US5456061A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recycle shipping assembly
Assignee: ReSource America Inc
•
Filing: 1993-06-02
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Granted: 1995-10-10
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Expires: 2013-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A cushioned shipping assembly includes a carton and foam inserts to support a product shipped by a supplier, which elements are successively returned by an end user to be reused in the same or other shipping assembly, while various components are recycled as they become spent. In some embodiments, the carton collapses to a diminished size for return. A resource center reroutes or refurbishes the components, recycling aged or spend pieces. On-premises pelletizing of reclaimed polymer provides a more efficient, environmentally clean system. Spent inserts of identified polymer may be diverted to users of specific resins.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Grey
- 👤 Wayne Williams
- 👤 William H. Shaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:49
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/02; B65D81/05; B65D5/00; B65D5/42; B65D5/4212; B65D5/4233; B65D5/44; B65D5/50; B65D5/5028; B65D5/5088; B65D5/509; B65D5/56; B65D5/563; B65D81/107; B65D85/00; B65D85/02; B65D2565/00; B65D2565/38; B65D2565/381; B65D2565/384; B65D2565/385; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A process for recycling or reusing a shipping container, comprising: (a) providing to a product provider a shipping container for packaging a product for shipment; (b) sending to a customer the shipping container having the product packaged therein together with directions for returning the shipping container to a resource center via a parcel service; (c) after removal of the product, returning the shipping container to the resource center via the parcel service pursuant to the directions; (d) at the resource center, inspecting and refurbishing the shipping container or replacing portions thereof, and causing any replaced portions of the shipping container to be recycled; and (e) repeating steps (b), (c), and (d) during a useful lifetime of the shipping container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A process for recycling or reusing a shipping container, comprising: (a) providing to a product provider a shipping container for packaging a product for shipment; (b) sending to a customer the shipping container having the product packaged therein together with directions for returning the shipping container to a resource center via a parcel service; (c) after removal of the product, returning the shipping container to the resource center via the parcel service pursuant to the directions; (d) at the resource center, inspecting and refurbishing the shipping container or replacing portions thereof, and causing any replaced portions of the shipping container to be recycled; and (e) repeating steps (b), (c), and (d) during a useful lifetime of the shipping container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the shipping container comprises a formable plastic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the shipping container comprises a foamed polymer material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the shipping container defines a box having flaps which are foldable to reduce a volume of the shipping container prior to being returned to the resource center.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
The process of claim 1 wherein step (a) further comprises also providing to the product provider cushioning material for placement within the container to provide a protective support for the product placed therein, and wherein the process further comprises, prior to step (e), returning the cushioning material to the fabricator via the parcel service pursuant to the directions and then inspecting and refurbishing or replacing the cushioning material and causing any replaced cushioning material to be recycled.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the cushioning material comprises plastic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the cushioning material comprises foamed material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the cushioning material comprises thermally insulating material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
114 words
A process for recycling a shipping container, comprising: (a) providing to a product provider a shipping container for packaging a product for shipment; (b) sending to a customer the shipping container having the product packaged therein together with directions for returning the shipping container to a fabricator via a parcel service; (c) after removal of the product, returning the shipping container to the fabricator via the parcel service pursuant to the directions; (d) at the fabricator, inspecting and refurbishing the shipping container or replacing portions thereof, and causing any replaced portions of the shipping container to be recycled; and (e) repeating steps (b), (c), and (d) during a useful lifetime of the shipping container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
114 words
A process for recycling a shipping container, comprising: (a) providing to a product provider a shipping container for packaging a product for shipment; (b) sending to a customer the shipping container having the product packaged therein together with directions for returning the shipping container to a fabricator via a parcel service; (c) after removal of the product, returning the shipping container to the fabricator via the parcel service pursuant to the directions; (d) at the fabricator, inspecting and refurbishing the shipping container or replacing portions thereof, and causing any replaced portions of the shipping container to be recycled; and (e) repeating steps (b), (c), and (d) during a useful lifetime of the shipping container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the shipping container comprises a foamed polymer material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 10 wherein the foamed polymer material comprises a polyurethane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the shipping container defines a box having flaps which are foldable to reduce a volume of the shipping container prior to being returned to the fabricator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
77 words
The process of claim 9 wherein step (a) further comprises also providing to the product provider cushioning material for placement within the container to provide a protective support for the product placed therein, and wherein the process further comprises, prior to step (e), returning the cushioning material to the fabricator via the parcel service pursuant to the directions and then inspecting and refurbishing or replacing the cushioning material and causing any replaced cushioning material to be recycled.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 13 wherein the cushioning material comprises plastic material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 13 wherein the cushioning material is selected from the group consisting of inflatable plastic bladders, bubble wrap, elastomeric films, and expanded mica.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 13 wherein the cushioning material comprises foamed polymeric material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 16 wherein the foamed polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, EVA, polyolefins, and copolymers thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 13 wherein the cushioning material comprises thermally insulating material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the shipping container comprises a formable plastic material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 19 wherein the formable plastic material comprises polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 10 wherein the foamed polymer material comprises polystyrene.
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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) | 1998-10-09 | 1999-04-10 | 1999-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-09 | 2003-04-10 | 2003-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-09 | 2007-04-10 | 2007-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |