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US 8,708,148 B2Granted
Nestable container with uniform stacking features
AssigneeGraphics Packaging International, Inc.
InventorsPatrick H. Wnek, Ronald P. Marx, James Kluz, Brian R. O'Hagan, Scott W. Middleton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims18
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 extending for less than a full circle to 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, the rolled portion extending only inwardly from the curved outer peripheral edge;
- and
- an annular depression formed in the top portion of the flange defining a depending annular bulge in the underside of the top portion of the flange;
- wherein an inner surface of the rolled portion at least partially contacts an under-surface of the annular bulge, and a free edge of the rolled portion is disposed generally between at least a portion of the annular bulge and the side wall.
5 more elements
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 extending for less than a full circle to 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, the rolled portion extending only inwardly from the curved outer peripheral edge;
- and
- an annular depression formed in the top portion of the flange defining a depending annular bulge in the underside of the top portion of the flange;
- wherein an inner surface of the rolled portion at least partially contacts an under-surface of the annular bulge, 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.
5 more elements
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 extending for less than a full circle to 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, the rolled portion extending only inwardly from the curved outer peripheral edge;
- and
- an annular depression formed in the top portion of the flange defining a depending annular bulge in the underside of the top portion of the flange;
- wherein an inner surface of the rolled portion at least partially contacts an under-surface of the annular bulge, the rolled portion being engaged with the annular bulge substantially throughout the extent of the rolled portion.
5 more elements
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 extending for less than a full circle to 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, the rolled portion extending only inwardly from the curved outer peripheral edge;
- and
- an annular depression formed in the top portion of the flange defining a depending annular bulge in the underside of the top portion of the flange, the rolled portion engaging the annular bulge to define a void space between the rolled portion and the annular budge;
- 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.
5 more elements
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;
- 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, the rolled portion engaging the annular bulge;
- 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.
3 more elements
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 a free 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 free edge of the rolled portion is disposed generally between at least a portion of the annular bulge and the side wall.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.