Nestable Container With Uniform Stacking Features

• US 20140191024A1
• Filed: 03/12/2014
• Published: 07/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International LLC (Graphic Packaging International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Inventors: Wnek, Patrick H., Marx, Ronald P., Kluz, James, O'Hagan, Brian R., Middleton, Scott W.
• Granted Patent: US 9,315,292 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 229/407
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 2100/00 Rigid or semi-rigid containers made by folding single-piece sheets, blanks or webs
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/00 Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/592 using punches or dies
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/34 Trays or like shallow containers B65D81/3813 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/0233 Nestable containers
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 59/066 by means of rotary devices or endless elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 59/108 the axis of rotation being substantially parallel to the axis of the stack

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

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.

2. 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.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the rolled portion extends only inwardly from the curved outer peripheral edge.

4. The container of claim 3, wherein the rolled portion extends for less than a full circle to the edge.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the flange has a width, extending radially outwardly from the sidewall, of at least ⅛

inch.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the flange width is at least ¼

inch.

7. 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.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the container comprises laminated paperboard.

9. The container of claim 1, comprising a plurality of pleats radiating outwardly from the base.

10. The container of claim 1, comprising two or more compartments.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is one of a plate or a tray.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is formed from a substantially flat circular paperboard blank.

13. 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.

14. The container of claim 1, the rolled portion being engaged with the annular bulge substantially throughout the extent of the rolled portion.

15. 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.

16. 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.

18. The container of claim 16, wherein the inner surface of the rolled portion contacts an under-surface of the annular bulge.

19. The container of claim 1, wherein the rolled portion extends at least partially along the under-surface of the annular depression.

20. 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.

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.