US1127328A

US1127328A - Collapsible egg-crate.

Info

Publication number: US1127328A
Application number: US79896613A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter M Way
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1913-11-03
Filing date: 1913-11-03
Publication date: 1915-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 1932-02-02

Description

W. M. WAY.

GOLLAPSIBLE EGG CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.3,1913.

1,127,3%8, Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

V 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. M. WAY.

COLLAPSIBLE EGG CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.3,1913. LEQZSS, Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

K3 2 SHEETS-$HIBET 2.

annex V1207 0', WASHINGTON D. C.

WALTER- IVI. WAY, OF TACOMA, WASHINGTON.

. COLLAPSIBLE EGG-CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

Application filed November 3, 1913. Serial No. 798,966.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WALTER M. WAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tacoma, in the county of Pierce and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Eg Crates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to crates or cases for the shipment of commodities such as eggs and the like, more particularly to devices of this character adapted to be collapsed for return shipment, and has for one, of its objects to improve the construction; utility of efficiency and and increase the devices of this character.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simply constructed device in which the parts are arranged to effectually support each other when distended and the body portion of the device foldable with the parts substantially in parallel relation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character in which provision is made for retaining the collapsible egg dividing pockets between the partsv when folded.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of construction as hereinafter shown and described and then specifically pointed out in the claims, and in the drawings illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 7

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved device in its closed position. Fig. 2 is a perspective view with the closure in open position to show the interior arrangement. Fig. 3 is a perspective View with the parts in collapsed position. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view with the parts folded. Fig. 6 is a perspective view on a reduced scale, of the removable partition.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The improved device may be constructed of any suitable material and any desired size or capacity, and employed for shipping any of the various commodities or products such as eggs, fruit and the like, but is designed more particularly for shipping eggs and like products, and includes a back 10,

at 23: to the a partition 27 which bottom and hinged a front 11 and ends 1213; Hinges 14 are apphed externally of the end 12 and back 10, while hinges 15 are applied internally of theback 10 and end 13. Hinges 16 are applied internally of the end 12 and the front 11, while hinges 17 are applied externally of the end 13 and the front 11. By this means the back, front and ends are collapsible into parallel relation as shown in Figs. 3 and 5.

Connected to the back member 10, preferably atits lower edge, is an inwardly directed cleat 18, while a similar cleat 19 is connected to the front 11 preferably near its lower edge. The cleats are arranged intermediate the ends of the front and back as shown, the object to be hereafter explained. The bottom of the casing is represented at 20 and fits within the front back and ends when the latter are in open position and rests upon the cleats 18-19. At two diagonally opposite corners the bottom 20 is cut away slightly, to enable the bottom to pass the inner hinges 15-16 when inserted. A closure 22 is hingedly united back 10 and provided with a hasp 24, while a staple 25 is connected to the front 11 in position to engage the hasp to enable the top to be locked in position. Hingedly united at 26 to the bottom 20 is extends transversely within the casing when the latter is in open position and the bottom 2@ located therein. By this means the interior of the casing is divided into two separate and independent compartments to receive collapsible egg supporting pockets indicated conventionally at 30 and their dividing members 31. The closure 22 is provided with an aperture 28 while the partition 27 is provided with a projection 29 which extends through the aperture 28 when the member 22 is closed. By this means the partition is firmly supported and held at its free edge and prevented from displacement so long as the closure is in position.

When the improved device is to be collapsed the closure 22 is released and opened and turned into parallel relation with the back 10. The egg-supporting members 30-3l are then removed and the members 30 collapsed. The bottom 20 is then removed and the partition 27, which has been released by the opening of the closure 22, folded down fiatwise upon the bottom. This leaves the front, back and ends free to supporting members 80 when collapsed be collapsed substantially into parallel re 7 lation as represented in Figs. 3 and 5. As before stated the cleats 18-19 extend only a part of the way along the front and back 1011 so that when the device is collapsed the cleat 18 will be disposed between the members 10 and the

members

11 and 13, while the cleat 19 will be disposed between the members 11 and the members 10 and 12, and thus located end to end betweenthe collapsed members, as shown 'in' Fig. 5. This leaves a space betweenthe collapsed members'equal to 'the'thickness of the cleats and this space is utilized to hold the egg and the dividing plates or members 31. p The bottom 20 with its partition 27 folded there on is then located upon the front 11 and end 13, or laid upon the inner face'of the closure 22, as may be preferred. By this simple means the case or crate is in condition for shipment or'sto'rage and can be quickly disposed in operative or open shape when required. The egg holding devices 30 3l are retained in position and prevented from displacement or loss during their return shipment. The inwardly projecting cleats"1819 thus perform'thetwo-fold function ofsupports for the bottom and "as means for retaining-the -egg holding devices in position and preventing loss or displace ment during their return shipment. The

ends 12-13 are provided with hand grip recesses 32, as shown.

' Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

' l. Kde v'ice of the class described comprising front back and end members hingedly nited to fold into parallel'relation, a top hinged to oneof said hingedly united members and provided with a seat, inwardly directed cleats connected to said 'hingedly united members at their lower edges, a bottomsupportedupon said cleats, and a partiti on member hingedly united to said bottom and r'duce'd atthe upper end to engage the seatof said top.

2. A 'device of the class described comprising a casing including front back and end members hingedly united to fold into parallel relationya top hinged to one of said hingedly united members and provided with atrari's'verse slot, a bottom detachably supported within said casing, and a partition memberunited to'said bo'ttom and with the interediate porti'on eXtending beyond the body of the partition to engage in the slot 'ofthe top." I

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

i "WALTER M. WAY. [L. s]

Witnesses: v

J. STEWART,

wry.

co ies of this patent may be obtained for five cents sac-11,113; addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- 'wasnm ton,n.'c."