(19)

(11)

EP 1 040 045 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 10.12.1998 (43) Date of publication: 04.10.2000 Bulletin 2000/40 (21) Application number: 98911547.2 (22) Date of filing: 11.03.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B65B 31/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US9804/659 (87) International publication number: WO 9840/274 (17.09.1998 Gazette 1998/37)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB (30) Priority: 11.03.1997 US 814204 (71) Applicant: World Class Packaging Systems, Inc. Hilton Head Island, SC 29925-4100 (US)	(72) Inventors: GORLICH, Michael, P. Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 (US) MCPHERSON, Robert, F., Jr. Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 (US) (74) Representative: VOSSIUS & PARTNER  Siebertstrasse 4 81675 München 81675 München (DE)