IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,918,506
Granted Patent B2
US 6,918,506 · App. 10/228,562 · Granted Jul 19, 2005

Packaging container

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,918,506
App. No.
10/228,562
Granted
Jul 19, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A packaging container is integrally formed from plastic foam material, such as extruded polystyrene foam. The packaging container has a base, four sidewalls extending from the base, and four corners, each extending between a pair of adjacent sidewalls. The sidewalls have substantially rectangular protrusions extending from the base to a top edge to strengthen the sidewalls against lateral forces. The sidewalls may also have rounded ribs which protrude into the interior of the packaging container for further reinforcement.

Claims (29)

1. A packaging container for packaging goods, such as small fruits, vegetables and mushrooms, said packaging container being integrally formed from a plastic foam material and comprising:

a base, said base having a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface defining a bottom plane;

four sidewalls integrally formed with and extending from said base, each said sidewall having an inner surface, an outer surface and a top edge extending therebetween, said inner surface of each said sidewall being oriented at a first oblique angle relative to a reference direction perpendicular to said bottom plane, said outer surface of each said sidewall having only one substantially rectangular indentation extending as a protrusion on said inner surface thereof, each said protrusion having a planar surface oriented at a second oblique angle relative to said reference direction perpendicular to said bottom plane;

a plurality of corners, each said corner being integrally formed with and extending between a pair of said sidewalls, each said corner further being integrally formed with and extending from said base; and

a flange integrally formed with said top edge of said sidewalls and extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom, said flange having an upper surface with an inner portion and an outer portion, said outer portion being inclined downwardly toward said bottom plane at a flange oblique angle, and an edge surface and a lower surface.

2. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said bottom surface of said base is concave.

3. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said plastic foam material is of extruded polystyrene.

4. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first oblique angle is equal to said second oblique angle.

5. A packaging container as claimed in claim 4 wherein each said protrusion extends on said inner surface of its respective sidewall from said base to said top edge.

6. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first oblique angle is less than said second oblique angle.

7. A packaging container as claimed in claim 6 wherein each said sidewall flares outward substantially halfway between said base and said top edge at a third oblique angle relative to said reference direction perpendicular to said bottom plane.

8. A packaging container as claimed in claim 7 wherein said third oblique angle is equal to said second oblique angle.

9. A packaging container as claimed in claim 7 wherein each said protrusion extends on said inner surface of its respective sidewall from said base to said top edge.

10. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one rounded rib protruding from said inner surface of at least one of said sidewalls adjacent to said protrusion, said rounded rib being a rounded indentation on said outer surface of said sidewall, said rounded rib having a surface oriented at a fourth oblique angle relative to said reference direction perpendicular to said bottom plane.

11. A packaging container as claimed in claim 10 wherein said fourth oblique angle is greater than said first oblique angle.

12. A packaging container as claimed in claim 10 wherein said at least one rounded rib is a pair of rounded ribs, one rounded rib being on each side of said protrusion.

13. A packaging container as claimed in claim 10 wherein said at least one of said sidewalls is a pair of mutually facing sidewalls.

14. A packaging container as claimed in claim 13 wherein each of said pair of mutually facing sidewalls has a pair of rounded ribs, one rounded rib being on each side of said protrusions.

15. A packaging container as claimed in claim 13 wherein said pair of mutually facing sidewalls are the longer ones of said plurality of sidewalls.

16. A packaging container as claimed in claim 10 wherein said at least one rounded rib extends on said inner surface of said at least one of said sidewalls from said base to a point substantially halfway between said base and said top edge.

17. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inner portion of said upper surface is parallel to said bottom plane.

18. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flange oblique angle is 20°.

19. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said edge portion is perpendicular to said bottom plane.

20. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lower portion is parallel to said bottom plane.

21. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a bead integrally formed with said outer surface of said sidewalls below said flange.

22. A packaging container as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first oblique angle and said second oblique angle are each 15°.

23. A packaging container as claimed in claim 6 wherein said first oblique angle is 10° and said second oblique angle is 15°.

24. A packaging container as claimed in claim 8 wherein said third oblique angle is 15°.

25. A packaging container as claimed in claim 11 wherein said fourth oblique angle is 25°.

Assignments (26)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 15, 2017
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; NATVAR HOLDINGS, LLC; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.
To: BMO HARRIS BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 044763/0339 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 15, 2017
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; NATVAR HOLDINGS, LLC; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
Reel/Frame 044763/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 18, 2017
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; NATVAR HOLDINGS, LLC; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 044342/0928 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 18, 2017
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; NATVAR HOLDINGS, LLC; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 044342/0866 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 18, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; NATVAR HOLDINGS, LLC; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 044225/0079 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 2, 2015
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 035813/0164 →
ABL PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 2, 2015
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 035814/0314 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 2, 2015
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 035814/0362 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (RELEASES RF 028310/0199) Recorded Jun 1, 2015
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 035808/0561 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 4, 2012
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 028310/0199 →
PATENT RELEASE AGREEMENT Recorded May 31, 2012
From: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE AND COLLATERAL AGENT
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; PURETEC CORPORATION, DELAWARE CORPORATION; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATON; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC., A DELWARE CORPORATION; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; BURLINGTON RESINS, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; DISTRIBUTORS RECYCLING, INC., A DELWARE CORPORATION; TP/ELM ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028301/0582 →
PATENT RELEASE AGREEMENT Recorded May 31, 2012
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS AS COLLARTERAL AGENT
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.
Reel/Frame 028307/0114 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 9, 2011
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; TP/ELM ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; PURETEC CORPORATION; BURLINGTON RESINS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 025767/0887 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN U.S. PATENTS Recorded Nov 23, 2010
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 025412/0510 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 22, 2010
From: CITICORP USA, INC.
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.
Reel/Frame 025390/0354 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 22, 2010
From: CITICORP USA, INC.
To: PURETEC CORPORATION; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; BURLINGTON RESINS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.; DISTRIBUTORS RECYCLING, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; TP/ELM ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.
Reel/Frame 025390/0258 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 22, 2010
From: OCM TEKNI-PLEX HOLDINGS II, L.P.
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; PURETEC CORPORATION; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; BURLINGTON RESINS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.; DISTRIBUTORS RECYCLING, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; TP/ELM ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.
Reel/Frame 025390/0373 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 22, 2010
From: HSBC BANK USA, N.A.
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; PURETEC CORPORATION; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; BURLINGTON RESINS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.; DISTRIBUTORS RECYCLING, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; TP/ELM ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.
Reel/Frame 025390/0728 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NAME OF ONE OF THE CONVEYING ENTITIES FROM "TPI/ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC." TO "TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC." PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 021838 FRAME 0118. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED TO OCM TEKNI-PLEX HOLDINGS II, L.P. Recorded Nov 21, 2008
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; PURETEC CORPORATION; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; BURLINGTON RESINS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.; DISTRIBUTORS RECYCLING, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; TP/ELM ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.
To: OCM TEKNI-PLEX HOLDINGS II, L.P.
Reel/Frame 021861/0659 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 14, 2008
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; PURETEC CORPORATION; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; BURLINGTON RESINS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.; DISTRIBUTORS RECYCLING, INC.; TPI/ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; TP/ELM ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.
To: OCM TEKNI-PLEX HOLDINGS II, L.P.
Reel/Frame 021838/0118 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN UNITED STATES PATENTS Recorded Feb 8, 2008
From: PURETEC CORPORATION; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; BURLINGTON RESINS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.; DISTRIBUTORS RECYCLING, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; TP/ELM ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.
To: CITICORP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 020478/0767 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN UNITED STATES PATENTS Recorded Feb 7, 2008
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC
To: CITICORP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 020478/0352 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN UNITED STATES PATENTS Recorded Sep 8, 2005
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; PURETEC CORPORATION; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.; BURLINGTON RESINS, INC.; DISTRIBUTORS RECYCLING, INC.; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.; TP-ELM ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.
To: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 016500/0583 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 8, 2004
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.
To: HSBC BANK USA
Reel/Frame 014934/0350 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 8, 2003
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK
Reel/Frame 014178/0310 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2002
From: RAMIREZ, RICHARD L.; BERGERON, MARK A.
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.
Reel/Frame 013560/0682 →