Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Signode Industrial Group LLC

Michael D Loeschen

Anatoly I Gosis

Ian Brooks

G Michael Velan

Lee A Sheridan

Douglas A Goshorn

Ofer Asraf

Lawrence J Ullmann

Lawrence A DeReu

A liner for a shipping container that surrounds cargo and packaging therefore to protect the cargo and packaging from moisture and contamination. The liner includes a bag that can be expanded to line the interior of a shipping container. The bag has an end within an opening, through which cargo can be loaded. In certain embodiments, a skirt is configured to seal the bag to the open end of the container to create an enclosure between the exterior of the bag and the interior of the container. Air can be drawn through an opening in the skirt to create a vacuum thereby expanding the bag to line the walls of the container. A cover is configured to seal the bag opening shut after cargo has been loaded in the bag. A valve enables air to be vacuumed from the interior of the bag to collapse the bag around the cargo and packaging.

Shipping container liner

Configurations for a packing container formed from a single, preformed, rigid unit of generally U-shaped cross-section are disclosed. One configuration utilizes three end closures to enclose an object with an elevated end. Another configuration employs three end closures to enclose an object with an elevated mid-section. A third configuration uses two end closures to enclose an object with random elevations. With three end closures, a fourth configuration encloses two or more dissimilar objects in separate compartments. The fourth configuration is especially useful for items that should be prevented from touching or intermingling during shipping. A fifth configuration combines elements of the other four configurations, allowing a user to ship objects with elevated ends, elevated mid-sections, or random elevations in separate compartments. A sixth configuration encloses one or more objects with two end closures that are about equal in length to one another. A device for forming the container is also disclosed.

Single piece packaging container and device for making same

A packaging container is formed form a preformed, rigid first unit of U-shaped cross-section having a generally flat base wall and opposing side walls and a preformed, rigid second unit of U-shaped cross-section having a generally flat base wall and opposing side walls. The second unit is configured so that the side walls of the first unit are fitted within and embraced by the side walls of the second unit when the first unit and second unit are assembled as a container. The opposing side walls of the first and second units each having an embossing formed therein, such that the embossing of each side wall of the first unit engages the embossing of a corresponding, mated side wall of the second unit. The engaged embossings secure the first and second units to one another. The package can include integrally formed end closures.

Packaging container with integral rigidizer

A packaging container is formed from a single preformed, rigid unit of U-shaped cross-section having a generally flat bottom wall. The unit forms two end closures from first and second closure panels extending from both ends of a main body portion. The closure panels are foldably connected to the main body portion and each other by first and second fold lines. The main body side walls have straight-cut corners at junctures with the first closure panels, and the first closure panel side walls have straight-cut corners adjacent to the main body, forming square corners when folded. The first closure panel side walls also have straight-cut corners adjacent to the second closure panels, and the second closure panels side walls have straight-cut corners adjacent to the first closure panels, forming square corners when folded to form the end closures.

Single piece packaging container

A packaging container is formed from preformed, rigid base and cover units of U-shaped cross-section. The case unit is configured so that its side walls fit within and are embraced by side walls of the cover unit when assembled as a container. The side walls of the base and cover units have a plurality of straight-cut slits in their side walls, creating a plurality of flaps and allowing both the base and cover units to enclose randomly shaped objects. A single unit packaging container is also disclosed.

Packaging container for randomly shaped objects

A packaging container is formed from preformed, rigid base and cover units of U-shaped cross-section having a generally flat bottom wall. The base unit is configured so that its side walls fit within and are embraced by side walls of the cover unit when assembled as a container. The base unit forms an end closure from first and second closure panels extending from an end of the base unit. The closure panels are separated from the base unit and each other by first and second fold lines. The base unit side walls have straight-cut corners at a juncture with the first closure panel, and the first closure panel side walls have straight-cut corners adjacent to the base unit, forming a square corner when folded. The first closure panel side walls also have straight-cut corners adjacent to the second closure panel, and the second closure panel side walls have straight-cut corners adjacent to the first closure panel, forming a square corner when folded to form the end closure. A device for cutting and embossing the packaging container is also disclosed.

Straight-edged packaging container and device for forming same

A packaging container is formed from preformed, rigid base and cover units of U-shaped cross-section, the cover unit configured so that the side walls fit within and are embraced by the side walls of the base unit when assembled as a container. The base unit forms an end closure from first and second closure panels extending from an end of the base unit. The closure panels are separated from the base unit and each other by first and second fold lines. The base unit side walls having mitered corners at a juncture with the first closure panel and the first closure panel side walls have mitered corners adjacent the base unit for forming a square comer when folded. The first closure panel side walls also have mitered corners adjacent the second closure panel and the second closure panel side walls have mitered corners adjacent the first closure panel for forming a square corner when folded to form the end closure.

Packaging container with mitered end closure

A packaging member comprises a base member and a pair of side members hingedly attached to opposite sides of the base member such that the side members can be alternatively and selectively disposed in two different positions with respect to the base member. In particular, the side members can be disposed perpendicular to the base member, or alternatively the side members can be disposed at predetermined angled positions with respect to the base member. When disposed perpendicularly to the base member, the packaging member has a substantially U-shaped configuration enabling the packaging member to serve as an edge protector, whereas when the side members are disposed at their angled positions with respect to the base member, the packaging member has a substantially trapezoidal configuration enabling stacking or nesting of the packaging member along with other similar packaging members so as to optimize storage, shipping, and handling or transportation costs.

Scored U-shaped packaging members

A corner post/edge protector structure comprises an apex portion, a pair of leg members disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to each other, and concave/convex transitional regions integrally interconnecting the leg members to opposite ends of the apex portion. The concave/convex transitional regions define axially extending strengthening ribs for enhancing the axial or columnar compressive strength characteristics of the structure when the same is used in conjunction with stacks or tiers of packages, containers, or palletized loads. In addition, the transitional regions permit outer and inner surface portions of the leg members to be coplanar with outer and inner surface portions of the apex portion so as to facilitate or enable compact storage of the containers, packages, or palletized loads within cargo holds and storage facilities. Still further, the transitional regions enable the leg members to undergo resilient flexural movements under impressed packaging strapping loads or forces and facilitate favorable distribution of the strapping loads or forces.

Corner post/edge protector having improved column compressive

An edge or corner protector, or corner post support structure, for protecting an edge or corner region of an article, product, package, or palletized load, comprises a core member having leg members disposed at a 90.degree. angle with respect to each other, and laminated layers of paper disposed upon interior surface portions of the leg members with the laminated layers having different width dimensions so as to render the leg with different thickness dimensions as one proceeds away from the apex portion of the edge or corner protector and toward the distal edge portions of the edge protector. The thickest portions of the leg members are disposed within the vicinity of the distal edge portions such that the thinnest portions define a gap region for housing the corner or edge portion of the article or product while the thickest portions engage the sides of the article or product. Packaging strapping forces are relieved within the corner or edge region and are redistributed upon portions of the strapping remote from the corner or edge region.

Growing community of inventors

Hawthorne Woods, IL, United States of America

Michael D Loeschen