US4381837A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protective tray
Assignee: Smurfit Kappa Packaging Corp
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Filing: 1981-03-02
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Granted: 1983-05-03
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Expires: 2001-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A paperboard tray for holding and protecting a plurality of fragile articles, such as taco shells, in a nested relationship.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeff J. Cortopassi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:14
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D77/00; B65D77/003; B65D5/00; B65D5/42; B65D5/44; B65D5/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A tray, formed from a unitary blank of foldable paperboard, for holding a plurality of packaged, fragile articles, such as taco shells, in a nested relationship, comprising: (a) a bottom wall having an end wall and pair of side walls foldably joined to and upstanding from opposed end and side edges thereof to form a tray-like structure; (b) a plurality of longitudinally spaced opending disposed in said side walls for receiving and retaining opposed end portions of said packaged articles in spaced relation; (c) a pair of relatively narrow, elongated support panels hingedly attached to said end wall adjacent opposite ends thereof, said support panels foldable inwardly from the end wall to be received within portions of the end-most packaged articles to maintain them in position and to prevent them from being crushed; and (d) means foldable out of said bottom wall for supporting other portions of said packaged articles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A tray, formed from a unitary blank of foldable paperboard, for holding a plurality of packaged, fragile articles, such as taco shells, in a nested relationship, comprising: (a) a bottom wall having an end wall and pair of side walls foldably joined to and upstanding from opposed end and side edges thereof to form a tray-like structure; (b) a plurality of longitudinally spaced opending disposed in said side walls for receiving and retaining opposed end portions of said packaged articles in spaced relation; (c) a pair of relatively narrow, elongated support panels hingedly attached to said end wall adjacent opposite ends thereof, said support panels foldable inwardly from the end wall to be received within portions of the end-most packaged articles to maintain them in position and to prevent them from being crushed; and (d) means foldable out of said bottom wall for supporting other portions of said packaged articles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A tray according to claim 1, wherein said means of said bottom wall comprises: a cushion strap structure including: (i) a vertical element foldably joined to and upstanding from said bottom wall; (ii) a horizontal element foldably joined to an upper end of said vertical element and extending parallel to said bottom wall to define, with said vertical element and said bottom wall, a recess for receiving a packaged article.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tray according to claim 2, wherein said cushion strap structure also includes a two-piece hinge member connecting said vertical element to said bottom wall.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-05-02 | 1986-11-01 | 1987-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-02 | 1990-11-01 | 1991-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-02 | 1994-11-01 | 1995-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |