# US 2014/0191024 A1 · Nestable Container With Uniform Stacking Features > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0191024 A1 - Document ID: US20140191024A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/206,362 - Filed: 2014-03-12 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2003-11-11 - Assignees: Graphic Packaging International, Inc. - Applicants: Graphic Packaging International, Inc. - Inventors: Patrick H. Wnek; Ronald P. Marx; James Kluz; Brian R. O'Hagan; Scott W. Middleton - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191024A1 ## CPC - B65D 21/0233: {Nestable containers} - B31B 50/00: Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons - B31B 50/73: by mechanically interlocking integral parts, e.g. by tongues and slots (interconnecting side walls during folding by plungers moving through folding dies B31B50/46) - B65D 1/34: Trays or like shallow containers {(B65D81/3813 takes precedence)} - B65D 21/0212: {Containers presenting local stacking elements protruding from the upper or lower edge of a side wall, e.g. handles, lugs, ribs, grooves (B65D21/0211, B65D21/0215, B65D21/023 take precedence)} - B65G 59/066: {by means of rotary devices or endless elements} - B65G 59/108: {the axis of rotation being substantially parallel to the axis of the stack} - B31B 50/592: {using punches or dies} - B31B 2100/00: Rigid or semi-rigid containers made by folding single-piece sheets, blanks or webs - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - B31B: MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER (making wound articles, e.g. wound tubes, B31C; combined making and filling B65B) - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) ## Abstract Various embodiments of flanged containers that can be stacked in a nested relationship are disclosed so as to provide uniform spacing between the containers to facilitate reliable denesting thereof. The flanges and/or sidewalls of the containers may be provided with features that facilitate alignment and uniform spacing of the nested containers so that a denesting apparatus can reliably denest the containers. Other containers include sidewalls divided into two sections that serve to stabilize stacked container. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A nestable paperboard container, comprising: a base; a sidewall attached to the base at a perimeter of the base; a flange extending outwardly from an upper perimeter of the sidewall, wherein the flange comprises a top portion having an underside and a rolled portion that is rolled under the top portion, the rolled portion having an edge that is located adjacent the underside of the top portion, the rolled portion forming a curved outer peripheral edge of the flange shaped to define a cam for aiding the denesting of the paperboard container from like paperboard containers in a nested stack of paperboard containers; and an annular depression formed in the top portion of the flange defining an annular bulge in the underside of the top portion of the flange; wherein an inner surface of the rolled portion contacts an under-surface of the annular bulge. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein an edge of the rolled portion is disposed generally between at least a portion of the annular bulge and the side wall. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The container of claim 2, wherein the rolled portion extends only inwardly from the curved outer peripheral edge. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The container of claim 3, wherein the rolled portion extends for less than a full circle to the edge. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein the flange has a width, extending radially outwardly from the sidewall, of at least ⅛ inch. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The container of claim 5, wherein the flange width is at least ¼ inch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall is substantially frustoconical and extends at an angle of at least 110 degrees relative to the base. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein the container comprises laminated paperboard. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, comprising a plurality of pleats radiating outwardly from the base. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, comprising two or more compartments. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein the container is one of a plate or a tray. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein the container is formed from a substantially flat circular paperboard blank. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1 further comprising a flat inner flap extending radially inwardly from the edge of the rolled portion and being engaged with the underside of the top portion of the flange. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, the rolled portion being engaged with the annular bulge substantially throughout the extent of the rolled portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, the rolled portion engaging the annular bulge to define a void space between the rolled portion and the annular budge. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the rolled portion in the region of the engagement with the annular bulge is greater than the thickness of the remaining extent of the rolled portion. ### Claim 17 A nestable paperboard container, comprising: a base; a sidewall attached to the base at a perimeter of the base; a flange extending outwardly from an upper perimeter of the sidewall, wherein the flange comprises a top portion having an underside and a rolled portion that is rolled under the top portion, the rolled portion comprising an inner surface and an edge; and an annular depression formed in the top portion of the flange defining an annular bulge in the underside of the top portion of the flange, wherein the inner surface of the rolled portion at least partially contacts the annular bulge, and the edge of the rolled portion is disposed between at least the annular bulge and the side wall. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The container of claim 16, wherein the inner surface of the rolled portion contacts an under-surface of the annular bulge. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein the rolled portion extends at least partially along the under-surface of the annular depression. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein the annular depression comprises a circumference and the rolled portion extends along at least 40 percent of the circumference of the annular depression.