Method of protecting objects using friction-lock adaptable spacers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9327865-B2
Application number	US-201313853664-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 29, 2013
Priority date	Feb 3, 2011
Publication date	May 3, 2016
Grant date	May 3, 2016

Abstract

A friction lock adaptable spacer configured to provide suitable separation between two or more objects. The spacer may be used during the storage, transport, display, and/or use of the objects to separate them and protect them from their surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the spacer is designed to maintain a suitable separation between two or more beverage containers. The spacer has a single piece construction, which reduces assembly and disassembly labor, and also reduces materials required for construction and disposal. The spacer may be constructed from a single piece of material, such as corrugated cardboard.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of protecting a first object and a second object, the method comprising:
providing first and second spacers each formed from a blank of foldable material cut and scored such that, when formed into an assembled condition by folding, each of the first and second spacers comprises:
a first channel having a base portion and a backstop portion that extends laterally across a rear side of the first channel, the first channel having an unobstructed forwardly open end passageway that allows a portion of the first object to be inserted into the first channel without requiring substantial vertical movement of the first object;
a second channel having a base portion and a backstop portion that extends laterally across a rear side of the second channel, the second channel having an unobstructed forwardly open end passageway that allows a portion of the second object to be inserted into the second channel without requiring substantial vertical movement of the second object;
a first separator portion positioned between the first channel and the second channel, the first separator portion being configured to maintain separation between the first object and the second object; and
a lock portion operative to be folded into a position that functions to maintain the assembled condition of the spacer;

positioning a lower portion of the first object within the first channel of the first spacer;
positioning a lower portion of the second object within the second channel of the first spacer;
inverting the second spacer relative to the first spacer;
positioning an upper portion of the first object within the first channel of the inverted second spacer; and
positioning an upper portion of the second object within the second channel of the inverted second spacer.

Assignees

• Pacific Market Int Llc

Inventors

• Given Austin M

Classifications

• B65D5/526

  Containers with means for displaying items at different heights · CPC title

• B65D5/5069

  Capping elements, i.e. elements which are located onto one or more ends of the contents, before the contents are inserted into the package · CPC title

• B65B11/004

  in blanks, e.g. sheets precut and creased for folding · CPC title

• B65D71/403

  formed by folding several blanks · CPC title

• B65D5/5035 Primary

  Paper elements (in combination with wooden elements B65D5/5095) · CPC title