The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 26, 2017
Filed:
Dec. 17, 2012
3m Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Kevin B. Newhouse, Houlton, WI (US);
Bruce E. Tait, Woodbury, MN (US);
Schoen A. Schuknecht, Hudson, WI (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
The provided containers () and methods provide for gravitational alignment of a plurality of stacked articles (), in which at least two edges () of each article align along inner walls () of a respective container. The aligning walls of the container are provided with low-friction surfaces to facilitate sliding and alignment of the articles. By aligning the stack of articles along two edges, the articles can be registered relative to not only each other but the container itself, thereby facilitating loading, unloading, and conversion of articles in the stack. Optionally, a compressible layer () opposing one or both of the aligning walls conforms and distributes stress along the non-aligning edges, thereby preserving registration of the articles relative to each other when the container is transported.