US3199764A

US3199764A - Footed carton

Info

Publication number: US3199764A
Application number: US342740A
Authority: US
Inventors: David L Oliver; Stephen A Herbetko
Original assignee: Connelly Containers Inc
Current assignee: Connelly Containers Inc
Priority date: 1964-02-05
Filing date: 1964-02-05
Publication date: 1965-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 1982-08-10

Description

Aug. 10, 1965 o v ETAL 3,199,764

FOO'I'ED CARTON Filed Feb. 5, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORE AVID L. OLIVER STEPHEN A. HEBETKO ATTORNEY Aug. 10, 1965 FOOTED CARTON Filed Feb. 5, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- g g 32 as g 4| 3e 42 g 35 3 T. v V as as 36 as F IG. 5

DAVID L. OLIVER STEPHEN A. HERBETKO Y Jim #Jwme ATTORNEY D. OQLIVER ETAL 3,199,764

United States Patent 3,199,764 FOOTED CARTQN David 1.. Oliver, Palmyra, Ni, and Stephen A. Herhetko, Philadeiphia, Pa, assignors to onneily Containers, 1nd, Bala-Cynwyd, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Feb. 5, 1%4, Ser. No. 342,740 13 Claims. (Ci. 22937) The present invention relates to a footed carton, and more particularly to a footed carton having plural feet which are integral in their entirety with the main carton body for supporting the cart-0n above floor or ground level.

In the shipment of relatively heavy goods, it has become conventional to utilize sue-h mechanical lifting equipment as fork lift trucks in order to lift and transport cartons between storage areas and other places, such as transport vehicles. To accommodate the tines of the fork lift trucks, ordinary cartons were placed on pallets made of wood or other suitable material, so that the tines of the work lift truck could enter between the foot-like members of the pallets and lift the Pallet with the carton or cartons thereon. While this practice greatly facilitated the handling of cartons and the consequent shipment of merchandise, it became necessary to return pallets to their places of origin, thus increasing both the cost of the operation due to the return trip of the pallets and the administrative difiiculties of always insuring a sufiicient supply of pallets, as at a depot.

To avoid the necessity of separate fabrication and handling of pallets, it has been proposed to provide cartons which are palletized; otherwise stated, the cartons have feet connected to them to serve the function of the separate pallets mentioned hereinabove.

These latter-mentioned carton-s were characterized by foot-like apendages which were generally tubular in construction, the hollow tubes requiring some filler material to sustain them from collapse. Consequently, in the manufacture of these known containers, the blanks were manufactured and separate filler elements were provided with the carton blanks, when cartons were ordered by a manufacturer from a producer of the cartons or containers. Thus, it is apparent that with the known containers providing feet or palletized constructions, it was necessary to deliver to the purchaser of the containers separate filler elements, and it was necessary for the container purchaser to complete assembly of the carton. Thus, he had to staple flaps to provide the tubes, and then insert the filler material in the tubes, this operation being necessary where the cartons are shipped in completely blank form to the purchaser thereof. Alternatively, where the stapling of the flaps was done by the cart-on manufacturer in order to provide the tubes or pockets, it was then impossible to ship the containers or cartons in completely fiat and knocked-down form to the purchaser.

An object of the present invention is to provide a carton including an integral foot-like structure.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a footed carton which is made entirely from a single blank.

A further object of the invention is to provide a carton having a strong footed or palletized structure integral therewith.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a carton fulfilling the above desideratum and also capable of being picked up by mechanical lifting evices from any side thereof.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a carton fulfilling the above desideratum and further having feet properly positioned for adequate support of the carton contents.

3,199,7d4 Fatented Aug. 10, 19555 Another object of the present invention is the provision of integral blanks for cartons in accordance with the above set forth de'sideratum.

Other objects and the nature and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a blank for a carton in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view showing the material used in the carton of the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing the erection of a carton from the blank shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view showing the carton of FIGURE 3 completely erected and closed.

FIGURE 5 is a view of a blank in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view showing a carton erected from the blank of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a partial view of yet another blank in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a carton erected from the blank of FIGURE 7.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like or corresponding reference numerals are used to designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIGURE 1 a blank 19 comprising a securing flap 11, two side wall panels 12 and two end wall panels 13. The side wall panels 12 and end wall panels 14, as the securing flap 11, are placed in serial array in known fashion, and are separated by appropriate fold lines. The side wall panels 12 have top flaps 14 hingedly connected to them by appropriate fold lines, and similarly the end wall panels 13 have top flaps 15 connected to them. The

top flaps

14 and 15 are separated as shown.

Connected to the bottoms of the side wall panels 12 by suitable fold lines are bottom-forming flaps 16.

A pair of platform flaps 17 extend from and are hingedly connected to the end wall panels 13. The platform flaps 17 are each delineated from the end wall panels 13 by a fold line 18 which permits relative folding between panel 13 and flap 17 in one direction, that is, platform flap 17 may be folded upwardly toward the viewer. A fold line 19 is provided in the opposite face of flap 17 from that shown in FIGURE 1, and fold line 19 permits folding only in the opposite direction to that permitted by fold line 18, A fold line 20, parallel to

fold lines

18 and 19 and spaced more remotely from fold line 18 than is fold line 19, is provided, and permits folding in the same direction as fold line 18.

In FIGURE 2, there is shown in cross section the material of which the blanks and carton of the present invention is made. This material comprising triple-wall paperboard comprising three corrugated or fluted members 27 placed between and secured to four planar paperboard members 28. This material is characterized by great strength and durability, and has sufiicient thickness for its intended purpose.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, the blank 19 of FIGURE 1 is shown in partially erected condition, the side walls 12 and end walls 13, together with the securing flap 11 (not shown) having been formed into a tube which may be, as will be understood, of either square or rectangular configuration. The bottom panels 16 have been folded inwardly, material has been placed within the partially erected carton and the top flaps 14 have been folded down, and the top flaps 15 are in position to be folded down over the top flaps 14. Shown in extended position for purposes of illustration are the platform flaps 17, which may be seen to be in a generally zig-zag configuration resulting from the alternate positioning of the

fold lines

18, 19 and 20. As a result of the delineation of the platform flaps 17 by the

fold lines

18, 19 and 20, there are provided within each of the flaps 17 a first panel 21 which is connected with the end walls 13, and which is folded inwardly beneath the flaps 16, the two panels 21 extending toward each other. There is also provided a second panel 22 which is connected to the panel 21 along the edge thereof defined by the fold line lfi, panel 22 underlying the panel 21. Similarly, a third panel 23 is provided, connected to the second panel 22 at the fold line 2% and underlying the second panel.

In FIGURE 4 the completed carton may be seen, the

panels

21, 22 and 23 forming feet 25 which extend downwardly from the bottom of the carton. The feet 25 may be secured in position by metal bands 26, which secure and hold in position the

top flaps

14 and 15. Other securing means may be provided for the feet 25. The feet 25 serve to elevate the bottom of the carton so that the tines of a fork-lift truck may enter beneath the carton and lift it.

Where desired, separate filler plates (not shown) of the triple-wall paperboard material may be used above the bottom flaps to add strength to the carton.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, there is showna carton blank generally designated and comprising end wall panels 32 and side wall panels 33, together with a securing flap 34. The side wall panels 33 have bottom flaps 35 extending therefrom. Extending from each of the end wall panels 32 is a flap 41, each of which is hingedly connected to the end panel 32 by a fold line 38. Extending from the flap 41 are a pair of spaced flaps 36, each of which has

fold lines

39 and 40 on alternate sides thereof as noted above in connection with the fold lines 19 and 29. There are thereby provided a flap 41 and a pair of

flaps

42 and 43 which correspond to the

panels

21, 22 and 23 shown in FIGURE 3. As will be understood the characteristics of

fold lines

38, 39 and 40 correspond to the characteristics of

fold lines

18, 19 and 20. However, the fold line 39 is placed further from the fold line 38 than the fold line 19 is placed from the fold line 13. When a carton is assembled from the blank of FIGURE 5, as shown in FIGURE 6, the feet 45 thereof are spaced toward the interior of the carton, and away from the end walls 32. This provides support for the load within the carton shown in FIGURE 6, and provides for a relatively short span between the several feet 45. In addition, the carton shown in FIGURE 6 may be picked up by a fork lift truck approaching from an end, as toward the end wall 32, or from a side, as toward a side wall 33. As will be understood, the blank 30 has been shown without top flaps, and the carton is therefore provided with the separate top 47, although any other top or top closure configuration may be used, including that shown in the blank of FIGURE 1. The metal bands 46 retain the top 47 on the carton, and also hold the feet 45.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, there is shown a'blank 5-9, with parts cut away, blank 59 comprising an end wall panel 52 and a side wall panel 53, the side wall panel 53 having a bottom panel 55 connected to it. Extending from the end wall panel 52 is a flap generally designated 56 which extends almost the full width of panel 52 and comprises, in series, a first panel 61 hingedly connected to end wall panel 52 by a fold line 58, a fold line 59, an auxiliary panel 59', a score line 59", panel 62, score line 69 and panel 63. Score lines 59' and 59 are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the material of the blank. The fold lines of flap 56 are not in the alternate relationship of the fold lines 18, 19 and 29 of the blank 10 of FIGURE 1, but are all on the same side. That is, the two spaced score lines 50' and 59", and the score line 69, which is a cutscore, are all on the same side, and opposite score 58.

When a carton is erected from the blank 50, it has the appearance shown in FIGURE 8, wherein there may be seen the two large feet 65 formed from the

panels

62 and 63, which are in a coiled configuration, i.e., auxiliary panel 59' extends vertically and panel 63 lies between

panels

61 and 62. The carton of FIGURE 8 provides a strong and sturdy foot structure appropriately arranged beneath the load within the carton to sustain it and prevent damage or destruction of the carton from the load within it. The carton of FIGURE 8 may be utilized where relatively heavy loads are to be contained within the carton.

As will be understood, a purchaser of cartons will have delivered to it a single unitary blank as set forth herein, which blank may be shipped in an absolutely flat condition. No extra materials or fillers are required to be supplied to the purchaser of the carton. The erection of a carton is extremely simple and may be accomplished with readily available equipment, such as that usually found in the plants of purchasers of carton blanks. The feet of the cartons herein disclosed are formed from integral parts of the carton blank, and elevate the carton bottoms sufficiently above ground or floor level to permit entry of the tines of standard fork lift trucks, due to the triple-wall paperboard construction of which the cartons are made.

While the feet of the cartons herein disclosed are sufficiently strong and properly placed in order to support relatively heavy loads contained within the cartons, these feet are so constructed that the tines of fork lift trucks may be inserted beneath the carton from either the ends or sides thereof, in connection with the cartons shown in FIGURE 6. Although the feet of the several cartons herein disclosed have been shown to be of three thicknesses, obtained by zig-zag folding of the fiaps from which they are made, or by the continuous folding as in the case of FIGURE 8, the number of panels of which the feet are made may be either more or less, depending upon the thickness of the material used and the dimensions of the lifting implements, such as fork lift truck tines.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A blank for a carton comprising at least four wall panels in serial array separated by fold lines, a pair of :bottom flaps each hingedly connected to a said wall panel by a fold line, a pair of platform flap means alternating with said bottom flaps and each extending from a said wall panel and being delineated therefrom by a first fold line permitting folding of the platform flap means in a first direction, each said platform means having second and third fold lines therein parallel to and spaced from said first fold line and from each other, said third fold line being more remote from said first-mentioned fold line than said second fold line and permitting fold-ing in said first direction, and said second fold line permitting folding only in a direction opposite to said first direction, said flap means each comprising a pair of spaced flaps.

2 A blank as set forth in claim 1, said blank being made of triple-wall corrugated paperboard.

3. A blank for a carton comprising at least four Wall panels in serial array separated by fold lines, a pair of :bottom flaps hingedly-connected to a said wall panel by a fold line, a pair of platform flaps alternating with said bottom flaps, each said platform flap comprising, in order, a first panel adjacent the said wall panel, a score line permitting folding in the direction opposite that permitted by the fold line connecting the said platform flap to the wall panel, an auxiliary panel of width substantially equal to the thickness of the material of the blank, a second fold line, a second panel, a score permitting folding in the same direction as said last mentioned score line, and a third panel.

4. The blank of claim 3, said blank being made of triple-wall paperboard, said last mentioned score being a cut score.

5. A carton comprising walls, a pair of flaps integral with two of said walls and folded inwardly toward each other to form a bottom, a pair of first panel means each connected to another said wall and each extending beneath said bottom-forming fiaps toward each other, a pair of second panel means each connected to a said first panel means along an edge thereof remote from the wall to which said first panel means is connected and underlying the first panel means to which it is connected, and a pair of third panel means each connected to a said second panel means opposite the connection of the second panel means with the first panel means and each underlying the second panel means to which it is connected.

6. A carton as set forth in claim 5, said first, second and third panel means being of substantially the same width as the wall to which said first panel means is connected.

7. A carton as set forth in claim 5, at least one of said first, second and third panel means forming a pair of spaced feet to thereby permit entry of the tines of a fork lift truck therebetween.

8. A carton comprising side and end walls, a pair of flaps integral with the side walls and folded inwardly toward each other to form a bottom, a pair of first panels each connected to an end wall and each extending beneath said bottom-forming flaps toward each other, each said panel having connected to it, in series, a downwardly extending auxiliary panel of thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the material of said canton, a second panel underlying and spaced from said first panel, and a third panel between said first and second panels.

9. A carton as set forth in claim 5, said car-ton being of triple-wall corrugated paperboard.

10. A carton as set forth in claim 5, said first panel means being longer than said second and third panel means whereby said spaced feet are spaced toward the interior of the carton.

11. A carton as set forth in claim 7, said first panel means each being substantially the same width as the wall to which it is connected and said second and third panel means each comprising a pair of spaced panels.

12. A car-ton as set forth in claim 8, said carton being of triple-wall corrugated paperboard.

13. A carton as set forth in claim 8, said first panel being longer than said second and third panels whereby said second and third panels are spaced toward the interior of the carton.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,906,964 5/33 Hill 22937 2,142,142 1/39 Newsom 2296 X 2,494,730 1/50 Thursby 2066O 2,596,224 5/52 Eaton et al 22937 2,729,383 1/56 King 2296 2,759,523 8/56 Golds-tein et al 2296 X 3,036,752 5/ 62 Elliott 22914 JOSEPH R. LEOLAIR, Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner.

Claims

1. A BLANK FOR A CARTON COMPRISING AT LEAST FOUR WALL PANELS IN SERIAL ARRAY SEPARATED BY AT LEAST FOUR WALL PANEL BOTTOM FLAPS EACH HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO A SAID WALL PANEL BY A FOLD LINE, A PAIR OF PLATFORM FLAP MEANS ALTERNATING WITH SAID BOTTOM FLAPS AND EACH EXTENDING FROM A SAID WALL PANEL AND BEING DELINEATED THEREFORM BY A FIRST FOLD LINE PERMITTING FOLDING OF THE PLATFORM FLAP MEANS IN A FIRST DIRECTION, EACH SAID PLATFORM MEANS HAVING SECOND AND THIRD FOLD LINES THEREIN PARALLEL TO AND SPACED FROM SAID FIRST FOLD LINE AND FROM EACH OTHER, SAID THIRED FOLD LINE BEING MORE REMOTE FROM SAID FIRE-MENTIONED FOLD LINE THAN SAID SECON FORLD LINE AND PERMITTING FOLDING IN SAID FIRST DIRECTION, AND SIAD SECOND FOLD LINE PERMITTING FOLDING ONLY IN DIRECTION OPPOSITE TO SAID FIRST DIRECTION, AND FLAP MEANS EACH COMPRISING A PAIR OF SPACED FLAPS.