US2050980A - Bottle case - Google Patents

Description

Afig. 1 I, 1936. Q M BUHL 2,050,980

BOTTLE CASE Filed April 14, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet;

I J INVENTOR. Carles M ,BzrZ. v

ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 11, 1936. Q HL v 2,050,9 0

BOTTLE CASE Filed April 14, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. Ciarles ,Bzrl;

ATTORNEYS.

i atenteci Aug. i936 warren stares PAT ENT OFF E'CE Application April- 14',

8- Claims.

The invention relates to metal cases and it has particular-relation to a metal= case for receiving bottles of beverage or the like.

One object of the invention is to'provid'e-an improved sheet metal case, which is sodesigned that the sidewalls or panels of the case may be manufactured from sheet metal of very thin gauge, while still obtaining a very rig-id and strong construction that is highly resistant to impact forces which may particularly be directed against edges and corners of the construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a. construction such as mentioned above which is of minimum weight to the end that the cost of manufiacture may be reduced to a minimum and the case may bemanipulated with less eiiort.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sheet metal case reinforced along the edges and corners thereof, which is substantially free from openings or interstices that would not only detract from the appearance of the case'but alsoundesirabl y permit ingress of water, dirt or the like during its use.

Another objectof the invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a sheet metal case which includes the provision of relatively thin gauge sheet. metal and sheet. metal of heavier gauge along the corners and edges, sothat the finished construction will have a minimum weightwhile still obtaining a rigidity and resistance to impact forces that adds considerably" to the; durability of the case during use.

Other objects of the invention will become apparenttrom the following description, the drawings. to which the description relates, and the claims hereinafter set forth.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may behad to-the drawings, wherein:

Fig, 1 is a perspective view of a metal case constructed according to one form of the invention, with the lid of the case ina raised position.

Fig- 2 is exploded view' of acorner of the case.

Fig. It is a detail view illustrating one of. the: corner caps embodied in the case.

Fig- 4 is a fragmentary view of the case as: shown by Fig. 1, with the lid in its closed posi tion.

Fig. 5' isa fragmentary view of the bottle sup- 50 porting plate in the case.v

Fig. 6 is a. cross-sectional view on a larger scale, ta-ken substantially along, the line 5-6 of Fig. 4..

Fig. 7' is a cross-sectional view on a larger'scale, taken substantially along the line '!T' of Fig. 4'.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view on a larger scale,

1933, Serial No. 6662078 taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Fig. 1'.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view on a larger scale, taken substantially along the line 9-9 of Fig. 4, and also illustrating in broken lines how'one' case may be stacked upon another".

Referring to Fig. l, the side and end panels, or wallsof the metal case shown, are indicated at I0 and M respectively, and the lid is indicated at i2. In constructing a case of this character, it is desirable that it be as light as possible so 10 as to reduce manufacturing costs, to enable easier manipulation of the case and also reduce costs of transportation, and accordingly, it is. advantageous to construct the. panels and lid of' thin gauge sheet metal. Such panels and lid then may be reinforced by forming pressed-out ribs i3. therein and it will be noted that these ribs are so arranged and directed that the metal is reinforced in practically every portion. The side panels it particularly have a diamond-shaped rib and this is desirable especially in the front panel. so as to leave an area it of plane contour upon which a label may be pasted or other indicia impressed in the metal.

Now referring to Figs; 6 and '7 particularly, each of the panels I0 and M at its upper and lower edges has an outwardly bent reinforcing flange It. Each of these edges then is reinforced by means of a tubular rail ll having a triangularly tubular portion for receiving the edge of the panel and flange l6, and leg portions 5'8 and 19 that substantially contact with opposite surfaces of the panel. It will be appreciated that a rail may be assembled on each edge of the panels by longitudinally telescoping it over the edge portion and flange l6 until it is in its longitudinally desired position. When the parts are so assembled, the portions l8 and i9 may be secured by welds to the panel at longitudinally spaced points by a pinch or spot welding process. The tubular rails are constructed of sheet metal which is. heavier in gauge than that of the sheet metal forming the panels and when the rails are so-assembled with the panel edges, the rigidity of the latter is greatly increased and they become highly resistant to deformation by impact forces occurring during manipulationand use of the case. It- Will be appreciated in this connection that in the ordinary metal case, it is usually the edges of the case that become bent during use and that it is much more important if the case is' to be durable and efficient in use, that the edges be rigid and maintain their shape and the shape of the case. It of course, apparent that the flanges l5 on the panels also lend considerable rigidity to the edges.

Now referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the flange I6 at each edge of the panels terminates at opposite ends, inwardly of the ends of the rail I! and that the ends of the rail terminate at some distance inwardly of the ends of the panel. The end portions of the side panels l9 projecting beyond the ends of the rails are arouately bent as indicated at 2B and the upper, outer corners of the arcuate portions are notched as indicated 'at 2|. Each end portion of the end panels ll, beyond the ends of the rails, remains in the plane of the panel and terminates in a right angular flange 22, thus defining a sharp corner. At the upper and lower ends of such corners on the end panels H, the metal is flared outwardly as indicated at 23 and this flared portion is formed into arcuate shape relative to the side walls of the corner. Such flared portion terminates in inwardly directed lips 26 which are separated by a'notch so as to facilitate bending of the portions inwardly from the curved edge of the flared portions. Opposite edges of the flared portion and lips are notched as indicated at 2?. After the parts are so formed on the end panels, an angle member 28 of heavier gauge metal is mounted within each corner for'reinforcement purposes, and is spot or pinch welded to the side walls of the corner at vertically spaced points.

For reinforcing the upper and lower ends of each corner of the end panels, H and hence for reinforcing the corner portions of the case as finally constructed, an arcuate metal cap' 29 of heavier gauge sheet metal is provided which has an upper face portion 30 adapted to lap over the lips 24 and an arcuate, tapered flange portion 3| which is adapted to substantially contact with the outer side of the flared flange 23. Each cap also has an angular and depending flange 32 adapted to engage the sides of the corner below the flared flange 23. Each of the caps29 also has a lip 35 at each side which is. adapted to project under the upper horizontal portion of the rail I! on the panels and it will be recalled that the flange I 6 terminates inwardly of the rail, so as to provide a space for this purpose. Each cap also has an obliquely arranged lip 35 at each side and these lips are adapted to project into the tubular portions of the rails along the obliquely arranged sides thereof. One of the caps then is associated with each corner portion of each end panel H, and in mounting the caps, the lips 35 and 36 at one side are disposed respectively under the upper face of rails i1 and projecting within the tubular portion of the rails along the tapered walls thereof. Then the flange portions 32 are pinch or spot welded to the sides of the corner portions of the panels and the face portions 29 of the caps are similarly welded to the lips 24. It may be noted in this connection that the flaring of the portions 27 of the panel corners provides a recess to facilitate the welding operation.

With each of the side panels l0 provided with the rails ii and curved end portions 20, and with each end panel I l provided with the rails 11, caps 1 29, and reinforcing member 28, the panels are ready for assembly. This is accomplished by moving the curved ends 28 of the side panels l0 into the corners of the end panels so as to dispose the curved ends 20 transversely and insubstantially tangential relation to the angle parts tion, the other lips 35 on the corner caps 29 are disposed under the upper face part of the rails 11, and the lips 36, are disposed within the tubular part of the rails along the tapered wall thereof. It will be appreciated that during this assembly, the notches 2| will avoid interference between the curved ends 20 of the side panels, and the ends .of the rails on the end panels. Similarly the notches 2! will accommodate the ends of the rails ll on the side panels, while allowing sufl'icient space for the lips 35 and 36 to project into the rails. After such assembling operation, the curved end portions 20 of the side panels are joined by pinch or spot welding to the angular corner portions at the ends of the end panels at the points of tangential contact.

' The resulting construction is free from undesirable interstices at the corners and this factor will prevent ingress of water, dirt or the like into the hollow corner portions as well as avoid an undesirable appearance. Moreover, the faces 30 of the corner caps constitute continuations of the horizontal rail faces, thus providing a smooth, relatively wide face along both the bottom and top edges of the case. Moreover, the edges and corners are very rigid and reinforced by the rails, caps and members 28, even though thin gauge metal is used in the panel bodies.

The finished case, as best shown by Fig. 9, has a central partition 40 provided with a marginal flange 4! which may be spot or pinch welded to the panels. As shownby Fig. 8, the flange is eliminated at the'corners of the partition and such corner portions are rounded similarly to the portions 20 on the side panels l0, butpreferably and asshown, such curved corner par--v tions of the partition, are spaced from the arcuate portions 20 ofth-e panels not only to compensate for manufacturing tolerances but to provide an aperture through which water or the like may flow tothe bottom of the case. tion is provided with twenty-four openings 42 The partifor receiving bottles, and around each opening,

a flange 43 is turned downwardlyfor reinforcement purposes and also to provide a wider side I support for the bottles. As best shown by Fig. .1,

circumferentially spaced lips 44 project downwardly from the lower edge of the flangev 43,.and

such lips constitute further guides for the bottles 1 and at the same time avoid turning down a wide annular flange that might result in splitting of the metal. Between the openings 42 and as indicated particularly in Fig. 8 at 45, the partition is formed with upwardly directed pressed-out portions of diamond shape which reinforce the partition between the bottle openings.

The bottom of the container is indicated a n and similarly to the partition 40 has rounded corner edges spaced sufficiently from the curved portion 20 to permit water, bottle caps and other debris to escape. The bottom also has a flange 48 spot or pinch welded to the inner sides of the rails l1, and such flange is eliminated around the corners in substantially the same manner as the flange 4| on the partition 40. As best shown 1 by Fig. 5, the bottom wall 41 has openings 49 coinciding with the openings 42 in the partition,

asindicated at 5| to provide a contacting portion for the usually concaved bottom surface of ing imparted forcefully to the bottle.

,the recessed portions 58 for the bottles, the metal the bottle. It may be noted in this connection that the crowned portion i acts as a sort of a resilient support for the bottom of the bottle and normally will contact therewith before the rim of the bottle engages the base portion of recess 50. Thus if the case is dropped on a floor, the resilient crown 5| will prevent impact forces be- Between is upwardly pressed into diamond shape as indicated at 52 and this not only reinforces the bottom wall but defines the outer wall for the bottle recess. It will be appreciated that the crown portion 5| as well as the outer walls of the recessed portion 58 serve as means for preventing sidewise movement of the bottle so that the botas shown by Fig. 3 may have handle openings as indicated at 54 and these may be formed by stamping out a sector of metal indicated at 55 to form the opening and subsequently bending this metal upwardly into arcuate shape as indi- "cated at 55 to provide a smooth grip. Around the remaining edges of the opening, the metal may be turned inwardly and flanged over for a short distance to avoid sharp edges.

The lid panel l2, at its margin, has a downwardly turned flange 5! extending entirely around the lid. This flange, except at the corners of the lid, terminates in an inwardly directed portion 58 that is disposed in a substantially horizontal plane when the lid is in closed position and which is adapted to rest on the rails H and corner caps 29. Inwardly of this portion 58, the metal is angled toward the bottom surface of the lid as indicated at 59 and terminates in a plane portion 6!] that may be spot or pinch welded to the under surface of the lid. At the corners and as best shown by Fig. 2, bracket elements 63 may be disposed and welded to the flange 51 and, if desired, also to the lid body. These angle brackets 53 reinforce the lid at the corners and also improve its appearance particularly in that they more or less complete the construction around the corners of the lid.

As best shown in Fig. 7, any suitable type of hinge as indicated at 65 may have its wings welded to the rail on the back of the rear panel I!) and also to the flange 5'5 around the lid. For latching the lid in its closed position and as shown by Fig. 6, a spring latching member 61 is provided which may be riveted as indicated at 58 to the front panel I!) and to the bottom legs of the rail IT. This spring latch terminates in an arcuated portion 69 at its upper end which is adapted to pass through a slot '18 formed in the lid. It will be appreciated that in moving the lid to its closed position, the arcuate portion 69 of the latch element will facilitate its entry into the opening 10 and that once the lid is in closed position, the arcuate portion will spring into overlapping engagement with the lid at the front side of the opening thereby holding the lid in closed position. It may be pointed out here, and as clearly shown by Fig. 4, that the lid also has front reinforcing ribs ll which extend closely to the latch 61 and which prevent injury to the latch when the lid is in closed position inthat if another case is moved over the lid, the ribs prevent the upper case from engaging the latch. Ribssuoh as indicated at ll may also be formed along the other edges of the lid and such ribs and the ribs iii are of the same height, thus insuring distribution of weight over the surface of the lid, if another case, and particularly a wooden case havinga flat bottom, is supported on the lid. It may be noted in this connection and as shown by Fig. 9, that theribs M are so located, that they will fit within the recessed bottom of an upper metal case and thus hold the cases in prop erly stacked position, although it will be appreciated that the arcuate shape of the ribs will readily facilitate moving one case sideways without much effort.

Under. certain circumstances it may be necessary to seal the case, and for accommodating this result, the lid may be provided with openings 12 in its front margin and the rail H and flange IS on the front panel may have. similar openings 13. An ordinary sealing wire may be inserted through these. openings and the lid may be secured in its closed position by means of the seal.

It will be appreciated that the panels l0 and it may be constructed of very thin gauge sheet metal owing to the provision of the reinforcing rail along the edges of the panels and the reinforcements at the corners. Such reinforcements and rail may be constructed of heavier gauge metal without appreciably increasing the weight of the case while at the same time greatly increasing the rigidity and resistance of the case to bending when it is handled during use. Moreover, it will be appreciated that any interstices are practically eliminated so as to avoid collection of dirt and water. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the inside of the case has rounded corners and this facilitates cleaning the case as well as adds to the appearance thereof. Again it will be appreciated that a firm but resilient support for the bottles is provided and that when the bottles are in the case they are efficiently prevented from tilting and sidewise movement.

Although only one form of the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A metal case including a sheet metal wall, a triangular tubular metal rail enclosing an edge of said wall and joined to said wall, and a corner cap secured to said rail, said cap and said rail having faces perpendicular to said wall and in substantially the same plane.

2. A metal case including a sheet metal wall, a triangular metal rail enclosing an edge of said wall, said rail having a side extending along said wall, a side extending outwardly from said wall, and a side extending angularly toward said wall, and means connecting said rail to said wall to provide a rigid assembly.

3. A metal case including sheet metal panels arranged in rectangular relation and having a flange projecting from an edge, one of said panels having a corner portion at an end and another of said panels having a portion spaced from and extending transversely of said corner and in contact with the side walls of said corner portion, a tubular sheet metal rail resting on andenclosing each of said flanges and. having sides disposed on either side of the associated lit).

panel, means for joining the sides of each of said rails to its associated panel, and means joining said panels at said points of contact and including a cap secured to said panel for reinforcing said panels.

4. A metal case including sheet metal panels arranged in rectangular relation and having a flange projecting from an edge, one of said panels having a corner portion at an end and another of said panels having a portion spaced from and extending transversely of said corner and in contact with the side walls of said corner portion, a tubular sheet metal rail resting on and enclosing each of said flanges and having sides disposed on either side of the associated panel, means for joining each of said rails to its associated panel, means for joining said panels at said points of contact, and means including a cap having a portion projecting within said rails for reinforcing said panels.

5. A metal case including a sheet metal wall having a flange, a triangular tubular rail adapted to be telescoped longitudinally over said flange during assembly, and means securing said rail to said wall.

6. A metal case including a sheet metal wall having a flange at an edge, a triangular rail having a side extending along said wall, a side extending outwardly from said wall and resting on said flange, and a side extending angularly toward said wall, and means securing said rail to said wall to provide a rigid assembly.

7. A metal case including a sheet metal panel having a flange projecting from an edge, atriangular tubular rail enclosing. said edge and resting on said flange, means connecting said rail to said panel, a corner cap, and means for securing said corner cap to said panel including a plurality of triangularly disposed lips extending from said cap and projecting within said rail between said rail and a portion of said panel.

8. A metal case including sheet metal panels arranged in rectangular relation and having a flange projecting from an edge, one of said panels having a corner portion at an end and another of said panels having a portion spaced from and extending transversely of said corner, and in contact with the side walls of said corner portion, a, triangular sheet metal rail resting on and enclosing each of said flanges and having sides disposed on either side of the associated panel, means for joining each of said rails to its associated panels, means for joining said panel at said points of contact, a corner cap, and means for securing said cap to said panels including a plurality of triangularly disposed lips extending from said cap and projecting within each of said rails between said rails and the associated panels.

CHARLES M. BUHL.

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