An assembly of stacked mattresses and a method for preparing such an assembly are provided. The assembly of stacked mattresses comprises a first pallet, a second pallet, a plurality of mattresses positioned between the first pallet and the second pallet and straps coupling the first pallet to the second pallet, the plurality of mattresses being in a compressed state between the first pallet and the second pallet and the straps restraining expansion of the plurality of mattresses. The second pallet is comprised of a supporting member and a plurality of elongated reinforcing members extending across the supporting member, at least some of the reinforcing members including respective strap guiding members extending longitudinally along the elongated reinforcing member. At least some of the straps engage respective ones of the strap guiding members of the plurality of elongated reinforcing member of the second pallet so that displacement of the straps is constrained by the strap guiding members. In accordance with another aspect, a pallet for using in shipping bedding products is provided.

Disclosed are freestanding displays of packaged consumer products, particularly consumer paper products. The packaged consumer goods generally comprise one or more goods disposed in a container, such as a folded paperboard box or film overwrap, having a plurality of graphic elements on the various container panels. The graphic elements are preferably disposed such that at least two panels are visually similar and two panels are visually distinct. The containers may be stacked in arrays to form a display having two faces that are visually similar and end faces that are visual mirror images of one another. The present freestanding display helps consumers recognize the packaged products from a distance even when displayed amongst other packaged goods in a crowded supermarket or club store.

A pallet wrapping device includes an elongated shaft having a fixed handle along a first end, and a diameter for slidingly receiving the hollow central channel of a roll of stretch film. A stopper is positioned along the second end of the elongated shaft, and includes a dimension that is greater than the dimension of the central channel of the roll of stretch film. A sliding handle unit having a first handle segment, a second handle segment and a hollow interior channel is slidingly positioned along the elongated shaft, and functions as a guide for dispensing the stretch film. A ring shaped member having a high friction material along one surface is disposed between the handle segments, and each handle segment includes an outside dimension that is positionable within the central channel of the roll of stretch film.

A tray system includes a first tray having a plurality of stacking units. In one embodiment, each stacking unit forms a lower receptacle for receiving a neck portion of a first bottle, and an upper receptacle for receiving a base portion of a second bottle to be stacked above the first bottle. The lower receptacle has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a sidewall connecting the first end with the second end. The first end forms an opening for receiving a neck of a second bottle into the lower receptacle. The tray system may also include a second tray and a pallet.

A modular packing system includes a pallet exhibiting a continuous and unperforated support surface affording a plurality of seating features distributed thereon, a plurality of containers of base measurements as submultiples of the pallet dimensions and constant height so as to form even layers of uniform height, and an uppermost cover element for positioning on top of a final layer of containers and equipped with a first pair of belts engageable to corresponding belt portions which, in turn, engage with a second pair of belts associated to the pallet. Each container exhibits a lower base surface affording raised features configured to engage in seating features in the pallet support surface. Each container further exhibits a cover element exhibiting a plurality of seating features, analogous in conformation and positioning to the seating features in the pallet support surface, so as to form another support and engagement surface for a subsequent layer.

A shell and retainer containment system for storing and transporting bottles, comprising an outer shell and an upper retainer. The outer shell includes a base, a number of sidewalls, and a top rim cooperatively forming a central cavity. The top rim includes a set of handles, a set of forklift fork openings for lifting the outer shell and retainer containment system via a forklift fork, and stacking geometry. The upper retainer secures the bottles in the central cavity and includes a brace and four corner reinforcements. The brace is positioned above the bottles and includes access openings for allowing access to bung openings of the bottles. The corner reinforcements extend upwards toward upper corners of the outer shell and include fastener openings for attaching the upper retainer to the outer shell via fasteners for securing the bottles in the central cavity.

An artificial flower maker including a board or other flat surface, a plurality of arms each positioned along the flat surface and forming a generally circular shape, and a center attachment mechanism for constructing and securing an artificial flower. Each flower is constructed by strategically folding a series of petals from a type of material, and using the artificial flower maker to hold down each folded petal until all folded petals are completed and ultimately secured to form an artificial flower. A further embodiment may incorporate a box or other enclosure for storage and transport of the flower maker.

The invention provides a portable cup holder for carrying a cup with, for example, take-out coffee. The portable cup holder is made with a minimum amount of material that may be folded rapidly and easily, and comprises a bottom portion 1 forming a bottom surface through which a cup opening 3 is formed, a fixing portion 4 connected to top and bottom ends of the bottom portion 1 and folded vertically, a rising portion 7 folded and disposed vertically at right and left ends of the bottom portion 1, a top portion 2 connected to the rising portion 7 forming a top surface and including the cup opening 3a, and a handle portion 10 folded vertically upwards at the top portion 2 that forms a handle.

According to illustrative embodiments, a novel pallet wrap is provided. In some preferred embodiments, the pallet wrap includes: an expandable slit sheet paper having a slit pattern including a plurality of slits extending in a cross direction that forms a plurality of open cells upon expansion in a machine direction, and a non-slit paper support wrap, wherein said expandable slit sheet paper is configured to be wrapped around a pallet assembly and said paper support wrap is configured to surround at least a portion of said expandable slit sheet paper wrapped around said pallet assembly.

A system and method are provided for palletless shipment of gas cylinder arrays. A three-dimensional array of gas cylinders is formed from a plurality of vertically-stacked two-dimensional subarrays. First elongated voids extend through the array in a width direction at a first handle elevation. Second elongated voids extend through the array in a depth direction at a second handle elevation. The first and second elongated voids are bilaterally bounded by handle portions of adjacent gas cylinders, and vertically bounded by upper and lower surfaces of surrounding cylinders. Pairs of tunnel elements are disposed within respective elongated voids and are each configured to releasably receive a corresponding forklift tong. Vertically-disposed pillars may be provided to increase the rigidity and load distribution of the system. Flaps may radiate from the pillars to minimize impact and abrasion between adjacent cylinders during shipment. Key system components may be inexpensively formed from recyclable, lightweight materials.