IP Library Granted Patent US 8,499,956
Granted Patent B2
US 8,499,956 · App. 12/121,299 · Granted Aug 6, 2013

Cellular container

Inventors: Colton Westrate (Zeeland, MI); Calvin Kortman (Holland, MI); Jim Piesko (Holland, MI)
Assignee: ITB Packaging LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,499,956
App. No.
12/121,299
Granted
Aug 6, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A collapsible container assembly comprising a folding container having at least four walls, with the at least four walls being pivotable relative to each other to allow the folding container to collapse in a parallelogram motion, and an inside cellular structure connected to the at least four walls. The cellular structure comprises a plurality of interconnected panels forming a plurality of cells, with the panels being formed of soft, deformable material. The folding container can be folded with the inside cellular structure therein such that the collapsible container assembly will be substantially flat when the folding container is moved to a collapsed position.

Claims (17)

1. A collapsible container assembly comprising:

a folding container having at least two walls pivotable relative to each other at a corresponding corner disposed between the at least two walls; and

an inside cellular structure attached to at least a portion of the at least two walls with a mechanical fastener, adjacent the corner, the cellular structure comprising a plurality of interconnected panels forming a plurality of cells, each cell having four cell walls, with each cell wall having a thickness of a single panel, the cellular structure further comprising a plurality of cells in both an X and Y direction with respect to the cellular structure;

wherein the folding container can be folded to a collapsed position in a parallelogram motion with the inside cellular structure therein such that the panels are superimposed and do not intersect one another and wherein the collapsible container assembly will be substantially flat when the folding container is moved to the collapsed position.

2. The collapsible container assembly of claim 1 , wherein the panels are formed of bubble wrap.

3. The collapsible container assembly of claim 1 , wherein the folding container comprises corrugated material.

4. The collapsible container assembly of claim 1 , wherein the panels are adhered together.

5. The collapsible container assembly of claim 1 , wherein the panels are welded together.

6. The collapsible container assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cells all have a cross-sectional shape that is substantially the same.

7. The collapsible container assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least two of the cells all have a different cross-sectional shape.

8. The collapsible container assembly of claim 1 , wherein the panels are formed of soft, deformable material.

9. The collapsible container assembly of claim 1 , wherein the container further includes a bottom wall.

10. The collapsible container assembly of claim 9 , wherein the panels are spaced from the bottom wall.

11. The collapsible container assembly of claim 1 , wherein the panels are formed of fabric.

12. The collapsible container assembly of claim 11 , wherein the fabric is woven.

13. The collapsible container assembly of claim 11 , wherein the fabric is non-woven.

14. The collapsible container of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical fastener that attaches the inside cellular structure to the at least a portion of the at least two walls, comprises at least one of a glue, at least one staple, or a hook and loop mechanism.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 21, 2013
From: ITB PACKAGING, LLC
To: FIFTH THIRD BANK
Reel/Frame 031058/0728 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 5, 2011
From: PRODUCTION ASSEMBLY SERVICE, INC.
To: ITB PACKAGING LLC
Reel/Frame 027018/0817 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2011
From: HOLLAND AWNING COMPANY D/B/A INTEGRATED FABRIC RESOURCE
To: PRODUCTION ASSEMBLY SERVICE, INC.
Reel/Frame 027016/0226 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 15, 2008
From: WESTRATE, COLTON; KORTMAN, CALVIN; PIESKO, JIM
To: HOLLAND AWNING COMPANY D/B/A INTEGRATED FABRIC RESOURCE
Reel/Frame 020953/0639 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 60938045 · May 15, 2007
Related Publication 20080283535A1 · Nov 20, 2008