Manufacturing container or tube from paper; or other manufacturi – Container making – Rigid container
Reexamination Certificate
2002-08-27
2004-08-17
Kim, Eugene L (Department: 3721)
Manufacturing container or tube from paper; or other manufacturi
Container making
Rigid container
C493S069000, C493S090000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06776746
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to packaging structures. More particularly, the present invention relates to blanks for forming packaging structures and covers that may be subjected to a one-way conversion from a packaging structure or cover of relatively large size to a greater number of smaller sized packaging structures or covers. The present invention is also directed to methods for forming such packaging structures and covers, and systems for combining them with one another.
Protective packaging structures are often used when an article to be transported requires protection from physical shock, dust, dirt or other contaminants. For example, when shipping articles that may be relatively fragile, it is often desirable to package the article inside a box to protect the article from physical impacts that may occur during loading, transit or unloading. In addition, when shipping sensitive articles, such as computer components, it is often desirable to protect those articles from elements such as dust or moisture.
Protective packaging structures may also be used for the simple purpose of storing various objects, even if no transit is expected. For example, many people find it convenient to store off-season clothing or various other items in locations throughout their homes. Popular locations include closets, basements, or under beds. Packaging structures may be constructed and marketed to serve these purposes. For example, packaging structures suitable for under-the-bed storage use are generally long, wide and low, so they may fit under a standard bed while still offering valuable storage capacity.
Packaging structures suitable for each of these purposes have been known in the art for many years. These packaging structures may be formed from cardboard, plastic, metal, paperboard, corrugated cardboard, or the like. Additionally, these materials may be coated or impregnated with various other substances in order to improve certain qualities such as strength, protection of underlying print or images, or to repel moisture. For example, cardboard boxes are often printed upon with ink and then covered with a varnish. The varnish serves to protect the print, strengthen the structure, and repel moisture.
In accordance with techniques which are generally known in the packaging art, a single panel or blank of material may be cut and folded along predetermined lines to yield packaging structures having the desired size and structural features for a particular application. Generally, such blanks are essentially planar until folded into the packaging structure shape. This efficient design enables the structures to be shipped in a flat configuration, while being readily converted to folded configuration prior to their intended use.
Packaging structures in accordance with the prior art have been designed such that a given blank forms a single packaging structure size. Therefore, if the end user requires multiple-size packaging structures, that user must purchase blanks of each corresponding size required, the end result of which is that the end user must purchase and store blanks corresponding to each size packaging structure intended to be used. This not only requires sufficient space to store such blanks, but requires sufficient forethought by the end user so that a blank of the correct size is available when needed.
Therefore, there exists a need for packaging structure blanks configured such that they may yield multiple size packaging structures. Preferably, such blanks will be formed so that they may be readily converted to folded configurations of multiple sizes quickly and efficiently without sacrificing the strength of the packaging structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses these needs.
One aspect of the present invention provides a blank for forming packages. The blank includes a substantially rigid panel having a pair of spaced side edges and a pair of spaced end edges oriented transverse to the side edges. A first pair of fold lines is spaced from the side edges to define respective folding side portions separated by a remaining portion of the panel. A second pair of fold lines is spaced from the end edges of the panel and oriented transverse to the first pair of fold lines. The second pair of fold lines defines respective folding end portions. The first and second pairs of fold lines delimit a center portion of the panel. A pair of auxiliary fold lines extending between the end edges in the remaining portion of the panel is oriented transverse to the second pair of fold lines. Finally, an intermediate fold line extends between the end edges in the remaining portion of the panel. The intermediate fold line is oriented transverse to the second pair of fold lines and is disposed between the pair of auxiliary fold lines to define a first auxiliary folding portion between one of the pair of auxiliary fold lines and the intermediate fold line and a second auxiliary folding portion between another of the pair of auxiliary fold lines and the intermediate fold line.
The panel has an unfolded condition in which the folding side portions and folding end portions are substantially coplanar with the center portion of the panel, and a second condition in which the folding side portions and folding end portions are folded transverse to the center portion of the panel to define a first packaging structure. The panel also has a third condition in which the panel is separated along the intermediate fold line into two subpanels. Each of the subpanels has one of the folding side portions, one of the auxiliary folding portions, and the folding end portions delimiting a main portion of the subpanel. Further, each of the subpanels is foldable into a condition in which the one folding side portion, the one auxiliary folding portion, and the folding end portions are folded transverse to the main portion of the subpanel whereby the panel in the third condition defines a pair of packaging structures.
In one embodiment, the blank may also contain a first additional fold line in each of the folding end portions which defines proximal and distal end segments in each of the folding end portions. In the second condition, each of the folding end portions of the panel are folded along the first additional fold lines so that the distal end segment in each of the folding end portions confronts the proximal end segment and is positioned between the folding side portions.
The blank may also include means for interconnecting the folding side portions and folding end portions when the panel is in the second condition. The interconnecting means may include a flap formed at each end of each of the folding side portions which is foldable relative to the folding side portions. The flaps may be interposed between the proximal end segment and the distal end segment of the folding end portions when the panel is in the second condition.
In another embodiment, the blank may also include means for interconnecting the folding side portions and folding auxiliary portions with the folding end portions in the third condition of the panel. Such interconnecting means may include a flap formed at each end of each of the folding side portions and a flap formed at each end of each of the auxiliary folding portions. The flaps may be interposed between the proximal end segments and distal end segments of the folding end portions when the panel is in the third condition. The flaps may be joined to the folding side portions, the auxiliary folding portions and the folding end portions in the unfolded condition of the panel but not joined to the folding end portions in the third condition of the panel.
In a further embodiment, the blank may also include means for securing the panel in the second condition. Such means may include a patterned cut in each of the folding end portions defining at least one tab. Each tab may project from one of the end edges in a direction away from the center portion of the panel. At least one slot may be formed along each of the second pair of fold lines. Each of
Kim Eugene L
Lerner David Littenberg Krumholz & Mentlik LLP
Taylored Services Inc.
LandOfFree
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