US2312598A - Container - Google Patents

Description

Patented Mar. 2, 1943 CONTAINER Clarence B. Sprague, Grand Rapids, Mich, as-

signor to American Box Board Company. Grand Rapids, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application May 2, 1940, Serial No. 832,925 2 Claims. (Q'JI. 229-52) This invention relates to containers particularly adapted for carrying fruits and vegetables and which are formed of cardboard and are adapted to be carried in a horizontal position.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a container having a plurality of sides, two of the adjacent sides thereof having openings therein so that a hand may be inserted for the purpose of carrying the container.

Another object of the invention is to utilize the tabs, which are the result of cutting the openings, by folding them inwardly to overlap each other to thereby form not only a reinforcement for the handle but also cushioning means for the hand.

Other objects and purposes of the invention will appear more fully as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The annexed drawing and following description set forth in detail certain means for carrying out my invention, said means constituting, however, but one of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the end portions and two of the sides with the scored lines thereon and before the carton is folded for use to assume its rectangular shape.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the container, and

Fig. 3 is a central vertical section therethrough.

The container is formed of a single sheet of cardboard to provide the sides I, 2, 3 and 4. The outer end of the side 4 has an additional tab 5 thereon which is bent substantially at right angles and secured to the adjacent end of the side i to thereby form a rectangular container. At each end of each of the sides tabs are formed which are adapted to be folded toward each other in pairs and in overlapping relation to form the ends of the container. The side 2 at each end thereof is provided with tabs 6 and the side 3 is provided at each end thereof with a tab 1. The sides i and 4 are also provided with similar tabs and since this end construction is well-known it need not be described more fully here.

There is a scored portion between the sides 2 and 3 to form the common corner 8 between said sides when the box is in position for use,

and in each or the sides 2 and 3 an elongated opening is provided indicated respectively by the numerals I and II. Instead oiremoving completely the portion of theside which results in the cutting out of these openings, these portions or tabs indicated at l I and I2, are'scored along the edges I3 and II which are substantiallyparallel to and closely adjacent the comer I. It is to be noted that the width of the resulting tabs II and I2 are slightly less than the distance between the scored edges i3 and H of the respective openings I and II when the box is in its position for use as will be clearly seen in Fig. 3, so that the tabs l I and I! may be folded inwardly toward each other and overlap.

This overlapping of the tabs provides a cushion for the hand of the person carrying the container as well as strengthening the handle portion itself which is formed by that portion of the sides I and 3 between the openings l and III.

In actual use, the container is filled from one end with either vegetables or fruit such as shownat ii in Fig. 3, the end is then closed and sealed and the container placed in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. After the contents have been shaken down to provide a small space at the top thereof the carrier may insert one hand through the openings 9 and i0, having his fingers rest on the tabs II and I2 and the corners II and it for the purpose of carrying'the container; the handle which has been formed integrally with the container being formed by the two tabs and that portion of the container at each side of the corner 8 and between the adjacent edges of the openings 9 and I0.

The invention is veryuseful since the container is enabled to be made from a single piece of stock, there being no additional pieces to attach thereto to. form the handle. From an economic standpoint the practicability of the invention will be readily understood.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be used instead of the one here explained, change being made as regards the structure herein disclosed, provided, however, that the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I claim:

1. In a container, the combination with an elongated box having square ends thereon and four sides, of an opening ineach of two adjacent sides near the common comer thereof, and a tab secured to the edge of each opening adjacent said corner folded inwardly and overlapping each 2 nuance other to iorrn a handle. such a balance being maintained when the box B being carried that a vertical plane passing centrally o! and longitudinally through said overlapped tabs will also pass through the opposite corner of the box.

2. In a container, the combination with a box having square ends and (our sides, 0! a tab struck irom adjacent sides or the box near a common corner thereof tonning an opening in each or the sides, each struck out tab being integrally secured to the edge of each opening adjacent said corner, and folding inwardly toward the other, and cooperating to form. when bent inwardly, a smooth reinforcing hand hold. whereby the container may be carried by inserting the fingers oi the hand through said openings.

cnmncn B. BPRAGUI.

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