Package construction

Claim 2

In combination: a support; a plurality of articles supported on said support; a plurality of columnar members of substantially equal height supported on said support; said columnar members being free of said support, said articles, and each other; each of said columnar members having a uniform cross-sectional configuration throughout its vertical height; each columnar member being arranged between adjacent articles and having an upper portion which extends above both said support and said articles with said upper portion terminating in a top edge; and an overwrap shrunk around said support, articles, and columnar members to provide a unitary package construction; said columnar members providing columnar strength for said package construction enabling vertical stacking of a plurality of package constructions and said upper portions of said columnar members serving to protect the upper ends of said articles.

Claim 3

A combination as set forth in claim 1, in which said plurality of articles comprise a plurality of liquid-containing cartons with the upper ends of each carton being empty of liquid and thus partially Collapsible and having an integral pouring spout defined therein, said columnar members are each comprised of corrugated paperboard having high columnar strength, and said upper portions of said columnar members serving to protect said upper ends against collapse and hence said pouring spouts against damage.

Claim 4

A combination as set forth in claim 1, in which the top edge of each of said columnar members has an arcuate portion enabling said overwrap to be shrunk thereagainst without damage thereto.

Claim 5

A combination as set forth in claim 1, in which said support comprises a supporting tray having a bottom wall and vertical wall portions, said vertical wall portions extending upwardly only a small fractional part of the overall height of the articles and columnar members and providing added stability for the lower end portions of said articles.

Claim 6

A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said support and columnar members are each comprised of corrugated paperboard and said shrinkable overwrap comprises a shrinkable plastic film whereby said package construction is made of comparatively inexpensive expendable materials and has a high strength-to-weight ratio.

Claim 7

A combination as set forth in claim 1, in which each of said columnar members has a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional configuration which provides increased vertical stability therefor.

Claim 8

A combination as set forth in claim 6, in which said support and said L-shaped columnar members are each made of substantially moisture impervious corrugated paperboard and said overwrap comprises a film of polyvinyl chloride which is heat shrunk in position.

Claim 9

In combination: a support having a substantially rectangular peripheral outline; a plurality of articles supported on said support; a plurality of four L-shaped columnar members of substantially equal height supported on said support; each columnar member being arranged between adjacent articles an having an upper portion which extends above said articles; each columnar member also having a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by a bight and a pair of outwardly extending legs, each L-shaped columnar member being arranged adjacent to and with its outwardly extending legs opening toward an associated corner, said L-shaped configuration of each columnar member providing improved vertical stability therefor; and an overwrap shrunk around said support, articles, and columnar members to provide a unitary package construction; said columnar members providing columnar strength for said package construction enabling vertical stacking of a plurality of package constructions with said upper portions of said columnar members serving to protect the upper ends of said articles; said overwrap comprising a heat-shrinkable plastic film and the top outer edge of each outwardly extending leg of each L-shaped columnar member having a substantially arcuate configuration enabling said plastic film to be heat shrunk thereagainst without damage thereto.

Claim 10

In combination: a support having a substantially rectangular peripheral outline; a plurality of articles supported on said support; a plurality of four L-shaped columnar members of substantially equal height supported on said support; each columnar member being arranged between adjacent articles an having an upper portion which extends above said articles; each columnar member also having a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by a bight and a pair of outwardly extending legs, each L-shaped columnar member being arranged adjacent to and with its outwardly extending legs opening toward an associated corner, said L-shaped configuration of each columnar member providing improved vertical stability therefor; and an overwrap shrunk around said support, articles, and columnar members to provide a unitary package construction; said columnar members providing columnar strength for said package construction enabling vertical stacking of a plurality of package constructions with said upper portions of said columnar members serving to protect the upper ends of said articles; said overwrap comprising a heat-shrinkable plastic film and the top outer edge of each outwardly extending leg of each L-shaped columnar member having a substantially arcuate configuration enabling said plastic film to be heat shrunk thereagainst without damage thereto.