Floor jack with temporary shipping handles and packaging therefor

• US 10,144,538 B1
• Filed: 03/24/2014
• Issued: 12/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Inventors: Nash, Derek, Mathieson, Eian, Fox, Robert, Larson, Matt
• Primary Examiner(s): Gerrity, Stephen F
• Assistant Examiner(s): KOTIS, JOSHUA G
• Application Number:
  US14/223,470
• Time in Patent Office: 1,716 Days
• Field of Search: 254 11- 17, 254 45- 50, 254 93 H, 206335, 206349, 206803, 206774, 206738, 206766, 206746, 206757, 229122, 22911713, 22911718, 22911724, 22911725, 229121, 229129, 53594, 533821, 533822, 53472
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 29/00 Packaging of materials presenting special problems
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/04 Packaging single articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/20 Embedding contents in shock-absorbing media, e.g. plastic foam, granular material
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 69/00 Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2585/6875 engines, motors, machines and vehicle parts
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2585/6897 others
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4204 Inspection openings or windows
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/46008 formed separately from the container body
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/5047 Blocks
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/509 Foam plastic elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/64 for bulky articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/68 for machines, engines or vehicles in assembled or dismantled form

Abstract

This invention is directed towards the packaging of heavy articles such as floor jacks and similar equipment. The package is adapted to allow a heavy article to be rolled out of the package without lifting. The packaging is designed to engage with temporary handles positioned on the packaged article to make it easier for an end user to maneuver the packaged article and to remove the article from the packaging.

Claims

1. A process for packaging a floor jack comprising:

removably coupling a handle to the floor jack;

providing a package, wherein the package includes lower and upper halves, the upper half telescopically engages the lower half and includes a movable tab adapted to be moved to provide access, through a top of the upper half, to the handle when the floor jack is disposed in the package, and the lower half includes first and second ends and a flap;

positioning a first cushion member within the first end of the lower half of the package;

lowering the flap coupled to the second end;

rolling the floor jack over the flap and into the lower half;

inserting a second cushioning member between the floor jack and the second end;

closing the flap; and

securing the upper half to the lower half.

2. A process of removing a floor jack including a removable handle coupled thereto from a package, the process comprising:

obtaining the package with the floor jack therein, the package comprising an upper cover piece and a lower piece, the upper cover piece including a movable tab located on a top of the upper cover piece, wherein the movable tab is adapted to provide access through the top of the upper cover piece to the handle coupled to the floor jack within the package, and a cushion insert positioned between a flap of the lower piece and the floor jack;

removing the upper cover piece from the package;

lowering the flap of the lower piece of the package;

removing the cushion insert from the lower piece;

rolling the floor jack out of the package and over the flap; and

decoupling the removable handle from the floor jack.