Package making – Methods – Plural covers
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-21
2001-10-09
Sipos, John (Department: 3721)
Package making
Methods
Plural covers
C053S472000, C053S473000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298637
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention.
The present invention relates generally to packaging materials for packaging articles, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a packaging material which includes a plurality of resilient members bondably connected to a flexible backing to form a cohesive cushioning unit.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art.
In the process of shipping an article from one location to another, the article is typically placed in a container along with a protective packaging material to fill the voids about the article and to cushion the article during the shipping process. One common protective packaging material is comprised of a plurality of plastic foam, peanut-shaped members which are commonly known as “styrofoam peanuts.” An advantage in using styrofoam peanuts is the ease with which they may be disposed about an article positioned in a container by simply pouring the styrofoam peanuts from a dispenser.
However, while styrofoam peanuts have been widely accepted in the packaging industry, they are not without disadvantages. For example, the light weight and flowability of the styrofoam peanuts results in heavier objects gravitating through the peanuts to the bottom of the container where the object can be damaged. Also, while the flowability of the styrofoam peanuts facilitates the introduction of the peanuts into a container, the receiver of the package is left with having to deal with the peanuts upon removal of the article from the container in the form of having to clean up the mess left by the peanuts which are easily scattered upon removal of the article from the container.
These and other disadvantages associated with the disposal of styrofoam peanuts, has made paper protective packaging material a popular alternative. Paper is biodegradable, recyclable and renewable, making it an environmentally responsible choice. However, like styrofoam peanuts, paper packaging materials is not without disadvantages in that paper, particularly shredded paper, can be inconvenient to clean up and to dispose of due to the lack of cohesiveness of the packaging material. In addition, due to the lack of resiliency in paper products, large amounts of paper are. typically required to provide the bulk needed to adequately cushion an object.
Strips of sheet material formed into tufts have also been used for many years as a packaging material. More specifically, material known as decorative grass has been used in fruit baskets, Easter baskets, and picnic baskets and for other packaging and decorative purposes. The decorative grass of the prior art has been produced by numerous methods and from a variety of materials such as polymeric materials, paper, cellophane or the like. Typically, such materials are cut and shredded to produce segments having predetermined dimensions. As such, decorative grass, like styrofoam peanuts and paper materials described above, can be inconvenient to clean up and to dispose of.
To this end, a packaging material is needed that includes a plurality of resilient strip members intertwined with one another and bondably connected to a flexible backing so as to form a unitary cushioning unit which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of prior art packaging materials. It is to such a packaging material that the present invention is directed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a packaging material for use in filling baskets and protecting articles during a shipping process. The packaging material includes a flexible backing having a first surface and a second surface. A mass of individual, thin, flexible strips of material intertwined with one another to form a cohesive, resilient tuft is connected to the flexible backing so as to substantially cover at least one side of the flexible backing.
In another embodiment, a second flexible backing is connected to the tuft such that the tuft is disposed between each of the flexible backings.
The packaging material formed from the tuft and the flexible backing may be incorporated into a package which additionally includes a container and an article positioned within the container. The packaging material is arranged about the article to substantially surround the article positioned within the container. The flexible backing may be caused to bond to the container.
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1939846 (1933-12-01), Fenton
patent: 3314122 (1967-04-01), Bundy
patent: 3485428 (1969-12-01), Jackson
patent: 3509797 (1970-05-01), Johnson
patent: 3519528 (1970-07-01), Fourness
patent: 3667593 (1972-06-01), Pendleton
patent: 3696183 (1972-10-01), Steel et al.
patent: 3752121 (1973-08-01), Brazzell
patent: 4153488 (1979-05-01), Wiegand
patent: 4199627 (1980-04-01), Weder et al.
patent: 4292266 (1981-09-01), Weder et al.
patent: 4350726 (1982-09-01), Berry, Jr.
patent: 4401700 (1983-08-01), Weder et al.
patent: 4549908 (1985-10-01), Weder et al.
patent: 4568581 (1986-02-01), Peoples, Jr.
patent: 4761318 (1988-08-01), Ott et al.
patent: 5134013 (1992-07-01), Parker
patent: 5154961 (1992-10-01), Reuben
patent: 5178922 (1993-01-01), Ferrier et al.
patent: 5204155 (1993-04-01), Bell et al.
patent: 5346757 (1994-09-01), Nakata
patent: 5397413 (1995-03-01), Trimble et al.
patent: 5411167 (1995-05-01), Weder
patent: 5786060 (1998-07-01), Takahashi et al.
patent: 5906280 (1999-05-01), Weder
patent: 5910089 (1999-06-01), Weder
Exhibit A—“Beauty Grass®” brochure, not dated, published by Applicant, showing shredded grasses for sale.
Exhibit B—“Highlander® Easter Season Headquarters” brochure, not dated, published by Applicant, showing shredded grasses for sale.
Exhibit C—“Make Highlander® Your Headquarters for Easter and Other Holidays” brochure, published in 1991 by Applicant, showing shredded grasses for sale.
Exhibit D—Undated brochure, published by Applicant, showing shredded grasses for sale.
Dunlap Codding & Rogers P.C.
Sipos John
Southpac Trust International Inc.
LandOfFree
Packaging material does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Packaging material, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Packaging material will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2608461