Stackable Packaging Container
Patent No. US11352170 (titled "Stackable Packaging Container") was filed by Goerner Formpack Gmbh on Nov 19, 2015.
What is this patent about?
’170 is related to the field of packaging containers, specifically those made from materials like cardboard or molded pulp. The background acknowledges existing containers with protrusions and recesses for stacking, but highlights a need for more convenient and environmentally friendly manufacturing, potentially for use in display racks.
The underlying idea behind ’170 is to create a stackable packaging container with protrusions on one face and corresponding recesses on the opposite face , where these features are implemented using inserts placed into holes punched in the container's faces. This allows for the use of different materials for the container body and the stacking features, optimizing for cost, environmental impact, and structural integrity.
The claims of ’170 focus on a packaging container with a top side having protrusions, an underside with corresponding recesses, a foldable side wall creating an opening, and a drawer positioned above the recesses on the underside. Crucially, the protrusions and recesses are formed by inserts placed into holes in the top and bottom sides.
In practice, the container can be constructed from a cardboard blank with pre-cut holes. Inserts, potentially made of molded pulp or plastic, are then fitted into these holes to create the protrusions and recesses. The foldable side wall allows for easy access to the contents, and the drawer, positioned above the recesses, can slide out when the side wall is opened, providing a convenient way to display or access the packaged goods. The shape of the protrusions can be customized, even taking the form of logos or product representations.
This design differentiates itself from prior art by using inserts for the protrusions and recesses , rather than directly forming them in the container material. This allows for greater flexibility in material selection and manufacturing processes. For example, the container body can be made from easily foldable cardboard, while the inserts can be made from more durable or visually appealing materials. The combination of stackability, easy access, and customizable features makes the container suitable for both storage and display purposes.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the mid-2010s when ’170 was filed, packaging solutions often involved trade-offs between cost, environmental impact, and functionality. At a time when stacking features were typically implemented using simple geometric shapes or surface treatments, hardware or software constraints made complex interlocking mechanisms non-trivial. Systems commonly relied on traditional materials like cardboard or plastic, and integrating biodegradable or recycled materials while maintaining structural integrity was an ongoing engineering challenge.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the application because the prior art (Chen) did not disclose or make obvious the combination of a packaging container having a top side with at least one first hole, an underside with at least one second hole, and protrusions and recesses applied to inserts within the container. The examiner stated that modifying Chen to include these limitations would require impermissible hindsight.
Claims
This patent contains 20 claims, with claim 1 being the only independent claim. Independent claim 1 is directed to a packaging container with protrusions, recesses, a foldable side wall, and a slidable drawer. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific features, materials, configurations, and relationships of the elements described in the independent claim, such as the inserts, protrusions, recesses, drawer, and side walls.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
File Wrapper
The dossier documents provide a comprehensive record of the patent's prosecution history - including filings, correspondence, and decisions made by patent offices - and are crucial for understanding the patent's legal journey and any challenges it may have faced during examination.
Date
Description
Get instant alerts for new documents
US11352170
- Application Number
- US15529760
- Filing Date
- Nov 19, 2015
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Jul 10, 2037
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents