Packaging with handle compensation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11713157-B2
Application number	US-202016774042-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 28, 2020
Priority date	Sep 4, 2019
Publication date	Aug 1, 2023
Grant date	Aug 1, 2023

Abstract

Packaging is provided including an upper lid having a handle disposed within a channel of a surface of the upper lid and vertically movable within the channel. A lower base box is coupled to the handle via a strap, such that a lifting force imparted to the handle lifts the lower base box when the strap becomes taut. The vertical movement of the handle within the channel overcomes any slack in the strap such that the handle does not contact an upper vertical surface in the upper lid, but a gapless interface between the upper lid and lower base box is maintained during lifting of the packaging. The strap is detachable from the handle and from the base box, such that it may be removed in order to open packaging by lifting the lid off of the base box.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. Packaging, comprising:
a lid comprising a handle disposed within a channel of a lid sidewall;
a base box, wherein the lid and base box in a closed configuration enclose a product; and
a suspension mechanism, comprising a strap, and removably fixing the handle and base box together such that lifting the handle lifts the base box, wherein the strap is connected to the base box on one end and connected to the handle on the opposite end,
wherein the handle is vertically movable within the channel of the lid sidewall, such that slack between the connection of the handle and base box is absorbed when the strap is taut thereby allowing the handle to lift the base box with the lid being supported by the base box.

2. The packaging of claim 1 , wherein the strap comprises a first strap attached to the lower base box and a second strap attached to the handle, wherein the first and second straps are configured to couple together such that lifting the handle transmits force to the base box via the first strap.

3. The packaging of claim 1 , wherein the strap is partially disposed on an interior of the lid, and passes through the base box to be attached on an exterior of the lower base box.

4. The packaging of claim 1 , wherein the handle is constrained within the channel of the lid sidewall, and wherein the strap is removably attached to the handle with a perforated tear strip.

5. The packaging of claim 1 , wherein the lid, base box, and handle are each made from a cellulose-based material.

6. The packaging of claim 1 , wherein the height of the lid is the same as the height of the base box.

7. The packaging of claim 1 , further comprising a support wall fixed to the interior of the base box and configured to provide lateral support to sidewalls of the base box, and configured to provide lateral support to the sidewalls of the lid when the packaging is in a closed configuration.

8. The packaging of claim 1 , further comprising a cushioning element disposed on an interior bottom surface of the base box, the cushioning element comprising a corrugate comprising:
an upper panel and a lower panel cooperating to retain first and second serpentine elements configured to absorb force at opposing surfaces; and
a planar element disposed the first and second serpentine elements such that the first and second serpentine elements are restrained to maintain their serpentine shape in the event of an impact.

9. Packaging, comprising:
a lid comprising a handle disposed within a channel of a lid sidewall, the handle vertically movable within the channel; and
a base box coupled to the handle via a strap, such that a lifting force imparted to the handle lifts the lower base box when the strap becomes taut,
wherein the strap comprises:
a first strap attached to the handle on one end and a ring on the opposing end; and
a second strap attached to the base box on one end and passing through the ring on the opposing end such that it may be attached to itself.

10. The packaging of claim 9 , wherein the vertical movement of the handle within the channel overcomes any slack in the strap such that the vertical movement is limited only by the strap.

11. The packaging of claim 9 , wherein the length of the second strap is adjustable via the hook-and-loop system.

12. The packaging of claim 9 , wherein the lid and base box fully envelop the product when in a closed configuration, and form a gapless interface between the base box and lid in a closed configuration.

13. The packaging of claim 9 , wherein the upper lid, lower base box, and handle are each made from a cellulose-based material, and wherein the strap is made from a different material.

14. The packaging of claim 9 , wherein the first strap is separable from the handle via a perforated tear strip.

15. The packaging of claim 9 , wherein the second strap is separable from the base box via perforated tear strip.

16. The packaging of claim 9 , further comprising a cushioning element disposed on an interior bottom surface of the lower base box, the cushioning element comprising a corrugate comprising:
an upper panel and a lower panel cooperating to retain first and second serpentine elements configured to absorb force at opposing surfaces, wherein the upper panel and lower cooperate together to form an airflow aperture to damp movement of the corrugate,
wherein the upper lid, lower base box, and handle are each made from a cellulose-based material.

17. The packaging of claim 9 , wherein the strap is made from a material different than one of the upper lid, lower base box, and handle.

18. Packaging, comprising:
a lid comprising a handle disposed within a channel of a lid sidewall;
a base box, wherein the lid and base box in a closed configuration enclose a product; and
a suspension mechanism removably fixing the handle and base box together such that lifting the handle lifts the base box,
wherein the handle is vertically movable within the channel of the lid sidewall, and wherein the height of the lid is the same as the height of the base box.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Cernokus Evan A
• Caniglio Chris

Classifications

• B65D5/643 Primary

  held in closed position by application of separate elements, e.g. clips, straps (B65D5/6611, B65D5/6673 take precedence) · CPC title

• B65D5/4608

  Handgrip holes · CPC title

• B65D63/16

  Joints using buckles, wedges, or like locking members attached to the end of the element · CPC title

• B65D81/022

  Containers made of shock-absorbing material (B65D81/03 takes precedence; for thermal insulating purposes B65D81/3813) · CPC title

• B65D5/445

  Reinforcements formed separately from the container · CPC title