray having a set of fold lines inscribed therein along which the tray is bent to form a package in which to carry a variety of products (e.g., baked goods). The flat foldable tray includes a base portion, a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls, each of which walls being hingedly connected to the base portion, and a folding corner located between each pair of adjacent side and end walls. The pairs of side and end walls are bent upwardly relative to the base portion along with the folding corners at respective fold lines such that the folding corners are located at the exterior of the package and outside the walls thereof. The pairs of side and end walls are retained in locking engagement with one another so that the walls are retained in end-to-end alignment and the package is held in a closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Joseph E. Sielski
  • Publication number: 20130292285
    Abstract: A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises at least one side panel. The carton further comprises a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. The plurality of end flaps are configured to close an end of the carton. The plurality of end flaps comprise at least one side end flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel. The carton further comprises an article protection feature foldably connected to the at least one side end flap and moveable between a first position that is substantially parallel to the side end flap and a second position wherein the article protection feature is folded relative to the at least one side end flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond S. Kastanek
  • Patent number: 8523049
    Abstract: A clamshell carton may be erected from a blank for holding a food product. The blank may include various fold lines and corner features such as gussets or glue tabs that facilitate formation of the blank into the clamshell carton that includes a tray and a lid. The tray may have a bottom panel for supporting a food product. The lid may include a window that allows inspection of the food product held in the carton. The carton may include flanges that project outwardly from the tray and lid. When the carton is closed the flanges may define overlapping pairs that may be sealed together to enclose and seal the food product within the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 8375535
    Abstract: A casket assembly includes a bottom panel, side panels, end panels, and mechanically strengthening insert. The bottom panel is formed of a pliable material. The side panels are formed intrinsically with the bottom panel. Each side panel includes a lower section and an upper section foldably attached thereto. The lower section extends vertically upward from the bottom panel. In a first configuration, the upper section extends upward from the lower section. In a second configuration, the upper section extends in a direction other than vertically upward from the lower section. The mechanically strengthening insert is disposed at least in part adjacent the lower section of at least one side panel. The end panels are formed intrinsically with the bottom panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Vandor Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Cox, Gerald H. Davis, Chad L. Eversole
  • Patent number: 8166919
    Abstract: A self-cleaning litter box (50) provides various advantages over the prior art. In particular, in one embodiment, the self-cleaning litter box (50) is configured to use a one piece litter cartridge (20) having a litter compartment (26) and a waste compartment 24. In another embodiment, the cartridge (20) is non-compartmentalized. In another embodiment, the system includes a rake assembly (56) configured with a drive assembly (58) that is protected from waste contamination. In accordance with the invention, the self-cleaning litter box (50) is configured to be used with all types of litter including crystal type litter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventors: Alan J. Cook, Kristin William Grube, Thomas Edward Devlin, Jeff Reed Greason, Karl Thatcher Ulrich, Nathan Thatcher Ulrich, Chi Lam Yau
  • Patent number: 8166918
    Abstract: A self-cleaning litter box (50) provides various advantages over the prior art. In particular, in one embodiment, the self-cleaning litter box (50) is configured to use a one piece litter cartridge (20) having a litter compartment (26) and a waste compartment 24. In another embodiment, the cartridge (20) is non-compartmentalized. In another embodiment, the system includes a rake assembly (56) configured with a drive assembly (58) that is protected from waste contamination. In accordance with the invention, the self-cleaning litter box (50) is configured to be used with all types of litter including crystal type litter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Lucky Litter LLC
    Inventors: Alan J. Cook, Kristin William Grube, Thomas Edward Devlin, Jeff Reed Greason, Karl Thatcher Ulrich, Nathan Thatcher Ulrich, Chi Lam Yau
  • Patent number: 8161908
    Abstract: A self-cleaning litter box (50) provides various advantages over the prior art. In particular, in one embodiment, the self-cleaning litter box (50) is configured to use a one piece litter cartridge (20) having a litter compartment (26) and a waste compartment 24. In another embodiment, the cartridge (20) is non-compartmentalized. In another embodiment, the system includes a rake assembly (56) configured with a drive assembly (58) that is protected from waste contamination. In accordance with the invention, the self-cleaning litter box (50) is configured to be used with all types of litter including crystal type litter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Lucky Litter LLC
    Inventors: Alan J. Cook, Kristin William Grube, Thomas Edward Devlin, Jeff Reed Greason, Karl Thatcher Ulrich, Nathan Thatcher Ulrich, Chi Lam Yau
  • Publication number: 20110259787
    Abstract: A suspension packaging system can include a foldable member configured to form a cavity as well as a suspension device for suspending an article to be packaged within the cavity. The suspension portion can include foldable portions configured to cooperate with a retention member having pockets. The foldable portions can fit into the pockets and then be folded so as to generate tension in the retention member. The entire device, with the exception of the retention member, can be made from a single piece of material, such as corrugated cardboard, which thus reduces waste and simplifies bulk distribution of such a suspension packaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: John McDonald, Frank Comerford, Myles Comerford
  • Patent number: 8028659
    Abstract: A self-cleaning litter box (50) provides various advantages over the prior art. In particular, in one embodiment, the self-cleaning litter box (50) is configured to use a one piece litter cartridge (20) having a litter compartment (26) and a waste compartment 24. In another embodiment, the cartridge (20) is non-compartmentalized. In another embodiment, the system includes a rake assembly (56) configured with a drive assembly (58) that is protected from waste contamination. In accordance with the invention, the self-cleaning litter box (50) is configured to be used with all types of litter including crystal type litter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Lucky Litter LLC
    Inventors: Alan J. Cook, Kristin William Grube, Thomas Edward Devlin, Jeff Reed Greason, Karl Thatcher Ulrich, Nathan Thatcher Ulrich, Chi Lam Yau
  • Patent number: 7837090
    Abstract: A folded product container provides the benefit of reduced cost of a container formed from a single sheet of material that is folded to produce the container without requiring gluing. The novel configuration of the folded container provides four triangular cross-section column walls at the four corners of the container that reinforce the container for stacking, while still allowing display of products in the container through a top opening and front and rear openings of the stacked containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Supply One Rockwell, Inc.
    Inventor: Myron E. Bostian
  • Patent number: 7647893
    Abstract: A corrugated cardboard assembly having a plurality of adjacent sheets of corrugated cardboard arranged in a layered fashion to form a corrugated block. The adjacent sheets are not attached to one another using any adhesive. Instead, the block formed by the layered, adjacent sheets of corrugated cardboard is enveloped by a wrap-around carton that maintains the adjacent positioning of the sheets. The sheets, individually and collectively, include at least one opposing straight, narrow cut, opening, aperture, or “slit,” that is defined within them. The wrap-around carton includes interlocking portions of the carton in combination with a longitudinally extending slot that is formed by the slits that are defined within each of the adjacent sheets of corrugated cardboard. In this fashion, the block formed by the adjacent sheets is maintained without the use of extra glue or adhesive to maintain the structural integrity of the block of adjacent sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Great Lakes Packaging Corporation
    Inventor: Michael E. Kraus
  • Patent number: 7635080
    Abstract: A paperboard container folded from a single unitary blank of paperboard has a bottom wall, opposite side walls, and opposite end walls. Stacking tabs project from an upper edge of the end walls for receipt in corresponding slots in end edges of the bottom wall of an adjacent stacked container, and ventilation openings are formed in the side and end walls for circulation of air. The end walls are formed by inner and outer roll-over panels, and are slightly inwardly inclined to provide space for circulation of air between the containers when two of them are abutted together in end-to-end relationship. First extension flaps on the ends of the inner roll-over panels lie against and are secured to the inner surface of adjacent side walls, and second extension flaps on the ends of the side walls extend between and are captured by the inner and outer roll-over panels. In a preferred embodiment, the first extension flaps and the roll-over panels are held in place by interengaged detent tabs and slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: International Paper
    Inventor: Doyle A. Conway
  • Publication number: 20090145955
    Abstract: A container is adapted to transport food or other articles. The container includes a floor, two side walls, a front end closure coupled to the side walls, and a rear end closure coupled to the side walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: TIN INC.
    Inventor: Michael B. McLeod
  • Patent number: 7481315
    Abstract: A photosensitive printing plate supplying apparatus for supplying a photosensitive printing plate to an automatic plate making machine for a photosensitive printing plate includes a printing plate packaging device which accommodates a bundle of photosensitive printing plates; a printing plate accommodating portion to which the printing plate packaging device is removably attached and which can completely shield light from the exterior; and a taking-out/conveying device which takes out the photosensitive printing plates from an interior of the printing plate packaging device in the light-shielded accommodation portion and conveys the photosensitive printing plates to a predetermined position. When the printing plate packaging means has an opening/closing lid, the photosensitive printing plate supplying apparatus may further include a lid opening/closing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Usui, Toshizi Sone
  • Patent number: 7467743
    Abstract: A tray-type container having a bottom panel is provided. The container has an outer side panel extending upwardly from the bottom panel. The outer side panel has a slit. An end panel is provided extending upwardly from said bottom panel to form, along with said side panel, an inner cavity. A flap extends from the end panel. The flap from the end panel is positioned within the slit of the outer side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Nicholas A Philips
  • Patent number: 7331508
    Abstract: A container is disclosed having a plurality of interconnected panels forming sidewalls surrounding a central space. Flaps extend from lower sidewall edges and fold along fold lines to form a bottom. Support flanges are arranged along upper sidewall edges on oppositely facing sidewalls. The support flanges are oriented at right angles to the sidewalls and provide a support surface allowing the containers to be stacked one atop another without collapsing or nesting within each other. Each support flange is supported by a truss formed by a panel segment extending angularly from the support flange to a support panel biased against the sidewall to which the support flange is attached by a retaining flap extending from an inner sidewall layer. Locking tabs at the ends of each panel segment are received within recesses positioned in sidewall panels perpendicular to the support flanges. The container is transformed from a knockdown formed from a unitary blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Innovative Packaging Designs L.P.
    Inventors: Allen Kanter, Peter S. Jaffe, Brian J. Tibbels
  • Publication number: 20070187473
    Abstract: A carton for holding a food product. The carton has a central panel and a plurality of panels foldably connected to the central panel to form a tray for receiving the food product. At least one retention panel is foldably connected to one of the plurality of panels. The retention panel is in generally spaced apart relationship with the central panel to form a receiving space for at least partially receiving the food product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventor: Steven Manuel Oliveira
  • Patent number: 7172110
    Abstract: A container for transporting meat, produce, and other goods contains a bottom wall, side walls, and end walls. The end walls include hinged platform structures movable between a closed position and an open position. The closed position enables stable stacking of multiple containers and the open position allows easy access to the interior of the container for loading and unloading. The hinged platforms further add stability to the container walls when in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventor: Keith A. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7017798
    Abstract: An article-transport tray includes a floor, two side walls, and two end walls which cooperate to form an interior regions sized to contain bags of food or other articles. A partial cover is coupled to the side walls and is arranged to overlie the floor. The cover provides a top opening into the interior region formed in the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: TIN Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Pope, Nate Marsh, Stan Knierim
  • Patent number: 6948617
    Abstract: A container is disclosed having a plurality of interconnected panels forming sidewalls surrounding a central space. Flaps extend from lower sidewall edges and fold along fold lines to form a bottom. Support flanges are arranged along upper sidewall edges on oppositely facing sidewalls. The support flanges are oriented at right angles to the sidewalls and provide a support surface allowing the containers to be stacked one atop another without collapsing or nesting within each other. Each support flange is supported by a truss formed by a panel segment extending angularly from the support flange to a support panel biased against the sidewall to which the support flange is attached by a retaining flap extending from an inner sidewall layer. Locking tabs at the ends of each panel segment are received within recesses positioned in sidewall panels perpendicular to the support flanges. The container is transformed from a knockdown formed from a unitary blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Innovative Packaging Designs L.P.
    Inventors: Allen Kanter, Peter S. Jaffe, Brian J. Tibbels
  • Patent number: 6899266
    Abstract: A paperboard container folded from a single unitary blank of paperboard has a bottom wall, opposite side walls, and opposite end walls. Stacking tabs project from an upper edge of the side walls for receipt in corresponding slots in an edge of the bottom wall of an adjacent stacked container, and ventilation openings are formed in the side walls for circulation of air. The side walls are formed by inner and outer roll-over panels, and are slightly inwardly inclined to provide space for circulation of air between the containers when two of them are abutted together in side-by-side relationship. First extension flaps on the ends of the inner roll-over panels lie against and are secured to the inner surface of the end walls, and second extension flaps on the ends of the end walls extend between and are captured by the inner and outer roll-over panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Doyle A. Conway
  • Patent number: 6886738
    Abstract: A tray comprising a bottom of the tray; a couple of headers; a couple of sides; a polygonal column on each of its corners; and two top flaps, each of which extends horizontally from one of the headers to the inner area of the tray is provided. The tray also comprises inclined folding lines that allow the folding of the headers and the sides on the bottom of the tray; wherein the inclined folding lines are located on the headers and on the top flaps. The tray is very strong and, at the same time, can be transported substantially flat, occupying a reduced space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Paper, S.A.
    Inventor: Pere Teixidor Casanovas
  • Patent number: 6808107
    Abstract: A container for transporting meat, produce, and other goods contains a bottom wall, side walls, and end walls. The end walls include hinged platform structures movable between a closed position and an open position. The closed position enables stable stacking of multiple containers and the open position allows easy access to the interior of the container for loading and unloading. The hinged platforms further add stability to the container walls when in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventor: Keith A. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20040084514
    Abstract: The tray comprises a bottom (1) of the tray; a couple of headers (2); a couple of sides (3); a polygonal column (4) on each of its corners; and two top flaps (6), each of which extends horizontally from one of the headers (2) to the inner area of the tray; the tray also comprises inclined folding lines (7) that allow the folding of the headers (2) and the sides (3) on the bottom (1) of the tray; and it is characterised in that said inclined folding lines (7) are located on the headers (2) and on said top flaps (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Paper, S.A.
    Inventor: Pere Teixidor Casanovas
  • Publication number: 20030226881
    Abstract: A paper container has a bottom, at least two pairs of side walls, at least two pairs of side margins and at least one pair of strengtheners. The bottom has at least two pairs of edges, and the side walls are integrally formed with the edges of the bottom. Each side wall has a top edge, and the,side margins are integrally formed with the top edge of the side wall. The strengthener has a shape almost the same with the side margin and pasted under the side margin. The paper container has a structure sufficient to provide secure, water-proof, low-polluting transportation for food.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: Wen-Chen Liou
  • Publication number: 20030010816
    Abstract: A container for transporting meat, produce, and other goods contains a bottom wall, side walls, and end walls. The end walls include hinged platform structures movable between a closed position and an open position. The closed position enables stable stacking of multiple containers and the open position allows easy access to the interior of the container for loading and unloading. The hinged platforms further add stability to the container walls when in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Keith A. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6481619
    Abstract: A produce container comprises a bottom wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a front wall, and a back wall. The front and back walls are reinforced along their tops by partial rollovers, each of which comprises two flanges—a center flange and a major flange—hingedly attached to the wall being reinforced. Each rollover is formed by first folding the center flange slightly away from the major flange and then folding the major flange downward toward the corresponding wall. Folding the major flange captures the center flange and at the same time forms doubled, indexed stacking tabs whose tops are formed along the axis about which the major flap is folded. The corners where the side walls and front and back walls join are reinforced by corner structures, with the corner structures extending along a portion of each of the joining walls so that the corners are reinforced along each wall with at least two layers of vertically-corrugated paperboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventor: Keith A. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6471062
    Abstract: A packaging box is formed by a bottom surface member disposed at the side of a bottom surface of goods to be packaged, and a top surface member disposed at the side of a top surface of the goods to be packaged. The bottom surface member includes a base panel, side panels formed extending integrally from the base panel and further shaped to correspond to side surfaces of the goods to be packaged. An attachment panel extends integrally from the end of each side panel. The top surface member and base panel typically include corrugations. The corrugations in each item are preferably oriented generally transverse to one another, thereby increasing the strength of the structure without requiring additional material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Usui, Takehiro Sone
  • Patent number: 6375068
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stackable open-top container for use in shipping, storing and retail display of produce and other articles. The produce container of the present invention contains a bottom wall, two side walls, and two end walls. The concave ledges of the side walls contain curved scores. Each side wall contains two panels, each of which contains a mirrored curved score and two minor flaps. The curved scores cause the side walls to go into tension and create stacking shoulders for other containers. The minor flaps of the side walls surround the end walls to increase structural rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventors: Keith A. Jackson, James D. Southwell
  • Patent number: 6332537
    Abstract: A packaging box is formed by a bottom surface member disposed at the side of a bottom surface of goods to be packaged, and a top surface member disposed at the side of a top surface of the goods to be packaged. The bottom surface member includes a base panel, side panels formed extending integrally from the base panel and further shaped to correspond to side surfaces of the goods to be packaged. An attachment panel extends integrally from the end of each side panel. The top surface member and base panel typically include corrugations. The corrugations in each item are preferably oriented generally transverse to one another, thereby increasing the strength of the structure without requiring additional material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Usui, Takehiro Sone
  • Patent number: 6290122
    Abstract: A wall-engageable pizza carton folded into a non-wall-engaged format and which (a) has thermal-legs for holding the bottom of the box above a table top, (b) has an improved hole-covering flap that can function as an inner panel interlock means, and (c) can be stacked in a level stack with other cartons even though it has thermal-legs and the cover front flap is projecting forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: John D. Correll
  • Patent number: 6286753
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stackable open-top container for use in shipping, storing and retail display of produce and other articles. The produce container of the present invention contains a bottom wall, two side walls, and two end walls. The concave ledges of the side walls contain curved scores. Each side wall contains two panels, each of which contains a mirrored curved score and two minor flaps. The curved scores cause the side walls to go into tension and create stacking shoulders for other containers. The minor flaps of the side walls surround the end walls to increase structural rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventors: Keith A. Jackson, James D. Southwell
  • Patent number: 6273610
    Abstract: There is disclosed a package including a box body having an opening and a cover member for closing the opening of the box body. The box body is formed of a packaging material of a soft sheet having a monolayer of a resin film or a multi-layer structure having a resin film. The box body includes: a rectangular bottom face portion; four side face portions folded from the four sides of the bottom face portion; corner sealing portions formed by jointing the inner faces of the side face portions at corner portions between the adjoining side face portions; flange portions folded outward of the box body from the upper ends of the side face portions substantially at a right angle thereto and with a predetermined width size; and flange jointing portions jointing the flange portions folded from the side face portions without any clearance between each other at the upper ends of the corner portions between the adjoining side face portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Koyama, Takeshi Bando, Yukiko Iida, Ikuya Saitou
  • Patent number: 6264099
    Abstract: A packaging carton is made by folding a quadrilateral sheet S1 in a polyhedron having specified length, width and height with a flat flange F1 provided around its periphery so that a sealing cover can be bonded on the flange. The quadrilateral sheet comprises four inward folding lines V1 to V4 each being formed to pass two of four corner points C1 to C4 of a bottom plane B1 of the polyhedron having the specified length and width, and four outward folding lines M1 to M4 each being formed to be in parallel with each of the four inward folding lines with a distance therefrom equal to the specified height, and to have a length equal to a distance between the two of the four corner points L1 or L2 on the inward folding line in parallel therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Suzuki Manufacturing, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Sakuma, Akira Moriya
  • Patent number: 6189778
    Abstract: A robust, stackable container for shipping goods and for displaying and dispensing the goods at the point of purchase is disclosed. The container has a pull-out panel comprising a portion of a side wall panel which is manually openable to display and dispense the goods. The pull-out panel is defined by a separation line in the wall panel formed by a plurality of perforations and is hingedly attached to the container. Wing flaps located on each end of the pull-out panel extend between the pull-out panel and the container providing side partitions preventing the goods from spilling out of the container when opened. The container wall panels are reinforced with reverse folded reinforcing flaps which strengthen the container to prevent crushing and bursting when stacked. The container is formed from die cut blanks into a knockdown state which can be assembled into the container and filled by automated processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Allen Kanter
  • Patent number: 6126068
    Abstract: A garment display package having a floor, sides and ends connected to the floor with edge covering and corner closing members securing the sides and end in a fixed relationship. A transparent band encircles the package to close the package and enable visual inspection of the packaged product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Faircloth, Reid London
  • Patent number: 6116498
    Abstract: An open-top fold-and-glue container is provided a collapsed or knocked-down-flat configuration and can be erected into a nested stacking frusto-pyramidal configuration in which the container walls are inclined outwardly and an upper container is supported on self-erecting shoulders in a lower container in the stack. The container has a bottom integral with opposite end walls and side walls, the end and side walls each being formed of an inner panel folded downwardly against an outer panel. The shoulders are located in the inner panels of the end walls, and are self-erecting in the manner of an expanding parallelogram between upper and lower glue strips and a support strip projecting substantially vertically downwardly from the shoulder to the bottom. The attachment of the upper glue strip to the outer panel of the end wall forms a reinforcement at the rim. The ledge is disposed adjacent to and under this reinforcement, and a manual grip can be placed immediately under the ledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Pack N'Stack, Inc.
    Inventor: Phil B. Sheffer
  • Patent number: 6092720
    Abstract: A dish-shaped container is made from a folded cardboard blank sealable on both sides. The container has a rectangular bottom and four upfolded lateral panels which are connected to the container corners respectively by four triangular-shaped corner panels. A circumferential double-walled outer flange parallel to the bottom consists of first and second outer strips. The first outer strips are folded on the respective lateral panel, and the second outer strips are aligned with their cut edges towards the outer surface of the respective lateral panels. The first outer strips extend continuously over the entire periphery of the container, so that there are no breaks up to the filler area. The second outer strips are left out in the area of the corner panels. As a result of the double layer, the container comprises a reinforced outer flange and is in addition absolutely impermeable to liquids in the corner areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Michael Hoerauf Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Oskar Karolyi
  • Patent number: 5979746
    Abstract: A container tray apparatus of the wraparound type is provided with reinforcing corner support members. The tray apparatus features internal minor flaps which have been split to create inner and outer flaps which can be folded and aligned on the inside and the outside of the corner areas of the tray apparatus to provide vertically extending corner support structures in addition to the corners formed by the end and side walls of the container tray apparatus, to provide enhanced stacking strength without requiring additional container material in the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Stone Container Corporation
    Inventors: Michael B. McLeod, Russell A. Leavitt, Elizabeth G. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5853120
    Abstract: A container tray apparatus of the wraparound type is provided with reinforcing corner support members. The tray apparatus features internal minor flaps which have been split to create inner and outer flaps which can be folded and aligned on the inside and the outside of the corner areas of the tray apparatus to provide vertically extending corner support structures in addition to the corners formed by the end and side walls of the container tray apparatus, to provide enhanced stacking strength without requiring additional container material in the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Stone Container Corporation
    Inventors: Michael B. McLeod, Russell A. Leavitt, Elizabeth G. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5791555
    Abstract: A container having a shelf member disposed on the top of a side panel of the container. The shelf is further attached to an adjacent side panel of the container through a pull-down member. Assembling the container from a flat knockdown form automatically pulls the shelf into position for use in stacking such containers. A knockdown and a blank for making the container are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventor: Allen Kanter
  • Patent number: 5645212
    Abstract: A display tray formed from corrugated or solid fiber paper is useful for packaging, shipping, displaying and transportation of various goods. The tray includes a planar bottom which has a central and two extreme sections formed by a pair of parallel score lines. Opposing ends and sides are joined to the bottom and each side includes a pair of vertical and angular score lines which intersect proximate the bottom score lines for folding purposes. The tray can be easily changed from an open to either a partially or fully closed tray by manually bending along the sides at the described score lines to rotate the end assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Packaging Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry L. Potter
  • Patent number: 5579991
    Abstract: A container for displaying and transporting a heavy product, such as a vanity top, is fabricated and assembled as an integral unit to secure the product against possible damage while permitting the product to be easily transported and viewed by prospective purchasers. Each of its pair of side wall panels has an elongated central flap section which is hinged and folded inwardly to define a generally front-facing double fold front surface for the container slanted in a front and back direction and elongated in a direction generally transverse to the top and bottom wall panels. An upper end flap hinged along an upper edge of each side wall panel is at least in part folded inwardly in spaced generally parallel relation to the side wall panel, defining a surface extending generally transverse to the top and bottom wall panels to block movement of the product toward the back panel. Central, upper and lower pairs of overlapping rounded tabs are cut in the side wall panels and in the intermediate flap sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Leucadia, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A. Strasevicz, Robert Shoults
  • Patent number: 5423449
    Abstract: A package particularly useful for either conventional oven or microwave heating of refrigerated or frozen foodstuffs includes a lower paperboard tray, an upper frangible paperboard cover, and an intermediate compartmentalized plastic food tray. The bottom of the plastic tray food compartments rest on the tray bottom. The plastic tray side edges are clamped between laterally extending side flanges on the lower tray and edges of the top cover. The top cover is removed by ripping along tear lines. After consumption of the food, the plastic tray is readily removed to thereby facilitate separation for recycling. The package construction also facilitates the use of relatively thin plastic for forming the compartmentalized plastic tray because the weight of the foodstuffs in the plastic tray components is partially borne by the lower tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Gordon, Kurt D. Jensen, Paul D. Roosa
  • Patent number: 5415342
    Abstract: A shipping container formed by wrapping a slotted flexible sheet about rigid end panels having upper corner projections that extend through the slots. The side panels of the container are of multi-ply construction, with retaining tabs foldably connected to the inner plies. The retaining tabs are for the purpose of contacting the lower portion of smaller containers packaged within the shipping container and preventing the smaller containers from shifting toward the side panels during shipment and handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Glen R. Harrelson
  • Patent number: 5415344
    Abstract: A container formed by wrapping a slotted flexible sheet about rigid end panels having upper corner projections that extend through the slots. The sheet is attached to the end panels by locking tabs extending from inwardly sloped portions of the side panels. By using locking tabs instead of upper panel flaps the side panels of the container may be of multi-ply construction when required by anticipated loading and shipping stresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Glen R. Harrelson