Adjacent Sidewalls Connected By A Folded Web Unitary With Both (i.e., "corner Fold") Patents (Class 229/186)
  • Patent number: 5452845
    Abstract: A lock flap closure arrangement for one-piece, collapsible, tray-type, paperboard container which container includes a tray and a cover hinged to the tray. The closure arrangement includes a tray cover with at least one lock flap having a T-shaped lock tab hinged thereto with a major port ion adapted to be inserted into a complementary receiving opening in an adjacent area of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Jefferson Smurfit Corporation
    Inventor: Karl M. Ritter
  • Patent number: 5419282
    Abstract: A cat litter box sifter comprises (1) a rectangular tray bottom with perforations extending throughout the length and width dimensions of said tray bottom and (2) four side walls, each extending upwardly from one respective side edge of the rectangular tray with perforations extending throughout the length and width dimensions of each side wall. Multiple trays are assembled from a preformed litter sifter sheet material and nested together in a cat box below the level of granular litter material within the cat box. Single trays can be removed successively to effectively remove fecal matter without also removing the granular litter material, thus extending its duration of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Inventor: Glenn F. Dennis
  • Patent number: 5419486
    Abstract: A multi-sided container for storing and heating food prepared from a blank of paperboard includes a bottom panel and upstanding end, corner and side walls. A first set of angular panels are connected to the corner walls and the base panel. The first angular panels overlap and are bonded to the base panel. A second set of angular panels are connected to the first angular panels and to the end walls. The second angular panels overlap and are bonded to the end walls. Vertical flange extensions extending from the corner walls and the second angular panels overlap and are bonded together with the raw edges facing away from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Universal Packaging Corporation
    Inventors: Darrell K. Bennett, Robert G. Tomich
  • Patent number: 5415340
    Abstract: Folded paperboard food cartons having a barrier polymer coating only on the interior surface and sales graphics on a substantially unplasticized clay coated exterior surface are heat sealed at contiguous areas of overlapping flaps wherein the polymer coated interior surface is in direct contact with a small portion of the clay coated exterior surface or where it is desired to secure together two portions of the clay coated exterior surface. In such heat sealing areas, small and accurately located exterior clay coated carton surface areas are printed with a patterned solvent based polymer material that is precisely applied to such areas by a printing press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Barry G. Calvert, Walter H. Donnellan, III
  • Patent number: 5411204
    Abstract: A reclosable food tray is disclosed generally comprising a receptacle portion and first and second pair of opposing closure flaps. The receptacle portion has a substantially trapazoidal volume defined by a rectangular shaped bottom panel and two substantially upstanding pair of opposing side panels. The two pair of opposing side panels define four pair of adjacent panels which are hingedly connected in a liquid-sealed manner by a folded gusset secured to the exterior surface of one of the adjacent side panels by adhesive. Each side panel is disposed at an obtuse angle measured from the bottom panel to facilitate stacking of the receptacle portion of successive trays. The first pair of opposing closure flaps extend from one pair of opposing side panels and are capable of closing off a portion of the access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Fold-Pak Corp.
    Inventor: Karl F. DeMay
  • Patent number: 5402931
    Abstract: A carton package comprising a plurality of blanks of carton material cut and scored so as to provide one or more tray compartments and a separate lid part. The lid part includes a lid panel having a pair of opposed end edges defined by a pair of opposed parallel free marginal edge portions extending along the top of a pair of opposed ends of the package and a pair of opposed side edges defined by a pair of opposed parallel lid flap panel fold lines integral with a pair of lid flap panels folded downwardly along the lid flap panel fold lines in generally perpendicular relation to the lid panel so as to define substantially the entirety of a pair of opposed sides of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Gulf States Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Richard F. Gulliver, James R. Green
  • Patent number: 5402929
    Abstract: A tray-cover, corner closure arrangement for a hexagonal, one-piece, collapsible, tray-type, paperboard container with diagonal front corners. The container includes a tray, with front end and tray side wall panels interconnected by a four section gusset, and a cover hinged to the tray and including a pair of corner lock tabs adapted to be inserted between the tray corner gussets and the tray bottom wall panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Jefferson Smurfit Corporation
    Inventors: Karl M. Ritter, Noel J. Mertz
  • Patent number: 5397051
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a paper-made cake box which includes a lower seat and a corresponding upper cover. Both the lower seat and the upper cover are formed from a paper board made of pure fiber and additives laminated to an adequate thickness and coated with polyethylene to meet the FDA regulations. The paper board for the lower seat is cut to a substantially circular or polygonal shape and embossed with folding lines which define a polygonal bottom section and several wall sections adjoining the bottom section at the folding lines. Each of the wall sections is divided by two parallel folding lines into an inner wall section, an outer wall section and a flange section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Inventors: Yuan-Shin Liu, Richard C. H. Chang
  • Patent number: 5383596
    Abstract: A carton package comprising a plurality of side-by-side tray compartments suitable to contain consumable contents therein and a lid part enclosing the tray compartments. Each tray compartment includes a bottom wall panel, side wall panels, and leak-tight integral corner connections between adjacent side wall panels. The lid part includes a planar rectangular lid panel defining package top and a pair of lid flap panels integral with the lid panel and folded perpendicular thereto to define substantially the entirety of a pair of opposed package sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Gulf States Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Richard F. Gulliver, James R. Green
  • Patent number: 5368225
    Abstract: A one-piece, collapsible, tray type, paperboard container with one or more truncated corners, each of which includes a pair of vertical side walls, with adjacent ends spaced from each other and interconnected by a three-piece gusset. The gusset includes first and second sections, foldably joined to each of the side walls, and a corner section, foldably joined to each side section. The corner section is folded in face-to-face relation with one of the side sections and positioned against an inner surface of one of side walls in interlocking engagement therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Jefferson Smurfit Corp.
    Inventor: Karl M. Ritter
  • Patent number: 5358173
    Abstract: A one-piece, collapsible, tray type, paperboard container, with truncated front corners. The container includes a pair of hingedly interconnected tray and cover members, each having a pair of side wall panels, and a pair of closure flaps with side portions that overlap the ends of the cover side wall panels to maintain them in place against the outer surfaces of the tray side wall panels when the container is in a closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Jefferson Smurfit Corporation
    Inventor: Noel J. Mertz
  • Patent number: 5351879
    Abstract: A paper food container is disclosed having a bottom flange and formed form a paper board blank. The blank has a predetermined thickness and is cut into a predetermined pattern. Since the container will accommodate food products, the paper board is made of pure fiber and additives meeting FDA regulations. The blank is coated with polyethylene and laminated to an adequate thickness. The paper board is further embossed with folding lines so that the paper board can be folded about the folding lines and heat-sealed to form a bowl-like paper food container having a bottom formed with a flange which reinforces the paper food container and permits a user to securely hold the paper food container without being burned by the heat of the hot food contained in the paper food container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Inventors: Yuan-Shin Liu, Richard C. H. Chang
  • Patent number: 5337951
    Abstract: A carton for fast food items is provided. The carton has a polygonal bottom panel with four generally rectangular side wall panels foldably attached to the edges thereof. A major top closure panel is foldably connected to one of the side wall panels, and a minor top closure panel is foldably connected to the opposite side wall panel. The minor top closure panel carries a closure tab having bilateral locking wings. A slot is provided in the major top closure panel for receiving the closure tab. The carton includes corner closing, backfolded, double layer webs at each corner. Each web is foldably connected to a first associated side wall panel at a perforated fold scoreline collinear with the edge of that panel, and to an adjacent side wall panel along an angled perforated or cut fold scoreline extending outwardly at approximately 45.degree. from each corner of the bottom wall panel. The present invention also encompasses a die cut blank for forming the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Waldorf Corporation
    Inventor: Harry I. Roccaforte
  • Patent number: 5332148
    Abstract: A paper container with multiple variable compartments which is formed from a paper board of adequate thickness cut into a predetermined pattern. The paper board is made of paper of pure fibers and additives, laminated to adequate thickness and coated with polyethylene to meet the FDA regulations. The paper pattern is formed with inner openings and embossed with a plurality of folding lines, whereby the paper pattern can be folded about the folding lines and heat-sealed by means of molds to form a container having multiple variable compartments of which the size, shape and number can be varied through changing the positions, numbers and shapes of the inner openings so as to more suitably contain various foods or articles and facilitate the package thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventors: Yuan-Hsin Liu, Richard C. H. Chang
  • Patent number: 5326018
    Abstract: A container having a bottom panel of quadrilateral configuration includes side walls foldably joined to side edges of the bottom panel, end walls foldably joined to end edges of the bottom panel, web structure at each corner of the container which is foldably joined to ends of adjacent side and end walls together with a locking tab foldably joined to each end edge of each end wall and defining a locking slit arranged to cooperate with a fastening slit for holding the web structure in collapsed condition and for holding the carton side and end walls in set up condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: Gary W. Baugus
  • Patent number: 5326017
    Abstract: A paper container with multiple compartments partitioned by walls in different heights, which is formed from a paper board of adequate thickness cut into a predetermined pattern. The paper board is made of paper of pure fibers and additives, laminated to adequate thickness and coated with polyethylene to meet the FDA regulations. The paper board is further formed with a middle opening and embossed with several separate folding lines to define several bottom sections located around the middle opening, partitioning wall sections adjoining the bottom sections, front, rear and lateral wall sections also adjoining the bottom sections, each two partitioning wall sections adjoin each other at one of the folding lines while the front, rear and lateral wall sections are free from connection with other wall sections of the paper board and adjoin several top edge strip sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Inventors: Yuan-Shin Liu, Richard C. H. Chang
  • Patent number: 5323958
    Abstract: A paper container with multiple compartments which is formed from a paper board of adequate thickness cut into a predetermined pattern. The paper board is made of paper of pure fibers and additives, laminated to adequate thickness and coated with polyethylene to meet the FDA regulations. The paper pattern is formed with two inner transversely disposed openings and embossed with a plurality of folding lines to define multiple bottom sections, partitioning wall sections, side wall sections, corner connection sections, and top edge strip sections, whereby the paper pattern can be folded about the folding lines and heat-sealed by means of molds to form a container having multiple compartments, allowing the paper container to be more suitable for containing various foods or articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Inventors: Yuan-Hsin Liu, Richard C. H. Chang
  • Patent number: 5314112
    Abstract: A folder for storing flat sheet articles, formed from a one-piece sheet material blank to provide a rectangular container which is fabricated by appropriately folding a rectangular blank and does not require any fasteners, The device is structured in a manner that it may be collapsed about the articles to be stored in a way that completely captivates the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Inventor: Eric M. Jones
  • Patent number: 5307982
    Abstract: A container foldably assembled from a single blank of treated corrugated paperboard for carrying iced canned or bottled beverages and food, with hand grips exterior of the container defined by a hole in each corner panel that folds against the end panels of the container. A hook at each end of a strap engages a respective hand grip for carrying the container on the shoulder of a person using the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Coolers Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Swindell
  • Patent number: 5307545
    Abstract: A corrugated cardboard coffin for use in cremation funeral services, comprising a body receiving portion and a lid which is telescopically mounted thereon. Two embodiments of the lid are presented, one of them being of a unitary construction and the other consisting of two sections which fit onto the top of the body receiving portion in back-to-back fashion. One of the sections can be removed to allow mourners to view the body. The present invention provides a sturdy and cosmetically appealing coffin with no corrugated cardboard fluting being visible in the erected structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis J. Stoltz
  • Patent number: 5307986
    Abstract: An article carrier which permits ice to be added to the carrier after removing the top to cool the contents. The carrier is formed from a paperboard blank having a waterproof interior surface. The end and side panels are connected by gusset panels, the end portions of which are adapted to be in nonadhered face-to-face relationship. When the top panel of the carrier is removed, these portions of the gusset panels are relaxed, allowing the side and end panels to pivot out about their foldable connection to the bottom panel for a limited distance to expand the interior of the carrier while maintaining the carrier in watertight condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Richard L. Schuster
  • Patent number: 5305951
    Abstract: An erectable container apparatus constructed from a substantially square blank of material for use in releasably storing various articles therewithin. The apparatus includes a plurality of side panels each having an inner edge attached to a base portion, an outer edge attached to a corresponding top flap member, and a left and right edge. The left and right edges are operably positioned at acute angles relative to the respective inner edges to which they intersect so as to provide substantially upright and inwardly sloping side panels upon articulation of the erectable container apparatus toward and into its fully articulated orientation. Locking elements are operably associated with at least two of the top flap members for releasably locking the erectable container apparatus in a fully erected orientation, as well as to releasably maintain the top flap members and the inwardly sloping side panels in a base and article covering orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Stone Container Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne H. Kuhn, Jeffrey S. James
  • Patent number: 5297726
    Abstract: A board blank for producing a folding carton, has a base panel having a plurality of sides, a plurality of side panels each hinged to a respective one of the sides of the base panel, a top panel hinged to one of the side panels, and a plurality of intermediate sections each located between and connecting two neighboring ones of the side panels with one another. Each of the intermediate sections is foldable along a folding line which divides each of the intermediate sections into a first part located adjacent to one of the two neighboring side panels and a second part located adjacent to another of the two neighboring side panels. The first part of each of the intermediate sections is provided with a cut-out adjacent to the one neighboring side panel so that the second part of each of the intermediate sections rests against the one neighboring side panel when the intermediate sections are folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Nicolaus Kempten GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Detzel
  • Patent number: 5294040
    Abstract: This invention relates to a container which is folded from a flat blank of material being provided with a plurality of fold lines forming a bottom wall, side walls and top wall panels in the blank. The side walls are coupled to one another by bellows-type coupling members which are adapted to be inwardly folded during assembly to draw up the adjacent side walls to which there are attached. The top walls are dimensioned such that upon folding into a substantially parallel relationship with the bottom wall will form a closed container which is especially suitable to be used as a gift box or the like. A portion of the bellows-type coupling member may be non-structurally adhered to a side wall of the container acting to greatly enhance subsequent folding and assembling of the container into its finished form. Predetermined fold lines may be pre-folded to allow more convenient assembly, which still enable packaging and handling of the container in a substantially flat form as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Inventors: Laura L. Cohen, Roy M. Kay
  • Patent number: 5292059
    Abstract: A carton comprises top and bottom walls connected together by first and second spaced side walls to form a tubular structure. A set of end closure elements is disposed at each end of the tubular structure to close that end. Each set of end closure elements comprises major and minor end flaps and a web panel. The minor end flap is joined to one of the top and bottom walls and is disposed at a right angle with respect to the axis of the tubular structure. The major end flap is joined to the first side wall and is disposed in overlapping relationship with the minor end flap. The web panel interconnects the major and minor end flaps and is tucked in between the major and minor end flaps. The corner of the first side wall that is defined between the major end flap and the one wall to which the minor flap is joined is bevelled and is severed from the adjacent portions of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Oliff
  • Patent number: 5288013
    Abstract: A carton for use with a plurality of primary packages or containers, such as juice cartons, includes a generally rectangular bottom panel, side panels and top panels to provide for sealing of the carton. The carton is prepared from a rectangular blank and a pair of partial end panels are formed from the material of the bottom panel and tuck flaps at the lower edge of the opposite ends of the respective side panels. The carton yields substantial board savings when compared to prior art containers. Method for assembly of the carton are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Olympic Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Sellors
  • Patent number: 5284294
    Abstract: A disposable container is made from an integral blank of corrugated cardboard for folding between a relatively flat configuration for storage and a set-up configuration for receiving articles. A bottom wall is foldably attached to two pairs of side walls. The side walls are joined by four pleated walls to form a seamless interior portion when the walls are raised into a set-up configuration perpendicular to the bottom wall. The side and pleated walls include user-friendly self-locking elements for securing the set-up configuration. A moisture barrier coating on the interior permits ice and perishables to be received in the seamless interior portion to provide a disposable insulated cooler. A pair of folding top walls provide handles. One of the top walls includes a locking panel with lateral locking tabs which fold down across the top of the set-up cooler so that the closure locking tabs are seated in respective planar slots formed by the raised walls for positively closing the cooler interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Inventor: Roy V. Floyd
  • Patent number: 5269457
    Abstract: A collapsible, paperboard waste container that is particularly suitable to use for the receipt and retention of waste material such as medical waste. The container has a pair of integral, nesting, inner and outer covers with aligned covered openings that serve to prevent waste material from coming out of the container accidentally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Container Corporation of America
    Inventor: Carlos de la Fuente
  • Patent number: 5267686
    Abstract: A food package comprising a plurality of separate portions of food and a carton assembly. The carton assembly comprises a plurality of separate open top trays corresponding in number to the number of separate portions of food and a lid structure. The separate relation of the open top trays enabling each of the separate portions of food to be separately disposed within a corresponding separate open top tray. The open top trays are erected from blanks and each includes a bottom surrounded by sides with liquid tight corner constructions and at least one outwardly extending flange. The lid structure includes a top wall panel and two top flaps. The trays, in side by side relation, are covered by the lid structure in an assembled relation and secured therein by adhesive so as to form a food package suitable for convenient transportation and handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Gulf States Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Richard E. Gulliver, James R. Green
  • Patent number: 5265796
    Abstract: A plural compartment carton tray is constructed from a blank. The inner compartments are integrally interconnected and arranged in side-by-side relation to provide the carton blank with an exterior periphery having spaced exterior corners. At least two of the exterior corners having a gusset wall panel integral with adjacent side wall panels along two end fold lines extending in angularly related relation with respect to one another. The side wall panels are folded along the side fold lines in the same direction into an erected position while each of the gusset wall panels is folded along the associated angularly related end fold lines in opposite directions with respect to the associated pair of adjacent side wall panels so as to bring each gusset wall panel into surface-to-surface abutting relation with an end portion of one of the associated pair of adjacent side wall panels defined by one of the associated two end fold lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Gulf States Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Richard F. Gulliver, James R. Green
  • Patent number: 5253801
    Abstract: A flanged tray and preform for making it. The preform includes a cut and scored paperboard blank having a polygonal bottom forming base panel. Each edge of the base is foldably joined to a radially outwardly extending, regular trapezoidal sidewall forming panel. The radially outermost portion of each sidewall panel carries a horizontal flange forming flap. The preform also includes a thin plastic sheet adhered to one surface of the paperboard blank. The plastic sheet covers the blank and extends over radially extending gaps between the side edges of next adjacent sidewall panels. The preform is placed in a female die with the plastic film facing upwardly. A male die presses the preform downwardly to form it into a tray having a peripheral, horizontally extending flange. The step of permanently attaching the plastic film to the paperboard blank may be carried out concurrently with the step of deforming the blank in the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Linda A. Bernstein, Robert L. Gordon, Tung C. Ma, Robert Sosnowksi
  • Patent number: 5249550
    Abstract: A disposable litter box is defined by a foldable closed container and includes a supply of litter. The box is adapted to be unfolded into a unitary litter box having a continuous outer perimeter of even height for defining an open topped litter box for use by pets and the like. After use is completed, the box may be refolded to confine the soiled litter, which may then be readily disposed. Visual indicators are provided to facilitate closing the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Inventors: Lisa C. Hines, Charles B. Hines
  • Patent number: 5217159
    Abstract: Folded paperboard food cartons having a polymer coating only on the interior surface and sales graphics on a substantially unplasticized clay coated exterior surface are heat sealed at contiguous areas of overlapping flaps wherein the polymer coated interior surface is in direct contact with a small portion of the clay coated exterior surface or, where it is desired to secure together two portions of the clay coated exterior surface. In such heat sealing areas, small and accurately located exterior clay coated carton surface areas are primed with a water based polymer emulsion such as ethylene vinyl acetate that is precisely applied to such areas by a printing press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Barry G. Calvert, Walter H. Donnellan
  • Patent number: 5207376
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container which is folded from a flat blank of material being provided with a plurality of fold lines. The side walls are coupled to one another by bellows-type coupling members which are adapted to be inwardly folded during assembly to draw up the adjacent side walls to which they are attached. The top walls are dimensioned such that upon folding into substantially parallel relationship with the bottom wall it will form a closed container which is especially suitable to be used as a gift box. A portion of the bellows-type coupling member may be non-structurally adhered to a side wall of the container acting to greatly enhance subsequent folding and assembling of the container into its finished form. Predetermined fold lines may be pre-folded to allow more convenient assembly and still allow shipping in the flat form if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Flatwrap, Inc.
    Inventors: Laura L. Cohen, Roy M. Kay
  • Patent number: 5183201
    Abstract: A carton tray formed from a flat carton blank including a bottom wall panel, four side wall panels integral with the bottom wall panel along four side fold lines and a gusset wall panel integral with each pair of adjacent side wall panels along two end fold lines extending from a corner point in angularly related relation with respect to one another. In erected condition, each gusset wall panel is brought into surface-to-surface abutting relation with an end portion of one of the associated pair of adjacent side wall panels defined by one of the associated two end fold lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Gulf States Paper Corporation
    Inventor: Richard F. Gulliver
  • Patent number: 5139147
    Abstract: A package includes one or more flanged cups, the cups being arranged and interconnected at their respective flanges to form an array. A paperboard cover having a polygonal main panel of an area generally corresponding to the area of the interconnected cup flanges is disposed over the array. A side panel is connected along an upper fold line to each side edge of the main panel, with each of the side panels projecting generally downwardly from the main panel. Each adjacent pair of side panels is foldably connected at their respective end edges through a pair of foldably interconnected web panels, the angle defined between each end edge of the side panels and the corresponding upper fold line being less than ninety degrees. Each of the web panel pairs are attached together in overlapping arrangement and disposed behind an associated one of the side panels, whereby the side panels are tapered inwardly with respect to the cups to secure the main panel to the cup array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 5118034
    Abstract: A container for accommodating foods comprising multifunctional inner and outer flaps. The pair of inner flaps are interconnectable with each other to close an opening of the container body and are disposed with various slits for receiving and supporting a spoon, fork, straw, or the like thereon. The pair of inner flaps are anchorable to side walls of the container body to allow easy access of the contents within the container body. The pair of outer flaps which have punch-out flaps thereon, are engageable with each other to permit a clasping operation by a user's hand, with the punch-out flaps and end portions of the outer flaps forming a triangular space for receiving chopsticks. The outer flaps are also interconnectable with each other to close the opening of the container body for easy transport and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Inventor: Chung-Piao Tsao
  • Patent number: 5094359
    Abstract: A combination packaging/shipping carton and ice bucket for a plurality of can or bottled type of beverage containers, wherein the carton assumes a minimum volume position during packaging and shipping then can be moved to an expanded or increased volume position when it is intended to be used as an ice bucket. Each corner of the carton includes triangular webs which move from an abutting together position to a substantially in-line position during movement of the carton to the increased volume position. The side and end panels of the carton have attached thereto foldable flaps which fold over upon theirselves, when the carton is in the minimum volume position, closing the enclosing chamber of the carton to the ambient. When these foldable flaps are moved away from each other to assume a substantial in-line position with their respective side panel and end panel, the enclosing container is open to the ambient with this enclosing container increasing in size to permit usage of the carton as an ice bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Inventors: Robert A. DeMars, Spencer L. Mackay
  • Patent number: 5086971
    Abstract: Folded container with a base and four side panels that are connected by pairs of gusset sections which are folded into place. One section of each of the pairs of gusset sections is provided with a tap which rests against and is attached to the outside of one side panel once the side panels have been folded upwards. A particularly effective way to attach these tabs is to provide cut lines in the side panel which the tabs engage and lock with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Josef Detzel, Walter Schraegle, Rudolf Kraus
  • Patent number: 5065939
    Abstract: A container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, such as medical waste (used syringes, needles, and the like), is assembled from a blank, and comprises bottom, front, rear, top and end panels. The top panel has a front flap provided with opposing flap tucks which, when the container is assembled, are inserted into spaces between respective end panels and respective minor flaps of the front panel, thereby securing the top panel against inadvertent opening. The top panel also has a syringe-shaped opening which serves as an access to an inner flap of the front panel below so that, when an item to be disposed of is deposited through the opening onto the inner flap, and when a force is exerted on the inner flap from above, the inner flap rotates downward, and the item is deposited in the container. The inner flap is biased to a closed position so that, upon removal of the force, the inner flap rotates back to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Chesapeake Packaging Company
    Inventors: Bobby L. Boothe, Edward P. Godsey
  • Patent number: 5033668
    Abstract: A container assembly which is especially adaptable to form a final presentation enclosure is constructed from a flat blank of material. The flat blank is provided with a plurality of fold lines forming a bottom wall, side walls, and top wall portions which act in conjunction with one another to enclose a space. The side walls are connected by joining portions constituting bellows-type folding members. The container is constructed by initially folding. The joining members are folded inwardly thereby drawing up the respective side walls to which they are attached. The container does not utilize tabs, glue or other fastening arrangements normally associated with a variety of containers. The top walls are formed so as to be exposed at the top of the container to allow securing of the top wall portions by any suitable means. There is also provided a variable volume container by means of the joining members which extend into the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Flatwrap, Inc.
    Inventors: Laura L. Cohen, Roy M. Kay
  • Patent number: 5031824
    Abstract: A packing box, in particular for pastries or cakes, is prepared from a cut-out and grooved blank.The box is characterized in that: each flap (201-206; 401-404) is formed from a lower part (201A-206A; 401A-404A) and a tab (201B-206B; 401B-404B) and each lower part (201A-206A; 401A-406A) is bordered over at least part of its length and on at least one of its sides by a strengthening strip (201E, 201F-206E, 206F, 401E-401F) connected to the base by a fold line. The homologous strengthening strips of the two adjacent flaps are joined by a fold line (300, 501, 502, 503, 504) and when the flaps are raised, the two strengthening strips project into the space of the box and approach the fold lines so as to form a ridge between the two flaps.The invention relates to cardboard boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventor: Frederic Itey
  • Patent number: 4979669
    Abstract: A container including a one-piece folded body. The container includes a central portion divided into a bottom section, a rear section and a top section. First and second foldable hinges extend across the central section, substantially parallel to each other. The first and second hinges separate the bottom section from the rear section and the rear section from the top section, respectively. A side section adjoins the central section and is foldable along a first foldable crease perpendicular to the first and second hinges. The first foldable crease separates the side section from a bottom side section, rear section from a rear side section and the top section from a top side section. A crease is formed in the rear side section. A crease is also formed in the top side section. The creases in the rear and top side sections are substantially parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Inventor: Michael Kerton
  • 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: 4949900
    Abstract: A cardboard container which can be used in a compactor to contain domestic refuse, comprises a body and a cover. The container body is formed from a single blank by folding side panels thereof about a central panel forming the bottom. Corner panels folded along a diagonal ensure sealing relative to liquids located in the lower part of the container and provide handles which are retained and reinforced by flaps located on the body and on the cover and wound about the handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Caruelle
    Inventor: Patrick J. N. Ballu
  • Patent number: 4944451
    Abstract: A flanged tray for packaging, storing, heating and serving food products comprises a plurality of compartments with each compartment pair having adjacent foldably attached walls which form a partition panel between the paired compartments. Each compartment includes gusset corner closures to provide a leak proof construction and additional glue tabs may be provided at each corner to reinforce the gussets and support the flange in a substantially horizontally disposed condition for lidding. The blank for constructing the tray is cut and scored to yield adjacent partition panels which remain substantially perpendicular to their base panels and in full face-to-face contact with one another when the tray compartments are formed so that the paired compartments are self supporting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Hampton E. Forbes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4930680
    Abstract: A bowl shaped container having a polygonal shaped bottom section; rectangular, square, or trapizoidal side sections; and top closure material which folds down in a spirling fashion, which may or may not lock, included in the design. The container will be preferably formed from a single sheet of foldable material, which, through a unique folding process, creates the bottom, side panels and top closure. The description defines an open bowl shaped polygonal container with top covering material which folds down toward the center of the top of the container in a generally spiral fashion. The container provides a receptacle which can be closed through a folding action, and can be reopened to the near flat state again without great effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventor: John P. Hanus
  • Patent number: 4901911
    Abstract: A foldable carton for various products which is particularly suitable for storing, microwave cooking and serving of food products. The carton is formed from a one-piece paperboard sheet having a polygonal bottom panel, plurality of side and end panels foldably joined to the edges of the bottom panel and extending completely around the periphery of the bottom panel. Side web assemblies foldably join the side and end panels together in a continuous band and include fold lines positioned to elevate the side and end panels with respect to the bottom to provide a liquid impervious tray. The carton further includes extension panels foldably joined to an outer periphery of the side and end panels, together with extension web assemblies that also form a continuous band completely encircling the outer periphery of the side and end panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Inventor: Gerrit K. Drexhage
  • Patent number: 4881685
    Abstract: A packaging container formed by folding a blank into a pyramid shape, the blank comprising a rectangular bottom wall and four lateral walls which consist of front and rear walls and a pair of side walls. Each lateral wall has a maximum width between points where side edges of the adjacent lateral walls are joined together. The side walls each has a projection at the top end and a pair of laps at the side end portions. The blank is folded along each of the four sides of the bottom wall and boundaries of the lateral walls to raise the latter with respect to the bottom wall, while the side walls also are so folded that the laps face and abut the front and rear walls, respectively, with the projections being sandwiched between the top ends of the front and rear walls. The top ends and the projections are fastened together with a staple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Inventor: Sakai Isao
  • Patent number: RE34940
    Abstract: A carton tray formed from a flat carton blank including a bottom wall panel, four side wall panels integral with the bottom wall panel along four side fold lines and a gusset wall panel integral with each pair of adjacent side wall panels along two end fold lines extending from a corner point in angularly related relation with respect to one another. In erected condition, each gusset wall panel is brought into surface-to-surface abutting relation with an end portion of one of the associated pair of adjacent side wall panels defined by one of the associated two end fold lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Gulf States Paper Corporation
    Inventor: Richard F. Gulliver