US2120258A - Container - Google Patents

Description

June 14, 1938.

a. A. MOORE CONTAINER Filed Oct. 14, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A TTORNEY June 14, 1938. e. A. MOORE CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed 001;. 14, 1935 I 'III 'I u" I 'I 25 N MM "1 FIGJO.

A TTORNEY Patented June 14, 1938 n STATES P ENT FF E' comma George Arlington Moore, Louisville, Ky minor to Humoco Corporation, Louisville, Ky., a cor,-

portion of Delaware Application October 14, 1935, semi No. 44,856'

'IClaims.

This invention relates to containers or receptacles and more particularly to such articles having angular corners and constructed of foldable material.

One of the objects is to provide a novel of the present invention seamless flanged article formed of a single blank of material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel rectangular receptacle adapted to be made from a slngle blank of material and one wherein the corners are reinforced and stayed by folds in the flanged portion thereof.

Still another object is to provide a novel flanged container made from a single blank of fibrous material and having folds at the corners thereof, the folds at each corner being preferably symmetrically disposed with respect thereto and constituting means for staying the same.

A further object is to provide a novel flanged article having square corners, wherein a seamless, fibrous flange is formed integrally with the base of said article.

A still further object is to provide a flanged article adapted to be formed from a single blank wherein the corners are formed by folding the flanged portion of said article in a novel manner.

drawing and pleating the marginal portion of said blank to form a seamless flange having reinforced corners.

Another object is to provide a container comprising cooperating top and bottom flanged sections adapted to be formed by folding the marginal portions of a single blank in a novel manner.

Another object is to provide a novel container which is so constructed as to render the walls thereof impervious to air and moisture.

Another object is to provide a container constructed in a novel manner whereby lighter and less expensive materials may be employed without reducing the strength and durability thereof. I

The above and further vobjectsand novel features of the present invention will, more fully appear from the following detailed description, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are. not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being primarily had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In ,the drawings, wh

erein like reference charcordance with the present invention; Y 5

Fig. 1a is a perspective view showing one cor-- ner of the blank of Fig. 1 in partially folded position; t a

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a container embodying the present invention showing the' same in full open position;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view, partly in section and with parts broken away, of a cornerof :the left-hand portion of the container, as seen in Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a container constructed from.the:blank .of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the containe in partially opened position; 4

Fig. 5a is a partial plan view, taken along the line -51: of Fig. 5, illustrating the construction of a corner of the container;-

Fig. 6 is a top plan view, partly in section and with parts broken away, of a second embodiment of the invention, the sections being taken along two horizontal planes," the lower plane containing the upper edge of the lower section of the container; y I

Fig. '7 is a detail view showing one corner of a blank which may be employed in sealing one section of the container; 1

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of said second embodiment; r

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, showing the container in open position; and 35 Fig. 10 is a side elevation of said second embodiment, with partsbroken' away, and partially in section.

One embodiment of the present inventionis illustrated in Figs; 1" to 5a, inclusive, by way-of example, in the form of a rectangular container suitable for the packaging ofcigarettes. :Containers ofthe general character shown, particularly thoseadapted and intended to be carried in ones pocket fora considerable period' before 4,5 the contents are. completely used, are invariably subjected to stresses tending 'tocrush theys'ame, the greatest stresses being placedqon the .corners thereof. In packages heretofore provided, the corners have been comparatively weak because of v50 interruptions orv seams in the flanged portions thereof at or adjacent. saidcorners, thus permitting the same to be (easil broken open or crushed and thereby causing damage to orpermitting the escap fihe, contents, of the-pack.-

age. The present invention comprehends a container wherein the flanged portion thereof is integral with the base. of the container and,is not broken or interrupted at the corners, thus-,obviating the necessity of a seam at or near said corners, and accordingly rendering the same impervious to air and moisture as. well as preventing escape of the contents through an imperfect or oosened seam.

In the form shown, a box having a flanged top or upper section I! and a flanged bottom or lower section I3, adapted to cooperate with each other to constitute a complete container or enclosure, is formed by folding a single flat blank A, composed of flbrous or other foldable material, in a novel manner either by hand or suitable machinery. Blank A comprises two spaced areas I and I5 having the same shape and dimensions, the former constituting what may be referred to as the bottom of the lower section II of the container and the latter the top of the upper section I2. Areas I4 and it are preferably deflned by scores or ribs I8 and II, which may be impressed into the blank at the same time that said blank is cut to the desired size and shape. Ribs I8 and I1, although not essential elements of the present invention, are preferably provided for the purpose of facilitating the folding of blank A and to stiffen and strengthen the completed container. Said ribs preferably extend outwardly, thus forming complementary grooves interiorly of the container.

Bottom I4 and top l5 are provided with marginal strips I8 and I9, respectively, formed integrally therewith and extending around three sides thereof, each of said strips being of uniform width throughout its length. The strips or marginal portions I8 and I 9 are adapted to be folded at right angles to said top and bottom to form three of the side walls of the container sections I 2 and I3, and may be of any suitable width depending upon the desired vertical dimension of the container. It will be understood that marginal strips I8 and I9 may be of equal or unequal widths, depending upon the desired relative-sizes or capacities of sections I2 and I3.

When the marginal portions I8 and I8 of blank A are turned up or drawn into flanged relation with parts I4 and I5, there is an excess of material at each of the corners about which said portions extend that, in accordance with the present invention, is folded in a novel manner whereby reinforced, seamless corners are formed, and the container given a neat andpleasing appearance. In the folding of the blank, a development of which is shown in Fig. 1, the four outer corners thereof are creased and folded along lines a and e, which represent intersecting edges of bottom Il or top I5 extended, and deflne the comer areas of the marginal portions I8 and I8. Said comer areas are also creased along three other lines b, c-and d contained within the right angle between lines a and e. Creases a to e, inclusive, all emanate and diverge from the corners of part I4 or I5, and divide the corner areas a, e into four triangular sectors l, 2, 3 and 4' ed over the upper edge of the container, if desired.

The folding of the corners is preferably'carried out simultaneously with the folding of side walls I8 and is along lines or scores I8 and I1, re-

spectively, and the corner folds may be made to extend into the container and engage the'inner surfaces of the side walls or the same may extend exterlorly thereof and engage the outer surface of said side walls. When interiorly folded corners, as illustrated in Fig. 5a, are desired,- creases b and d are moved upwardly and inwardly ahead of crease 0 during the folding operation (Fig. 1a), and the sector surfaces I' and 8' on the outer surface of the corner area of the marginal portion ofblank A move into engagementwith sector surfaces 2' and 4', respectively, as creases a, c and e move toward each other and into a vertical position. At the same time, creases b and d are caused to diverge so as to bring sector surfaces I and l on the inner surface of blank A into engagement with the adjacent inner surfaces of side walls I8 or II at opposite sides of the corner which is being formed. A triple-ply, symmetrically formed, seamless corner is thus provided which is superior to corners heretofore provided in flber packages, both in strength and durability as well as in ability to retain fine-grained contents.

In order to render the corners formed in'the above manner permanent, and to hold the side walls in folded position, a suitable adhesive is applied to at least one of each of the engaging surfaces of the corner folds. Preferably, a thermoplastic, moisture-proof-adhesive, which may be activated by heat and pressure without the application of a solvent to render the same tacky, is employed. In a container wherein the corner folds extend interiorly thereof, as above described, said adhesive is applied to interior sector surfaces I and 4 and to exterior sector surfaces 2' and 3', as illustrated in Fig. 1. Heat and pressure may be applied to the folded corners by suitable heating elements associated with cooperating die members, which may be employed in carrying out the folding operation, thereby causing the adhesive to become tacky and flow sufficiently under pressure to flll up the pores or crevices of the engaging surfaces and accordingly substantially weld the same into intimate contact with each other.

If it is desired to pro de a smooth inner wall surface in the container, he side walls I8 and I8 may be pressed outwardly along the line of 'creases b and d, as shown at 20, to form triangularly shaped recesses for receiving the folds L1 and 3, 4.

The sections I2 and I3, formed in the above manner with a perpendicular seamless flange on three sides thereof, have the fourth sides of the same joined by a strip 2| constituting the end of the container, said strip having one dimension equal to the width of the areas I4 and I5 and its other dimension equal to the sum of the widths of marginal strips i8 and I9. If desired, a score or rib Ila may be provided in end portion 2!, preferably at the juncture of the upper and lower sections of the container, to facilitate the use of said end portion as a hinge when opening the container in the manner shown in Fig. 5.

In the illustrated embodiment, a liner 22, having outer dimensions slightly less than the inner dimensions of the container parts I2 and I8, is inserted into the latter, the lower edge of said liner being adapted to project into the peripheral score or groove I6. Liner 22 preferably projects above the upper edge of the lower section of the container to an extent equal to or slightly less than the width of flange ll of the upper section I 2, and is adapted to be enclosed by said upper section when the latter is folded over to cooperate with lower section ii to form a complete enclosure, as shown in Fig. 4. A suitable adhesive, preferably a thermoplastic adhesive, as seen at 2"), may be interposed between the side and end walls l8, 2| of section i3 and adapted to be activated by cellosolve being preferred.

It will be noted that all four corners of sections l2 and 13 may be of the folded type, if desired, thereby providing a continuous uninterrupted flange about the entire periphery of each of said sections. .To form the container in this manner, the marginal or flange portions I8 and i9 need only be extended toward the center of blank A a distance equal to the width of said flange portions.

A second embodiment of the invention, wherein externally folded corners, as referred to above, are employed, is illustrated, by way of example, in Figs. 6' to 10, inclusive, in the form of a two part container.. As shown, the container comprises two sections, an upper section 24 and a lower section 25, each of said sections being formed from a separate blankeach of the blanks employed being rectangular in shape except that the tips of all four corners are preferably sheared in the manner shown at 25a in Fig. 1. The corners of the blanks are creased preparatory to folding along the same lines, a to e, inclusive, as shown and described in the first embodiment. The marginal portions around the entire periphery of the blanks are folded into perpendicular relation with the central portions thereof, the corners being folded in the manner hereinafter described to form the top and bottom cooperating sections 24 and 25. A liner 22, having a foil or cellophane covering 23, may be employed by inserting the same in the bottom section 25 in the same manner as described in connection with the first embodiment. A tape 26 joining adjacent end walls of the two sections of the container may be provided for pivotally securing said sections together so that the container may be opened in the manner illustrated in Fig. 9. In the operation of folding the flanged corners externally of the container in the manner most clearly illustrated in Fig. 6, creases b and d tend to remain outside of the container as the same is being formed, said creases lagging, so to speak, the side walls and crease c as the latter move into a position normal to the central portion or area of the blank. Sector surfaces I and 3 are thus brought into engagement with sector surfaces 2 and 4, respectively. At the same time, creases b andd are caused to diverge, thereby bringing surfaces I' and 4' on the lower face of the blank into engagement with the outer surfaces of side walls 21 or 28 on the opposite sides of the corner being formed. Reinforced three-ply corners are thus provided and a smooth inner wall surface results without deforming the side walls 21 and 22 of the sections 24 and 2B. The corner folds of the side walls may be held in folded position by a suitable adhesive which may be applied'to surfaces 2 and 3 on the inner face of the blankemployed and surfaces I and 4' on the outer face of said blank.

There --is thusprovided a novel flanged container or receptacle adapted to be formed from a single blank and wherein the flanged portion is seamless and also integral with the base of said container or receptacle, thereby rendering the walls thereof impervious to the entrance of air and moisture and constituting the same leakproof unless the material itself is ruptured. A novel container is also provided wherein the corner areas of the marginal portion of the blank from which said container is formed are folded in a novel manner to form reinforced corners having three-ply wall portions at either side thereof, the folds being symmetrically disposed with respect thereto. The corners being thus reinforced and strengthened ofler materially more resistance to crushing and consequent damage to the contents of the container than similar type containers heretofore provided without necessitating any increase in the quality, strength or thickness of the material employed. The novel container provided is also adapted to be readily glad inexpensively manufactured in large quan- Although only two embodiments of the present invention are illustrated-and described, it is to be expressly understood that the same is not limited thereto, but that various other forms of containers having varying sizes and shapes and embodying the invention may be provided, as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Reference will be primarily had to the appended zilaims for a definition of the limits of the inven- What is claimed is:

l. A container of the class described having a base portion, integral side walls, and seamless corners, said base, side walls and comers being formed from a single blank and said side walls having folds therein flush with the inner surface of said side walls and having the upper edges thereof flush with the upper edges of said side walls, means for securing said folds to each other and to said side walls, and ribs joining said base and side walls to stiffen and strengthen the container.

2. A fiber article comprising a substantially rectangular blank scored on lines parallel to each edge thereof and equidistant therefrom to form a rib and complementary groove, the area enclosed by said rib constituting the base portion of the article and the marginal portion of the blank being folded along the outer edge of said groove to form a continuous flange having two folds of equal proportions at each corner and symmetrically disposed with respect thereto, and a liner having the lower edges thereof extending into said groove and projecting above the upper edgesof said flange.

3. A flber container comprising a bottom section and a top section, a seamless flange constituting all but one side wall of each of said sections and integral with the central portions of said sections, a liner disposed in one of said sections and extending into the other, and an end wall of said container extending between said central portions and integral with both of said sections, said end wall constituting hinge means for said sections.

, 4. A rectangular fiber container comprising a top section and a bottom section, each of said sections having a seamless peripheral flange, said flange being constituted by the marginal portion of a blank and having folds at each corner symmetrically disposed with respect to said comer, a liner disposed within said bottom section and extending into said top section, and a tape constituting a hinge joining adjacent ends of said sections.

5. A container of the class described having a base portion, side walls integral with said base portion and seamless corners, said base, side walls and corners being formed from a single blank and said side walls having folds therein constituting reinforcements for said corners, and

ribs Joining said base and side walls to stiffen and strengthen the container.

6. In an article formed from a blank comprising fibrous material, a base portion and a flange integral with said base portion, said flange having a seamless corner construction comprising a pair or folds engaging the two sides of the corner and secured thereto, and ribs joining said base and flange to stiffen and strengthen the container.

7. A container comprising fibrous materials including a top section and a bottom section, each of said sections having a seamless peripheral flange, said flange being constituted by the marginal portion of a blank and having folds at each corner symmetrically disposed with respect to said corner, and a liner disposed within said bottom section and extending into said top section.

GEORGE ARLINGTON MOORE.

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