Patent US3788463A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3788463A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bundling method and article produced thereby
Assignee: Solo Cup Operating Corp
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Filing: 1972-01-31
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1992-01-31
Abstract
Abstract In order to facilitate the handling of merchandise and to protect it during transit from the manufacturer to the wholesaler, jobber and retailer, an improved bundling method is provided for unitizing a plurality of light weight identical article-filled containers, each of which has at least one flat surface and preferably two parallel flat surfaces. The containers are delivered by a belt conveyor to a feed chute from which they are fed in a neat compact array into a bag made from a shrink film, e.g., a biaxially oriented heat shrinkable film. The bag with the ordered array of containers loosely filling it then is conveyed through a heated shrink tunnel wherein the bag is shrunk about the array to tightly enshroud and securely retain the containers in their prearranged compact formation. Prior to shrinking the bag has an open mouth and a closed bottom and the open mouth extends beyond the formation of containers inserted in the bag. Upon shrinking the bag mouth constricts on the formation to effectively close the mouth of the bag. Any construction of bag may be used.
Inventors
- 👤 S Ruff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:19
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D71/00; B65D71/06; B65D71/08; B65D2571/00; B65D2571/00006; B65D2571/00012; B65D2571/00018; B65D2571/00024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for bundling a plurality of like article-filled closed stiff-walled containers having dimensions no one of which exceeds about eight inches, each of which has at least one flat surface and the total weight of which does not exceed forty pounds, said method comprising the steps of: a. arranging the containers in a compact formation which has top and bottom flat parallel surfaces defined by said containers; b. enshrouding the formation en masse in a heat shrinkable plastic bag having an open mouth and a closed bottom and in which the formation is loosely received; c. an end of the formation being adjacent the bottom of the bag and the opposite end of the formation being spaced inwardly of the mouth by an amount less than the bag is capable of shrinking lengthwise; and d. without closing the mouth of the bag subjecting the bag and the containers therein to a temperature and for a time sufficient to shrink the bag onto the formation and with the mouth of the bag constricting to form a retaining inturned flange, with the length of the bag shrinking to tightly press the formation between the flange and the bag bottom, with adjacent containers in mutual contact and with the girth of the bag shrinking to tightly embrace the girth of the formation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for bundling a plurality of like article-filled closed stiff-walled containers having dimensions no one of which exceeds about eight inches, each of which has at least one flat surface and the total weight of which does not exceed forty pounds, said method comprising the steps of: a. arranging the containers in a compact formation which has top and bottom flat parallel surfaces defined by said containers; b. enshrouding the formation en masse in a heat shrinkable plastic bag having an open mouth and a closed bottom and in which the formation is loosely received; c. an end of the formation being adjacent the bottom of the bag and the opposite end of the formation being spaced inwardly of the mouth by an amount less than the bag is capable of shrinking lengthwise; and d. without closing the mouth of the bag subjecting the bag and the containers therein to a temperature and for a time sufficient to shrink the bag onto the formation and with the mouth of the bag constricting to form a retaining inturned flange, with the length of the bag shrinking to tightly press the formation between the flange and the bag bottom, with adjacent containers in mutual contact and with the girth of the bag shrinking to tightly embrace the girth of the formation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the containers are of round transverse cross section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of applying relatively cool air to the bag after the bag is shrunk.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said arranging step comprIses stacking the containers in at least two superimposed layers each having a plurality of containers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said arranging step comprises arranging the containers in the same vertical orientation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein said arranging step includes stacking the containers in at least two superimposed layers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said arranging step comprises placing alternate articles in opposite vertical orientation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
149 words
An improved bundle comprising: a. a plurality of like article-filled closed stiff-walled containers having dimensions no one of which exceeds about eight inches, each container having at least one flat surface, the total weight of the filled containers being less than forty pounds, said containers being arranged in a compact pre-arranged formation in the shape of a rectangular parallelopiped and with adjacent containers in mutual contact, said formation having top and bottom flat parallel surfaces defined by said containers; and b. a heat shrunk plastic bag tightly encasing said articles, said bag having a closed bottom pressed against one end of the formation and an open mouth with a constricted in-turned retaining flange pressed against the other end of the formation, the girth of the bag tightly embracing the girth of the formation whereby said containers are securely retained in the bag and prevented from moving within the formation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
149 words
An improved bundle comprising: a. a plurality of like article-filled closed stiff-walled containers having dimensions no one of which exceeds about eight inches, each container having at least one flat surface, the total weight of the filled containers being less than forty pounds, said containers being arranged in a compact pre-arranged formation in the shape of a rectangular parallelopiped and with adjacent containers in mutual contact, said formation having top and bottom flat parallel surfaces defined by said containers; and b. a heat shrunk plastic bag tightly encasing said articles, said bag having a closed bottom pressed against one end of the formation and an open mouth with a constricted in-turned retaining flange pressed against the other end of the formation, the girth of the bag tightly embracing the girth of the formation whereby said containers are securely retained in the bag and prevented from moving within the formation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The bundle in accordance with claim 8 wherein the containers are of round transverse cross section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bundle in accordance with claim 8 wherein the containers are arranged in groups of at least two stacked layers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The bundle in accordance with claim 8 wherein the containers face in the same direction and are arranged in groups of at least two stacked layers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The bundle in accordance with claim 8 wherein the containers alternately face in opposite vertical orientations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The bundle in accordance with claim 8 wherein the bag is made of a biaxially oriented film.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bundle in accordance with claim 13 wherein the film is between 1 mil and 3 mils thick.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The bundle in accordance with claim 8 wherein the bag is pellucid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the bag, after shrinking tightly onto the formation of containers of round transverse cross section, includes outwardly concave segments between adjacent containers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bundle as set forth in claim 8 wherein the heat shrunk bag that tightly presses the formation includes concave segments between adjacent containers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |