Back to results
US 10,850,908 B2Granted
Packaging and shipping blocks for flat-panel products
AssigneeSternbloc LLC
InventorsMichael G. Monaghan, Kenneth R. Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Described herein are shipping blocks for packaging and shipping flat-panel products. The blocks have chamfered edges to allow the block to slide across uneven surfaces; at least one of slots or alignment tabs to secure the product to the block; and, walls that are configured to flex when pressure or stress is applied to the block.
Claims23
A shipping block for packaging and shipping flat-panel products, the block (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 910) comprising:
- a top face (12, 112, 912), a bottom face (14, 114, 914), a first end face (16, 116, 916), a second end face (18, 118, 918), and internal walls (60, 160);
- wherein the top face (12, 112, 912) defines opposing first and second flexible alignment tabs (50, 150, 950);
- the flexible alignment tabs (50, 150, 950) each having a first tab end (52, 152, 952) that extends from the first and second end faces (16, 116, 916), (18, 118, 918) at an acute angle from a plane defined by the top face (12, 112, 912);
- and,
- the flexible alignment tabs (50, 150, 950) each terminating at a second end (54, 154, 954), which has a downwardly-extending tab portion (56, 156, 956);
- the bottom face (14, 114, 914) and the first end face (16, 116, 916) meeting at a first leading edge chamfer (22, 122, 922) which provides a sloping surface such that a transitional slope is defined between the first end face (16, 116, 916) and the bottom face (14, 114, 914, 1014);
- the bottom face (14, 114, 914) and the second end face (18, 118, 918) meeting at an opposing, second leading edge chamfer (24, 124, 924), which also provides a sloping surface such that a transitional slope is defined between the second end face (18, 118, 918) and the bottom face (14, 114, 914);
- the first and second leading edge chamfers (22, 122, 922 and 24, 124, 924, respectively) being configured to allow the block to slide across uneven surfaces;
- the top face (12, 112, 912) defining first and second extending portions (26, 126, 926) and (28, 128, 928) in a spaced apart relationship with each other such that the first and second extending portions define a receiving slot (30, 130, 930);
- and,
- the internal walls (60, 160) extending from the top face (12, 112, 912) in a direction toward the bottom face (14, 114, 914);
- the internal walls (60, 160) having an arcuate shape;
- the internal walls (60, 160) being configured to flex when stress is applied to the bottom face (14, 114, 914) or the top face (12, 112, 912).
10 more elements
A shipping block for packaging and shipping flat-panel products, the block (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 910, 1010) comprising:
- a top face (12, 112, 912, 1012), a bottom face (14, 114, 914, 1014), a first end face (16, 116, 916, 1016), a second end face (18, 118, 918, 1018), and internal walls (60, 160);
- the bottom face (14, 114, 914, 1014) and the first end face (16, 116, 916, 1016) meeting at a first leading edge chamfer (22, 122, 922, 1022) which provides a sloping surface such that a transitional slope is defined between the first end face (16, 116, 916, 1016) and the bottom face (14, 114, 914, 1014);
- the bottom face (14, 114, 914, 1014) and the second end face (18, 118, 918, 1018) meeting at an opposing, second leading edge chamfer (24, 124, 924, 1024), which also provides a sloping surface such that a transitional slope is defined between the second end face (18, 118, 918, 1018) and the bottom face (14, 114, 914, 1014);
- the first and second leading edge chamfers (22, 122, 922, 1022 and 24, 124, 924, 2014, respectively) being configured to allow the block to slide across uneven surfaces;
- the top face (12, 112, 912, 1012) defining first and second extending portions (26, 126, 926, 1026) and (28, 128, 928, 1028) in a spaced apart relationship with each other such that the first and second extending portions define a receiving slot (30, 130, 930, 1030);
- and,
- the internal walls (60, 160) extending from the top face (12, 112, 912, 1012) in a direction toward the bottom face (14, 114, 914, 1014);
- the internal walls (60, 160) having an arcuate shape;
- the internal walls (60, 160) being configured to flex when stress is applied to the bottom face (14, 114, 914, 1014) or the top face (12, 112, 912, 1012);
- wherein at least one of the internal walls (60, 160, 960, 1060) or one or more supporting extending walls (62, 162, 926, 1062) that extend from the internal walls (60, 160, 960, 1060) further define one or more openings (164, 964, 1064) that are configured allow a temporary screw to secure the shipping block to the flat-panel products.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.