US1235886A - Egg-carton. - Google Patents

Description

0. C. FENLASON.

EGG CARTON.

APPLICATION men MAR. 31. 19:1;

1,235,886. Patented, Aug. 7,1917.

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v mwj W 2mm ATTORNEY 0. C. FENLASON.

EGG CARTON.

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.1 $235,886. Patented Aug. 7, 1917.

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.VITN ESSES ATTO R N EY 0. c. FENLASON.

EGG CARTON.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31. 1917.

1,235,886. Patehted Aug. 7,1917.

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g l; e m jmvawroa WITNESSES ATTORNEY OBIN C. FENLASON, 01-1 RAYMOND, WASHINGTON.

EGG-CARTON.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Au. 7, 1917.

Application filed March 31, 1917. Serial No. 158,925.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ORIN O. FnNLAsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Raymond in the county of Pacific and State of VVashingt-on, have invented a new and useful Egg-Carton, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to egg cartons.

The object is to provide a container for eggs, fruit or other articles, wherein a plurality of such articles may be safely carried, either in a single cell case, as, for instance, when delivered to the consumer, or which may be conveniently packed in large quantities for shipment.

Another object is to provide a container of this class, composed of wood-veneer, cardboard, or similar material, which comprises a minimum number of parts, held together by a minimum number of staples, or similar fastening devices, and which may be conveniently folded or collapsed into a flat form for the purpose of shipment of the empty cartons in quantities, so as to occupy a minimum amount of space in transit.

A further object is to construct a foldable carton consisting of individual cells formed by bending the material in the proper manner, after the same has been scored, which scoring, in the present instance, is all done upon one side of the several strips forming the carton cell case, and the said strips are all of even width, thus necessitating the passage of the material through the cutting, scoring and severing machine but once, thereby greatly reducing the cost of manufacture, and, by reason of the particular manner of formation, efiecting a material saving in the quantity of material utilized in the carton.

The invention consists in the peculiar and novel construction of collapsible cell case comprising a body member forming the sides and one end of the case and a series of individual box-like compartments arranged between the sides of the body member and spaced from each other and from the end wall of the body member a sufficient distance to form compartments of substantially equal size to that of the box like compartments, said compartments being preferably divided into smaller compartments by a longitudinal partition strip and being connected to the sides of the outer member by a minimum number of staples.

, A full andcomplete understanding of the invention may be obtained from a consideration of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification; it being understood that while the drawings show a practical form of the invention, the latter is not confined to strict conformity therewith, but may be changed or modified, so long as such changes or modifications do not depart from the salient features of the invention, as specifically pointed out in the claims appended.

In the drawings, in which like reference characters designate similar parts through the several figures:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an egg carton, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the cell case removed from the outer retaining case or member.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the cell case.

Fig. 4: is a transverse section taken on the line H of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the strip forming the side walls and one end wall of the cell case, in folded position.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the strips formin the transverse partitions of the cell case, in folded position.

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the i central longitudinal partition of the cell case.

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the outer retaining case or member forming the top and bottom of the carton.

9 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but having a somewhat modified form of outer retaining case applied thereto.

Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of the retaining case shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is another modified form of retaining case.

The invention consists primarily in a cell case having separated compartments, each capable of holding an egg or other article, and the said case may have any desired number of compartments, a dozen having been found the most advantageous, although it will be readily seen that the device may be arranged with a greater or less number as business conditions may dictate.

The cell case is generally oblong in shape, being preferably of a length and width sufficient to accommodate two rows of six eggs each, and is of a height substantially equal to the longest dimension of an average egg, 7

the latter, when placed in the cell, being in an upstanding position.

A strip 01 veneer or other material' fo'rmi ing the body member is suitably scored transversely of its length at intermediate points and bent at right angles along said scores to form one end wall 3 and the two side walls of the cell case, (Fig. 5). The

terminals of the side walls 1 and 2 are preferably tapered, as at 4, to avoid any sharp corners. 7

Transverse partitions are provided in properly spaced relation to the end wall 3, and are formed in pairs 5 and 6 composed of a single piece or strip of material, the same width as that forming the said sides and end member 1, 2 and 3 respectively, (Fig. 6). The partitions 5 and 6 are equal, in length, to the end wall 3 and are joined, at one end, by an integral panel 7, and are provided, at their opposite ends, with integral overlapping end fiaps 8 and 9, bent at right angles to the partitions 5 and 6 and directed toward each other, and adapted to lie'fiat against the inner wall of either the side member 1 or 2. Each pair of partitions with its connected panels and flaps form rectangular box-like compartments, which are spaced the end flaps 8 and 9,v as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing} From this figure it will also be seen that the transverse partition member 6 on the extreme left forms the end wall of the cell case opposite to the end wall 3, and thus the necessary sides and ends are'formed, with a series of transverse partitions; the entire structure, thus far described being securely fastened in such posit'ion by staples 10 or other suitable devices, passing through the panels 7 and member 2, on one side, and the end flaps 8 and 9 and the wall 1, on the other side. The staples 10 are placed close to either the partition 5 or 6 in order that the eggs, when placed in the case will not come into contact therewith, and become cracked or broken when inserted or removed or by jarring and jolting incident to transit.

The transverse partitions 5 and 6, with the exception of the partition'6 which forms the end wall of the case, are all similarly slotted,

as indicated at 11, at a central point of each, said slots extending from the upper edges of the same to a point half-way of their height. The upper corners formed by said slots are beveled or cut away, as at 12,

'stantially square in plan view.

order to facilitate the introduction of a longitudinal central partition or divlslon strip 13, which is formed of similar material to the parts already described, and is of a length sufiicient to reach from the end wall 3 to the opposite end wall, formed by the member 6 as before described. This strip divides the compartments as well as the spaces between each compartment into indi vidual cells which are of a size to receive an egg or a singlespecimen of fruit.

This longitudinal partition 13 is provided with slots 14 having beveled entrances 15, extending from its lower edge to a point 'midway of its height and in registering recase into twelve equal compartments,sub-

An outer retaining member or case 16 is applied to the cell case, after the latter has been filled, the said member being formed of a strip of veneer of a width substantially equal to the height of the cell case, and comprises a top 17 a bottom 18 and end walls 19 and 20. The latter is formed by overlapping terminal flaps provided on the strip forming the retaining member 16, and are held in position by staples 21 or other suitable fasteners, placed adjacent the end edges of the said flaps. V The'said strip is suitably scored to permit of the necessary bending to form the four sides of the member or case 16, and it will be noticed that all of the scoring in the several parts is doneon one side of the strip of material, which simplifies the process of manufacture. I

The member 16 is adapted to be slipped horizontally over one long side of the filled cell case until each longitudinal edge thereof 'lies fiu-sh with theside walls 1 and 2, when the cell case is substantially braced by the retaining member or case, and the top 17 and bottom 18 effectually prevent the eggs from falling out of the case and also forms a cushion for the same. The eggs are thus supported upon all sides by resilient walls which reduce the-damage and loss to a minimum.

A retaining member 22 is shown in Fig. 10, which is of somewhat modified construction, being composed of a strip ofveneer substantially equal to the width of the cell case heretofore described, and scored and bent to form a bottom 23, end walls '24 and a top composed of overlapping members 25 and 26 which are equal in 'length to the bottom 23. No staples or other rastening means are used in this form of retainer, it

being adapted to be placed around a filled cell case in the manner of wrapping and to be tied with a string. This form of retainer or outer case is particularly adapted for retail trade.

The form shown in Fig. 11 dispenses with the necessity for using the above mentioned string, as the two overlapping members 25 and 26 are provided with locking slits 27 and 28 respectively, which are used to hold the members together, in a well known manner.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that an extremely simple egg carton has been constructed which will effectually perform the work of protecting the eggs while in transit, of maintaining them in the desired upright position, and that the same is well adapted for packing in quantities in cases or in handling as individual containers for a small number of eggs. It will also be seen that the device is capable of being fiattened out, when the cell case and the re taining member are separated, so that the two parts may be packed in bundles or otherwise for the purpose of shipping in large quantities.

It will be noted on reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings that but six staples are required to connect each individual compartment with the sides of the outer body member, three staples being used on each side, said staples performing the double function of securing the overlapped ends of the compartments to each other, as well as securing said compartments to the sides of the body member.

WVhat is claimed is 1. collapsible cell case composed of an outer body member made of a single piece of material scored and bent to provide two sides and one end of the case, box-like compartments each formed of a single piece of material, each compartment being arranged between and secured to the sides of the outer body member and spaced from the end thereof and also spaced from each other a distance suflicient to form intermediate compartments of substantially equal dimensions to said box-like compartments, the outer wall of the end compartment remote from the end wall of the outer member constituting the end wall of the case.

2. A collapsible cell case composed of an outer body member made of a single piece of material scored and bent to provide two sides and one end of the case, box-like compartments each formed of a single piece of material and arranged between the sides of the outer body member and spaced from the end thereof and also spaced from each other a distance sufficient to form intermediate compartments of substantially equal. dimensions to said box-like compartments, the outer wall of the end compartment remote from the end wall of the outer member constituting the end wall of the case, means for connecting said compartments to the sides of the outer member, and a transverse division strip dividing each compartment and the spaces between the compartments into cells of substantially equal dimensions.

3. A collapsible cell case consisting of an outer member formed of a single piece of material scored and bent to provide two sides and one end of the said cell case, a series of box-like compartments of substantially equal height to the said outer member, said box-like compartments being spaced from the said end wall of the outer member and spaced from each other a sufficient distance to form compartments or spaces substantially equal to the area of the boxlike compartments, said compartments being each made of a single piece of material forming a pair of transverse partitions connected by a panel at one end and overlapping flaps at the other, means for securing the flaps and panels of each compartment to the sides of the outer member, and a division strip arranged substantially parallel with the sides of the outer member and crossing the partition strips of each compartment so as to divide the latter and the spaces between the compartments into cells, the partition strip of the end compartment remote from the end of the outer member constituting the end wall of the cell case.

4. A collapsible cell case composed of an outer body member made of a single piece of material, boX-like compartments each formed of a single piece of material and arranged within the body member and bearing against the sides thereof, said compartments being spaced from one end of the body member and also spaced from each other a. distance sufficient to form intermediate compartments of substantially equal dimensions to said box-like compartments, means for connecting said compartments to the sides of the outer member, and a transverse division strip separate from the body member and dividing each compartment and the spaces between the compartments into cells of substantially equal dimensions.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ORIN C. FENLASON.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. SIGGERS, ANNIE MYERS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. 0.

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