DESC: A CONTAINER HAVING A STABILIZING STRUCTURE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to paper and cardboard packaging, particularly packaging having a stabilizing structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many prior art paper and cardboard containers that are built for carrying glass and other delicate articles. In these articles, stabilizing structures, such as, for example, clamps are used. However, the prior art does not have containers that has stabilizing structure that combines support for the neck and bottom of the article that is housed. The prior art does not have a container that uses a combination of cushioning bellows and a ridge to support the articles that are housed.
The present invention uses a stabilizing structure that combines cushioning bellows at predetermined distance from a distal end and a support ridge that is formed at predetermined distance from the proximal end when a collapsible bottom is in a closed position. The cushioning bellows preferably clamp the article at the neck. The clamping of the neck is adjustable. The support ridge is at the bottom maintains a predetermined distance between the proximal end and the bottom of the article placed inside the container. Further, the stabilizing structure provides an air cushion between the article placed inside the container and the four walls of the container. The air cushion thus provided obviates the need to insert any cushioning material around the article.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A container that having a novel stabilizing structure is disclosed. The stabilizing structure includes a plurality of cushioning bellows at predetermined distance from a distal end. The stabilizing structure of the container further includes a support ridge. The support ridge is formed at predetermined distance from the

proximal end when a collapsible bottom is in a closed position. The cushioning bellows preferably clamp the article at a bellow fold that also defines a neck of the container. The clamping of the article at neck is adjustable. The support ridge is at the bottom maintains a predetermined distance between the proximal end and the bottom of the article placed inside the container. Further, the stabilizing structure provides an air cushion between the article placed inside the container and the four walls of the container. The air cushion thus provided obviates the need to insert any cushioning material around the article.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A container that that has two tier supporting and stabilizing arrangement that includes a novel stabilizing structure to hold a product at a neck and base support ridges to provide support at the bottom.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a container having stabilizing having two-tier support and stabilizing arrangement for the products contained therein.
Another object of the invention is to provide a container having a plurality of layers of substrate at the cushioning bellows that advantageously cushions, axially centers and suspends the object/product encased in the pack thus preventing damage from lateral forces of impact.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a container having stabilizing structure and supporting arrangement that obviate any need for providing cushioning inserts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a container in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a front view of the container in a closed position in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3 shows a top view of the container in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 4 shows a bottom view of a container in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 5 shows a front perspective view of a container that shows cushioning bellows in an expanded position in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 6 shows a top view of a container that shows cushioning bellows in an expanded position in accordance with the present invention;
Figures 7 and 8, respectively, show a top view and a bottom view of a novel supporting ridge arrangement formed at the base of the container in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and
Figures 9 and 10, respectively, show a top view and a bottom view of a novel supporting ridge arrangement formed at the base of the container in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention;
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figures 1-4, a container 100 constructed in accordance with the present invention has a upper portion 102 that extends downwards from a distal end 104, a lower portion 106 that extends upwards from a proximal end
108. The container has a cushioning bellow 110 between the upper and lower portions 102, 106. In this embodiment, only one cushioning bellow 110 is illustrated. However, a plurality of cushioning bellows may be provided as per the cushioning requirement pertaining to the article to be contained. The container has a plus sign shaped support ridge 112 that is formed when a plurality of triangular bottom sub-panels is 114 collapsed to close a bottom 116 of the container. The support ridge is formed at a predetermined distance from the proximal end 108 and provides an air cushion between an articled placed on the support ridge 112 and the bottom 116. In this embodiment, the support ridge formed 112 has shape of a plus sign. The sub-panels are triangular. However, in other embodiments the ridge and the sub-panels may be differently shaped.
The container 100 has three container lids 118, 120, 122 that are inserted inside the container 100 to close the container 100. The cushioning bellow 110 has bellow fold 124 and a plurality of bellow surfaces 126. The cushioning bellow 110 is advantageously compressed and expanded at the bellow fold 124 by folding in the directions indicated by bidirectional arrow A. The bellow fold 124 also defines a neck of the container 100. The bellow is expanded to increase the size of the neck to accommodate the article that is inserted into the container.
The container has an opening 128. The article is inserted into the opening and the neck size is adjusted by compressing or expanding the bellow 110 at the bellow fold 124. The support ridge 112 is formed when four triangularly shaped bottom sub-panels 130 are collapsed. Each sub-panel has at least a protruding boundary wall 132. The protruding boundary walls contribute to form the support ridge 112 when the bottom sub-panels are collapsed.
Referring to Figures 5-6, the container 100 the container is shown in an expanded position. In the expanded position, the cushioning bellow 110 is expanded at the bellow fold 124 as indicated by the by the bidirectional arrow A.
When the cushioning bellow 110 is expanded, the size of the neck or the bellow fold 124 is increased. The bellow surfaces 126 are also expanded as indicated by the bidirectional arrow A. The neck 124 grips the article at a predetermined distance such that an air cushion is maintained between the article and the inners surfaces of the upper and lower portions 102, 106. An air cushion is also maintained between the top lid 122 and the top of the article. The article rests on the support ridge 112. The plus sign shape of the support ridge 112 advantageously facilitates a robust elevated support for the bottom of the article. In this arrangement, the contact of the bottom of the article with the bottom of the container 100 is limited to the surface area of the support ridge 112.
Referring again to Figures 1-6, the neck 100 of the container 100 is advantageously facilitated to lock any object or product through frictional hold once a vertical force is applied on the section or the upper portion 102 above the neck. The neck 100, by locking in this manner, advantageously provides a plurality of multiple layers of substrate at the cushioning bellows 110 that advantageously cushions, axially centers and suspends the object/product encased in the pack thus preventing damage from lateral forces of impact. Therefore, the container in accordance with the present invention two level or two tier arrangement that provides stability at neck 100 and addition support at support ridge 112.
Referring to Figures 7 and 8, a bottom locking of the carton where the base is formed through a system of creases/creasing which allows for a continuous panel of paper to collapse and close the bottom is illustrated. The support ridge 112 is formed when four contiguous and triangularly shaped bottom sub-panels 130 that are formed out of continuous panel of paper are folded inside the box and are a part of a continuous panel of paper. The support ridge 112 having four contiguous bottom sub-panels that are formed out a continuous panel of paper affords more stability and strength to products that are contained in the container. The support ridge has 112 has ridge protrusions 132 that provide support to the product held at the neck 100.
Referring to Figures 9 and 10, yet another bottom locking of the container 100 where the base is formed through a system of creases/creasing which allows for a continuous panel of paper to collapse and close the bottom is illustrated. The support ridge 112 is formed when four contiguous bottom sub-panels having two oppositely located triangular subpanels 130 and two oppositely located trapezoidal sub-panels 130A and 130B, that are formed out of continuous panel of paper are folded inside the box and are a part of a continuous panel of paper. The support ridge 112 having four contiguous bottom sub-panels that are formed out a continuous panel of paper affords more stability and strength to products that are contained in the container.
The support ridge has 112 has ridge protrusions 132 that are formed with the triangular sub-panels 130 and an additional ridge protrusion 130A that is formed between opposing trapezoidal sub-panels. The ridge protrusions advantageously provide support to the product held at the neck 100. The additional ridge protrusion 132A provides addition surface, strength and support.
In these embodiments, only two supporting ridge arrangement are described. However, it is understood that more such formations can be obtained.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE:
1. The container having stabilizing structure in accordance with the present invention provides two-tier support and stabilizing arrangement for the products contained therein.
2. The container having stabilizing structure in accordance with the present invention provides a plurality of multiple layers of substrate at the cushioning bellows that advantageously cushions, axially centers and suspends the object/product encased in the pack thus preventing damage from lateral forces of impact.
3. The container having stabilizing structure in accordance with the present invention provides a container that obviates any need for providing cushioning inserts.
Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail, by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modification may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claim.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A container that having stabilizing structure that comprises:

a plurality of cushioning bellows at predetermined distance from a distal end, the cushioning bellows have a variable grip on an article placed inside the container when the plurality of the cushioning bellows is expanded and compressed at a bellow fold that also defines a neck of the container; and
a support ridge that is formed at predetermined distance from the proximal end when a collapsible bottom is in a closed position, the support ridge maintains a predetermined distance between the proximal end and the bottom of the article placed inside the container.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the stabilizing structure that comprises the cushioning bellows and the support ridge, advantageously facilitates an air cushion between the article placed inside the container and the all the surfaces of the container.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the support ridge has at least four contiguous and triangular sub-panels that are part of a continuous panel of paper and folded to form ridge protrusions.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the support ridge has at least four contiguous and triangular sub-panels that are part of a continuous panel of paper and folded to form at least four ridge protrusions.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the support ridge has at two oppositely located triangular sub-panels and two oppositely located trapezoidal sub-panels that are part of a continuous panel of paper and folded to form at least five ridge protrusions.