US1271034A - Collapsible box. - Google Patents

Description

H. G. HALL.

COLLAPSIBLE BOX.

APPLICATION FILED JULYZI 191s. RENEWED DEC. 5.1911.

Patented July 2, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

wihwoo H. G. HALL.

COLLAPSIBLE BOX.

APPLKIATIQN FILED JULY 21, 1915- RENEWED DEC. 5 l9l7- Patented J uly 2, 1918..

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

affotue 1 4 H. G. HALL.

COLLAPS IBLE BOX.

APPLICATION FILED JULYZI, l9l6- RENEWED DEC. 5| 19H.

Patented July 2, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I citizen of the United the.

meant a. neat, or artan'ra, enoaera.

GUILLAFSIBLE BOX.

. Lat'noaa.

. Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented ma a, iota.

Application filed. July 21, 1916, Serial Ito. 110,508. Renewed December 5, 1917. Serial No. 205,6M.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, HARRY; G. Harte, a

States, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Boxes, of which the following is "a specification.

This invention generically relates to boxes of the pasteboard type constructed from a one piece blank, but it more especially com- I prehends that style termed foldable, knockdown or collapsible; and one object is to provide a box which can be quickly and economically constructedywill fold flatly, and be capable of utilization for various purposes in the art.

Another object is to provide a box which may be constructed from a single blank and expeditiously changed from erected to collapsed position, or vice-versa.

A further object is to provide a box having reinforced and rigidly stayed corners, capable of withstanding rough and continued usage, and when filled will not disengage at the corners, a defect prevalent in boxes of this character.

Uther and still further objects are to provide a box which, though easily collapsed or erected, may be durable, efficient, and comprising few parts or sections.

. Withthese and other objects in, view n invention consists-in certain novel details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be more particularly hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, in which corresponding parts are indicated by similar reference characters Figure 1. is a top plan view of the blank cut and scored, and prior to folding;

Fig. 2 is a similar view to that of Fig. 1, with sides 2 in folded position;

Fig. 3 is a similar view to that of Fig. 2, showing end reinforcing flaps 5 in position, ends folded, and showmg the entire blank in collapsed position; 0

Fig. 4. is a fragmentary PGISPBCtIVB View, showing folded flap in position, and ends in course of erection Fig. 5 is a similar. view to that of Fig. 4, one step nearer complete erection; and

Fig. 6 is a similar view to that of Fig. 5, with end completely erected, and with end extension flaps 5 in locked position.

In the illustrated embodiment characterizing my invention,.Fig. 1 illustrates a blank substantially rectangular in shape and comprising a bottom section 1 bounded by score lines 1*, extending lengthwise from end to end at a distance from the outer edge of the blank equal to the desired depth of the box, and transversely extending score lines 1 parallel with the ends of the blank, and at a distance therefrom equal totwice the desired depth of the box. By the score lines 1 are formed side sections 2, carrying near their upper and outer corners tongues 2* formed by cutting along lines 2".

The extension of score lines 1 and 1 beyond their intersection constitutes 'score lines 4: and 2, respectively, and forming corner sections 3. Said corner sections 3 are scored diagonally along line 3 from their innermost corners 3 totheir outermost corners 3,tapering slightly from the outer end of score line 2 .to the corner 3 along the line 3, and from the end of score line 433 to the outermost corner 3 along the line 3.- The corner sections 3 are creased along score lines 3* and constitute inwardly folding corner staying reinforcing and connecting members.

By the score linesl are formed sections 4 constituting the ends of the box. Equidistant from score line 1" and theendof the blank is the parallelly extending score line 4 effecting inwardly foldable end reinforcing and staying flap 5. Said flap 5 is provided with the score line 5, defining the locking extension and corner staying members 5". At each end of score line 4 are provided the substantially V shaped cuts or notches 6, which not only form the inner walls of extension members 5", but also gives the proper taper to corner sections 3 along the line 3.

To properly guide the folding upon itself of the inwardly folding section 3, the staple 7 or other suitable fastening elements are provided, securing the outer fold 3 of the corner section 3 to the end section 4. In order to facilitate the erection as well as the collapsing of the box, fastening elements 8 are provided, securing to end section 4 the end folding and reinforcing flap 5.

The facility with which a box may be constructed from a single blank, according to my invention, as above outlined, is at once apparent. The pattern as clearly shown in Fig. 1, can be easily and quickly cut, and owing to the few necessary score lines, the entire preparation preparatory to putting the blank in condition for setting up as a completed box requires but a minimum expenditure of time and labor.

After the blank has been prepared, as

. shown in Fig. 1, the sides 'are folded on scores 1 and staples or other suitable fastening elements are inserted to secure the outer fold 3 of corner section 3 to end section 4, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. The end flaps 5 are then folded over and inwardly on end sections 4, on-

scores 4 and secured thereto by staples 8 or other suitable fastening elements, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

The box is then in collapsed position, and it will be observed that when thus folded it ractically consists of a rectangular sheet, occupying but little space, and may be stacked one above the other facilitating shipping, storing and handling. If desired, the extension members 5* may be foldeddownwardly and inwardly on scores 5 between end flaps 5 and side sections 2, in which event a perfect restangular sheet will be obtained.

To place the box in erected position it is but necessary to raise the side sections 2, the first step of which is shown in Fig. 4, to perpendicular position, and as the outer fold 3 of the corner section 3 is secured to the end 4, the raising of the side sections 2 causes corner sections 3, as shown in Figs. 4 and.5, to fold, at the same time drawing up end sections 4to perpendicular position, and as the reinforcing folded over end flap 5 is secured to end section 4, as it comes to perpendicular position, will be caused to slide over, the inwardly extending corner staying flaps formed by the folding of corner sections 3 upon themselves.

Thus, it is obvious that. by the simple and single operation of raising side sections 2, every part of the box is brought to its proper erected position, and the only further operation necessary is to place the extension and staying flaps'5 under the locking tongues 2, when the box will be in completely erected position, ready for use, as clearly shown inFig. 6 of the drawing.

A cover maybe provlded by following the same construction as that of the box, but iuflioiently dimentioned to telescope the said Many efforts have been made, but with scant'success, to provide a box of this type which would withstand hard usage, be collapsible, yet sufiiciently tight to prevent the escape of liquid matter.

Particular attention is directed to the corner construction, in that, I have provided a number of folds so arranged as to form two exterior and one interior corner, each independent of the other. After the exterior corners have succumbed to wear or become otherwise damaged, the interior or auxiliary corners formed by the extension and locking flaps 5 will be left intact, and the usefulness of the box will still be unimpaired.

By this construction it will be readily seen that the life of the box is doubled in addition to being far more durable and substantial than those now in use. Not only do the locking flaps 5 provide auxiliary corners, but they also constitute stays, lending rigidity and stability to the ends of the box, at the same time performing a similar function with respect to the sides. Also these extension flaps 5 perform still another important function in constituting locking members capable of firmly holdin in position the end sections of the box, w ien properly adjusted under the locking tongues 2.

Another novel feature relative to the corner construction is the corner staying and connecting sections 3, which, when the box is in erected position, constitute inwardly projecting extension stays of a thickness twice that of the sides and being positioned interjacent'the end section 4 and end reinforcing flap 5, not only further stiffen the ends, but absolutely prevent the sides from being forced apart at the corners, irrespective/of the force or weight outwardly direeted against them.

It will be observed that in constructing the corners in accordance with my invention there are no slits or notches, and when the box is in erected position a continuous and unbroken side and end wall is provided constituting a non-leakable box.

It is apparent that the locking members 5*, end reinforcing flaps 5, end sections 4, and sides 2, all perform with respect to the corners double functions, thereby producing a corner construction for boxes of this character superior to those now known to the art.

Having now described my invention, what jacent the inner surfaces of the side sections, nection therewith a lock, substantially as effecting a double ply of material contigu and for the purpose set forth. ous the extremities of said side sections, and

producing a reinforcing corner interior of I HARRY HALL 5 the corner folds, and tongues on said side Witnesses:

sections adapted to engage the upper edges G. S. SORUBY,

4 of said locking members, constituting in con- R. W. LEVERETT.

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