US2030546A - Display container - Google Patents

Description

W I l mlm M, M36@ c. A. SHEFFER DISPLAY CONTAINER Filed July 5, 1934 ATTORN E YS Feb, M, g., c, A, SHEFFER @3054 v DISPLAY CONTAINER Filed July 5, 1934. 3 Sheets-*Sheet 2 A INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Feb. 11, 1936. c. A. sHr-:FFER lDISPLM CONTAINER Filed July 5, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. C/Mf/es /Z J/fffr ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 11, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 40 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a display container especially adapted to have its contents displayed and removed from the top thereof in successive layers or strata.

Second, to provide in a display container of this character means for elevating and adjusting the contents thereof as the same are removed from the top of the container, to maintain the appearance of a freshly opened container.

Third, to provide improved means for carrying the invention into effect, which are simple and economical in their parts, and very efficient and effective for the purpose intended.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure Which is a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a full display container embodying certain features of the invention, the lower portion of the container being broken away and sho-wn in section.

Fig. 2 is a View partially in side elevation and partially in section of a partially emptied container.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section illustrating the coaction of the edges of the false bottom or panel with the side walls of the box.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the device fo-r elevating the panel within the display container to adjust the level of the contents as the latter are exhausted.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section on a line corresponding to line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section of a modification of the elevating device, the section being taken on line 1-I of Fig. 8.

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another modication of the elevating device.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary detail Section taken on a line corresponding to line lD-I of Fig. 3.

Fig. 1l is a perspective view of another modication of the elevating device, the prongs being shown in upright operative position.

Fig. l2 is a similar view showing the prongs in collapsed position.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view illustrating the operation of the device, the

(Cl. G-44) section being taken on a line corresponding to line l3-I3 of Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings, I in general is a display container of the type adapted to contain. small baked goods, such as cookies, biscuits and 5 the like, the latter being arranged in vertical layers divided into parallel rows. In this case, the box or container l is illustrated as being filled with cookies 2, such as ginger snaps, which are sold directly to the 'consumer by the grocer, the 1Q grocer removing the contents from the top of the container. When the lled container is received by the grocer or other retailer, the cover aps 3 are opened and turned down adjacent the outer sides of the walls, as shown, and a metal frame 4 15 is placed on the top of the box to hold the downturned naps 3 in position and provide an attractive finished appearance to the container.

The metal frame i has a hinged cover 5 provided with a transparent window 6 through which 20 the contents of the container can be viewed by.r the prospective purchaser. The appearance of they contents of the container through the transparent cover is of vital importance in making a sale, and where the contents have been partially 2.5 removed and appear to be or suggest a stale leftover, sales are much harder to make. Inasmuch as the prot to the retailer is in the bottom layers of the contents of the container, it is readily seen that this is a very undesirable factor.

It is the purpose of this invention to provide means for elevating the contents of the container as successive layers thereof are removed from the top, so that the container always has the appearance ofl sales are thus not iniiuenced in the undesirabley manner referred to above. To this end, I provide a false bottom or panel l of sheet metal adapted for disposition between the contents and the imperforate bottom 8 of the box as shown 40 by Fig. l of the drawings. The panel is placed in the box adjacent the bottom 8 before the contents of the box are packed, although in some cases the panel may be placed in previously filled containers by removing the contents or opening the bottom for this purpose.

The bottoms of these cartons are formed. by side aps usually, simply stapled together, and by standing the box bottom up they are very readily removed and my improved false bottom inserted within the flaps which lare then again closed. As the layers of merchandise such as cookies or the like are removed in making sales, the upper portion of the box will become vacant.

I then again open the flaps of the bottom and lift 55..

being full or practically full and 35v my false bottom up against the contents, elevating the same to the top. The teeth engage in the side wall without causing the same to be sprung to any great extent, it not being necessary to spring the side wall at all to do this work but to provide the false bottom with teeth or an engaging edge sufficiently keen to slightly penetrate the surface, if the container happens to be made of pressed board or hard material.

The corners of the panel 'I are beveled at 9 and the edges of the panel are turned down to provide outwardly and downwardly inclined side flanges I9. The ends of these flanges are provided with teeth II adapted to engage the walls of the box adjacent the corners thereof. Since the walls of the box are made of paper or fiber board, they are readily engaged by the teeth which act to hold the panel and box in adjusted position relative to each other.

Fig. 10 illustrates how the flanges I0 engage the side walls of the box with a slip friction fit while the corner teeth I I bite into the side walls, the inclination of the teeth being less than that of the flanges for this purpose. VvIn this connection, it should be noted that while I prefer to use sheet metal for the panel I, any suitable or desirable material may be used.

The teeth engage the walls adjacent to but spaced from the corner which provides a limited yielding or springing action of the walls at the point of tooth engagement so that the false bottom can be readily pushed up but is very securely retained as the amount of spring of the walls is not such as to allow permanent distortion or allow them to spring away from the teeth. The teeth may be quite short, and at the same time the engagement of the bottom with each wall is effective and results in very securely retaining the bottom in any adjusted position and this avoids the use of springs or yielding pawls which would be necessitated if the teeth engaged an unyielding part of the container.

For elevating the panel 'I within the box as the contents thereof are exhausted from the top, I preferably use the elevating device illustrated by Figs. 2 to 6 and l0 off the drawings. This device comprises a base plate I3, preferably of sheet metal, having downwardly and inwardly rolled flanges I4, I4 at opposite edges thereof. The flanges engage a pair of metal rods I5, I5 terminating in upturned prongs IS sharpened at their upper ends. Corner guides II are secured to the corners of the base plate, and have their upper ends fiared outwardly to receive the box. As shown by Fig. 6, the rods I5 are welded in place in the rolled flangesl I4. This provides a very rigid construction.

As shown by Fig. 2, the sharpened rods or prongs I6 are designed to pierce the bottoms 8 of the container, and elevate the panel 'l as the box is moved down, to place the contents at the top of the box as the upper layer thereof is exhausted. Thus, as each layer of the contents is removed from the top of the box, the latter is moved downwardly in the guides of the elevating device to adjust the succeeding layer to a new position directly under the display window 6. The full appearance of the container is thus maintained until the contents are completely exhausted.

In Figs. '7 and 8, I show a modification of my elevating device comprising a base plate I8 of sheet metal having downturned flanges I9, I9 at opposite edges thereof, upwardly and inwardly rolled flanges 20, 20 at the other opposite edges thereof providing bearings, and slots 2I, 2I in the center of the bearings. ' I'he metal rods 22, 22 are journaled in the bearings and have downturned central cranks 23 in the slots, the rods terminating in upturned prongs 24 adapted to collapse on the base plate. I

To the under surface of the base plate, I secure a leaf spring 25 having the ends adapted to coact with the cranks to urge the same to collapse the prongs, the ends of the spring having transverse grooves 26 for receiving the cranks and locking the prongs in upright position. In this position, the prongs are adapted to pierce the bottom of the box and adjust the panel to support the contents thereof, as pointed out above in connection with Figs. l to 6. In the modication of Figs. '7 and 8, it will be observed that I have omitted the corner guides, this being desirable in certain cases.

In the modification of my elevating device illustrated by Fig. 9; 21, 2l are a pair of diagonal strips of sheet metal arranged in crossed relation and terminating in vertical corner guides 28 adapted to receive the box. A pair of metal rods` 29, 29 are arranged under opposite ends ofthe strips and terminate in upturned prongs 30 extending through the strips, the latter being provided with holes 3I for the passage of the prongs. In this modification, also, the prongs are adapted to pierce the bottom of the box and raise the panel as the box is moved down, to place the contents thereof adjacent the transparent cover.

In the modification of the elevating device illustrated by Figs. ll to 13, inclusive, 32 is a base plate, preferably of sheet metal, having downturned side flanges 33, The rods 34 are pivoted to the plate adjacent opposite sides thereof, portions 35 of the plate being partially out therefrom and rolled to provide bearings for the rods. The latter terminate in upturned prongs 36 which are connected to the central portion of the rods by lateral arms 3'I which coact with the top of the plate to limit the outward movement of the prongs, so that they are held in vertical position by the leaf springs 38, the latter being pivoted to the plate at 39.

The prongs 36 are collapsed on the plate 32 by swinging the springs 38 upwardly so that their notches 40 disengage the prongs, the springs being then swung about their pivots 39 clear of the prongs. The prongs are thereupon readily collapsed, as illustrated by Fig. l2, by turning them down on the plate. The elevating device is used to lift the false bottom supporting the contents of the container in the same manner as that described above in connection with the other figures.

With my display receptacle, the contents are kept sealed within the receptacle by virtue of the fact that it is not necessary to perforate the bottom of the box to gain access to the false bottom until after the container is opened for use. Further, the imperforate bottom protects the contents of the container during shipment and the like.

Where the greatest economy is practiced, the lifting device with the projecting prongs is entirely eliminated and I open the bottom of the container for the insertion of the false bottom. Where the bottom itself engages the side walls, I preferably form the teeth as indicated in Fig. 1 with a slight outset similar to the set of a saw tooth as there illustrated. However, with a keen edge that will slightly penetrate the surface, the teeth may be dispensed with. I find the teeth, however, much to be preferred as they penetrate the walls readily of such material as cellular board from which these food boxes are usually made and at the same time will be effective in engaging hard pressed board.

Iv have illustrated and described my improvements in embodiments which I have found very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations, as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements` as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1; In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box of ber board having an imperforate bottom and a transparent cover, a panel of sheet metal adapted for disposition between the contents and the bottom of said box, the panel having beveled corners and outwardly and downwardly inclined side flanges slidably fitting the walls of the box and provided with teeth at their ends engaging the walls of the box adjacent but spaced from the corners thereof, and means for elevating said panel within the box as the contents thereof are exhausted from the top, said means comprising vertical guide means adapted to receive the box and guide the same as it is moved downwardly, and

vertical prongs arranged within said guide means and having their upper ends sharpened to pierce the bottom of the box and elevate said panel with respect to the box as the latter is moved down, the prongs being arranged to engage the panel near the corners thereof.

2. In a disp-lay container of the character set forth, the combi-nation of a box of ber board, apanel adapted for disposition between the contents and the bottom of said box, the panel having beveled corners and outwardly and downwardly inclined side flanges slidably tting the walls of the box and provided with teeth at their ends engaging the walls of the box adjacent but spaced from the corners thereof, and means for elevating said panel within the box as the contents thereof are exhausted from the top, said means comprising vertical prongs having their upper ends sharpened to pierce the bottom of the boxv a-nd elevate said panel with respect to the box as the latter is moved down, the prongs being arranged to engage the panel near the corners thereof.

3. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box of fiber board, a panel adapted for disposition between the contents and the bottom of said box, the panel having beveled corners and outwardly and downwardly inclined side flanges slidably fitting the walls of the box and provided with teeth at their ends engaging the walls of the box adjacent but spaced from the corners thereof, and means for elevating said panel within the box as the contents thereof are exhausted from the top, said means comprising vertical prongs having their upper ends sharpened to pierce the bottom of the box and elevate said panel with respect to the box as the latter is moved down.

4. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box of ber board,

and a panel of sheet metal adapted for disposition between the contents and the bottom of said box, the panel having beveled corners and outwardly and downwardly inclined side flanges tting the walls of the box and provided with teeth at their ends engaging the walls of the box in spaced relation to the corners connecting said wall.

5. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box of ber board, and a panel of sheet metal adapted for disposition between the contents and the bottom of said box, the panel having beveled corners and teeth engaging the walls of the box in spaced relation to the corners connecting said walls.

6. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box of fiber board, a panel of sheet metal adapted for disposition between the contents and the bottom of said box, the panel having beveled corners and outwardly and downwardly inclined side anges slidably f1tting the walls of the box and provided with teeth at their ends engaging the walls of the box in spaced relation to the corners connecting said walls, and means including sharpened fingers adapted to pierce the bottom of the box and elevate said panel within the box to adjust the upper level of the contents adjacent the top of the box.

'7. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box of fiber board, a panel adapted for disposition between the contents and the bottom of said box, and means including sharpened fingers adapted to pierce the bottom of the box and elevate said panel within the box to adjust the upper level of the contents adjacent the top of the box.

8. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box of ber board, and a panel of sheet metal adapted for disposition between the contents and the bottom of said box, the panel having beveled corners and outwardly and downwardly inclined side flanges slidably fitting the walls of the box and provided with teeth at their ends engaging the walls of the box in spaced relation to the corners connecting said walls.

9. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination o-f a box of ber board,.

and a panel of sheet metal adapted for disposition between the contents and the bottom of said box, the panel having beveled corners and outwardly and downwardly inclined teeth engaging the walls of the box in spaced adjacent relation to the corners connecting said walls.

10. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box, and a panel of sheet metal adapted for disposition between the contents and the bottom of said box, the panel having beveled corners and outwardly and downwardly inclined teeth engaging the walls of the box in spaced adjacent relation to the corners connecting the walls of the box.

Il. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box of fiber board adapted to have the contents thereof removed from the top, a panel of sheet metal arranged within said box for supporting the contents thereof, a base plate of sheet metal having downwardly and inwardly rolled flanges at opposite edges thereof, a pair of metal rods rigidly fit-ting within said roiled flanges and terminating in upturned prongs for piercing the bottom of said box and supporting said panel as the box is moved down to place the contents at the top of the box, and corner guides adapted to receive said box and guide the saine as it is moved downwardly relative to said base plate, the guides being secured to the base plate at the corners thereof.

l2. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box adapted to have the contents thereof removed from the top,` a panel arranged within said box for supporting the contents thereof, a. base plate having downwardly and inwardly rolled flanges at opposite edges thereof, and a pair o-f rods fitting within said rolled flanges and terminating in up-turned prongs for piercing the bottom of said box and supporting said panel as the box is moved down to place the contents at the top of the. box.

13. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box of fiber board having a transparent cover, a panel of sheet metal disposed between the contents and the bottom of said box, a base plate having vertical corner guides adapted to receive said box, and sharpened prongs mounted on said base plate in said corner guides for piercing the bottom of the box and supporting said panel as the box is moved down to place the contents thereof adjacent said transparent cover as they are exhausted.

14. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box, a panel disposed between the contents and the bottom of said box, a base plate, and sharpened prongs mounted on said base plate for piercing the bottom of the box and supporting said panel as` the box is moved down to place the contents thereof adjacent the top of the box.

15. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box of liber board having a transparent cover, a panel of sheet metal disposed between the contents and the bottom of said box, a pair of diagonal strips of sheet metal arranged in crossed relation and terminating in vertical corner guides adapted to receive said box, and a pair of metal rods arranged under opposite ends of said strips and terminating in upturned prongs extending through said strips and positioned within said corner guides for piercing the bottom of said box and supporting said panel as the box is moved down to adjust the contents thereof adjacent said transparent cover as they are exhausted.

16. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box of ber board, a panel disposed between the contents and the bottom of said box, a pair of diagonal strips arranged in crossed relation and terminating in vertical corner guides adapted to receive said box, and a pair of rods arranged under opposite ends of said strips and terminating in upturned prongs extending through said strips and positioned within said corner guides for piercing the bottom of said box and supporting said panel as the box is moved down to adjust the contents thereof as they are exhausted.

17. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box of ilber board adapted to have the contents thereof exhausted from the top, a panel of sheet metal arranged within said box under the contents thereof and having toothed means engaging the walls of the box in spaced adjacent relation to the ends thereof, a base plate of sheet metal having downturned flanges at opposite edges thereof providing bearings', and slots in the center of said bearings, metal rods journaled to said bearings and having downturned central cranks in said slots and terminating in upturned prongs adapted to collapse on the base plate, and a leaf spring secured to the under surface of said base plate and having the ends thereof coacting with said cranks to urge the same to collapse said prongs, the ends of the spring having transverse grooves for receiving said cranks and locking the prongs in upright position for piercing the bottom of the box and adjusting said panel to support the contents of the box adjacent the top thereof.

18. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box of fiber board adapted to have the contents thereof exhausted from the top, a panel arranged within said box under the contents thereof and having means engaging the walls of the box in spaced adjacent relation to the ends thereof, a base plate having downturned flanges at opposite edges thereof providing bearings, and slots in the center of said bearings, rods journaled to said bearings and having downturned central cranks in said slots and terminating in upturned prongs adapted to collapse on the base plate, and a leaf spring secured to the under surface of said base plate and having the ends thereof coacting with said cranks to urge the same to collapse said prongs, the ends of the spring having transverse grooves for receiving said cranks and locking the prongs in upright position for piercing the bottom of the box and adjusting said panel to support the contents of the box adjacent the top thereof.

19. In an elevating device of the character set forth, the combination of a base plate of sheet metal having downturned side flanges and upstruck portions rolled to provide longitudinal bearings adjacent opposite sides of the plate, a pair of metal rods journaled to said bearings and terminating in upturned prongs, the prongs being connected to the central portions of the rods by lateral arms adapted to coact with the top of the plate tohold the prongs in upright position when urged outwardly, and leaf springs pivotally connected at their inner ends to said plate and having notches at their outer ends adapted to engage said rods to urge the same outwardly and thereby lock the rods in upright position, the rods being adapted to collapse on the base when said springs are disengaged therefrom.

20. In an elevating device of the character set forth, the combination of a base plate having downturned side flanges and upstruck portions rolled to provide longitudinal bearings adjacent opposite sides of the plate, a pair lof rods journaled to said bearings and terminating in upturned prongs, lateral arms adapted to coact with the top of the plate to hold the prongs in upright position when urged outwardly, and leaf springs pivotally connected at their inner ends to said plate and having notches at their outer ends adapted to engage said rods to urge the same outwardly and thereby lock the rods in upright position, the rods being adapted to collapse on the base when said springs are disengaged therefrom.

21. In an elevating device of the character set forth, the combination of a base plate having downturned side flanges and upstruck portions rolled to provide longitudinal bearings adjacent opposite sides of the plate, a pair of rods journaled to said bearings and terminating in upturned prongs, lateral arms adapted to coact with the top of the plate to hold the prongs in upright position when urged outwardly, and springs adapted to engage said rods to urge the same outwardly and thereby lock the rods in upright position, the rods being adapted to collapse on the base when said springs are disengaged therefrom.

22. In a display container of the character Set forth, the combination of a box of fiber board having an imperforate bottom and adapted to have the contents thereof exhausted from the top, a false bottom arranged within said boxl under the contents thereof and having toothed means engaging the walls of the box in spaced adjacent relation to the ends thereof, and an elevating device comprising horizontal base rods terminating in upturned corner prongs for piercing the bottom of the box and adjusting said false bottom to sup-port the contents of the box adja` cent the top thereof.

23. In an elevating device of the character set forth, the combination of a base plate having downturned flanges at opposite edges thereof providing bearings, and slots in the center of said bearings, rods journaled to said bearings and having downturned central cranks in said slots and terminating in upturned prongs adapted to collapse on the base plate, and a leaf spring secured to the under surface of said base plate and having the ends thereof coacting with said cranks to urge the same to collapse said prongs, the ends of the spring having transverse grooves for receiving said cranks and locking the prongs in upiight position.

24. In an elevating device of the character set forth, the combination of a base plate having downwardly and inwardly rolled fianges at opposite edges thereof, a pair of rods fitting within' said rolled flanges and terminating in upturned prongs, and corner guides secured to the base plate at the corners thereof.

25. In a display container false bottom elevating device of the character set forth, the combination of a base plate having vertical corner guides, and sharpened rods mounted on said base plate Within said corner guides.

26. In an elevating device for display containers of the character set forth, the combination of a pair of diagonal strips arranged in crossed relation and terminating in vertical corner guides, and a pair of rods arranged under opposite ends of said strips and terminating in upturned prongs extending through said strips and positioned within said corner guides.

27. In an elevating device of the character set forth, the combination of a rectangular base plate, and a pair of rods pivotally mounted on said plate and terminating in right angled prongs at the corners of the plate.

28. The combination with a display container having an imperforate bottom of fiber, and a false bottom adapted to support the contents at any desired level, of means for elevating said false bottom comprising a plurality of vertical pointed prongs adapted to pierce the bottom of the container and engage said false bottom at the corners thereof.

29. In a display container, the combination of a box of fiber board adapted to have the contents removed from the top, a false bottom of sheet metal slidably fitting within the box for supporting the contents and having downturned side flanges terminating at their ends in integral lateral teeth engaging the walls in spaced relation to the corners connecting said Walls.

30. In a display container, the combination of a box of iiber board adapted to have the contents removed from the top thereof, a false bottom arranged within the box and having beveled corners, and lateral teeth only engaging each side wall adjacent but in spaced relation to the corners of the box connecting said walls.

' 31. In a display container, the combination of a box of fiber board adapted to have the contents removed from the top thereof, and a false bottom arranged within the box and having lateral teeth only engaging each side wall adjacent but in slightly spaced relation to the corners of the box connecting said walls.

32. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box of fiber board, and a panel of sheet metal adapted for disposition between the contents and the bottom of said box, the panel having outwardly and downwardly inclined side iianges tting the walls of the box and provided with teeth formed at their edges engaging the Walls of the box.

33. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box of fiber board, and a panel of sheet metal adapted for disposition between the contents and the bottom of said box, the panel having beveled corners and teeth formed on its edges engaging the walls of the box.

34. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box of fiber board, and a panel of sheet metal adapted for disposition between the contents and the bottom of said box, the panel having beveled corners and outwardly and downwardly inclined side flanges slidably fitting the walls of the box and provided with teeth formed at their edges engaging the walls of the box.

35. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box of ber board, and a panel of sheet metal adapted for disposition between the contents and the bottom of said box, the panel having beveled corners and outwardly and downwardly inclined teeth formed on the edges of said panel engaging the walls of the box.

36. In a display container of the character set forth, the combination of a box, and a panel of sheet metal adapted for disposition between the contents and the bottom of said box, the panel having beveled corners and outwardly and downwardly inclined teeth formed at the edges engaging the walls of the box.

37. In a display container, the combination oi' a box of fiber board adapted to have the contents removed from the top, a false bottom of sheet metal slidably fitting within the box for supporting the contents and having downturned side flanges terminating at their edges in integral lateral teeth.

38. In a display container, the Combination of a box of fiber board adapted to have the contents removed from the top thereof, a false bottom arranged within the box and having beveled corners, and lateral teeth at the edges engaging each side wall.

39. In a display container, the combination of a box for goods adapted for dispensing from the top, and a false bottom disposed within the box and below the contents having laterally downwardly projecting teeth at the edges to engage the wall and retain the said false bottom in adjusted elevated position.

40. In a display container, the combination oi' a box for goods adapted for dispensing from the top, and a false bottom with downwardly aring edges disposed within the box and below the contents having laterally downwardly projecting iiange portions with enga-ging edges to engage the wall and retain the said false bottom in adjusted elevated position.

CHARLES A. SHEFFER.

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