US2269715A - Display container - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 13, 1942. H. J. FISCHER 2,269,715

- DISPLAY CONTAINER Fi led Sept. 25, 1937 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTO ATTORNEYS Jan. 13, 1942. FlsCHER 2,269,715

DISPLAY CONTAINER Filed Sept. 25, 1937 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 INVENTO.R'

2 ATTORN EY5 Jan. 13, 1942. H. J. FISCHER DISPLAY CONTAINER Filed Sept.- 23, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 R O T N E V r m 4 Y B m "I 6 v ILI N/ m a T N ATTORN EYS Patented Jan. 13, 1942 UNITED STATS PAT DISPLAY CONTAINER Howard J. Fischer, Middletown, Ohio, assignor to The Gardner-Richardson Company, Middletown, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application September 23, 1937,Serial No. 165,363

7 Claims.

This invention relates to containers adapted both for shipping and displaying merchandise or the like.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a device adapted to receive articles or merchandise for the shipping thereof in compact form, and which may be set up when received to attractively display such articles to the purchaser. I

It is a further object of the invention to pro- Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the" container in compact position and also showing the cover therefor.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view through the assembled box units just above the base thereof, with the display member removed, and on a larger scale.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the separable display member.

Fig, 5 is a plan view of a blank from which the box units are formed.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a blank from which the cover portion is formed.

Fig. 7 is a fragmental vertical sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 5 and shows a modified form of blank for the container.

Fig. 9 is a similar view showing another modiconstruction the device is adapted to receive and attractively display articles for sale, facing in two directions at an angle to each other, each portion of the device being complete with an article receiving portion and an upper portion extending thereabove and suitable for receiving printed advertising matter or the like. A person approaching a counter or the like on which the device is mounted from any direction is thus afforded an adequate view of the device and every opportunity is afforded for the viewing of the attractive display so thata maximum of sales effeet is attained. In addition, the device is easily constructed, may be blanked out of'suitable paperboard material, and shipped to the user in flat knock down form. Likewise when assembled into container form, it maybe collapsed upon itself, forming a compact carrying carton adapted to receive any desired articles, and also to receive an overlying cover portion making an enclosed carrying package.

- In the drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown for purposes of illustration, Fig. 1 shows a package having box units l0 and II, each adapted to receive articles or merchandise to be displayed for sales purposes and a display member l2 attached thereto. The display device or package of the present inventionis adapted to be opened to a display position in which the two box units It and II are swung awayfrom each other at an angle such as at right angl'es, and in which the display member 12 occupies a positionabove box units If] and H. When the package is adjusted to this position, it constitutes an attractive and attention-arrest- .ing type of display in which the merchandise with the merchandise, the Whole forming an effective selling unit.

The box units I0 and H, which are connected with the display member l2 as described above, are preferably formed to have similar size and shape. It is also preferred to hingedly attach boxunits Ill and H to each other and with the hinge line so located that the folding movements are accommodated. This is conveniently accomplished by forming both box units from a single blank. Such a blank is shown in Fig. 5, and is formed from suitable material, such as the paper board commonly used in box making. The blank illustrated in Fig. 5 comprises rear wall portions 20 and 21 positioned near the outer ends of the blank. Side wall portions 22 and 23 are located next inwardly from the parts 20 and 2| respectively and are separated therefrom by score lines 24 and 25. The corresponding inner corners of parts 22 and 23 are out off alon diagonal lines 22 and 23' respectively. Inwardly of portions 22 and 23 and terminating at the inner ends of lines 22', 23 are front wall forming portions 26 and 21 separated from the side wall portions 22, 23 by score lines 28 and 29. Portions 30 and 3| of the blank which serve to form the other side walls of the box units HI and II are located inwardly of front wall portions 26 and 21 and are directly adjacent each other, being separated by score lines 32 and 33 from parts 26, 21 and by score line 34 from each other. Corresponding parts extend to the same depth as parts 20, 2 I, and along diagonal lines 30', 3 I.

Bottom flaps, serving to form portions of the bottoms of the box units I and H are attached to the various side portions of the blanks, and are separated from the side portions by a continuous longitudinal score 36. These flaps comprise outer side wall flap portions 38 and 39 attached to portions 22 and 23 respectively, front wall flap portions 40 and 4| attached to front wall portions 26 and 21 respectively, and inner side wall flap portions 42 and 43 attached to portions 30 and 3| respectively. These bottom flaps are separated from each other by a series of transverse cuts 44, each cut extending inwardly from the blank edge to the longitudinal score 35. An adhesive coated strip 46 is located outwardly of rear wall portion 20, and is separated therefrom by score line 41,

and a similar adhesive strip 48 is located outwardly of rear wall portion 2| and is separated therefrom by score line 49.

In assembling the blank shown in Fig. to form the box units I9 and H, bottom portions 38 to 43 are all folded inwardly along line 35. The several portions 20, 22, 26, and 39 of one are then each folded at right angles to the adjacent portion, the bottom pieces 38, 40 and 42 all being turned inwardly in overlapping relation to thereby form an enclosed container having a bottom. The adhesive portion 46 is then folded in the opposite direction to the previous folds, and secured in place on the inner side wall portion 3|, thereby retaining the box member In in assembled posi-- tion. By a corresponding forming operation on the remaining portions of the blank, the portions 2|, 23, 21 and 3| are each folded at right angles to each other along the respective score lines, the bottom portions 39, 4| and 43 being folded inwardly to form the bottom of the container portion I l. Adhesive portion 48 is folded in the op posite direction to the previous folds just made, and secured to the exterior of portion 20, thereby completing the assembly of the container portion of the device. When so assembled, and as best shown in Fig. 3, the two box units l0 and l l are integrally joined and hinged to each other along the rear edges of their inner side walls, hinging movement taking place, with bending at center score 34, and also at scores 41 and 49 which separate the adhesive strips from the rear walls. Each box unit has a high rear wall, a low front wall and sloping side walls extending therebetween thereby providing a receiving compartment for articles and affording an effective display area therefor.

It is sometimes desirable to perform the adhesive securing operations, but to leave the blanks otherwise unassembled for the time being, thus providing a flat form for ready shipment to the place of filling, and one which can be there set up by simple folding and tucking operations. In using a body portion blank such as shown in Fig. 5 in this way, the left hand portion of the blank, for example, is folded along 28 and adhesive coated strip 46 attached to inner side wall portion 3 I. Then the right hand portion of the blank is folded along score 29, and adhesive strip 48 attached to rear wall portion 2|). It will be apparent that the sequence of folding and attaching steps may be reversed. When subsequently it is desired to set up the device, the wall portions of the box portions are moved to assembled position, with folding taking place along the several score lines, and the bottom flaps are then folded in, thus completing this portion of the assembly.

Display member |2 may now be attached to the box units. Display member 2, preferably formed from a single blank, comprises a pair of leg portions 50 and 5|, a display portion 52 ex tending beyond these leg portions, and means for attaching the display member to the box units. As illustrated in Fig. 4, leg portions 50 and 5| are separated or spaced from each other by a cut away slot 53. These leg portions are adapted to be received one within each of the box units, and gap or slot 53 is of proper extent to receive the wall which separates the two box units at the point of hinging, Leg portions 50 and 5| are preferably of substantially the same extent as the rear walls and 2| of the two box units. The display portion 52 of display member I2 is separated from leg portions and 5| by longitudinal score lines 55 and 5B. These scores 55 and 58 lie substantially at and in alignment with the edges of rear walls 2|) and 2|. Display portion 52 is divided transversely by a score 58 which extends the full width thereof and is in alignment with slot 53, and divides display portion 52 into two similarly shaped display panels 59 and 60. The alignment of score 58 with slot 53 serves also to align it with the hinge line between the two box portions when the display member 12 is assembled thereon as above described. This provides for a hinging of the two display panels 59 and 6|] with respect to each other when the box units I0 and H are moved.

Means are provided for attaching the display member to the box units, and in the form illustrated in Fig. 4, these means take the form of flaps 62 and 63 formed on the lower ends of leg portions 50 and 5| respectively and separated therefrom by score lines 64 and 65. These flaps have suitable locking means thereon, such as locking projections 66. The display member is positioned upon the box units by sliding the portions 50, 5| downwardly over and on the inner side of rear walls 20, 2| with flaps 62 and 63 extending beneath the folded bottom flaps so that these flaps form a portion of the box unit bottoms. Their projections 66 are interlocked with slots 68 formed in front wall flaps 40 and 4|, flaps 62 and 63 thus cooperating with the other bottom flaps on the box unit blank to complete the formation of the box unit bottoms as clearly shown in Fig. 7.

The display package of the present invention is also adapted to be moved into a compact shape by a simple series of operations. This compact shape is illustrated in Fig. 2, in which the assembled box units It) and l have been moved to a position abutting each other, and in which the display member l2 has been so folded as to lie between the now adjacent box units, thus forming a compact package for maximum convenience in storage and shipment. It is preferred to proportion the display portion 52 so that the individual panels 59 and 60 will not be larger than the two rear walls 20 and 2| of the box units. By so proportioning the parts, the display member can be. completely concealed between these two rear panels. The positioning of scores 55 and 56 in substantial coincidence with the edges of rear panels 29 and 2| provides for folding the display member 52 down upon these rear panels, and thus when the parts are swung to compact position, with the display panels hinging about score 58, the entire display portion is concealed between the two box units.

A cover member is provided for enclosing the box units and the display portion when in their folded compacted position to provide a complete unitary package for shipment and storage. A blank for the formation of one satisfactory type of cover member is shown in Fig. 6, in which side-forming portions 10 are separated from each other by score lines TI, and have attached thereto flaps 12 provided with suitable locking means for forming a cover. Adhesive strip 13 provides means for assembling the cover portion. In the form shown, one end of the cover portion is left open, so that it can be t'elescoped over the box units I and H in protective relation thereto; additional closure means may be provided if desired.

In operation, the two box units l0 and H are filled with merchandise, such as individual packages or articles for sale. It has been found that a very effective type of display is produced when the box units are formed with a rear wall height corresponding to the height of the individual merchandise packages, and with the front to back dimension of the bottom wall corresponding to the width of the individual package. The front and side walls of the box units, however, are cut away so that a portion of the merchandise packages projects beyond the box units. This is shown particularly in Fig. 1 where the height of front walls 25 and 21, is considerably less than the height of the rear walls, and side walls 22, 23, 30 and 3| are diagonally cut to connect the front and rear walls.

With the box units filled as above described, and the display member l2 in its extended position, the package is prepared for shipment by swinging the two box units about the hinge line until inner side walls 3|] and 3| li'e adjacent each other. This will position the front and rear walls in substantially a straight line and the display portion 52 of display member I2 can then be swung downwardly hinging about scores 55 and 56 which lie substantially coincidental with the top edges of rear walls 20 and 2|. With the dis play portion 52 thus folded, the box units are then swung about their hinge until the rear walls 2% and 2| are brought to a position adjacent each other, and with the folded display portion 52 now concealed between them. Cover member M can now be applied to enclose the package, the method of assembling being clear from Fig. 2.

In Fig. 8 there is shown a somewhat modified form of blank. Under some conditions, it is desirable to have the box units complete in themselves, rather than incorporating a part of the display member into the bottoms of the box units as in the embodiment just described. The blank shown in Fig. 8 is adapted to form the box unit-s in this Way, and for this purpose front Wall bottom flap portions 40' and 4| are made of sufiicient size to cover the entire bottoms of the respective box units. These bottom flap portions are provided at their free edges with tucking flaps 15 and 16, which are received within the box units in contact with rear walls 20' and 2|. T slots 1'! located in rear walls 20 and 2| are provided for receiving cooperating parts of a display member. The remaining parts of the blank and its method of assembly are in general similar to that shown and described in connection with Fig. 5.

In Fig. 9 is shown a further modification in which, as in Fig. 8, the box units are formed independently of the display member. In the construction of Fig. 9, rear wall flaps l8 and 19 are provided at the lower ends of rear walls 20" and 2|". These rear wall flaps are equipped with suitable locking means which interlock with suitable slots 8| provided on front wall flaps 40" and 4|". As in the modification shown in Fig. 8, suitable means such as T slots for attachment of the display members are provided.

Fig. 10 shows a slightly modified form of display member which is adapted to be used in conjunction with box units as just described in connection with Figs. 8 and 9. The display member shown in Fig. 10 is in general similar to that shown in Fig. 4, having leg portions 5|! and 5|, a display portion 52, and scores similar to those in the embodiment in Fig. 4. At the bottom of legs 59' and El are provided flaps 83 and 84. These flaps are preferably of an extent corresponding to the size of the box unit bottoms, and completely overlying them, but are not directly attached to the bottom flaps of the box units. Separate means are provided for the attachment of this display member to the box units, and such means may conveniently take the form of cut-out projections 86 formed in leg members 58 and 5|, and each comprising an arcuate cut and a score connecting the ends of the cut and allowing the cut portion to hinge thereabout. Looking means are adapted to interlock with the T slots 11, formed in the box unit walls. By making flaps 83 and 84 substantially the full size of the bottom of the box units, so that they overlie these bottoms when in position, the forward edges of these bottom flaps abut against the. front walls 26 and 2'! of the box units and thus prevent the display member from becoming accidentally displaced. These bottom flaps likewise serve to somewhat reenforce the bottoms of the box units.

In Fig. 11 is shown a modified form of display member in which additional display space is provided. The leg portions and the bottom fia-ps of display member of Fig. 11 are shown as similar to those in Fig. 4, but it will be obvious that they might equally well be constructedas shown in Fig. 10, depending upon the type of box unit with which they are to be used. Surmounting these leg portions is a display panel 88 having inner display surfaces 89, separated by a score 9|) which serves as a hinge in a manner similar to that of score 58 in Fig. 4. outwardly of panels 89 are located additional wings 9| joined to inner panels 89 at scores 92. By providing scores 92, outer display wings 9| may be folded upon inner panels 89 and the whole enlarged display area thus folded between the rear box unit walls in a manner generally similar to that described in connection with the other embodiments. It will be understood that for maximum compactness the ed to contain and individual display wings 89 and 9| are made of a size not exceeding the size of the rear panels of the box units. Thus additional display space is provided, while still maintaining a compact construction for shipment and storage.

Fig. 12 shows a modified form of cover member, which is generally similar to that shown in Fig. 6, and which has side members 10' separated by scores H and having adhesive coated strip 13'. In this embodiment, however, the cover portion is open at both ends, thus providing an economical type of cover portion which still serves to hold the parts in compact position, and which is entirely adequate for some purposes, as for example where an outer shipping carton is to be employed. The operation of this construction will be entirely clear from the description of the operation of the embodiment first described.

While the article herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise article, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A package of the character described adapted to contain and display articles and comprising a pair of box units arranged adjacent each other, each box unit having front, side and rear walls, and flaps on said front and side walls forming a portion of the bottom of said box units, the front wall fiap having locking means thereon, a display member having a pair of spaced leg portions, one leg portion of said display member projecting into each said box unit and positioned to overlie said rear wall, a flap on the end of each leg member, locking means On each said flap adapted to interlock with the locking means on the respective front wall'fiaps to complete the bottom of the box units, said display member also having a display portion attached to said leg portions and projecting beyond the edges of said box units, and a fold in said display box aligned with the space between said leg portions to provide for folding said display member upon relative movements of said box units.

2. A package of the character described adapted to contain and display articles and comprising a pair of box units of corresponding size and shape hingedly connected at corresponding edges and formed from a single blank having front, side, and rear wall portions for each of said box units, said blank being symmetrical about a transverse center line separating the adjacent side portions of the two box units, said blank in its fiat condition having attaching portions ad acent its ends remote from said transverse center line, said package having one attaching portion secured to the inner surface of a box unit side wall, and the other of said attaching portions secured to the outer surface of a box unit rear wall.

display articles and comprising a pair of box units formed from a single blank having wall portions for each box unlt, a score line dividing the wall portions of one box unit from the wall portions of the other box unit, two attaching portions located outwardly of the box unit wall portions, and score lines dividing said attaching portions from said box unit wall portions, the first of said attaching portions being secured to said blank adjacent said first named score line, and the second of said attaching portions being secured to said blank adjacent said first attaching portion to provide hinging movements of said box units relative to each other with the hinging occurring at said first named score line and at the scores between said attaching portions and the remainder of the blank.

4. A package of the character described adapted to contain and display articles and comprising a pair of box units formed from a single blank symmetrical about a central transverse score line and having on each side of said central score the wall portions of one box unit consisting of an inner side wall portion adjacent said central score, a front wall portion connected to said inner side wall portion by a score, an outer side wall portion connected to said front wall portion by a score, a rear wall portion connected to said outer side wall portion by a score, and an attaching portion connected to said rear wall portion by a score; the attaching portion on one side of said central score line being secured to the inner side wall portion on the opposite side of said central score line and to an area on said inner side wall portion adjacent said central score line, and the other attaching portion being secured to the rear wall portion on the opposite side of said central score line and to an area on said rear wall portion adjacent the score between said rear wall portion and said first named attaching portion, to provide hinging movements of said box units relative to each other with the hinging occurring at said central score line and at the scores between said attaching portions and said rear wall portions.

5. A display member adapted for use with a pair of box units having front, side, and rear walls, and flaps on said front and side walls forming a portion of the bottom of said box units, the front wall flaps having locking means thereon com-prising a display portion, a pair of leg portions extending beyond said display portion, said leg portions being spaced from each other by a gap and each said leg portion (each) having an area of substantial extent and being adapted to fit within one of said box units and to overlie said rear wall portion thereof providing a substantial area of support for said display member when attached to said box units, a fiap on the end of each leg member, lock means on each said flap adapted to interlock with the locking means on the respective front wall fiaps to complete the bottom of said box units, a transverse score formed in said display portion and in alignment with the gap between said leg portions, and a longitudinal score between said leg portions and said display portion, said scores providing for hinging and folding movements of said display member while attached to said box units.

6. A package of the character described adapted to contain and display articles and comprising a pair of box units formed from a single blank, said box units having front, side and rear walls, and being each hinged to the other at a corner line formed at the junction of two of said walls, and with a single thickness of material separating the interiors of the two box units at the hinge, a display member having a pair of leg portions each including a panel of substantially the same extent as a wall of a corresponding box unit, said panels being separated by a slot dimensioned to receive the said single thickness of material which separates the box interiors at the hinge, said display member having a display portion extending beyond said leg portions, and a transverse fold in said display portion substantially in alignment with said slot.

7. A package of the character described adapted to contain and display articles and comprising a single continuous blank forming the walls of a pair of box units immediately adjacent each other at their corresponding rear edges and being scored to provide hinging movements of the box units relative to each other and with the ends of the blank secured adjacent the hinge area of the completed box units, said box units each having front, side, rear and bottom walls and being open at the top for the reception and display of merchandise, the front walls of said box units being of less height than the rear walls to provide an upstanding readily viewable merchandise display area, one end of said blank being secured to the inner surface of a box unit side wall, the other end of said blank being secured to the outer surface of a box unit rear wall, a display member having a pair of spaced leg portions, each said leg portion including a panel of substantially the same extent as a box unit rear wall and a flap on the end of each leg portion, one leg portion of said display member projecting into each said box unit through the open top thereof with said leg portion panel positioned in overlying relation to said rear wall and with said leg portion flap positioned in adjacent coplanar relation with said bottom wall, means for securing leg portions to said box units, said display member also having a display portion attached to said leg portions and projecting beyond the edges of said box units, and a fold in said display portion aligned with the space between said leg portions to provide for folding of said display member upon relative movements of said box units.

HOWARD J FISCHER.

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