Interlocking apparatus for stacked cartons and method for using the same

• US 5,524,760 A
• Filed: 04/21/1994
• Issued: 06/11/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Great Northern Corporation
• Original Assignee: Laminations Incorporated (Simona AG)
• Inventors: Funk, Lyn
• Primary Examiner(s): Elkins, Gary E.
• Application Number:
  US08/231,006
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• Field of Search: 24/287, 52/459, 52/800.11, 206/386, 206/504, 206/509, 206/511, 220/23.2, 220/23.4, 220/23.6, 229/915, 403/205, 403/403
• US Class Current: 206/504
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00067 Local maintaining elements, e.g. partial packaging, shrink packaging, shrink small bands
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/056 Other materials, e.g. metals, straw, coconut fibre
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/0096 the dimensions of the supports corresponding to the periphery of the load, e.g. pallets
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/054 Protectors contacting two generally perpendicular surfaces of the packaged article, e.g. edge protectors B65D81/055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 229/915 Stacking feature

Abstract

An apparatus for interlocking the top layer of corrugated cardboard cartons in a palletized load of said cartons while also providing edge protection, load containment, a flat even surface to stack additional palletized loads upon, and the ability to stack palletized units of boxed product while not damaging the stacking tabs used in produce corrugated cardboard carton designs. The apparatus has two sides at substantially right angles to each other that meet to form an edge. Material is removed from at least one side to create a plurality of slots for receiving the stacking tabs in the tops of the corrugated cardboard cartons. The apparatus is placed on the edge of the upper layer of cartons on a palletized load to interlock the cartons for greater load stability and to reduce load failure.

Claims

1. An apparatus for interlocking adjacent cartons, each carton having tabs on at least one outer surface, the apparatus comprising:

a substantially rigid member having two flat elongated sides connected to and divided by a bend;

a plurality of slots for receiving the carton tabs being formed in at least one of the sides.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 formed from sheets of paper laminated together with an adhesive.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of slots are formed in both sides.

4. An apparatus for preventing adjacent cartons from dislodging or collapsing during stacking and shipping, each carton having tabs on at least one outer surface, the apparatus comprising:

a rectangular strip of material divided by a longitudinal axis;

the strip being bent at substantially a right angle along the longitudinal axis and having two margins adjacent the bend;

at least one margin having material removed forming a plurality of slots for receiving the carton tabs when the bent strip is placed upon the stacked or palletized cartons.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the strip comprises sheets of paper laminated together with an adhesive.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein material is removed from both margins forming a plurality of slots on each side.

7. A method for interlocking adjacent stacked cartons to prevent them from dislodging or collapsing during further stacking or shipping, each carton having tabs on at least one outer surface, the method comprising the steps of:

stacking the cartons whereby at least one tab from each carton lies in a common line with a tab on an adjacent carton;

placing at least one elongated piece of material, the material having two flat sides at substantially right angles to each other and having material removed from at least one side forming a plurality of openings for receiving the aligned tabs, on the edge of the adjacent cartons whereby the tabs are received within the openings.

8. A method for interlocking a first stacked load of cartons, each carton having at least one stacking tab, utilizing a rigid elongated member having two flat sides, the sides being at substantially right angles to one another, a plurality of slots being formed in at least one side for receiving the tabs, the method comprising the steps of:

aligning the tabs on the top cartons on at least one side of the stack such that at least one tab from each carton lies in a common line;

placing the rigid elongated member along an edge of the stacked cartons such that the tabs are received within the slots.

9. The method of claim 8 further including the step of placing a second palletized load of cartons upon the first palletized load whereby the second palletized load holds the rigid elongated member securely in place.