Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paperboard box – Wrapper type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-30
2001-08-07
Elkins, Gary E. (Department: 3727)
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paperboard box
Wrapper type
C206S427000, C206S430000, C206S784000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06270005
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to shipping cartons having containers with removable covers, and in particular to containers for food products.
2. Description of the Related Art
Food products and other commercially important goods have been packaged in cup or tub-like containers, as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,166,190 and 3,409,124; 4,932,531 and 3,828,926. Typically, the tub containers are of similar size and are arranged in a two dimensional array, being supported so as to lie in a common plane. In some arrangements, a paperboard sleeve or outer wrapper encircles the array of tub containers so as to hold them in position. Due to the wrapper construction, the ends of the container assemblies are usually left open, relying on the ability of the tub containers to preserve the product in its desired condition. Arrangements are also provided to make use of the tub lids or other outward protuberances to “hook” the tubs together at their upper ends, further decreasing the amount of protective overwrap. Typically, the above arrangements are provided for shipping of a single layer of tub containers.
When multiple layers or tiers of tub containers are required, an intermediate wall of paperboard material is typically disposed between the tiers. The intermediate wall may be provided in conjunction with a paperboard wrapper encircling both tiers of tub containers, as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,756,419 and 4,932,531. In one arrangement, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,319,680, an outer carton housing in the form of a sleeve holds multiple tiers of single row individual product units, such as display packs or blister packs having outwardly extending flanges. The carton housing receives the flanges holding them, and hence the product units, in a single stack spaced-apart relation.
Despite these developments, further improvements in food product packaging are being sought.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a shipper carton for transporting multiple containers arranged in multiple tiers with multiple containers in each tier.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a shipper carton of the type described above in which the containers have removable lids.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a shipper carton of the above-described type which provides a substantially complete enclosure for the containers.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a shipper container which prevents damage to the containers during handling and shipping.
These and other objects according to principles of the present invention are provided in a packaging assembly including a plurality of tub containers having removable lids;
a carton defining a hollow cavity for receiving said tub containers, including top and bottom walls;
a pair of opposed side walls extending between said top and said bottom walls;
a pair of end walls disposed between said top and said bottom walls and cooperating with said sidewalls to enclose said tub containers;
said end walls comprising minor flaps folded from said top and said bottom walls so as to face toward the carton interior and a pair of major flaps folded from said sidewalls so as to overlay said minor flaps; and
said minor flaps having slots for engaging removable lids of tub containers disposed within said carton, with portions of said minor flaps being disposed underneath said lids of said tub containers so that inward force applied to said end walls is at least partially resisted by the sidewalls of said container tubs.
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Elkins Gary E.
Fitch Even Tabin & Flannery
Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
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