US3709325A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Case for shipping articles in an upright position and in spaced lateral separation
Assignee: International Paper Co
•
Filing: 1971-03-16
•
Granted: 1973-01-09
•
Expires: 1991-03-16
Abstract
Abstract The case comprises wall panels, one or more bottom flaps, a bottom indexing panel containing one or more downwardly projecting female recesses into which the bottom of the packaged article is inserted, an internal bottom panel disposed beneath said bottom indexing panel containing apertures which fit over the periphery of said downwardly projecting female recesses, and means for spacing apart the internal bottom panel and bottom of the case so as to allow the downwardly projecting female recesses to pass through, and be locked in place by, the aperture of the internal bottom panel. The case further comprises a top indexing panel containing one or more upwardly projecting female recesses into which the top of the packaged article is inserted, an internal top panel disposed above the top indexing panel containing apertures which fit over the periphery of the upwardly projecting female recesses, one or more top flaps, and means for spacing apart the internal top panel and top of the case so as to allow the upwardly projecting female recesses to pass through, and be locked in place by, the apertures of the internal top panel. The shipping case can be provided with an article separator layer assembly when the case is used to package a plurality of layers of articles.
Inventors
- 👤 J Siegele
- 👤 R Gordon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:58
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D71/00; B65D71/70; B65D5/00; B65D5/42; B65D5/44; B65D5/50; B65D5/5028; B65D5/503; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S229/00; Y10S229/939
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
314 words
A case for the shipment of an article in a substantially upright position and in spaced lateral separation from adjoining articles and portions of said case, comprising: 1. a plurality of wall panels surrounding the article contents; 2. at least one bottom flap forming the bottom of said case; 3. at least one top flap forming the top of said case; 4. a bottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from said bottom indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the bottom of an article; 5. an internal bottom panel disposed between said bottom indexing panel and the bottom of said case, said internal bottom panel containing therein at least one aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said female recess of said bottom indexing panel into which said portion of the bottom of said article is inserted; 6. means maintaining said internal bottom panel in spaced relationship to the bottom of said case so as to allow said downwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal bottom panel; 7. a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the top of said article; 8. an internal top panel disposed between said top indexing panel and the top of said case, said internal top panel containing therein at least one aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said female recess of said top indexing panel into which said portion of the top of said article is inserted; and 9. means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case so as to allow said upwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal top panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
314 words
A case for the shipment of an article in a substantially upright position and in spaced lateral separation from adjoining articles and portions of said case, comprising: 1. a plurality of wall panels surrounding the article contents; 2. at least one bottom flap forming the bottom of said case; 3. at least one top flap forming the top of said case; 4. a bottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from said bottom indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the bottom of an article; 5. an internal bottom panel disposed between said bottom indexing panel and the bottom of said case, said internal bottom panel containing therein at least one aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said female recess of said bottom indexing panel into which said portion of the bottom of said article is inserted; 6. means maintaining said internal bottom panel in spaced relationship to the bottom of said case so as to allow said downwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal bottom panel; 7. a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the top of said article; 8. an internal top panel disposed between said top indexing panel and the top of said case, said internal top panel containing therein at least one aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said female recess of said top indexing panel into which said portion of the top of said article is inserted; and 9. means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case so as to allow said upwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal top panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
at least one bottom flap forming the bottom of said case;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
at least one bottom flap forming the bottom of said case;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
a bottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from said bottom indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the bottom of an article;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
a bottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from said bottom indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the bottom of an article;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
at least one bottom flap forming the bottom of said case;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
at least one bottom flap forming the bottom of said case;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The case of claim 1 wherein said bottom indexing panel and said top indexing panel are fabricated from a thermo-formed plastic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The case of claim 2 wherein said plastic material is polyethylene.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
at least one top flap forming the top of said case;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
at least one top flap forming the top of said case;
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
at least one top flap forming the top of said case;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
at least one top flap forming the top of said case;
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
means distinct from said bottom indexing panel communicating with said downwardly projecting female recess of said bottom indexing panel preventing substantial lateral movement of said downwardly projecting female recess;
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
means distinct from said bottom indexing panel communicating with said downwardly projecting female recess of said bottom indexing panel preventing substantial lateral movement of said downwardly projecting female recess;
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
a bottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from said bottom indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the bottom of an article;
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
a bottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from said bottom indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the bottom of an article;
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the top of an article; and
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the top of an article; and
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
a bottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from said bottom indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the bottom of an article;
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
a bottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from said bottom indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the bottom of an article;
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The case of claim 1 wherein said top and bottom indexing panels contain a plurality of female recesses, and wherein said internal bottom panel and internal top panel each contain a plurality of apertures corresponding, respectively, to the number of said female recesses.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
an internal bottom panel disposed between said bottom indexing panel and the bottom of said case, said internal bottom panel containing therein at least one aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said female recess of said bottom indexing panel into which said portion of the bottom of said article is inserted;
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
51 words
an internal bottom panel disposed between said bottom indexing panel and the bottom of said case, said internal bottom panel containing therein at least one aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said female recess of said bottom indexing panel into which said portion of the bottom of said article is inserted;
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
means distinct from said top indexing panel communicating with said upwardly projecting female recess of said top indexing panel preventing substantial lateral movement of said upwardly projecting female recess.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
means distinct from said top indexing panel communicating with said upwardly projecting female recess of said top indexing panel preventing substantial lateral movement of said upwardly projecting female recess.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The case of claim 1 wherein said internal top and bottom panels each have a transverse area permitting a snug fit of said panels between the wall panels of said case.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
52 words
an internal bottom panel disposed between said bottom indexing panel and the bottom of said case, said internal bottom panel containing therein at least one aperture which peripherally circumscribes the bottom of said female recess of said bottom indexing panel into which said portion of the bottom of said article is inserted;
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
52 words
an internal bottom panel disposed between said bottom indexing panel and the bottom of said case, said internal bottom panel containing therein at least one aperture which peripherally circumscribes the bottom of said female recess of said bottom indexing panel into which said portion of the bottom of said article is inserted;
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
means distinct from said internal bottom panel and from said wall panels and bottom flap of said case maintaining said internal bottom panel in spaced relationship to the bottom of said case so as to allow said downwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal bottom panel;
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
51 words
means distinct from said internal bottom panel and from said wall panels and bottom flap of said case maintaining said internal bottom panel in spaced relationship to the bottom of said case so as to allow said downwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal bottom panel;
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
means maintaining said internal bottom panel in spaced relationship to the bottom of said case so as to allow said downwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal bottom panel;
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
means maintaining said internal bottom panel in spaced relationship to the bottom of said case so as to allow said downwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal bottom panel;
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
70 words
The case of claim 1 wherein said means maintaining said internal bottom panels in spaced relationship to the bottom of said case comprises flaps foldably connected to the periphery of said internal bottom panel, said flaps being folded downwardly from said internal bottom panel and contacting the bottom of said case, said flaps dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal bottom panel and the bottom of the case.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
70 words
The case of claim 1 wherein said means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case comprises flaps foldably connected to the periphery of said internal top panel, said flaps being folded upwardly from said internal top panel and contacting the top of said case, said flaps dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal top panel and the top of the case.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
36 words
a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the top of said article;
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
36 words
a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the top of said article;
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
36 words
a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the top of an article;
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the top of an article;
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
53 words
an internal top panel disposed between said top indexing panel and the top of said case, said internal top panel containing therein at least one aperture which peripherally circumscribes the portion of said female recess of said top indexing panel into which said portion of the top of said article is inserted; and
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
53 words
an internal top panel disposed between said top indexing panel and the top of said case, said internal top panel containing therein at least one aperture which peripherally circumscribes the portion of said female recess of said top indexing panel into which said portion of the top of said article is inserted; and
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
52 words
an internal top panel disposed between said top indexing panel and the top of said case, said internal top panel containing therein at least one aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said female recess of said top indexing panel into which said portion of the top of said article is inserted; and
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
52 words
an internal top panel disposed between said top indexing panel and the top of said case, said internal top panel containing therein at least one aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said female recess of said top indexing panel into which said portion of the top of said article is inserted; and
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
70 words
The case of claim 6 wherein said means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case comprises flaps foldably connected to the periphery of said internal top panel, said flaps being folded upwardly from said internal top panel and contacting the top of said case, said flaps dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal top panel and the top of the case.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
70 words
The case of claim 1 wherein said means maintaining said internal bottom panel in spaced relationship to the bottom of the case comprises a plurality of downwardly projecting fingers foldably attached, at one end, to said internal bottom panel, the unrestrained end of said fingers contacting the bottom of the case, said fingers dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal bottom panel and the bottom of the case.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
34 words
means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case so as to allow said upwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal top panel.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
34 words
means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case so as to allow said upwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal top panel.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
51 words
means distinct from said internal top panel and from said wall panels and top flap of said case maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case so as to allow said upwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal top panel.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
51 words
means distinct from said internal top panel and from said wall panels and top flap of said case maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case so as to allow said upwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal top panel.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
70 words
The case of claim 1 wherein said means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case comprises a plurality of upwardly projecting fingers foldably attached, at one end, to said internal top panel, the unrestrained end of said fingers contacting the top of the case, said fingers dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal top panel and the top of the case.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
70 words
The case of claim 9 wherein said means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case comprises a plurality of upwardly projecting fingers foldably attached, at one end, to said internal top pAnel, the unrestrained end of said fingers contacting the top of the case, said fingers dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal top panel and the top of the case.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
87 words
The case of claim 8 wherein said internal bottom panel and said internal top panel each further includes a plurality of fingers foldably attached, at one end, to said internal bottom panel and said internal top panel, said fingers projecting downwardly from said internal bottom panel and upwardly from said internal top panel and contacting the bottom and top respectively, of the case, said fingers dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal bottom and top panels and the bottom and top, respectively, of the case.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
44 words
The case of claim 1 containing a plurality of vertical layers of articles and further including means preventing any substantial lateral movement of, and for maintaining spaced lateral separation of, the top and bottom portions of articles in adjoining vertical layers of said case.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
272 words
The case of claim 1 wherein a plurality of layers of packaged articles are employed further including a separator layer assembly disposed between adjacent layers of articles, said assembly comprising: a. a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the top section of an article in a first lower layer of the case; b. a first separator panel disposed above said top indexing panel, said first separator panel containing therein at least a single aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said upwardly projecting female recess of said top indexing panel into which said portion of the top section of said article is inserted; c. a bottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from said bottom indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the bottom section of an article in a second upper layer in the case; d. a second separator panel disposed beneath said bottom indexing panel, said second separator panel containing therein at least a single aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said downwardly projecting female recess of said bottom indexing panel into which said portion of the bottom section of said article is inserted; and e. means maintaining said first and second separator panels in spaced relationship so as to allow the female recess of said top and bottom indexing panels to pass through, and be locked in place by, the aperture of said first and second separator panels, respectively.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
36 words
The case of claim 14 further including a third separator panel disposed between said first and second separator panels, said first and second separator panels each being maintained in spaced relationship from said third separator panel.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
71 words
The case of claim 14 wherein said means maintaining said first and second separator panels in spaced relationship comprises flaps foldably connected to the periphery of said first and second separator panels, the flaps of said first separator panel being folded upwardly and those of said second separator panel being folded downwardly, said folded flaps of said first and second separator panel communicating with each other to provide required spaced relationship.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
36 words
The case of claim 16 further including a third separator panel disposed between said first and second separator panels, said first and second separator panels each being maintained in spaced relationship from said third separator panel.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
73 words
The case of claim 17 wherein said first and second separator panels each further includes a plurality of fingers foldably attached, at one end, to said panels, said fingers projecting upwardly from said first separator panel and downwardly from said second separator panel and contacting a surface of sAid third separator panel, said fingers dimensioned to produce the desired spaced relationship between said first and second separator panels and said third separator panel.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
27 words
A case for the shipment of an article in a substantially upright position and in spaced lateral separation from adjoining articles and portions of said case, comprising:
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
27 words
A case for the shipment of an article in a substantially upright position and in spaced lateral separation from adjoining articles and portions of said case, comprising:
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
27 words
A case for the shipment of an article in a substantially upright position and in spaced lateral separation from adjointing articles and parts of said case, comprising:
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
27 words
A case for the shipment of an article in a substantially upright position and in spaced lateral separation from adjointing articles and parts of said case, comprising:
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2760631A
Cited
US3294270A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |