Corner Construction Patents (Class 229/918)
  • Patent number: 11780640
    Abstract: A retail-ready container includes internal corner supports. The container is erected from a preassembly formed from a single blank. The blank includes a side panel, a bottom panel, and an auxiliary panel. Each of the side panel and the auxiliary panel include a plurality of sections connected by respective fold lines. The auxiliary panel is folded against the side panel and sections of the auxiliary panel are adhered to corresponding sections of the side panel. Fold lines of the side panel are laterally offset from fold lines of the auxiliary panel so that unfolding of the preassembly yields the container with internal corner supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: YORK CONTAINER COMPANY
    Inventors: Troy M. Little, Thomas E. DeCello
  • Patent number: 11643243
    Abstract: A method of forming a container from a blank of sheet material using a machine is provided. The method includes forming a corner wall by folding a first pair of a plurality of reinforcing panels inwardly towards a respective side panel and into face-to-face contact with a second pair of the plurality of reinforcing panels, rotating the side panels and end panels to be substantially perpendicular to a bottom panel such that an interior surface of at least one reinforcing panel of the plurality of reinforcing panels is in contact with an interior surface of the first side panel, and coupling at least one other reinforcing panel of the plurality of reinforcing panels to one of the end panels to form the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Dean Graham, Ricki D. Anderson, Guillermo Rojas, Kenneth Charles Smith
  • Patent number: 9096340
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved box designs and methods of making stackable boxes having improved designs. Some embodiments include boxes having corner stack tabs that are bent along an axis extending from the top to the bottom of a box. Some embodiments include boxes having corner stack tabs of tapered or generally trapezoidal shape. Some embodiments include a box having a notch in its bottom end portion for receiving a stack tab of another box. Some embodiments include boxes formed from three separate sheets of cardboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Boise Packaging & Newsprint, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Warren Berg
  • Publication number: 20150122690
    Abstract: A modular packaging system for shipping and displaying palletized products is provided. The packaging system comprises a plurality of vertically stacked trays for holding the products and corner posts extending between vertically adjacent trays for spacing and supporting the trays. The corner posts and trays are locked together in a number of ways to strengthen and stabilize the system. The system is strong enough not only to support the weight of the products on the trays and withstand the vibration and impact forces that can occur during shipping, but to withstand the weight of one or more units stacked on top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicants: Frito-Lay North America, Inc., Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen Bersamin, Valentine Tomaszewski, John G. Olmsted, JR., Daniel Lee Mathews, Sunitha Ann Nair
  • Patent number: 9010621
    Abstract: A box for receiving a food item is provided, and the box is usable with an additional box that is also configured to receive a food item. The box includes a bottom portion including a bottom panel having a link feature formed therein, and a top portion hingedly connected to the bottom portion and configured to form a cover. The top portion includes a top panel having a link feature formed therein. The link feature of the bottom portion is cooperable with the additional box to link the two boxes together when the additional box is placed beneath the box, or the link feature of the top portion is cooperable with the additional box to link the two boxes together when the additional box is placed on top of the box. Furthermore, at least one of the link features comprises a bendable tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Domino's IP Holder LLC
    Inventors: Meredith Baker, Benjamin A. Bangser, Jason Eiseman, Jessica Glass, James E. McCay, Thomas VanEsley, Phillip Worley
  • Patent number: 8998073
    Abstract: A stackable open topped box and a blank from which it is folded are provided in which a fluted sheet material is cut and sulcated to form a box The flutes extend parallel to the side walls of the box and up the height of the end walls. Each side wall has an indent whereof the ends terminate in a diagonal fold inclined upwardly and towards the adjacent end of the box at an angle of 45°. The fluted sheet material originally adjacent the edge of the indent is folded inwards and downwards as a composite flap such that the flutes of the fluted material are generally vertical and the material extends to substantially the bottom of the box. A strip that is approximately beneath the diagonal fold is flush with the inside of the side wall of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Stephanus Petrus De Beer
  • Patent number: 8998074
    Abstract: A container includes a first blank and a second blank. The first blank includes a first plurality of panel and a plurality flaps. The first plurality of panels includes a first side panel, a second side panel opposing the first side panel, a back panel, and a front panel of the container, the first plurality of flaps defines a bottom of the container and a first exterior portion of a top of the container. The front panel includes a first breakaway portion. The second blank includes an insert front panel and a top flap. The top flap defines a second exterior portion of the top of the container. The insert front panel includes a second breakaway portion that is attached to the first breakaway portion of the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventor: Joseph P. Schomisch
  • Patent number: 8985431
    Abstract: A blank for forming a reinforced container is provided. The blank includes a bottom panel comprising opposing end edges, opposing side edges, and at least one miter edge connecting one of the end edges to an adjacent side edge of the opposing side edges. The blank further includes a pair of opposing end panels coupled to the bottom panel, a pair of opposing side panels coupled to the bottom panel, and a reinforcing panel assembly coupled to at least one of one of the end panels and one of the side panels for reinforcing a corner of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Charles Smith, Jeffrey Scott James
  • Patent number: 8931640
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a stackable packaging unit (1) for the packaging of products (100), the said packaging unit (1) comprising at least one encircling wall (2) provided at least with a corner ridge (3) dividing it into at least two retaining panels (2a) Partially folded down towards one another about the said corner ridge (3) so as to hold the said products (100) to be packaged, at least one end of the said corner ridge (3) being connected to the corresponding edges of the said retaining panels (2a) by at least one inclined centring profile. The stackable packaging unit (1) also comprises an intermediate element. The invention also pertains to a packaging comprising at least one such packaging unit (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson France, S.A.S.
    Inventor: Frédéric Perot
  • Patent number: 8840011
    Abstract: A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. At least one end flap comprises a first portion foldably connected to the one of the first side panel and the second side panel, a second portion foldably connected to the first portion, and a third portion foldably connected to the second portion. The carton has at least one reinforced corner that comprises a reinforced end panel and a reinforced portion of one of the first side panel and the second side panel. The reinforced end panel comprises the second portion and the third portion of the at least one end flap. The reinforced portion comprises the third portion of the at least one end flap and a portion of the one of the first side panel and the second side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl A. Kohler
  • Patent number: 8800850
    Abstract: An article-transport container comprises a floor having a respective left-side and right-side closures foldably joined thereto. A front end closure is foldably joined to the floor and to the respective right-side and left-side closures. A rear end closure is foldably joined to the floor and to the respective right-side and left-side closures. Four quad-layer corners are defined by a first quad-layer corner, a second quad-layer corner, a third quad-layer corner, and a fourth quad-layer corner which cooperate with the respective right-side and left-side closures to define an interior region adapted to receive articles therein. The first quad-layer corner includes respective outer and inner layers and respective first and second medial layers that are sandwiched between the respective outer and inner layers to enhance stacking strength of the container while minimizing scarps produced during construction of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: International Paper Co.
    Inventor: Michael B. MacLeod
  • Patent number: 8794504
    Abstract: A plurality of cartons, preferably fabricated from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard, and particularly of tray or wrapper-style construction, are provided, having integral lid constructions, and outer overlap panels, operably associated with the at least one top panel, to enable articulation of the carton into a substantially completed structure, without interfering with the subsequent articulation of the at least one top panel to enable loading of the carton subsequent to articulation and affixation of the outer overlap panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC
    Inventor: Michael McLeod
  • Patent number: 8714436
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tray for transporting and displaying items such as yogurt containers. The tray is of the type comprising a bottom wall (1), side walls (2, 3, 4, 5) perpendicular to the bottom (1) and side flaps (27) enabling the attachment of a first wall (2, 4) to the adjacent wall (3, 5), each flap being hingedly connected to the side edge of the first wall (2, 4) and attached to the following wall (3, 5). According to the invention, the hinged connection of the side flap (27) to the first wall is provided by an interface area (16) in the shape of a triangle the apex (17) of which points toward the free upper edge (31, 32) of the two consecutive side walls (2, 3, 4, 5) and the base (18) of which rests on the bottom wall (1), this triangular interface area (16) being slanted from its base (18) to the apex (17) toward the outside of the outline defined by the bottom wall (1). The invention can be used for trays for transporting products such as yogurt containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignees: Societe Normande de Carton Ondule, Papeteries D-Espaly, Emballages Laurent SAS, STE Mediterraneanne D'Emballages
    Inventors: Denis Valot, Jean-Yves Malnoy, Frederic Catherine, Damien Tartre
  • Patent number: 8690047
    Abstract: A one-piece container formed from a single unitary blank of corrugated paperboard has a bottom wall, opposed side walls and inwardly inclined opposed end walls. Stacking tabs project upwardly from the end walls and tab locks in the bottom wall receive the stacking tabs of a subjacent container when the containers are stacked on top of one another. A reinforcing corner post extends the full height of the container in each corner. The corner posts are formed by panels extending from opposite ends of the end walls, wherein the panels include a first panel foldably joined to an end of an associated end wall and adhered to an adjacent side wall, a second panel foldably joined to the first panel and extending diagonally across the corner, and a third panel foldably joined to the second panel and adhered to an adjacent side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: David J. McKenna, David J. Kent, Herbert D Muise, Jr., Stanley Lee Fry
  • Patent number: 8640871
    Abstract: Rugged stackable merchandise tray containers are provided with right-angled mounting tabs at the inner corners of the top panel of two load supporting casing formed at the two ends of the tray container. The right-angled mounting tabs are engageable with rectangular mounting openings formed at the bottom of the bottom panel when two tray containers are stacked one on top of another. The mounting provide resistance to accidental external impact exerted to the stack. At least one trapezoidal shape pull-out tabs are also provided at the edge portion of the bottom panel, which are engageable with aligned mounting slots formed at the top panel of the load supporting casings to provide further securement of the stacked tray containers as well as enhanced resistance to external impact to the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Geoffrey Alan Moss
  • Patent number: 8628002
    Abstract: A packing box comprising a rectangular bottom plate and a plurality of side plates erected from the periphery of the bottom plate and surrounding the bottom plate, in which at four corners in corner parts formed by the plurality of side plates, frame columns, each erected from the bottom plate side and extending to the midway to a distal end of the side plates, are formed and joined to the side plates, and the bottom plate, the side plates, and the frame columns are formed by one corrugated fiberboard sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electronic Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Yamazaki, Katsuhiko Hayashida, Masaomi Takeda, Akihisa Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20130213847
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tray made of corrugated cardboard sheet material, and to blanks for preparing such a tray having a polygonal cross-section. Said blank comprises sidewalls, raised edges or portions of raised edges on two opposite sides of an upper portion, and a lower wall forming the bottom (36) of the case. Each raised edge or portion of raised edge includes at least one rounded portion (34), and the bottom includes perforated surface portions (35) which have a shape complementary to that of the rounded portions, which are arranged opposite the latter, and are arranged so as to fit into the rounded portions of the tray from below.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: OTOR
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Moreau, Quentin Serre De Lourtioux
  • Publication number: 20130026060
    Abstract: Rugged stackable merchandise tray containers are provided with right-angled mounting tabs at the inner corners of the top panel of two load supporting casing formed at the two ends of the tray container. The right-angled mounting tabs are engageable with rectangular mounting openings formed at the bottom of the bottom panel when two tray containers are stacked one on top of another. The mounting provide resistance to accidental external impact exerted to the stack. At least one trapezoidal shape pull-out tabs are also provided at the edge portion of the bottom panel, which are engageable with aligned mounting slots formed at the top panel of the load supporting casings to provide further securement of the stacked tray containers as well as enhanced resistance to external impact to the stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Geoffrey Alan Moss
  • Patent number: 8353445
    Abstract: Provided is a stackable storage and transport container for storing and for single-use or multiple-use transport of goods, especially small parts. The container is assembled from a foldable container blank having a bottom, two side walls foldable about a fold, two end walls foldable about a fold, and four corner flaps foldable inward against the side walls or end walls about a fold. Tabs are formed on the side walls and end walls such that they can fold laterally against the intermediate pieces. A stackable profile having a hook edge is placed about the upper edge to provide for the stacking of a number of containers. The container blank preferably is made of a plastic hollow sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: montara Verpacken mit System GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Lohse
  • Patent number: 8256620
    Abstract: A box template formed of a sheet of material defines a foldable box having at least four side surfaces, a first end surface, and a second end surface. The box template also includes corner protector sections integrally formed with the foldable box. The corner protector sections are configured to be folded to protect an object placed inside the foldable box. The first end surface and second end surface may each include at least two surfaces that are integrally formed with, and connected to, two of the side surfaces. The corner protector sections may be integrally formed with, and connected to, the other two sides of the four side surfaces. The corner protector sections are configured with a plurality of identifiable sections that may be folded in order to create corner protectors. Four corner protector sections may be integrally formed with the foldable box so as to define eight corner protectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Packsize LLC
    Inventors: Hanko Kiessner, Ryan Osterhout
  • Patent number: 8251276
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: TIN Inc.
    Inventor: Michael B McLeod
  • Patent number: 8220633
    Abstract: Embodiments of various stacking cartons that can be erected from a one-piece blank are provided. In this regard, a representative carton, among others, comprises a bottom wall, side walls and end walls. The side walls are foldably attached to left and right edges of the bottom wall. The end walls are foldably attached to top and bottom side edges of the bottom wall such that the side walls are located between the end walls. Each end wall is foldably attached to an end panel that is designed to fold and engage the inner surface of the end wall. The end wall is foldably attached to first reinforcing side panels at side edges of the end wall. Each first reinforcing side panel is foldably attached to a second reinforcing side panel that is designed to fold and engage the inner surface of the first reinforcing side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corrugated LLC
    Inventor: Phil W. Weideman
  • Patent number: 8091770
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: TIN Inc.
    Inventor: Michael B. McLeod
  • Patent number: 8070053
    Abstract: A stackable container for carrying produce. The container has tapered side walls or end walls to aid in the stacking of like containers. Also, the container has locking flaps that allow the container to be erected manually and without the need for fasteners. Further, at least one tapered wall of the container has a reinforcement flap that creates a partial top structure in the upper part of the container that helps prevent bulging of the walls. The reinforcement flap also creates doubled stacking tabs and diagonal corner posts that aid in the stacking of like containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: International Paper
    Inventor: Stanley L Fry
  • Patent number: 7959063
    Abstract: A plurality of cartons, preferably fabricated from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard, and particularly of tray or wrapper-style construction, are provided, having integral lid constructions, and outer overlap panels, operably associated with the at least one top panel, to enable articulation of the carton into a substantially completed structure, without interfering with the subsequent articulation of the at least one top panel to enable loading of the carton subsequent to articulation and affixation of the outer overlap panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael McLeod
  • Patent number: 7850064
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: TIN Inc.
    Inventor: Michael B. McLeod
  • Patent number: 7823765
    Abstract: An elongate, rectangular box (12, 14, 40, 60, 70, 90, 100) and method for packaging containers (C), wherein the box can be cross-stacked for stable stacking of the boxes, and optimizes utilization of pallet space. Containers (C) are placed in the box in nested, offset relationship in a parallelogram shaped arrangement, and in one embodiment interior corner panels (20, 21) extend angularly across two diagonally opposite corners of the box, defining an interior box shape closely conforming to the parallelogram-shaped arrangement of the containers. The corner panels may be cut from the side walls (18, 19) and folded inwardly and secured at a free edge (28) to an adjacent end wall (16, 17), defining openings (22, 23) in the side wall through which the containers are visible. Side wall segments (24, 25, 26) at the bottom and sides of the opening, in cooperation with the corner panels, retain the containers in place in the box. The box is especially suited for packaging four one-gallon containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: International Paper
    Inventor: Charles P Weimer
  • Patent number: 7819305
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a method of manufacturing packaging and resulting packaging and associated pre-assemblies and blanks are provided, which, when utilized, result in packaging that has increased side panel strength and corner strength so as to enable effective vertical stacking of packaging when the packaging includes product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: York Container Company
    Inventor: Troy Little
  • Patent number: 7740164
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide a blank foldable material that may be configured to form a container. When formed, the container is self-locking and includes a rollover panel assemblies formed by spaced apart fold lines that forms bearing surfaces for vertically stacked containers. The container includes a inside taper that functions to prevent telescoping of vertically stacked container, and to hold the various corner panels in their proper location. The blank is configured to form a container that includes corners having multiple thicknesses for strength and stability. The container is self locking, easy us manufacture yet high strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Jack A. McClure
  • Patent number: 7727614
    Abstract: An edge protector is provided for protecting an edge or corner of an article. The edge protector includes a cushion insert having an inner surface adapted to engage the corner of the article, and an outer surface provided with a pair of spaced apart retaining elements. A reinforcing body has an inner surface engaged against the outer surface of the cushion insert and a pair of spaced apart outer edges retained by the retaining elements of the cushion insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Great Northern Corporation
    Inventor: Dan Stubing
  • Patent number: 7717320
    Abstract: A container made from corrugated paperboard has a bottom wall, opposite side and end walls, and a self locking arrangement on the end walls holding the container in erected condition. The self locking arrangement includes first and second end panels on opposite ends of the side walls, and a third end panel on opposite ends of the bottom wall. The end panels form the end walls of the container. The first and second end panels have at least one notch formed in an upper edge, and a roll over flap is foldably joined by at least one web to an upper edge of each of the third end panels and is folded inwardly and downwardly over the upper edges of the first and second end panels into a locked position to hold the end panels and thus the container in erected condition. In the locked position, the web is engaged in the notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Benjamin Quaintance
  • Patent number: 7669754
    Abstract: The self-mounting and collapsible tray has a base (1), two side walls (2) and two end walls (3), as well as, in correspondence with each corner, a corner pillar which comprises at least four segments (41-44) separated by fold lines (4a-4c). The last segment (44) is affixed to the end wall so that at least one part of the last segment extends from one of the intermediate segments (43) and toward the center of the end wall, distancing itself from the corresponding corner of the tray. In addition, the tray comprises, in correspondence with each end wall (3), a transversal flap (5) constituted by at least one part of a prolongation of the end of the end wall which corresponds to the upper part of the end wall of the tray in the erect position, said transversal flap (5) having two ends (51), each folded over and affixed to an outside face of the corresponding side wall (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Videcart. S.A.
    Inventors: Pedro Teixidor Casanovas, Fernando Manuel Canales Cañas
  • Patent number: 7665654
    Abstract: Shipping containers having stacking support structures are provided. The shipping containers or cartons, are provided with three-panel inner support structures, in which the three panels form either triangular- (delta-) shaped cross-sections or L shaped cross-sections. In addition, the shipping containers or cartons, are provided with first outer support panels, and one or two second outer support panels. The shipping containers or cartons may be provided with no lid, one lid panel with closure panels for affixation to the end panels, or two lid panels, each with closure panels for affixation to the end panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael B. McLeod
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7628313
    Abstract: A stackable container for carrying produce. The container has tapered side walls or end walls to aid in the stacking of like containers. Also, the container has locking flaps that allow the container to be erected manually and without the need for fasteners. Further, at least one tapered wall of the container has a reinforcement flap that creates a partial top structure in the upper part of the container that helps prevent bulging of the walls. The reinforcement flap also creates doubled stacking tabs and diagonal corner posts that aid in the stacking of like containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: International Paper
    Inventor: Stanley L Fry
  • Patent number: 7624912
    Abstract: A three-piece container comprises top and bottom walls, apposite end walls, opposite side walls, and reinforced corners. First and second end pieces are configured to form first and second container end walls. The end pieces are each folded to define an inner end wall panel and an overlying outer end wall panel. First partial side wall panels extend perpendicularly from opposite sides of the outer wall panel. Second partial side wall panels are joined to the inner end wall panel by a diagonal web that forms a reinforcing corner post in each corner of the container. A wrapper is configured to be joined to the first and second end pieces and is folded to define the top wall, the bottom wall, and the opposite side walls. The wrapper overlies the partial side wall panels to define a triple wall side wall construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: International Peper Co.,
    Inventor: Michael A Churvis
  • Patent number: 7607567
    Abstract: A container (10) for shipping products has opposed end walls (11, 12) and opposed side walls (13, 14), each having an inner wall panel (16, 17 and 20, 21, respectively) and an outer wall panel (18, 19 and 22, 23, respectively) defining double thickness walls. The outer wall panels in the side walls are disposed orthogonally to the outer wall panels in the end walls to define a rectangular or square outer container configuration, and extension panels (25a, 25b) on opposite side edges of a first pair (16, 17) of the inner wall panels extend diagonally across interior corners of the container to define with the inner wall panels an octagonal inner container configuration. Bottom flaps (40, 41, 42 and 43) foldably connected to the bottom edges of the outer wall panels form a peripheral bottom wall (15), and include quick-lock detents (46, 47 and 52, 53, 54) to enable quick and easy set up of the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: International Paper Co.
    Inventors: Stanley L. Fry, Timi D. DiSalvo
  • Patent number: 7597240
    Abstract: A modified atmosphere packaging system and method which allows field and/or centralized facility packing of fresh produce and refrigerated air to circulate throughout a palletized stack of cartons. The packaging includes a transparent lid which is sealingly attached to a corrugated carton allowing for inspection of perishable produce contained therein without breaching an established modified atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Craig Dale Machado
  • Patent number: 7549570
    Abstract: A container made from corrugated paperboard has more than four sides and is constructed to resist distortion when force is applied to the ends or sides of the container, and also to resist crushing when containers are stacked on top of one another. In one embodiment, the container has six sides, with two side walls, two end walls, and two diagonally opposed diagonal corner panels and two diagonally opposed square corners. In another embodiment, the container has seven sides, with two side walls, two end walls, and three diagonal corner panels and one square corner. In a further embodiment, the container has eight sides, with two side walls, two end walls, and four diagonally opposed diagonal corner panels. In this embodiment, the diagonal corner panels are oriented so that they subtend an angle of from about 35° to about 40°, and preferably 38°, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Benjamin W. Quaintance
  • Patent number: 7487905
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide a blank foldable material that may be configured to form a container. When formed, the container is self-locking and includes top panel assemblies that form additional bearing surfaces. The blank is configured to form a container that includes corners having multiple thicknesses. However, despite the multiple thickness of the corner assemblies, the panels are only adhered in one location per corner. The single adhesion/corner arrangement provides a multi-wall corner arrangement that is strong, yet has flexible applications. The single adhesive/corner adds vertical stacking strength and lateral stability between the panels. The unique approach of only adhering at one place per corner is a space and cost saving improvement that maintains a container integrity and usefulness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Jack A. McClure
  • Patent number: 7484655
    Abstract: A plurality of cartons, preferably fabricated from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard, and particularly of tray or wrapper-style construction, are provided, having integral lid constructions, and outer overlap panels, operably associated with the at least one top panel, to enable articulation of the carton into a substantially completed structure, without interfering with the subsequent articulation of the at least one top panel to enable loading of the carton subsequent to articulation and affixation of the outer overlap panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael McLeod
  • Patent number: 7458503
    Abstract: A stackable container for carrying produce. The container has tapered side walls or end walls to aid in the stacking of like containers. Also, the container has locking flaps that allow the container to be erected manually and without the need for fasteners. Further, at least one tapered wall of the container has a reinforcement flap that creates a partial top structure in the upper part of the container that helps prevent bulging of the walls. The reinforcement flap also creates doubled stacking tabs and diagonal corner posts that aid in the stacking of like containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Stanley L Fry
  • Patent number: 7455179
    Abstract: A shipping box (11), shipping box and pallet assembly (10), and a blank (B1, B2, B3) for making the shipping box. The box has integral attaching tabs (38) projecting downwardly therefrom, with at least one slot (31, 32) therein for receiving an extended end (41) of at least one slat (40) on a pallet (13), to releasably attach the box to the pallet. A reinforcing insert (70) is placed in the box against opposite walls. The insert has a center panel (77) of the same width and height as the box wall against which it is placed, and double thickness end panels (78) at opposite sides of the center panel, extending perpendicular to the center panel and lying against adjacent box walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy L. Bringard, Eric J Oberliesen
  • Patent number: 7293694
    Abstract: An elongate, rectangular box (12, 14, 40, 60, 70, 90, 100) and method for packaging containers (C), wherein the box can be cross-stacked for stable stacking of the boxes, and optimizes utilization of pallet space. Containers (C) are placed in the box in nested, offset relationship in a parallelogram shaped arrangement, and in one embodiment interior corner panels (20, 21) extend angularly across two diagonally opposite corners of the box, defining an interior box shape closely conforming to the parallelogram-shaped arrangement of the containers. The corner panels may be cut from the side walls (18, 19) and folded inwardly and secured at a free edge (28) to an adjacent end wall (16, 17), defining openings (22, 23) in the side wall through which the containers are visible. Side wall segments (24, 25, 26) at the bottom and sides of the opening, in cooperation with the corner panels, retain the containers in place in the box. The box is especially suited for packaging four one-gallon containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Charles P Weimer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7281648
    Abstract: An improved tray or other packaging article having hinged tab portions for securing a vertical support post is provided. The hinged tab portions capture the vertically oriented post and hold it in place for easier assembly of a larger packaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Lowry
  • Patent number: 7246737
    Abstract: The box, which can be made from a single sheet or from five separate pieces which are fastened to one another to form the box, is such that at the front ends, extensions project with transverse folding lines to form corner reinforcements. The extensions that form these reinforcements present four folding lines that define the sectors, which form an initial sector which is attached to the inner face of the side, a second sector with a diagonal disposition, a third sector which is attached on the inside of the front, a fourth sector which lies at right angles to the diagonal sector, and a last sector which is attached to one of the two halves of the inner face of the diagonal sector. At their upper edge the sectors present flanges which form projections perpendicular to one another, for positioning in matched opposing notches when the boxes are stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Videcart, S.A.
    Inventor: Pedro Teixidor Casanovas
  • Patent number: 7210615
    Abstract: A container comprising a box having a bottom wall, side walls and end walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall, corner panels extending from either the end walls or the side walls and attached to outer faces of the side walls or the end walls, reinforcing panels extending from the side walls or the end walls and attached to inner faces of the end walls, a cover having an top wall and side walls and end walls extending downwardly from said top wall, the cover being placed over the box with the side walls and end walls of said cover extending outside of the box, and straps around the box and the cover and over the corner panels; and a blank for the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventor: David J. McKenna
  • Patent number: 7207473
    Abstract: A stackable container for carrying produce. The container has tapered side walls or end walls to aid in the stacking of like containers. Also, the container has locking flaps that allow the container to be erected manually and without the need for fasteners. Further, at least one tapered wall of the container has a reinforcement flap that creates a partial top structure in the upper part of the container that helps prevent bulging of the walls. The reinforcement flap also creates doubled stacking tabs and diagonal corner posts that aid in the stacking of like containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Stanley L. Fry
  • 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: 7152777
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stackable container and container blank. In accordance with the present invention, a single sheet of foldable material is cut and scored to define container blank. The blank includes a bottom panel and a side panel connected with the bottom panel. An end panel is connected with the bottom panel. A top panel is connected with said side panel opposite the bottom panel. Also, a top panel flap is connected with said top panel. The blank further includes a corner first panel that is connected with the end panel. Also, a corner second panel is connected with the corner first panel opposite the end panel. Further, a corner third panel connected with said corner second panel opposite said corner first panel, said corner third panel defining a corner third panel cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventor: Jack A. McClure