US2177999A - Package - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 31, 1939. J. A. SCHWANTES 2,177,999

PACKAGE 2 Sheets-sheet 1- Filed Jan. 31, 1936 i INVENTIOR Julius/1 Sdm'aiziz;

ATTORNEYS Oct. 31, 1939. J. A SCHWANTES 2 9 9 PACKAGE Filed Jan. 31, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Q INVENTOR 7 Julius A! Jz/zmfiies ATTQRNEYS Patented Oct. 31, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PACKAGE Delaware Application January 31, 1936, Serial No. 61,645

6 Claims.

This invention relates to packages, and more particularly to an improved merchandising package which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, neat and attractive in appear- 5 ance, which fully protects the contents during shipment and handling, and which may be assembled and packed rapidly and economically, substantially entirely by automatic machinery.

According to the present invention, the imlO proved merchandising package comprises a shell or container assembled from a single blank of paperboard material, and which, when assembled, is rigid and strong and fully supports and protects the article packed therein. The assembled l5 shell has substantially smooth, interior wall surfaces which permit the rapid insertion of the article therein without obstruction, interference or damage to the article during insertion. Prior to inserting the article into the shell, it is prefer- 20 ably enclosed in, a suitable wrapper, so made as to neatly surround the article and cushion the same against the damaging effects of jolts and jars when contained within the shell. The shell,

made in accordance with this invention, is susceptible of being formed into various distinctive prismatic shapes, other than the customary para1lel-,

opiped shape used in packaging. The completed package thus possesses a striking appearance, and an attractive sales appeal. The shell, when 30 packed and sealed, may, if desired, be enclosed within an attractive wrapper which is folded in such a manner as to neatly surround the shell, and at the sametime permit application thereof by automatic machinery.

The shell is adapted to be formed from a single blank of paperboard material which may be cut and scored by means of automatic machinery, with very little waste of material, and may be assembled with a minimum of gluing operations. Means are provided to permit quick and ready accessto the contents when the same are to be removed for use, but which is so sealed as to prevent the contents from being removed and replaced, or otherwise tampered with, without 5 leaving visible evidence that such tampering has taken place.

' The merchandising package which is the subject matter of this invention is especially adapted to the packaging of soap cakes and similar articles which possess oval or other irregular shapes which make them otherwise difficult to package.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, certain specific disclosure of the invention is made for purposes of explanation, but it will be understood that the details may be modified in various respects without departure from the broad aspect of the invention. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates a blank which has been suitably cut and scored and ready to be formed into a shell or container;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the inner wrapper about to be applied to the article packaged;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the assembled shell with the wrapped article in position to be inserted therein;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the shell as it appears when partially packed and partially closed;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the outer wrapper about to be appliedto the closed shell;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the completed, fully assembled package;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which the package may be opened to obtain access to the contents; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view showing a portion of a modified form of blank.

According to the present invention the article I, either of regular or irregular shape, is preferably enveloped in an inner wrapper 2, the wrapped article then inserted into a relatively rigid shell 3 and the shell sealed and wrapped in a relatively flexible outer wrapper 4 to constitute the complete merchandising package 5.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1,-a blank ID of paperboard material is cut and scored suitably for forming a shell preferably having sufflcient strength and rigidity to maintain a predetermined shape. The blank may comprise a side wall or front section II, a bottom section I2,

9. side wall or back section l3 and a top sectionl4. The front section II preferably is rectangular, and has laterally extending end wall flaps I5.

Each flap may be integrally attached to the front section II by a narrow section or bevel section I 6 defined by longitudinal hinge or score lines I! and i8, or other portion of increased flexibility. Although reference is made to score lines, the desired increased flexibility may be provided in other ways without departing from the scope of the invention.

Extending from the end of each flap is a tuckin tab l9 bendable about a score line 20, and preferably of slightly less width than the bevel section l6 so that the edge 2! is in alignment with the bevel. The edge 2| has an inwardly curved portion 22, and the tab l9 at its point of attachment to the flap i5 is substantially equal to the width of the flap.

ably is slightly narrower than the front section I I, thus providing free edges 28. Spaced parallel lines of perforations may be provided in the tongue 25 extending perpendicularly to the score line 21, and crossing the same, and a semicircular score line 30 may be provided in the front section II in continuation of thelines 29 and defining therewith a break-out portion 3 I.

The bottom section I2, which may be generally rectangular, may be integrally attached to the front section II and bendable about a score line 35, and may be slightly wider than the front section I I, with the side edges in alignment with the central 7 portions of the bevel section IT. The bottom section I2 preferably is attached to the front section I I over a distance substantially equal to the width of the front section II. Triangular fold-in tabs 31 extend laterally from the bottom section I2, and are bendable about score lines 40, each tab 31 having a front edge 38 perpendicular to the score line 40, and a rear edge 39 inclined to the line 40. Each tab 3I,preferably, is attached to the bottom section I2 over less than the width of the corresponding edge of the bottom section I2, and the corners 36 and 42 of the bottom section I2 are rounded.

Integrally attached to the bottom I2 along a score line M, is a rectangular back section I3 similar to the front section I I. Laterally extending from the back section I3 are end wall flaps 45, each of which preferably is attached by a longitudinal bevel section 41 defined by score lines 48 and 49. The flaps 45 are generally rectangular and each has an inclined lower edge 46 extending to the score line 48. Each flap 45 terminates short of the end of the back section I3, and the upper-edge 50 of each bevel section 41 is inclined.

Integrally secured to the free end of the back section I3 is a top section I4 bendable about a score line 55, and having a generally rectangular shape similar to that of the bottom section I2, the corners 56 and 51 being rounded similarly to those of the bottom.

The blank may be set up to form a shell of self-sustaining form by bending up the flaps 45 along score lines 49, and the tabs 31 'along lines 40, and bending the back section I3 along the score line H and the front section II along the score line 35. The flats I5 are then bent up along lines I8, and secured to the flaps 45 and tabs 31, preferably by pasting or gluing. It will be noted that each tab 3'! is complementary to the corresponding flap 45 and the edges 39 lie adjacent the edges 46, whereby each flap 45 and corresponding tab 31, together with the flap I5, constitute a generally rectangular wall of double thickness and having a substantially smooth interior face. The'edges 39 and 46 may abut over at least a portion of their length and thus reinforce the container adjacent the bottom. The four walls upstanding from the bottom of the container may be designated generally as side walls, and the several sections of the blank which form these walls may be designated as side wall sections.

The front section II, the rear section I3, and the tabs 31 are connected to the corresponding edge portions of the bottom section over less than the length thereof to leave exposed corner edges 38 and 42. Preferably the corners 36 and 42 are rounded and, when the container is set up, are

adapted to abut the adjacent bevel sections I6 and 41 to provide a support for the forming of the bevel sections I6 and 41 into rounded edges. The score lines I'I, I8, and 48, 49 permit the bevel sections I6 and 41 to conform to the shape of the corners 36 and 42.

Where the corners 36 and 42 are rounded, as shown in Fig. l, the bevel sections will be formed into generally rounded edges. However, if desired, other shapes may be given to the corners of the bottom section to cause the bevel sections to assume other than rounded shapes. For example, in Fig. 8 is shown a blank III], which may be generally similar to the blank I0, except that the corners I36 and I42 of the bottom section II2 are cut off angularly. The blank IIII may be set up in a manner similar to that above described, to form a container (not shown), and the bevel sections H6 and H1 abut the edges of the corners I36 and I42, and are given the shape of a flat angular bevel. It will thus be apparent that various attractive shapes may be given to a container by varying the relative sizes and shapes of the end-wall sections and cooperating side-wall sections. By providing a container wherein the edges take the form of rounded or flat bevels, it is possible to form a shell having a more attractive or otherwise more desirable shape than if the edges are formed without bevels.

One or more of the operations of setting up the blank and inserting the article to be packaged may be carried out simultaneously, and these operations may be carried out either manually or partially or substantially entirely by the use of suitable automatic machines (not shown).

For the purpose of illustration, a package is shown containing a flat, solid article of oval crosssection, as for example a soap cake or tablet. The wrapper 2 may be a sheet of airand moisture-proof material such as waxed paper, transparent cellulosic material, or other suitable material; the material generally will be dependent upon the nature of the article. In some cases, however, it may be desirable to insert the article in the shell without providing any inner wrapper.

The article I, either with or without an inner wraper, may be inserted in the open .end of the partially assembled shell or container 3, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Thereafter the tabs I9 are bent down to overlie the end of the shell, and the 5 tongue 25 bent down to overlie the tabs I9. The shell 3 is closed and sealed by bending down the top section I4 and securing it to the tongue 25, preferably by an adhesive such as paste, glue or other material, to form a closed top wall opposite out leaving evidence of having been tampered with, thereby preventing removal and substitution of the contents.

The shell 3 may then be wrapped in an outer flexible wrapper 4 which may be sheet material such as paper, transparent cellulosic sheet material either single thickness or laminated, or other flexible material which may be suitably printed,

engraved, embossed or otherwise decorated, if desired, to present an attractive appearance. The outer wrapper 4 may be applied in the usual manner of wrapping packages by overlapping and folding the same to form overlappingflaps 60 and 6|, which may be secured together, preferably by an adhesive.

The package'may be opened by removing the outer wrapper 4, or a. portion thereof, and severing the shell along the perforated line 30, by means of the fingernail of the user, or by exerting pressure on the break-out portion 3|, whereafter the top section I may be raised to cause the tongue 25 to be torn along the lines 10, thus permitting the separation of the top from the tongue. A portion II of the tongue adheres to the top section I, and the attached break-out portion 3| constitutes a tab or handle for assisting in raising the top. The tabs i 9 do not adhere to the top section II sufliciently to resist appreciably the opening movement of the top section I4.

The provision of a container or shell which is of such construction and rigidity that it will retain a predetermined shape, will permit the commodity when enclosed in the shell to be easily and neatly enclosed in a wrapper or envelope of relatively flexible material. Thus the commodity, even though of irregular shape, may be wrapped in an attractive wrapper, such as a previously decorated sheet of paper or other wrapper, without any unsightly wrinkles or folds.

The use of a shell having beveled or rounded edges, provides a package of neat appearance, and

permits the same to be wrapped readily in ,a

- article or the inner wrapper being damaged dur-' ing insertion into the shell, and prevents obstruction to the entry of the article even though it may be substantially as large as the inside dimension of the container. The provision of the complementary portions for forming a side' wall in the manner employed in the present invention also provides a'certain amount of reinforcing of the adjacent portions of the container.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A container-forming blank 01' paperboard material including, a bottom section, side wall sections hinged to said bottom section along opposite sides thereof, generally triangular shaped tabs hinged to said bottom section along opposite ends thereof, said bottom section having a free beveled corner intermediate each tab and side wall section, and a pair of end wall flaps carried by .each of said side wall sections and hingedly connected thereto by corner formations, one pair of said end wall flaps having a beveled edge at one end of each flap adapted to abut the adia cent edge of the adjacent triangular tab when the container is assembled, each of said corner formations comprising a relatively narrow panel bounded by two hinge lines connecting the panel to the adjacentend wall flap and the adjacent side Wall section, each of said corner panels having a width corresponding to the adjacent beveled corner of said bottom section.

2. A paperboard blank for forming a container including, a bottom section, side wall sections hinged to said bottom section along .opposite sides thereof, tabs hinged to said bottom section along opposite ends thereof, said bottom section having a free beveled corner intermediate each tab and side wall section, a pair of end wall flaps carried by' each of said side wall sections and hingedly connected thereto by corner formations, each of said-corner formations comprising a relatively narrow panel bounded by hinge lines connecting the same to the adjacent end wall flap and the adjacent side wall.section, each of said corner panels having a width and contour substantially corresponding to the adjacent beveled corner of said bottom section, a tuck-in tab extending from one end of each of two end wall flaps, each of said tuck-in tabs having a free beveled corner generally similar in shape and contour to the corresponding beveled corner of said bottom section, and a cover section hinged to one of said side wall sections.

3. A container formed from asingle blank of paperboard material including, a bottom section, side wall sections hinged to said bottom section along opposite sides thereof, generally triangular shaped fold-in tabs hinged to said bottom section along opposite ends thereof, said bottom section having a free beveled corner intermediate each tab and side wall section, a pair of end wall flaps carried by each of said side wall sections and hingedly connected thereto by corner formations, one pair of said end wall flaps having a beveled edge at one end of each flap adapted to abut the adjacent edge of the adjacent triangular tab, each of said corner formations comprising a relatively narrow panel bounded by hinge lines connecting the panel to the adjacent end wall flap and the adjacent side wall section, each of said corner panels having a width and contour generally corresponding to the adjacent beveled corner of said bottom section.

4. A package for an article of merchandise including, a relatively rigid container body and a wrapper enclosing said body, said container body including, a bottom section, side wall sections hinged to said bottom section along opposite sides thereof, fold-in tabs hinged to said bottom section along opposite ends thereof, said bottom section having a free beveled corner intermediate each tab and side wall section, a pair of end wall flaps carried by each of said side wall sections and hingedly connected thereto by corner formations, each of said corner formations comprising a relatively narrow panel bounded by hinge lines connecting the same to the adjacent end wall flap and the adjacent side wall secand contour generally corresponding to the adjacent beveled corner of said bottom section, adjacent end wall flaps being secured together in overlapping relationship to provide end walls, an inwardly projecting tuck-in tab hinged to the cover end of each of two end' wall fiaps,and a cover section hinged to one of said side wall sections generally corresponding in shape and size to said bottom section, each of said tuck-in tabs 65 tion,-each of said cornerpanels having a width having a free beveled corner generally similar ln shape and contour to the corresponding beveled corner of said bottom section, said body enclosing wrapper closely conforming to the side and end wall sections and intermediate beveled corner formations of said container body, the end portions of said wrapper being folded in overlapping relationship across the bottom and cover sections of the container body.

5.'A container-forming blank of. paperboard material including, a bottom section, side wall sections hinged to said bottom section along opposite sides thereof, fold-in tabs hinged to said bottom section along opposite ends thereof, said bottom section having a free beveled corner intermediate each tab and side wall section, and a pair of end wall flaps carried by each of said side wall sections and hlngedly connected thereto by corner formations, each of said corner formations comprising a relatively narrow panel bounded. by hinge lines connecting the same to the adjacent end wall flap and the adjacent side wall section, each of said corner panels having a width and contour generally corresponding to the ad- 'jacent beveled corner of said bottom section,

and a tuck-in tab extending from one end of each of two end wall flaps, each of said tuck-in tabs having a free beveled corner generally similar in shape and contour to the corresponding beveled corner of. said bottom section.

6. A container formed from a single blank or paperboard material including, a bottom section, side wall sections hinged to said bottom section along opposite sides thereof, fold-in tabs hinged to said bottom section along opposite ends thereof, said bottom section having a free beveled flaps, and a cover section hinged to one of said side wall sections for closing the container, each of said tuck-in tabs having a free beveled corner generally similar in shape and contour to the corresponding beveled corner of said bottom section adapted to abut the interior surface of the adjacent corner formation.

JULIUS A. SCHWAN'I'ES.

Images