Parcel-receptacle liner adapted for removable installation in a self-supporting parcel receptacle and for transitioning the orientation of parcels within the receptacle

Abstract

A parcel-receptacle liner is adapted for cooperative support by a self-supporting parcel receptacle of complementary dimensions that includes a bottom wall and opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls depending upwardly from the bottom wall and terminating in top edges. The liner has a mid-portion joined to left and right side portions, each of which portions is movable with respect to the other two. The liner includes opposed left and right edges, opposed first and second edges extending between the left and right edges and top and bottom surfaces. The liner is disposed in the parcel receptacle such that (i) the mid-portion extends along the interior of the bottom wall; (ii) the left and right side portions extend upwardly along, and are supported by, opposite ones of the first and second side walls; and (iii) a portion of each of the left and right side portions extends above the top edge of the side wall by which it is supported. Generally planar parcels are deposited onto the top surface and mid-portion of the liner until they accumulate to a predetermine level. The orientation of the parcels is transitioned from horizontal to vertical by drawing the left and right edges of the liner body toward one another in order to constrictedly retain the parcels, and the liner is lifted and rotated to stand the parcels on edge.

1 . A parcel receptacle and parcel-receptacle liner kit adapted for receiving and containing sequentially deposited parcels in a horizontal orientation and, once the parcels have accumulated to a predetermined level within the parcel receptacle, collectively transitioning the orientation of the parcels from a horizontal to a vertical orientation, the kit comprising: 
 a self-supporting parcel receptacle including a bottom wall and opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls depending upwardly from the bottom wall and terminating in top edges; and    a parcel-receptacle liner adapted for removable installation into, and supported by, the parcel receptacle and including a liner body having opposed left and right edges, opposed first and second edges extending between the left and right edges and top and bottom surfaces extending between the left and right edges and the first and second edges, the body further including a parcel-receiving mid-portion, a left side portion to the left of the mid-portion and a right side portion to the right of the mid-portion, each of which portions is movable with respect to the other two portions;    wherein the relative dimensions of the liner body and the parcel receptacle are such that the liner is installable into the parcel receptacle such that (i) the mid-portion of the liner body extends along and at least partially contacts the interior bottom-wall surface of the parcel receptacle; (ii) the left and right side portions extend upwardly along, and are supported by, opposite ones of the first and second parcel-receptacle side walls; and (iii) the distance between the left and right edges is sufficient to permit a portion of each of the left and right side portions of the liner body to extend above the top edge of the parcel-receptacle side wall by which it is supported.    
   
   
       2 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the parcel-receptacle liner further comprises: 
 a base panel having opposed left and right edges, opposed first and second edges extending between the left and right edges and top and bottom surfaces extending between the left and right edges and the first and second edges;    a left side panel including a base edge that is hingedly attached to the left edge of the base panel, a distal edge opposite the base edge, opposed left-side-panel first and second edges extending between the base and distal edges and opposed inner and outer surfaces extending between the base and distal edges and the left-side-panel first and second edges; and    a right side panel including a base edge that is hingedly attached to the right edge of the base panel, a distal edge opposite the base edge, opposed right-side-panel first and second edges extending between the base and distal edges and opposed inner and outer surfaces extending between the base and distal edges and the right-side-panel first and second edges;    wherein at least the left and right side panels are sufficiently rigid and dimensioned such that, when the receptacle liner is installed in the parcel receptacle, each of the left and right side panels extends along one of the opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls and above the top edge thereof such that the distal edge of each of the left and right side panels is at an elevation higher than the top edge of the side wall along which that side panel extends and wherein each of the left and right side panels includes a handle extending along the distal edge of the side panel in a location more proximate that distal edge than the base edge of the side panel.    
   
   
       3 . The kit of  claim 2  wherein the handle of at least one of the left and right side panels comprises an elongated handle opening in the panel, the elongated handle opening extending along a longitudinal axis that extends along the distal edge of the panel.  
   
   
       4 . The kit of  claim 3  wherein, when the receptacle liner is installed in the parcel receptacle, at least a portion of the elongated handle opening extends above the top edge of the parcel-receptacle side wall along which the panel including the elongated handle opening extends in order to facilitate to the hand of a user access to the handle opening.  
   
   
       5 . The kit of  claim 2  wherein the parcel-receptacle liner further comprises at least one receptacle-wall-engaging clasp extending outwardly from the outer surface of at least one of the left and right side panels and being adapted for selective supporting engagement with a parcel-receptacle side wall such that the side panel from which the clasp depends is supported in a substantially upright attitude by the parcel receptacle side wall with which the clasp is in supporting engagement.  
   
   
       6 . The kit of  claim 5  wherein the at least one clasp is adapted to engage a parcel-receptacle side wall over the top edge of that parcel-receptacle side wall and wherein the clasp is located closer to the base edge of the side panel from which it extends than at least a portion of the handle of the same side panel such that at least a portion of the handle extends above the top edge of the parcel-receptacle side wall along which the panel extends in order to facilitate to the hand of a user access to the handle.  
   
   
       7 . A method of using the kit of  claim 2  in order to transition from a horizontal to a vertical orientation parcels deposited into the parcel receptacle, the method comprising the steps of: 
 installing the parcel-receptacle liner into the parcel receptacle such that the base panel extends along the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle and the left and right side panels of the parcel-receptacle liner extend along opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls and above the top edges thereof such that the distal edge of each of the left and right side panels is at an elevation higher than the top edge of the side wall along which that side panel extends;    depositing parcels into the parcel receptacle to form a stack of parcels on the top surface of the base panel of the parcel-receptacle liner;    lifting the parcel-receptacle liner and drawing the side panels toward one another in order to constrictedly retain the stacked parcels between the side panels;    rotating the parcel-receptacle liner about an axis passing through the left and right side panels; and    setting the parcel-receptacle liner down on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle, with the stacked parcels therein, such that the base panel extends along one of the parcel-receptacle side walls.    
   
   
       8 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the parcel-receptacle liner further comprises: 
 a flexible body wherein the parcel-receiving mid-portion is fabricated from flexible material and the left and right side portions are, respectively, left and right side flap portions fabricated from flexible material; and    first and second opening sets, wherein (i) the first opening set includes a first-set left-side opening extending at least partially in the left side flap portion and being more proximate the first edge than the second edge of the flexible body and a first-set right-side opening extending at least partially in the right side flap portion and being more proximate the first edge than the second edge of the flexible body and (ii) the second opening set includes a second-set left-side opening extending at least partially in the left side flap portion and being more proximate the second edge than the first edge of the flexible body and a second-set right-side opening extending at least partially in the right side flap portion and being more proximate the second edge than the first edge of the flexible body;    wherein (i) the relative dimensions of the flexible body and a parcel receptacle for which the parcel-receptacle liner is adapted are such that the length of the flexible body between the left and right edges is sufficient to permit resting engagement of at least a portion of the mid-portion of the flexible body on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle and the draping of a portion of each of the left and right flap portions over a parcel-receptacle side wall for the support of the flap portions by opposed side walls such that the parcel-receptacle liner is in a parcel-receiving attitude for the sequential deposit of parcels onto the top surface, and in the mid-portion, of the body with each parcel in a substantially horizontal orientation and (ii) the first and second opening sets are situated within the body such that, when parcels have been sequentially stacked onto the top surface to a predetermined height, the left and right flap portions can be drawn inward and overlapped over the parcels such that at least a portion of the first-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the first-set right-side opening and at least a portion of the second-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the second-set right-side opening such that a gripper can be introduced through the at least partially aligned openings of each of the first and second opening sets to facilitate grasping of the receptacle liner, with the parcels constrictedly retained therein, and lifting and rotating the receptacle liner in order to transition the stacked parcels from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation within the parcel-receptacle side walls.    
   
   
       9 . A method of using the kit of  claim 8  in order to transition from a horizontal to a vertical orientation parcels deposited into the parcel receptacle, the method comprising the steps of: 
 setting the parcel-receptacle liner in a parcel-receiving attitude with the parcel receptacle such that (i) at least a portion of the mid-portion of the flexible body rests on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle and (ii) a portion of each of the left and right flap portions is draped over a parcel-receptacle side wall opposite the parcel-receptacle side wall over which a portion of the other of the left and right flap portions is draped;    stacking parcels onto the top surface and mid-portion of the flexible body of the parcel-receptacle liner to a predetermined level;    drawing the left and right flap portions inward over the stacked parcels such that at least a portion of the first-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the first-set right-side opening and at least a portion of the second-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the second-set right-side opening;    introducing at least a portion of one of a (i) mechanized and (ii) manual gripper through the at least partially aligned openings of each of the first and second opening sets;    constrictedly retaining the stacked parcels with the flexible body;    lifting and rotating the parcel-receptacle liner; and    setting the parcel-receptacle liner down on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle, with the stacked parcels therein, such that the mid-portion extends along one of the parcel-receptacle side walls.    
   
   
       10 . A parcel-receptacle liner adapted for removable installation into, and support by, a self-supporting parcel receptacle including a bottom wall and four joined parcel-receptacle side walls, including opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls, depending upwardly from the bottom wall and terminating in top edges in order to form a parcel-capturing enclosure, the parcel-receptacle liner comprising: 
 a base panel having opposed left and right edges, opposed first and second edges extending between the left and right edges and top and bottom surfaces extending between the left and right edges and the first and second edges;    a left side panel including a base edge that is hingedly attached to the left edge of the base panel, a distal edge opposite the base edge, opposed left-side-panel first and second edges extending between the base and distal edges and opposed inner and outer surfaces extending between the base and distal edges and the left-side-panel first and second edges; and    a right side panel including a base edge that is hingedly attached to the right edge of the base panel, a distal edge opposite the base edge, opposed right-side-panel first and second edges extending between the base and distal edges and opposed inner and outer surfaces extending between the base and distal edges and the right-side-panel first and second edges;    wherein at least the left and right side panels are sufficiently rigid and dimensioned such that, when the receptacle liner is installed in a parcel receptacle exhibiting dimensions to which the receptacle liner is cooperatively adapted, each of the left and right side panels extends along one of the opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls and above the top edge thereof such that the distal edge of each of the left and right side panels is at an elevation higher than the top edge of the side wall along which that side panel extends and wherein each of the left and right side panels includes a handle extending along the distal edge of the side panel in a location more proximate that distal edge than the base edge of the side panel.    
   
   
       11 . The parcel-receptacle liner of  claim 10  wherein the handle of at least one of the left and right side panels comprises an elongated handle opening in the panel, the elongated handle opening extending along a longitudinal axis that extends along the distal edge of the panel.  
   
   
       12 . The parcel-receptacle liner of  claim 11  wherein, when the receptacle liner is installed in a parcel receptacle exhibiting dimensions to which the receptacle liner is cooperatively adapted, at least a portion of the elongated handle opening extends above the top edge of the parcel-receptacle side wall along which the panel including the elongated handle opening extends in order to facilitate to the hand of a user access to the handle opening.  
   
   
       13 . The parcel-receptacle liner of  claim 11  further comprising at least one receptacle-wall-engaging clasp extending outwardly from the outer surface of at least one of the left and right side panels and being adapted for selective supporting engagement with a parcel-receptacle side wall such that the side panel from which the clasp depends is supported in a substantially upright attitude by the parcel receptacle side wall with which the clasp is in supporting engagement.  
   
   
       14 . The parcel-receptacle liner of  claim 13  wherein the at least one clasp is adapted to engage a parcel-receptacle side wall over the top edge of that parcel-receptacle side wall and wherein the clasp is located closer to the base edge of the side panel from which it extends than at least a portion of the handle of the same side panel such that at least a portion of the handle extends above the top edge of the parcel-receptacle side wall along which the panel extends in order to facilitate to the hand of a user access to the handle.  
   
   
       15 . A method of using the parcel-receptacle liner of  claim 10  in order to transition from a horizontal to a vertical orientation parcels deposited into a self-supporting parcel receptacle including a bottom wall and four joined parcel-receptacle side walls depending upwardly from the bottom wall and terminating in top edges, the method comprising the steps of: 
 installing the parcel-receptacle liner into the parcel receptacle such that the base panel extends along the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle and the left and right side panels of the parcel-receptacle liner extend along opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls and above the top edges thereof such that the distal edge of each of the left and right side panels is at an elevation higher than the top edge of the side wall along which that side panel extends;    depositing parcels into the parcel receptacle to form a stack of parcels on the top surface of the base panel of the parcel-receptacle liner;    lifting the parcel-receptacle liner and drawing the side panels toward one another in order to constrictedly retain the stacked parcels between the side panels;    rotating the parcel-receptacle liner about an axis passing through the left and right side panels; and    setting the parcel-receptacle liner down on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle, with the stacked parcels therein, such that the base panel extends along one of the parcel-receptacle side walls.    
   
   
       16 . A parcel-receptacle liner adapted for removable installation into, and support by, a self-supporting parcel receptacle including a bottom wall and four joined parcel-receptacle side walls, including opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls, depending upwardly from the bottom wall and terminating in top edges in order to form a parcel-capturing enclosure, the parcel-receptacle liner comprising: 
 a flexible body that, when opened out upon a planar surface, is substantially rectilinear and includes opposed left and right edges extending along a minor axis, opposed first and second edges extending between the left and right edges along a major axis and top and bottom surfaces extending between the left and right edges and the first and second edges, the body further including a parcel-receiving mid-portion, a left side flap portion to the left of the mid-portion and a right side flap portion to the right of the mid-portion; and    first and second opening sets, wherein (i) the first opening set includes a first-set left-side opening extending at least partially in the left side flap portion and being more proximate the first edge than the second edge of the flexible body and a first-set right-side opening extending at least partially in the right side flap portion and being more proximate the first edge than the second edge of the flexible body and (ii) the second opening set includes a second-set left-side opening extending at least partially in the left side flap portion and being more proximate the second edge than the first edge of the flexible body and a second-set right-side opening extending at least partially in the right side flap portion and being more proximate the second edge than the first edge of the flexible body,    wherein (i) the relative dimensions of the flexible body and a parcel receptacle for which the parcel-receptacle liner is adapted are such that the length of the flexible body between the left and right edges is sufficient to permit resting engagement of at least a portion of the mid-portion of the flexible body on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle and the draping of a portion of each of the left and right flap portions over a parcel-receptacle side wall for the support of the flap portions by opposed side walls such that the parcel-receptacle liner is in a parcel-receiving attitude for the sequential deposit of parcels onto the top surface, and in the mid-portion, of the body with each parcel in a substantially horizontal orientation and (ii) the first and second opening sets are situated within the body such that, when parcels have been sequentially stacked onto the top surface to a predetermined height, the left and right flap portions can be drawn inward and overlapped over the parcels such that at least a portion of the first-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the first-set right-side opening and at least a portion of the second-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the second-set right-side opening such that a portion of one of the left and right hand of a person can be introduced through the at least partially aligned openings of the first opening set and the other of the left and right hand of a person can be introduced through the at least partially aligned openings of the second opening set to facilitate the person's grasping the receptacle liner, with the parcels constrictedly retained therein, and lifting and rotating the receptacle liner in order to transition the stacked parcels from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation within the parcel-receptacle side walls.    
   
   
       17 . A method of using the parcel-receptacle liner of  claim 16  in order to transition from a horizontal to a vertical orientation parcels deposited into a self-supporting parcel receptacle including a bottom wall and four joined parcel-receptacle side walls depending upwardly from the bottom wall and terminating in top edges, the method comprising the steps of: 
 setting the parcel-receptacle liner in a parcel-receiving attitude with the parcel receptacle such that (i) at least a portion of the mid-portion of the flexible body rests on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle and (ii) a portion of each of the left and right flap portions is draped over a parcel-receptacle side wall opposite the parcel-receptacle side wall over which a portion of the other of the left and right flap portions is draped;    stacking parcels onto the top surface and mid-portion of the flexible body of the parcel-receptacle liner to a predetermined height;    drawing the left and right flap portions inward and overlapping them over the stacked parcels such that at least a portion of the first-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the first-set right-side opening and at least a portion of the second-set left-side opening aligns with at least a portion of the second-set right-side opening;    introducing at least a portion of one of a (i) mechanized and (ii) manual gripper through the at least partially aligned openings of each of the first and second opening sets;    constrictedly retaining the stacked parcels with the flexible body;    lifting and rotating the parcel-receptacle liner; and    setting the parcel-receptacle liner down on the bottom wall of the parcel receptacle, with the stacked parcels therein, such that the mid-portion extends along one of the parcel-receptacle side walls.