Suspension package

Details Suspension package Suspension package

2000-07-25

2002-10-22

Bui, Luan K. (Department: 3728)

Special receptacle or package

Shock protection type

With sling or suspension means

C206S594000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06467624

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND
This invention relates to suspension packages of the type that suspend a packaged product within an outer container.
Suspension packages of this general type are known to the art and have met with considerable commercial success. See, for example, the suspension packages of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,606,459, 4,606,460, 5,056,665, 5,579,917, 5,669,506, 5,823,348, and 5,894,932, all assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The suspension package shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,459 includes fixed side and end walls that extend upwardly from a base. A tensor panel is pivotably mounted to each end wall, and a product restraint such as a hammock extends between the tensor panels. By rotating the tensor panels outwardly, the product restraint is tensioned.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,665 discloses a suspension package that is in many ways similar to that described above. In order to increase the strength of the fixed end panels, a brace is positioned to extend between the end panels adjacent the base.
The suspension package shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,506 includes end walls that are fixed at a desired angle with respect to the base, and a product restraint such as a hammock that is tensioned between the end walls. In this case, the base is creased such that the two halves of the base can be pivoted toward one another about this crease to bring the end walls closer together and to relieve tension on the product restraint.
SUMMARY
The preferred embodiments described below provide a one-piece suspension package that does not require the use of an external package. In these embodiments, the product restraint is stretched between two end walls that are joined to the base at respective fold lines. The end walls are free to pivot toward one another to relieve tension on the product restraint and to facilitate product loading. Side walls are connected to the base at respective fold lines, and at least one of the side walls includes an upper panel positioned to move between the end walls when in a closed position. In this position the upper panel extends as a brace in compression between the end walls, thereby holding the end walls parallel to one another and maintaining tension on the product restraint. The side panels can also act as a brace between the end panels, either in addition to the upper panel or in substitution for the upper panel. As another alternative, braces are hinged to the end panels or either side of the product restraint to move to a bracing position in which the braces are oriented perpendicularly to the end panels and the base to engage the base, and thereby to hold the end panels at right angles to the base.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4606459 (1986-08-01), Luray
patent: 4606460 (1986-08-01), Luray
patent: 5056665 (1991-10-01), Boecker et al.
patent: 5579917 (1996-12-01), Lofgren et al.
patent: 5669506 (1997-09-01), Lofgren et al.
patent: 5823348 (1998-10-01), Phillips et al.
patent: 5894932 (1999-04-01), Harding et al.
patent: 5934473 (1999-08-01), Belshe
patent: 5975307 (1999-11-01), Harding et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Suspension package does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Suspension package, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Suspension package will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3000281