US20080149654A1 - Tongue lock for stackable containers - Google Patents
Tongue lock for stackable containers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080149654A1 US20080149654A1 US12/074,471 US7447108A US2008149654A1 US 20080149654 A1 US20080149654 A1 US 20080149654A1 US 7447108 A US7447108 A US 7447108A US 2008149654 A1 US2008149654 A1 US 2008149654A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- locking mechanism
- mechanism according
- flap
- frictional locking
- container
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- 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
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/001—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper stackable
- B65D5/005—Separate or attached stacking elements
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- 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
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/001—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper stackable
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- 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
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/20—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding-up portions connected to a central panel from all sides to form a container body, e.g. of tray-like form
- B65D5/28—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding-up portions connected to a central panel from all sides to form a container body, e.g. of tray-like form with extensions of sides permanently secured to adjacent sides, with sides permanently secured together by adhesive strips, or with sides held in place solely by rigidity of material
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- 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
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/4279—Joints, seams, leakproof joints or corners, special connections between panels
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- 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
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D85/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
- B65D85/34—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for fruit, e.g. apples, oranges or tomatoes
- B65D85/345—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for fruit, e.g. apples, oranges or tomatoes having a meshed or apertured closure to allow contents to breathe
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S229/00—Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
- Y10S229/915—Stacking feature
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
Abstract
A tongue shaped friction lock is integrally formed in a dust cover or a bottom panel of an open-topped container and positioned to capture the stacking tabs of an adjacent open-topped container. The friction lock provides a small opening through which a stacking tab may be inserted, while at the same time pushing up a locking flap, which pivots up and frictionally engages the stacking tab. A strip of reinforcing tape is embedded within the dust cover and allows one to remove and reuse the dust cover without tearing the tongue lock or the surrounding portions of the dust cover.
Description
- This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 60/365,481 filed Mar. 19, 2002 and 60/366,475 filed on Mar. 20, 2002, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to a frictional lock mechanism for securing a dust cover onto an open-topped container, wherein the container has stacking tabs upwardly extending from its top edge. Specifically, the invention relates to a frictional lock mechanism having a locking flap than can pivot upwards along a back pivot line, thereby accepting and pressing against stacking tabs of an adjacent container.
- Corrugated paperboard is typically used in many different applications, for example, to form containers, boxes, cartons, or dividers for holding, storing, stacking or shipping various items such as agricultural produce.
- Typically, such containers have a bottom panel and four side walls, and are formed from a blank scored with score lines or cut lines. The containers are frequently open-topped containers, with male member stacking tabs extending upward from the top edges of the side walls and complimentary female member cut-out slots in the bottom panel or side wall of the container. During use, the stacking tabs of an open-topped container may be inserted into the slots cut out of an adjacent container, thereby enabling stacking of the containers on top of one another.
- Such stacking of adjacent containers is only possible if the pattern of the cut-out slots are configured in the same pattern as the stacking tabs. This is made easier by the fact that such tabs and cut-out slots are, with increasing frequency, configured in a common footprint, such that the pattern and placement of the tabs and slots follow an industry standard.
- When shipping or stacking open-topped containers, the top container in stack, or an individual container not in a stack, is left uncovered. In these circumstance, a dust cover, which is a flat piece of flexible material that is flexible enough to bend but firm enough to create firm frictional connections, such as paperboard, is often placed on top of the open container. The dust cover mimics the bottom panel of an adjacent container, as if it were separated from the container's side walls. It is usually a substantially rectangular corrugated paperboard with several cut out slots configured in a common footprint to accept the stacking tabs of an open-topped container.
- Problems arise when the cut out slots do not accept the tabs in a firm and secure manner. This creates loose fitting stacks that are prone to toppling, or loose fitting dust covers that are prone to easy and premature removal. As a result, some slots are coupled with friction locks, wherein an extension of the bottom panel or dust cover presses against the tab as it extends through the cut out slot, creating a positive frictional force between the lock and the tab.
- However, these friction locks have a short life span. Frequent use and re-use of the locks lowers the ability of the locks to maintain strong frictional contact with the stacking tabs. This diminished capacity often comes in the form of fraying or disfigurement of the lock, which prevents the lock form being able to adequately press against the tab. Further, tab locking mechanisms are inwardly spaced a small margin from the edge of the bottom panel or dust cover, leaving a small strip of paperboard between the edge and the lock. Much like the locks themselves, the narrow strip of flexible material that lies between the lock and the edge of the bottom panel or dust cover often frays and wears out, further loosening the connection.
- Further, prior art friction locks can only contact the tabs if the tabs are of sufficient thickness such that they rub against the lock. This creates a problem when the tabs are thin enough so that they extend through the cut out slot without significantly touching the friction lock. In these circumstances the lock's functional capacity is impaired, as there is insufficient friction to hold the tab in place securely. Along similar reasoning, variations in the size of the open-topped container are problematic, as the locks can only accept tabs of an exact formation. Thus, a container that is slightly thinner, for example, by ⅛ of an inch, requires an entirely different dust cover with locks inwardly spaced an additional ⅛ of an inch to achieve proper friction locking.
- Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a friction lock that has sufficient durability to sustain frequent use and can securely hold stacking tabs of various thicknesses and from containers of various widths.
- The present invention comprises an improved friction lock made out of a flexible material, such as paperboard, that is integrally cut and scored on the bottom panel of a container or a dust cover for the purpose of securing and holding stacking tabs that extend upwardly from the lop of an open-topped container. The friction lock comprises a cut out slot shaped to accept stacking tabs coupled with a tongue shaped flap for operably contacting the stacking tabs as they extend though the open slot. The tongue shaped flap borders the open slot, such that one side of the open slot doubles as the outer edge of the tongue shaped flap. The flap operably engages the tab such that a frictional force is created, holding the tab securely within the lock.
- The flap significantly extends into the cut open slot, such that stacking tabs may have to contact the flap to fully extend through the slot. As a result, the tab may push the flap with an upward force while extending through the slot. To accommodate this force, the tongue lock's flap further contains a perforated back line of demarcation that enables the flap to pivot upwards. The pivot allows the tab to fit though the open slot while simultaneously increasing the frictional contact between the lock and the tab, holding the lock secure.
- As a result, the friction locks can be used with numerous types of containers. For example, since the lock can pivot upwards to accommodate thicker extension tabs or remain straight to accommodate thinner extension tabs, it follows that the lock can accept and operably contact stacking tabs of various widths while still maintaining significant contact. Likewise, an open-topped container with a slightly thinner width can still be used with the same dust cover, as the flap can bend upward to accept the tab even if the tab is located close to the back pivot line.
- The lock further comprises reinforcing tape embedded within the paperboard of the dust cover or bottom panel to increase tear resistance. The tape extends along one or both sides of the cover or panel, reinforcing the area between the locks and the edges of the cover or panel, and borders the cut open slot on three sides, preventing the fraying and weakening of the paperboard surrounding the slot by elongating as stress is applied, thereby increasing the effectiveness and reusability of the tongue friction lock. Preferably, the tape comprises continuous strands of high tensile strength filaments that are coated and impregnated with hot melt adhesive.
- Other embodiments include friction locks with flaps of shapes other than a tongue shape, such as a V-shape or a rectangular shape. Further, any number of friction locks can be integrally scored and cut into the dust cover or bottom panel in any formation to accommodate open-topped containers with tabs in countless configurations.
- Further, the dust covers described herein are generally designed to function with typical open-topped containers having multiple tabs extending coplanar to the side walls, wherein the tabs are configured in a “footprint” (an arrangement) commonly used in the industry. The industry standard enables a manufacturer to create limited varieties of dust covers or bottom panels for use with the vast majority of open-topped containers. Beyond this, the dust covers of the present invention can be scored and cut in any arrangement to fit on any open-topped container, regardless of whether the container includes a footprint standard.
- Other objects, embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent when the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention is considered in conjunction with the annexed drawings, which should be construed in an illustrative and not limiting sense.
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FIG. 1 is a plan view of a dust cover used to cover an open-topped container. -
FIG. 2 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a dust cover used to cover an open-topped container. -
FIG. 3 is a plan view of multiple dust covers contained on a single substrate prior to severing the substrate into individual dust covers. -
FIG. 4 is a top view of a tab extending through a cut-open slot and held in place by a friction lock. -
FIG. 5 is a top view of a tab extending through a cut-open slot, forcing the friction lock to pivot upwards along a back pivot line while holding the tab in place. - A dust cover scored in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown in
FIG. 1 .Cover 10 is shaped and scored for the purpose of fitting onto the top of an open-topped container suitable for holding, shipping or stacking a wide variety of objects, such as perishable agricultural products. The cover is preferably made of corrugated paperboard or any type of flexible container material known in the art that is firm enough to create frictional contact and secure connections between a top panel and stacking tab, yet flexible enough to bend along score lines, and is suitable for the shipping and transporting of a wide variety of food items. The cover is substantially rectangular in shape, with a length and width largely identical to the length and width of a corresponding open-topped container. However, the exact length and width of the dust cover can vary greatly as long as the container is properly covered. - The cover of
FIG. 1 is designed for use with open-topped containers that have a bottom panel and four side walls, wherein at least one extension tab extends upward from the top edge of the container, coplanar to at least one side wall. The tab extends through afriction lock 40 of the dust cover, thereby providing a container with a lid (dust cover.) In other embodiments, the friction lock may be cut into a bottom panel of an adjacently stacked container, wherein the bottom panel is made of the flexible material, thereby providing a stack of multiple containers. Such uses can be combined, for example, by having four container stacked on top of one another, with the top container having a dust cover. -
Cover 10 has grip recesses 12, breathing holes 14, and multiple friction locks 40, comprising cutopen slots 20 for the acceptance of stacking tabs coupled withflaps 16 integrally connected to the cover and borderingslots 20. Each of the friction locks 40 are formed by cutting and scoring, and are positioned near the cover's outer edge to correspond with the positions of an adjacent container's stacking tabs. The present example contains four tongue friction locks configured around the cover in a common footprint. However, as stated above, the exact configuration of the friction locks can change in accordance with the configuration of the corresponding stacking tabs. For one example, inFIG. 2 , a half sized dust cover is shown wherein only two friction tongue locks are formed within the cover, corresponding to a half-sized open-topped container with two stacking tabs. - Returning to
FIG. 1 ,flap 16 is a tongue shaped flap with aback pivot line 18, a front tongue shapedextension 22, and twoside walls FIG. 1 is the top side ofdust cover 10, and thus the top side oflock 16.) The flap has a length, width and thickness, wherein the thickness is equal to the thickness of the rest of the dust cover, and the length and width can vary within the scope at the invention as long as the flap properly engages a stacking tab.Pivot line 18 is preferably a perforated line betweencover 10 and lock 40 upon which the flap can pivot in an upwards direction. -
Side walls pivot line 18 to the tongue shapedflap extension 22. The side walls extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the pivot line. The side wall incisions enable the flap to extend upward about the pivot line without encountering undue resistance from the part of the dust cover that borders that side of the tongue lock. -
Tongue extension 22 extends fromside wall 26 toside wall 28 in a slight, tongue shaped outward arc. When a stacking tab entersslot 20, theextension 22 will significantly contact the tab, causing friction and holding it securely in place. Generally, the outer most portion of the tab, or the portion that is furthest from the pivot line, will be the part of the extension that contacts the tab. - The curved edge of
tongue extension 22 protrudes into the cutopen slot 20.Slot 20 lies betweenextension 22 andnarrow strip 24, and further comprisesside walls side walls strip 24 andextension 22 is equal to or less than the thickness of a stacking tab inserted through the slot. This forces the tabs to press against the flap during insertion to form a positive locking mechanism. - Reinforcing
tape 30 is embedded inside the cover and extends along at least one edge of the cover, fromouter edge 34 of the dust cover to aninner tape line 38. The tape reinforcesslot 20 along its side walls and top edge, and reinforcesnarrow strip 24. The reinforcing tape provides tear resistance in the narrow strip, enabling one to repeatedly insert and remove a locking tab without significantly damaging the locking mechanism and the area surrounding it. The reinforcing tape can be any tape known in the art, preferably comprising continuous strands of high tensile strength filaments coated and impregnated with hot melt adhesive. -
Tape 30 does not necessarily extend through the entirety offlap 16 or throughpivot line 18. However, a portion of the reinforcing tape may remain in the flap. In this circumstance, tape portion 36 extends across the upper portion of the lock, extending from the tongue shapedextension 22 tolower line 38, providing extra resistance in the pail of the flap that contacts the stacking tabs. In alternative embodiments,inner tape line 38 extends to the opposite side ofpivot line 18, thereby completely surrounding the flap with reinforcing tape. -
FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a dust cover with reinforced friction tongue locks for placement over an open-topped container. Alternatively, as stated above, the friction locks can be scored in a bottom panel of an adjacently stacked open-topped container. Such a container would have a bottom panel with substantially the same advantages as the dust covers ofFIGS. 1 and 2 , with additional side walls to enclose and hold various items such as produce. The side walls would preferably have tabs that extend upwardly from the top edge of the side walls to facilitate additional stacking. As a result, multiple containers of this embodiment can stack on top of one another utilizing the same friction tongue lock mechanism as the dust cover. -
FIG. 3 depicts multiple dust covers cut and scored together on a single web of flexible material, such as paperboard. The dust covers are eventually separated alongseverance lines 42 to formulate multiple dust covers with virtually identical functions and advantages. Reinforcingtapes 30 may have variant thicknesses across the web to ensure thatnarrow strips 24 andopen slots 20 are properly reinforced. For example, if a minimum thickness of ⅝ inch is required to reinforce the narrow strip and cut out slots, a user may choose to choose a reinforcing tape with ¾ inch thickness to account for natural variances in the formation of the dust cover. -
FIG. 4 depicts a stackingtab 42 inserted through theslot 20 and held firm by the locking mechanism offlap 16. In this embodiment, the tab fits throughslot 20 without pivotingflap 16 alongpivot line 18. A positive locking mechanism is created by the contact between theflap extension 22 andtab 42. - A different tab is shown in
FIG. 5 , wherein the stackingtab 44 places a vertical force directly onflap 16. For example, the tab may be on a container that is slightly thinner than the container ofFIG. 4 , thereby moving the stacking tab closer to pivotline 18. Alternatively,tab 42 may be thicker than the tab inFIG. 4 , thereby necessarily contacting more offlap 18. To adapt to these possibilities, flap pivots upward alongpivot line 18 to accommodate the stacking tab by allowing the tab to fully enterslot 20. A positive friction lock is thereby created between the engagement of stackingtab 44 byflap 16, holding the tab secure within the lock, and consequently attaching the dust cover or container bottom to the lower, adjacent open-topped container in a secure but removable manner. - Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications are possible in light of the above disclosure. For example, other types of score or cut lines that sufficiently allow the flap to pivot may be used. For example, the back pivot may be scored as something other than a perforated line, such as a crease line, wherein the paperboard is cut with a vertical incision that extends downward from beneath the crease line to the edge of the bottom side of the cover. The incision can be a long, thin cut in the same vertical plane as the crease line, that extends through a fraction of the dust cover. The exact fraction can vary, ranging from a very slight incision on the bottom side of the cover to an incision that extends up to just beneath the crease line. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.
Claims (21)
1-21. (canceled)
22. A frictional locking mechanism formed in a flexible material for engaging at least one stacking tab of a sub-adjacent article, comprising
at least one flap comprising a front edge, a back pivot line, and two side edges; and
at least one cut-out slot in said flexible material comprising a top wall and two side walls, wherein
said front edge of said at least one flap protrudes into said at least one cut-out slot towards said top wall of said at least one cut-out slot;
said front edge of said at least one flap is spaced from said top wall of said at least one cut-out slot a distance that is less than a thickness of said stacking tab when said locking mechanism is not engaging with said at least one stacking tab; and
said flap can pivot along said back pivot line in an upwards direction when engaging said at least one stacking tab.
23. The frictional locking mechanism according to claim 22 , wherein said front edge of said at least one flap is arcuate.
24. The frictional locking mechanism according to claim 22 , wherein said at least one flap is tongue-shaped.
25. The frictional locking mechanism according to claim 22 , wherein said two side edges of said at least on flap create a portion of said two side walls of said at least on cut-out slot.
26. The frictional locking mechanism according to claim 22 , wherein said at least one flap comprises at least one perforated pivot line that enables the flap to pivot back and forth.
27. The frictional locking mechanism according to claim 22 , wherein each of said at least two side walls of said at least one cut-out slot are made from incisions that extend entirely through the thickness of said flexible material.
28. The frictional locking mechanism according to claim 22 , wherein said at least one flap is frictionally engaged with the at least one stacking tab of a sub-adjacent article.
29. The frictional locking mechanism according to claim 22 , wherein said top wall of said at least one cut-out slot is defined by at least one narrow strip of said flexible material, said at least one narrow strip of flexible material positioned between said slot and an adjacent free edge of said flexible material.
30. The frictional locking mechanism according to claim 29 , further comprising at least one reinforcing material extending through a portion of said at least one narrow strip of flexible material.
31. The frictional locking mechanism according to claim 30 , wherein said at least one reinforcing material is embedded in said flexible material.
32. The frictional locking mechanism according to claim 22 , further comprising at least one reinforcing material embedded in said flexible material.
33. The frictional locking mechanism according to claim 32 , further comprising at least one reinforcing material surrounding said at least one cut-out slot.
34. The frictional locking mechanism according to claim 33 , further comprising at least one reinforcing material extending through said at least one flap.
35. The frictional locking mechanism according to claim 22 , further comprising at least one reinforcing material surrounding said at least one cut-out slot.
36. The frictional locking mechanism according to claim 35 , further comprising at least one reinforcing material extending through said at least one flap.
37. A container, comprising at least one frictional locking mechanism according to claim 22 .
38. A cover, comprising at least one frictional locking mechanism according to claim 22 .
39. A blank, comprising at least one frictional locking mechanism according to claim 22 .
40. A method of making a container or cover, comprising forming at least one frictional locking mechanism according to claim 22 in said container or cover.
41. A method of increasing the ability of a container or cover to secure and hold stacking tabs of a sub-adjacent container or cover, comprising folding a blank into said container or cover, said blank comprising at least one of frictional locking mechanism according to claim 22 in said container or cover.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/074,471 US20080149654A1 (en) | 2002-03-19 | 2008-03-04 | Tongue lock for stackable containers |
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US36548102P | 2002-03-19 | 2002-03-19 | |
US36647502P | 2002-03-20 | 2002-03-20 | |
US10/392,032 US7140493B2 (en) | 2002-03-19 | 2003-03-19 | Tongue lock for stackable containers |
US11/603,337 US7337905B2 (en) | 2002-03-19 | 2006-11-21 | Tongue lock for stackable containers |
US12/074,471 US20080149654A1 (en) | 2002-03-19 | 2008-03-04 | Tongue lock for stackable containers |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US11/603,337 Continuation US7337905B2 (en) | 2002-03-19 | 2006-11-21 | Tongue lock for stackable containers |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20080149654A1 true US20080149654A1 (en) | 2008-06-26 |
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ID=29424491
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US10/392,032 Expired - Fee Related US7140493B2 (en) | 2002-03-19 | 2003-03-19 | Tongue lock for stackable containers |
US11/603,337 Expired - Lifetime US7337905B2 (en) | 2002-03-19 | 2006-11-21 | Tongue lock for stackable containers |
US12/074,471 Abandoned US20080149654A1 (en) | 2002-03-19 | 2008-03-04 | Tongue lock for stackable containers |
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US10/392,032 Expired - Fee Related US7140493B2 (en) | 2002-03-19 | 2003-03-19 | Tongue lock for stackable containers |
US11/603,337 Expired - Lifetime US7337905B2 (en) | 2002-03-19 | 2006-11-21 | Tongue lock for stackable containers |
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Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US7140493B2 (en) * | 2002-03-19 | 2006-11-28 | International Paper Company | Tongue lock for stackable containers |
EP1885606A2 (en) * | 2005-06-01 | 2008-02-13 | International Paper Company | Reamed paper shipping and display container |
US8459449B2 (en) * | 2005-06-01 | 2013-06-11 | International Paper Company | Easy-opening carton for shipping and storing cut paper |
US7637169B2 (en) * | 2008-01-25 | 2009-12-29 | Rosemount, Inc. | Flangeless magnetic flowmeter with integrated retention collar, valve seat and liner protector |
US8316610B2 (en) * | 2009-06-09 | 2012-11-27 | Adams Wendell B | Bulk liquid and material delivery device and construction block |
JP6041582B2 (en) * | 2012-08-31 | 2016-12-14 | 花王株式会社 | Cardboard box |
US9145249B2 (en) | 2013-06-11 | 2015-09-29 | Wendell B. Adams | Bulk liquid/material construction block utility kit |
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US3623650A (en) * | 1969-10-31 | 1971-11-30 | Reynolds Metals Co | Carton and blank for making same |
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US4077095A (en) * | 1977-01-13 | 1978-03-07 | The Mead Corporation | Panel interlocking means |
US4134534A (en) * | 1978-02-13 | 1979-01-16 | Champion International Corporation | Carton with integral carrying handle |
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US4452837A (en) * | 1979-06-11 | 1984-06-05 | H. B. Fuller Company | Web reinforced with string-type adhesive and method of manufacturing same |
US4550048A (en) * | 1983-09-28 | 1985-10-29 | Asahi Kakoshi Co., Ltd. | Dust-proof reinforcing sheet material to be applied over handling opening-formed on wall of box |
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US6354487B1 (en) * | 2000-04-07 | 2002-03-12 | Weyerhaeuser Company | Stackable covered tray |
US6481619B1 (en) * | 1999-10-22 | 2002-11-19 | Packaging Corporation Of America | Produce container and method for making the same |
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US3486680A (en) * | 1968-04-18 | 1969-12-30 | Albert I Negus Jr | Animal shipping box |
US7140493B2 (en) * | 2002-03-19 | 2006-11-28 | International Paper Company | Tongue lock for stackable containers |
-
2003
- 2003-03-19 US US10/392,032 patent/US7140493B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2006
- 2006-11-21 US US11/603,337 patent/US7337905B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2008
- 2008-03-04 US US12/074,471 patent/US20080149654A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US3713579A (en) * | 1971-03-12 | 1973-01-30 | Weyerhaeuser Co | Container with means for locking the lid |
US4077095A (en) * | 1977-01-13 | 1978-03-07 | The Mead Corporation | Panel interlocking means |
US4134534A (en) * | 1978-02-13 | 1979-01-16 | Champion International Corporation | Carton with integral carrying handle |
US4140267A (en) * | 1978-02-13 | 1979-02-20 | Champion International Corporation | Carton with integral reinforced carrying handle |
US4452837A (en) * | 1979-06-11 | 1984-06-05 | H. B. Fuller Company | Web reinforced with string-type adhesive and method of manufacturing same |
US4339292A (en) * | 1979-06-27 | 1982-07-13 | Kyokuto Fatty-Acid Corporation | Method for producing a reinforced, double-faced corrugated board |
US4389013A (en) * | 1981-08-26 | 1983-06-21 | Georgia-Pacific Corporation | Container having a self-locking lid |
US4451515A (en) * | 1981-11-19 | 1984-05-29 | H. B. Fuller Company | Network reinforcing forming apparatus and method |
US4550048A (en) * | 1983-09-28 | 1985-10-29 | Asahi Kakoshi Co., Ltd. | Dust-proof reinforcing sheet material to be applied over handling opening-formed on wall of box |
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US4804138A (en) * | 1988-04-29 | 1989-02-14 | International Paper Company | Reinforced flange top lifting carton |
US5285957A (en) * | 1993-01-26 | 1994-02-15 | The Mead Corporation | Repulpable, reinforced corrugated containers |
US5468564A (en) * | 1993-04-23 | 1995-11-21 | Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. | Transfer paper and method of manufacturing the same |
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US6315123B1 (en) * | 1997-08-29 | 2001-11-13 | The Mead Corporation | Carton with panel locking means |
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US6354487B1 (en) * | 2000-04-07 | 2002-03-12 | Weyerhaeuser Company | Stackable covered tray |
US20010048022A1 (en) * | 2000-04-27 | 2001-12-06 | Zoeckler Michael D. | Paperboard cartons with laminated reinforcing ribbons and transitioned scores and method of making same |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US7140493B2 (en) | 2006-11-28 |
US7337905B2 (en) | 2008-03-04 |
US20070151890A1 (en) | 2007-07-05 |
US20030213836A1 (en) | 2003-11-20 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY, TENNESSEE Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FRY, STANLEY L.;REEL/FRAME:020653/0995 Effective date: 20030325 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |