Package making – Means to open or erect receptacle
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-29
2001-05-22
Kim, Eugene (Department: 3721)
Package making
Means to open or erect receptacle
C493S055000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233905
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to packages of multiple flat items and to methods of packaging such items.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Medical sponges typically comprise a layer of cotton or other absorbent fabric gauze or gauze-like fabric folded over one or more times to make an absorbent pad. Raised foams and the like may also be used. Typically such sponges are sterile, substantially flat, and are packaged in flat bacteria-proof envelopes, such as between a pair of paper sheets adapted to peel apart. Typically, such individually packaged sponges are provided in a cardboard box holding a dozen or more sponges.
Cardboard is expensive, heavy and difficult to work with. Applicant has devised a packaging methodology employing paper rather than cardboard which is cheaper to purchase, manufacture and work with and which provides and environmental benefits by generating less waste.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A display package of substantially flat items according to the present invention comprises an outer wrap formed of a folded blank of thin, paper or paper-like stock, with a first face and a second face. A first pair of spaced-apart, parallel fold lines define a first left-side panel, a first central panel and a first right side panel, and a second pair of spaced-apart, parallel fold lines, normal to the first pair, define a second left-side panel, a second central panel and a second right side panel. In its folded configuration, the first left-side panel and the first right-side panel are folded inwardly toward the first face and the first central panel. Also, the second left-side panel and the second right-side panel are folded inwardly toward the first face and the second central panel. This folding produces a free-standing enclosure. A plurality of the separately packaged, substantially flat items in parallel stacked relation to each other are disposed within the free-standing enclosure for convenient transport and display the items.
A method of packaging a plurality of flat items according to the present invention comprises the steps of enclosing one or more of the items within a substantially flat inner package and providing a blank of paper or paper-like stock having a first face and a second face; folding the blank into a free-standing enclosure. This is accomplished by folding the blank along a first pair of spaced-apart, parallel fold lines which define a first left-side panel, a first central panel and a first right side panel. The first left-side and right side panels are folded inwardly toward the first face and the first central panel. The blank is folded along a second pair of spaced-apart, parallel fold lines which are normal to the first pair and which define a second left-side panel, a second central panel and a second right side panel. The second left-side and rights side panels are folded inwardly toward the first face and the second central panel. A plurality of the substantially flat inner packages in parallel relation to one another are enclosed within the free-standing enclosure. Preferably, the blank is folded about the stacked packages to form and fill the enclosure simultaneously.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1816085 (1931-07-01), Langhammer
patent: 2107482 (1938-02-01), Kemp
patent: 2153483 (1939-09-01), Rose
patent: 2620964 (1952-10-01), Rose et al
patent: 2968901 (1961-01-01), Johnson
patent: 3114300 (1963-12-01), Bianchi
patent: 3372526 (1968-03-01), Anderson
patent: 3383825 (1968-05-01), Titchenal et al.
patent: 3507088 (1970-04-01), Mizelle et al.
patent: 3763629 (1973-10-01), Carlstrom et al.
patent: 3779152 (1973-12-01), Smith
patent: 3803797 (1974-04-01), Duchinsky et al.
patent: 3949932 (1976-04-01), Shore
patent: 3986319 (1976-10-01), Puskarz et al.
patent: 4186544 (1980-02-01), Johnson
patent: 4459127 (1984-07-01), Kunzel
patent: 4577453 (1986-03-01), Hofeler
patent: 4691368 (1987-09-01), Roessiger
patent: 4832198 (1989-05-01), Alikhan
patent: 4934535 (1990-06-01), Muckenfuhs et al.
patent: 4966286 (1990-10-01), Muckefuhs
patent: 5022216 (1991-06-01), Muckenfuhs et al.
patent: 5050742 (1991-09-01), Muckenfuhs
patent: 5054619 (1991-10-01), Muckenfuhs
patent: 5065868 (1991-11-01), Cornelissen et al.
patent: 5165545 (1992-11-01), Focke et al.
patent: 5184725 (1993-02-01), Reinheimer et al.
patent: 5282687 (1994-02-01), Yee
patent: 5361905 (1994-11-01), McQueeny et al.
patent: 5377837 (1995-01-01), Roussel
patent: 5380094 (1995-01-01), Schmidt et al.
patent: 5427245 (1995-06-01), Roussel
patent: 5537806 (1996-07-01), Grierson et al.
patent: 5564562 (1996-10-01), Focke et al.
patent: 5581047 (1996-12-01), Lazaroff
patent: 5588281 (1996-12-01), Boriani et al.
patent: 5722774 (1998-03-01), Hartz
patent: 5924559 (1999-07-01), Carrel et al.
patent: 5967321 (1999-10-01), Sigl
patent: 424 718 (1990-06-01), None
patent: 798 212 (1996-03-01), None
patent: 417 792 (1934-10-01), None
Ethicon Inc.
Farmer A. C.
Kim Eugene
Shatynski T. J.
LandOfFree
Fill and form with multiple flat packages does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fill and form with multiple flat packages, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fill and form with multiple flat packages will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2467708