Recycle shipping assembly
US5131212A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jul 21, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W90/10
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A cushioned shipping assembly includes a carton and foam inserts to support a product shipped by a supplier, which elements are successively returned by an end user to be re-used in the same or other shipping assembly, while various components are recycled as they become spent. In some embodiments, the carton collapses to a diminished size for return. A resource center re-routes or refurbishes the components, recycling aged or spent pieces. Preferably polyolefin foams, olefin-based adhesives and coatings, and wood fiber-based corrugated material make up the cushioned system, and one component is compatible with recycling processes of others. On-premises pelletizing of reclaimed polymer provides a more efficient, environmentally clean system. Spent inserts of identified polymer may be diverted to users of specifc resins.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.