US1906639A - Packing means for fragile articles - Google Patents

Description

May 2, 1933. H. SHERMAN 1,906,639

PACKING MEANS FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Filed Aug. 6,1928 l 2 sheets-sheet 1 [Mera/Zar.' I'm isj' arman,

by M

May 2, 1933. F. H. SHERMAN PACKING MEANS FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES 2 Sheets-Sheet' 2 Filed Aug. 6, 1928 I l Francwrmn.

Patented May 2, 1933 PATENT OFFICE FRANCIS I-I. SHERMAN, OF PALMER, MASSACHUSETTS PACKING MEANS FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Application filed August 6, 1928.

My invention relates to means for packing or packaging fragile articles, particularly eggs, and aims to provide improved, simplified and less expensivcly 4manufactured article holding devices or partitioning or filler means for'use in connection either with smaller packages as employed in the retail trade or with larger lots such as crates for wholesale use or shipment.

In the drawings illustrating by way of example certain embodiments of the invention Fig. l is al plan of a partitioning and cushioning sheet, in this instance a combined flat and filler embodying one forni of the invention; v

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the device of Fig. 1, but in set-up or tray form as for use;

Fig. 3 is a partial vertical transverse section, through one cell o-r compartment of a filler in folded or set-up position and looking lengthwise of the side walls, as in Fig. 2;

.Fig 4 is a partial vertical section as on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, at right angles to that of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section corresponding to Fig. 3, and showing a different construction at the 4cell bottom;

Fig. 6 is a plan of a carton, receptacle or vwrapper containing a plural-row unitor filler;

Fig. 7 is an end view .of a`si1nil ar unit or filler in combination with a different form of receptacle or wrapper;

Fig. 8 shows, in end view a filler having a top wall in addition to side and bottom walls for use with or Without fastening means'and with or Withoutwrapper.

Fig. 9 is an end View of a unit comprising one or more cells vwith top-forming side-wall extension; and

Fig. 10 is a similar View illustrating a separate closure or cover.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and first to Figs. 1 to 4, the partition forming and cushioning means in accordance with my invention is moulded, embossed, stamped or otherwise constructed in sheet or other form preliminary to use. Various lna- Serial No. 297,629.

terials may be-employed for the purpose, including boxboard, cloth or cloth-reinforced cardboard, Celluloid, etc., but preferably it is of a cellulosic or fibrous nature, such as pulp of any kind, pulp board, disintegrated paper molded or felted, if desired, or other suitable material preferably of sufficient inherent rigidity to be self-supporting yet iexible or elastic in the manner of diaphragm.

In Fig. l, I have illustrated a completely formed but unfolded sheet adapted to be set up or folded and secured, for example, as in Fig. 2, to provide a plurality of rows of cells or compartments, there being six rows of six cells each in the device as shown. The sheet element, indicated as a whole at 1 in Fig. l is provided with transverse fold lines or is transversely creased, scored or otherwise formed for folding, demarking it into a plurality of parallel strips comprising side walls 2, 2, etc., and in the present illustrativev embodiment, bottoms or bottom walls 3, 3, etc., hingedly connected, along said fold lines, to the preceding and succeeding strip. The fold lines between adjacent side wall strips or portions are indicated in Fig. 1 at 2', 2, etc. It will be noted that at opposite ends of the sheet are single side Wall strips 2 while throughout the remainder of the sheet the side wall strips are in pairs, and, in this instance, with a bottom Wall strip or cushion 3 intermediate each such pair. That is, the

sheet member as a Whole is foldable to form a trough or channel element, or to form a. plurality of such elements in substantial parallelism, eachto receive or position an egg or other article or a row of two or more such articles.

Each side-Wall strip 2 is similarly formed witha series of alternating and comparatively high raised portions or projections 4, 4, etc., and comparatively low cushions or elevated portions 5, 5, etc. serving also as strengthening ribs. Said projections 4, 4, in the set-up condition of the device constitute transverse` partition elements, forming, preferably but not necessarily with like means on the bottom walls, the divisions between the indi-4 vidual cells or cbmpartments of a row, as Well as serving as cushioning means lengthwise the 100 row. As illustrated, they are of a mound-like form, resembling truncated and somewhat rounded pyramids, but they may be variously shaped and proportioned, as to height, breadth and length and as to angularity, eX- tent of rounding, etc. Depending on the material employed, said formations 4 and 5 are produced in the original moulding of the pulp material, or are embossed from a fiat sheet, o r otherwise produced.

The bottom strips 3, if separately folded bottom strips are employed, may be formed identically as the side-wall strips, for example, as shown at '3a in Fig. 5. including alternating high and low projections. As illustrated in Figs. l to 6 each bottom strip includes the relatively high raised parts or partitioning and cushioning members G, 6, etc., in registry with the like formations 4, 4 of the side walls. Intermediate said relatively high projections G, G are the relatively low raised portions, ridges or ribs 7, 7, etc. of a width corresponding to that of the side cushions and strengthening ribs 5, 5, etc. These ribs 7 receive the lower extremity of the article to be positioned and cushion and elastically support it. Said ribs 7 may be of the same height throughout their length, as shown in Fig. 5,A being then substantially identical with the side members 5, 5, etc., or they may be formed at or near their opposite ends with higher portions or cross ribs as indicated at 8, 8, etc., in Figs. 1 to 4, whereby each cell or compartment bottom is given an elastic base or receiving formation in which the end oi the egg or other article may rest. Said cross ribs 8 may terminate at the side edge of the ridges or ribs 7 from which they rise, as illustrated, having valleys between them and the high projections or partition members 6 at each side, or may extend across and merge into said members 6, or may be more or less curved, or otherwise formed.

It will be understood from the illustrative views that the higher or partition parts 4, 4, etc., of the side-wall strips which are to form the opposite side walls for a given row of cells or compartments, and the higher or partition parts 6, 6 of the bottom strip ol" that row -are in registry, while their inclined ends permit them to miter at the lower corners of each compartment, see Fi gs. $1, 5 and so that together they form a substantially continuous partition, down on`e side, across the bottom and up the opposite side in any given row. The contents of each cell, such as an egg E, Fig. 2, are thus positioned and cushioned on all sides and also-at the bottom. The parts described are particularly adapted to cooperate in cushioning and positioning globular articles such as eggs, the converging walls of the several partitioning or raised parts 4 and 6 conforming to the contour of the egg or likeformed article, as best seen for example in Fig. 6, again to be referred to later'. From said iigure it will be observed that the eggs 'E have substantially an all-round support and cushion, at four points by the partition members 4 and at two additional points by the lower' or side cushions 5. In addition to this they may also be cushioned or positioned as by an elastic base at their bottoms, in the manner already described. It will further be noted that the side partition members 4 desirably terminate short of the side wall upper edges, and below the top of a positioned egg of normal size, thus leaving a relatively flat upper edge portion for the side walls. These upper edge portions may be strengthened and given additional rigidity by extending the lower raised portions or ribs 5 above the partition members 4, and to or nearly to the extreme upper edge of the side walls, as indicated at 5a in the several figures. A plurality of the multiple row fillers of Figs. 1 to 4 may accordingly be super-posed, preferably with alternate layers having their rows arranged at right angles, the side walls being suiiciently rigid to support the several layers, with or without the use of separate flats between layers. The same is also true with the fillers having a less number of rows of cells, such as the two-row iillers of Figs. 6, 7 or 8.

By reason of the illustrated construction, wherein the side partition members 4 are of a less height than the side walls, the contained articles such as the eggs E are much more fully displayed than with the ordinary interlocked-strip filler, and afford the further marked advantage ,thereover of providing continuous air-passages of substantial crosssection throughout the full length of each row of cells, one intermediate the egg and each side wall, giving complete ventilation to the filler contents.

When the means of my invention employed as for packing eggs in a standard SiO-dozen crate, a sheet as illustrated in Fig. l and formed as described is set up or folded along the hinge lines 2 provided for the purpose intermediate the adjoining strips, into the form as in Fig. 2. Desirably the binge formations are such that the sheet tends naturally to approach the condition as in Fig. 2, whereby the several cell rows readily assume said form merely by pushing inwardly from the opposite ends of the sheet as a whole. The internal side walls are thus of double thickness, the two strips of each pair being brought together flatwise and in opposition, with their respective partition projections 4 oppositely disposed base to base.

Any suitable means may be provided for retaining the device in position as in Fig. 2. and I have illustrated for the purpose a tie or lock-wire S) extending through openings 10, 1() in the outer side-wall strips and having upset ends 11, 1l to engage the outer face of is to be the latter. The remaining side walls are provided with registering slots or apertures 12, 12, etc., for the reception of said tie 9, or used with a band, cardboard or other material; or tray.

It will be understood that the described partitioning, cushioning and filler means of my invention provides a combined flat and filler for use either with the regulation flat between layers or without such eXtra flat, If desired each succeeding layer may have its cell-rows disposed at right-angles to those of the preceding layer. In the 6 X 6 form as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 my filler device may be proportioned to tit one-half of a standard ,d0-dozen egg crate, and in such case, as stated, it may take the place both of the flat or cushioning sheet usually placed between the succeeding layers of eggs, and also of the cellular filler, generally formed of interlocked longitudinal and cross strips'. It may readily be lifted as a unit, and in the manner of a tray. y

The described filler means is equally applicable for use in connection with smaller receptacles or packages such as al standard 2 X 6 egg carton, or other forms such as 2 X 3, 1X 6, etc. In Fig. 6 I have illustrated it in connection with a 2 X 6 carton, the filler comprising but two rows of siX cells each. Further my invention contemplates the use of the same filler device in which the articles or eggs are contained in the larger lot or crate, as for shipment, for packaging in the smaller lots such as the 2 X 6 carton. To effect this, it is necessary merely to separate the desired number of cells or rows of cells into the required groups of cells or package units, eitherv in the direction ofv the rows, or crosswise thereof, or both. If desired, the larger unit of Figs. l and 2 may be perforated or otherwise arranged for ready detachment along the desired lines to provide such number and arrangement of smaller units as circumstances require. As one example only I have indicated at 13, 13 in F 1, perforations or the like whereby the 6 X 6 device may be separated into three 2 X6 fillers.

This use of a combined flat`7 and filler separable into smaller' unit fillers is particularly advantageous where the eggs eo..- tained in the larger unit have been sealed as by coating with paraliin and accordingly do not require further candling before they are distributed or packaged for retail sale. vObviously the fillers may be originally formed in such smaller units when desired.

In Fig. 7, I have shown a double-row filler, generally similar to that of Fig. 6, employed in conjunction with a tubular or sealed carton or wrapper 14, in which it is retained by stapling or other connection at one or both ends, as indicated at 15, 15. In this manner it is particularly useful in connection with the means and method disclosed and claimed in my prior Pat-ent N o. 1,588,857, dated J une 15, 1926.

In some instances I may provide, in addition to opposite side and bottom walls for thev one outer sidewall, as at 17 or being divided and hinged to the two opposite outer side walls. In practice I have found such provision of a top generally unnecessary, as the bottoni wall of any superposed carton or filler therein serves as a cushion at the top of the under ller or carton'. Said top may be use- .ful, however, in case it is desired to employ,

the filler separately, as a receptacle with or without other container or with or without a wrapper. Said top or side-wall extension 16 may, if desired, and particularly if the illustrated receptacle is to be used as a complete package, include a closure lip or flap 16a, and any suitable means 18, such as a clip, wire, gummed sealer or the like may be provided for securing it in closed position. Also the inner or opposed side walls 2, 2 may be secured against possible separation in any uitable manner, as by the gummed strip 19,

The described construction providing atop for the receptacle is equally applicable to single row units as to plural row units, each row including one or more pockets or cells. In Fig. 9, for eXample, is illustrated a unit of one pocket or cell in width and of any desired number of pockets or cells in length, having one side-.wall 2 extended as at 16 to provide a top wall which may terminate at the opposite side wall or be formed with the flap or lip 16a., as preferred. Preferably such top strip or strips is or are formed with the projections 4a, 4a, etc. similarto the projections 4 of the bottom strip or strips. In such case said projections are located on`all four walls of each pocket or cell, that is, on the bottom, opposite sides and top, as shown. A completely closed and cushioned pocket for each -article or egg is thus provided. The constructions illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, particularly when made with a view to their use as complete packages, may be referred to as unitary egg receptacles. It will be understood that the side-wall extensions, or tops may likewise be employed, either with or wiQout the end flaps or lips, when said receptacles are to be used within a carton or wrapper, or in a crate or the like.

Referring to Fig. l0, I have illustrated another form of closure, comprising aseparate cover member 20, of inverted U-shape,

the sides 21, 2l of which may extend downward any suitable distance on the cell sides and may be sealed or otherwise secured thereJ to by any suitable means. Such member may be employed with receptacles of one or more cells in width and/or length, and the latter may be open-topped or closed-topped, as described in connection with Figs. 8 and 9, and if desired said member 20 may itself be formed with the projections 4a, for use with open-topped receptacles, thus providing continuous or all-round positioning and cushioning means for the contents, or it may be a flat-surfaced member, without projections, and more readily adapted to receive printed matter.

The numerous advantages of the means ofmy invention will be apparent from the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings. In addition to the resulting safety and practical elimination of breakage. the described partitioning or filler means may be made to afford increased ventilation for the contents, the partitioning parts being constructed and arranged to afford free passage of air throughout the entire length of any row of cells, as clearly apparent in Fig. 2. In said connection the carton, wrapper or other outer receptacle may be open-ended as in Fig. 7, or it may have its end walls recessed, apertured or reduced as indicated, for eX- ample, at 22, 22, Fig. 6, to facilitate a through draft. rllhe ventilation may be further increased by the provision of apertures in the sides or bottom, which apertures may also. provide drainage for an occasional broken egg, preventing contamination of the other eggs.

rllhe means of my invention also affords more attractive display of the contents, as the relatively low partitioning and cushioning` parts did not obscure them, whether eggs or other articles, but cause them to stand out distinctly and in full View. `Obviously the proportion, shapes and heights of the described partitioning and cushioning parts may be varied, and the latter may be otherwise formed than as herein illustrated by way of example.

My invention not limited to the particular embodiments thereof herein shown and described, its scope being set forth in the follow claims.

claim:

' L filler for a wrapper or container for P' articles, said filler consisting of a sub.. ntially dat-formed sheet comprising paraliel. strips bendable for use along their connected edges to provide a plurality of chan4 als or cell rows, said strips having themen raised formations of sufhcient height and so shaped an arranged as to form transverse' partitioning and 4cushioning means for individual articles in the 'respective channels or rows.

i2. A receiver for fragile articles, said receiver formed integrally as a substantially fiat sheet-like element foldable to provide a plurality of channels each having confronting side walls with opposed, inwardly projecting, mound-like formations thereon constituting self-sufficient transverse partitioning and cushioning means for individual articles.

3. A cushioning device for fragile articles, comprising a. sheet-like member foldable along parallel lines, and mound-like cushioning projections on the member effective, in the folded state of the latter to form separators between pockets for individual articles.

'-1. A receiver for one or more eggs or other fragile globular articles, adapted for positioning in a pocket-like space of a crate, carton or the like, said receiver comprising a sheet of fibrous molded or formed material foldable for use into one or more trough elements, the side walls of said trough element or elements having opposed, inwardly eX- t-ending, unbroken, raised formations constituting self-sufhcient means for securely individually positioning and cushioning an egg or other article` or a row of two or more thereof to a trough element.

5. A combined fiat and filler element for shipping and/or packaging eggs, as in crates or the likesaid element comprising a series of parallel strips connected substantially flatwise and foldable to provide one or more channels, said strips having transverse hollow raised portions` to form individual cushioned cells in a row in each channel.

G. A packing for layers of fragile globular' articles arranged in rows, said packing formed as a single substantially rectangular sheet of fibrous material arranged for ready folding along substantially equally spaced parallel lines to formopposed side walls for the respective rows. and transverse-pyramidal formations projecting inwardly from said walls to form cushioning partitions between cells for individual articles.

7. A sheet-like, brous, molded or formed device foldable into a trough-like receiver for fragile globular articles, confronting walls of the folded device havingl self-supporting raised formations projecting in opposition to form partitioning means between pockets for individual articles.

8. A cell-forming device for use in cartons and the like for containing fragile globular articles, comprising a fibrous molded or formed sheet constructed and arranged for folding into a plurality of connected troughs or channels, and a series of spaced transverse partition-forming mounds on the side walls of each trough or channel.

9. fr fibrous, substantially fiat-molded or formed, folded trough-like device for receiving fragile globular articles. comprising a plurality of cells aligned lengthwise the de- -vice, each cell partitioned `lby registering khaving transverse hollow projections cooperable in the folded state of said element as partitions dividing the channel or trough into individual article cells.

11. Means for forming a filler foruse in a wrapper, carton or the like, as in packaging eggs for retail distribution, comprising a sheet of fibrous material having one dimension approximating the length of the wrapper, carton or the like, said sheet constructed for folding along parallel lines in the direction of said dimension to provide channels or troughs,` those portions which are to form the' side walls of any given channel having each a series of mound-'like formations, said formations on the confronting Walls of a given channel being arranged to provide transverse partitions, in the folded filler, dividing the channel into cells adapted to receive and securely positionindividual articles, the adjacent side walls of adjoining channels having their corresponding moundlike formations disposed base to base..

12. A generally fiat, fibrous, sheet-like device for use as a carton filler, said device constructed and arranged for folding into parallel channels, the portions for forming the channel side walls each having a series of transverse raised formations, substantially equally spaced and aligned cross-wise of the respective side wall portions, to constitute cell-partitions in the channels of the folded device.

13. A cushioning device for fragile articles, comprising a sheet-like member foldable along parallel lines, mound-like cushioning projections on the member effective in the folded state of the latter to form separators between pockets for individual articles, and elongated raised portions intermediate said projections for resisting ldistorting pressure and to serve as inditional cushions.

14..A'holder or combined flat and filler element for shipping and/or packaging eggs, as in crates or the like,fsaid element comprising a series of parallel hingedly connected strips foldable to provide one or more channels having opposed side walls and having raised portions to form individual .cushioned cellsin a row in e'ach channel, and means carried by said element for retaining it in folded position. j

15. In combination with a container or wrapper for fragile articles, a cellular filler formed from a single sheet of material comprisinga series of parallel, hingely-connected bottom and side-wall strips, there being a pair of side-wall strips intermediate each bottom strip, the strips of each pair adapted to be folded reversely toward each other to form a wall between rows of cells, said strips having transverse raised portions cooperable in the folded or set-up position of the fillerto form partitioning and cushioning means for the individual cells, and said bottom piece having lifted receiving formations intermediate said transverse raised portions to provide positioning and bottom cushioning means for the several cells.

16. A holder or combined flat and filler element for packaging eggs, as in crates, said element comprising a series of parallel strips foldable to provide a plurality of channels having opposed side-walls and having raised portions to form individual cushioned cells in rows in said channel,- and provisions whereby said element may readily be disj oined into units each of one or more cell rows or part rows.

17. Partitioning and cushioning means forpacking or packaging fragile articles, said means formed integrally as a sheet-like element and adapted to provide a plurality of rows of cells, each row comprising confronting' side walls, said side walls having opposed inwardly projecting formations cooperating as transverse partitioning and cushioning means for the individual cells, said ,partitioning and cushioning means adapted for use as a whole and also being readily separable into units of one or more cell rows or part rows. f

18. A packing for layers of fragile globular articles arranged in rows, said packing formed as a single sheet of fibrous material arranged for ready folding alongv substantially equally spaced parallel lines to form walls for the several rows, and integral transverse partitioning formations projecting inwardly from said walls when so folded, each alternate fold portion between .rows being arranged for ready separation therealong to divide said packing into a plurality of individual double-row packings or fillers.

19. Partitioning and cushioning means for fragile globular objects arranged in one or more rows, comprising, for each row; in-

tegrally and hingedly connected strips forming bottom, top, and opposite side walls; registering, vertically elongated formations projecting inwardly from the opposed side side walls; andother raised but lower formawalls to provide transverse partitions; simij wall, a bottom wall, and an opposite side wall forming a channel, the adjoining side-wall strips of succeeding channels being reversed toward each other, said sidewall strips having inwardly projecting raised formations in registry transversely of the channels to divide each channel into cells, and said bottom-wall strips having similar registering formations, both said side-wall strips and said bottomwall strips having lower raised portions intermediate said formations, for strengthening and cushioning purposes.

2l. A fibrous, molded or formed, folded 'trough-like ldevice for receiving fragile globular articles, comprising a plurality of y cells aligned lengthwise the device, eachcell partitioned by registering raised formations at the inner faces of the trough walls, said formations of each partition extending substantially continuously about the trough from the upper portion of one side wall downwardly therealong and thence up to the upper portion of the opposite side wall, elongated hollow inward projections 5, 5 on the eellwalls at the sides of the trough intermediate said partitioning formations, and a raised formation 8a or 7, 8 at the bottom of each cell merging downwardly at its periphery into the base edges of said partitioning formations and of said intermediate projections.

22. As a new article of manufacture, a receiver for fragile articles, adapted for positioning in a wrapper, carton, or the like, comprising a substantially flat or uni-planular sheet of fibrous molded o-r felted material, said sheet including an approximately rectangular portion arranged for folding to c011- i stitute a side wall of a` channel, said portion having distributed along it a plurality of moundlike raised or bulged formations produced simultaneously with the sheet, to provide, after folding of said portion, vertical article-dividing and article-cushioning means.

23. A one-piece holder for fragile articles adapted to be folded to formcells for such articles, comprising a sheet of material pro? vided with a substantially central fold line, said sheet having portions on each side of said fold line defining alternately a portion formed with spaced laterally projecting members and a portion provided with spaced cushion means, said members having sufficient strength and rigidity for self support, said sheet having fold lines interposing said portions, whereby folding said sheet along all said lines produces a holder having upstanding central walls and horizontal base portions contiguous thereto, the laterally projecting members of said central walls interposing said cushion means or' said bases, said members being produced simultaneously with the sheet.

24. An article of manufacture comprising a sheet of material having a series of spaced bowl-shaped protuberances and a series of spaced article partitions of substantially prismatie outline, said protuberances and partitions being alternately disposed on the sheet.

25. An article of manufacture comprising a sheet of material which is substantially flat in unfolded position, and adapted to be folded to constitute a holder, said sheet having formed therewith protruding articlesupport ing means and a contiguous portion having bulged article-partitioning means, said supporting means being spaced laterally of said partitioning means.

26. An article of manufacture comprising a substantially uni-planular sheet, having a row ofprotruding members defining cushion areas formed thereon, and a contiguous row of protuberances of substantially prismatic outline, members of the first-mentioned row being staggered with respect to the protuberances of said contiguous row.

Q7. A one-piece packing adapted to be folded for housing fragile articles, compris ing a sheet of material having a plurality of foldable areas, portions of said sheet being substantially baek-to-back when folded along one of said areas, other portions integral with said lirstmamed portions being oppositely disposed thereto when folded along other of said foldable areas, articio-partitioning means bulged from said portions and protruding a substantial extent therefrom, said partitioning means being unobstructed at their lower limits when said portions are folded, whereby folding said sheet along said foldable areas produces an article holder.

28. A holder for fragile articles comprising a sheet of material having rows of raised forms therein, means for folding said sheet flanking said rows, said forms extending across said rows and increasing in height between said folding means, the forms of a row being aligned with those of a contiguous row, whereby said sheet may be folded along said means with said forms substantially contacting.

2S). A sheet of fibrous packing material `formed with integral parallel fold lines separating rows of integral, hollow protuberances of laterally convergent form effective as pocket-forming and article-separating means in the folded state of the sheet.

30. A package for fragile objects such as los eggs, comprising, in combination, a folded sheet of fibrous packing material formed with integral parallel fold lines -separating rows of integral, hollow protuberances of laterally convergent form effective as pocket-forming andarticle-separating means in the folde state of the sheet, and a container having Y connected bottom, side and top walls forming a tube wherein said folded sheet is positioned by relative endwise sliding of sa1d parts, said folded sheet and its protuberances -intercooperating to resist and distribute eX- ternal lateral, diagonal and vertical Astresses p upon said tubular container.

3l. A package for eggs and other fragile globular objects, comprising, in combination, a container having bottom, side and top walls connected in tubular form, and a protuberance-carrying sheet folded along parallel lines to form a troughed cellular holder wherein said protuberances constitute the pocket-formin g and object-separating means, said container and holder being assembled by relative endwise sliding, with said protuberances intercooperating to reinforce thetubular container transversely.

32. A fragile article holder comprising a sheet having rows of integral, hollow protuberances and having parallel fold lines separating said rows, said sheet being folded to form a trough wherein said protuberances then constitute pocket-forming and articleseparating means, said sheet so folded adapted for use as a cushioning filler or separator within a container and as an article-holding tray-like device apart from such container.

33. Fragile-article holding means comprising a foldable sheet having hingedly connected strips forming, in their folded state, one or more troughs and top closure means therefor, said sheet having rows of hollow protuberant formations providing pocket-forming and article-separating means for the folded trough or troughs,and said top closure means having similari cooperating formations.

34. A sheet of fibrous packing'material formed with integral parallel fold lines separa -lng rows of integral, hollow protuberances effective as pocket-forming and articleseparating means in the folded state of the sheet, said sheet also including al foldable cover-forming element defined by a fold line therefor. 1

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

FRANCIS H. SHERMAN.

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