US2322654A - Container - Google Patents

Description

June 22, 1943.

G. A. MOQRE CONTAINER l F'iled'Nov. 3o, 19:57'

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 22, 1943.

` G. A. MOORE. .2,322,654 Y CONTAINER Filed Nov. 30, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 l le u su FZ7 l5 X40 57 Patented June 22, 1943 George Arlington poration of Delaware Application November 30, 1937, Serial No. 177,176 4 Claims. (Cl. 229 55) 'I'his invention relates to receptacles and more particularly to containers of the type formed from a folded blankrand to methods and means for making the same.

In my previous application Serial No. 153,705, I disclosed a container of the type used for packaging tobacco and similar products. The con- Moore, Louisville, Ky.. assignor to Humoco Corporation,

Louisville, Ky., a corthe production of an imperviouscontainer is insured.

-Still another object is to provide a novel method y of folding and sealing a blank to form an imtainer was shown as formed from a laminated blank which comprised an inner layer of fibrous material, such as paper, yand an outer layer of impervious material, such as metal foil. Thebottom and top closure seams included hems formed by infolding opposite edges of the blank to thereby provide a metal-to-metal contact and, hence, prevent wicking of moisture into or out of the container by the fibrous material. The ends of the folded blank formed an overlapped seam extending longitudinally of the container, said end being secured by a suitable adhesive material such as a thermoplastic lacquer. This .construction is well suited to certain types of materials and provides a moisture-proof container in which tobacco or the like may be kept for long periods of time without change in the moisture content thereof. It has been found, however, that when the blank is made of the above materials or when the fibrous layer is thick with respect to the layer of impervious material, there may be a tendency for the latter to crack or break at the sharpbends and corners and thereby expose the fibrous material for transfer of moisture.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved construction wherein cracking or breaking of the non-hygroscopic impervious layer of the blank at the folds `is obviated even when the blank is made of thin, fragile material.`

A further object is to provide a. novel method and means for sealing the closure seams of a container of the above type.

A still further object is to provide a container adapted to be made from a blank comprising a layer of metallic material'integrally secured to a fibrous sheet, said blank being folded in a novel manner to form a substantially impervious container having a total of three metal-to-metal seams.

Another object is to provide a container made from a laminated blank comprising fibrous and metallic materials integrally secured together and treated in a novel manner with sealing substance and with means for lubricating the fibrous material in the region of the lines of fold whereby pervious container. the rigidity of which is materially enhanced by the folds and seams.

Another object is to provide a novel and improved container of the above type which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture, convenient and dependable in operation and highly elcient for the purpose intended.

Another object is to provide a novel and im- -proved method of preparing,folding and sealing a blank to form a container of the above type.

. Another object is to provide a container oi' the above type having a novel and improved folded hem at the bottom and top closure seals and also at the longitudinal seam.

The above and further objects andnovel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following description when the same is taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference for this latter purpose being had primarily to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, Y

Fig. 1 is a development, with parts infolded, of the inner surface of a partially prepared blank which may be employed in making one form of container comprehended by the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1; r

Fig. 3 is an end view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1; y

Fig. 4 is a partial section, on an enlarged scale,

Ltaken on line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the longitudinal seam before the sealing operation;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse section through the seam after the sealing operation;

Fig. '1 is an isometric view of the container body before making the top closure; Fig. 8 is a similar isometric view showing the top sealing flange or closure seam in upstanding position; r

Fig. 9 is a similar isometric view showing the finished top closure;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged transverse section taken substantially on line III-III of Fig. 8 prior to the sealing of the end closure seam;

Fig. .11 is an enlarged section taken along line.

l other embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 14 is a similar view showing the end closure prior to sealing thereof Fig. 15 is a similar view showing the end closur sealed and embossed; and, l e

Fig. 16 is an enlarged view, partly in section and with parts broken away, showing the novel sealing dies for forming an end closure seam, the section through said closure seam being taken substantially on line I6-I6 of Fig.' 15.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, the blank shown in Fig.,1 comprises a layer of fibrous material I0, such as paper or the like and a layer of impervious material II, such as sheet aluminum composition foil, tin foil, or other metallic or non-hygroscopic material. It is to be understood that the layers lmay be of any desired relative thickness and that they may be integrally secured together throughout their entire vareas by a suitable adhesive, such as an adhesive which will not crystailize but will have a degree of`flexibility adapted to prevent cracking or flaking when the blank is folded. In the end and sectional views of the drawings, laminated blank I0, Ill has, in the interest of clarity, been shown as comprising a single thickness instead of a double thickness, except in figures wherein very large scales are employed, i. e., in Figs. 4, 6, 7 and 1'7.

The layer of impervious material II may be coated or cast on the outer surface thereof.. i. e., on the surface thereof opposed to that which is adhered to paper lamina I0, with a lacquer such as a thin, dry film of cellulose acetate having thermoplastic. adhesive properties. l DuPonts nitro-cellulose lacquer No. X--660-208,` which is a cotton base thermoplastic, has also been found suitable for this purpose. property of forming a protective illm over the surface of the foil and producing a gloss and, at the same timefare heat-fusible so that superposed surfaces can be readily joined by suitable application of heat and pressure. Because of the extreme thinness of the lacquer'coatingon foil lamina II and in the interest of clarity no attempt has been made in the drawings tofshow said coating in any of the' sectional or end views of the blank. The presence of this coating has been indicated, however, by shade lines in all of the gures in which any part. of the coated'surface appears in elevation.

In preparing blank I0, I I for folding, the same along lines I2, I3 and Il adjacent the top and bottom edges' thereof, along lines I2a and I`2b extending at right-angles to said edges, and along diagonal lines I3a between lines l3and Il. All of said lines are not continuous, certain of the Such lacquers have the is preferably embossed in a novel manner to prol same being blended at the intersections to thereby reduce the stressing and distortion of the material at those points. hence guarding against ny rupture of the non-hygroscopic lamina of the blank. The embossing of blank I0, II is preferably accomplished by pressing the same between substantially flat male and female platens or dies v having cooperating grooves and ribs on the operating faces thereof.

The embossing of blank I0, Il by said platens is preferably such that the direction of each fold or bend during' the folding and sealing operations will be in the direction of the groove ofthe embossed line at which the bend is made, that is,

so that the groove will be, in reality, between the` folded portions and the bead or rib outside of said portions. a sharp bend, is thus obtained in veach instance. As viewed in Fig. 1, the several embossed lines or the portions thereof illustrated. by full lines constitute grooves in the inner or upper surface of the blank with corresponding beads or ribs on the outer or lower surface and those shown as dotted l lines are constituted by beads on the inner surface with complementary grooves on the opposite side of the-blank.

It will be noted that a flap I5 is formed between the embossed line I2 and the edge of the. blank. This ap I5 is folded about the embossed line I2 as shown at the right of Fig. 1 to provide top and bottom hems I6 with the layer of impervious material Il on theoutside to protect and cover the inner layer of 'brous material I0, care being taken not to apply pressure to the material at a point adjacent the embossed line as the folding proceeds. The pressure exerted by the folding as will be describedcare is taken to avoid exerting pressure against this rolled edge I1, which otherwise would be susceptibleto fracture. 'I'he dieembossed lines or depressions formed in the blank assist in making the abovementioned fold without necessitating the use of pressure at a point adjacent the actual folded edge and it will be seen that those portions of embossed lines I2a and I2b which extend across flaps I5 are so` formed that the same will mesh with corresponding portions of the same lines between horizontal lines I2 and I3 when hems I6 are formed, to thereby facilitate the forming of said hems and subsequent lateral folding thereof. The vertical embossed lines IZa-divide blank I0, II into front and back panels 20 and 2|,.end panels 22, and a side flap 25. The side edge of the blank opposite side nap 25 is 4foldedsto form a hem 23 similar to the hems I8 above mentioned. It is to be undertood that this hem is also formed by providing a suitable yembossed line and rolling the marginal portion over about the embossed line to form a flat hemhaving a rolled edge 23'. A stripe of thermoplastic adhesive material 24 may be applied longitudinal seam to be described.

For the purpose of insuring the imperviousnesskv over the engaging surfaces of hem 23 and may extend over aportion of the adjacent inner surfface of the blank to provide means for securing the same toside flap 2i to form the overlapped A curved bend, as distinguished from face ofsaid blank are preferably coated with' paraffin wax 25a, said coated margins extending inwardly beyond fold lines |4 (Fig. 1). If desired, a coating of wax may be substituted for the thermoplastic stripe 24. Wax coating 25a is leffective to lubricate the fibrous material and, hence, facilitate the folding thereof vin a manner to be hereinafter fully pointed out. Additionally, said wax serves as a medium for holding hems I6 and 23 in folded position and impregnates the fibrous material for thus preventing any leakage of moisture into or out of the container in the event that microscopic breaks occur in the non-hygroscopic, metallic layer during the folding and sealing operations, such breaks being apt to occur at times by reasonof the texture and brittleness of the thin, metallic material, which texture and brittleness cannot be kept uniform by any known method of manufacture.

In making the container, the blank is first folded to form the top and bottom hems I6. One side of the marginal edge is then folded over to form the longitudinal hem 23 above mentioned and the blankis folded around a suitable arbor or mandrel to form a tubular body, as shown in Fig. 7, with the hem 23 overlapping the flap 25 and embossed lines |2a forming the corners. When folded in this way, the hem 23 and the flap 25 form an overlapped seam as indicated in Fig. 5. In. order to effect a seal, suitable heat and pressure are applied to activate the thermoplastic lacquer coating on the blank and at the same time to press the adjacent surfaces into firm engagement, the pressure being effective to press the activated lacquer into the interstices of said engaging surfaces. The pressure may be applied, as indicated in Fig. 6, from a point 30 to a point 3| on the outer surface of the body and between corresponding points on the inner surface thereof. It will be noted that the pressure terminates short of the rolled edge 23' so that no pressure is applied to this rolled-over portion of the hem. The sealing dies are preferably so shaped that the pressure exerted thereby internal structure of the foil might be so stressed and distorted as `to destroy the imperviousness thereof.

If, as pointed out above, the stripe 24 is constituted by paraffin wax, the application of sealing heat and pressure in the manner above deo scribed melts the wax and causes the same to permeate and impregnate the fibrous' layer I0 in the v icinity of loop 23'. Thus, if a microscopic break should occur in the metallic component of the blank' by reasonA of the folding thereof, the

wax serves as an effective seal for preventing the passage of moisture to or from the contents of the container. It will be noted that the wax does not in any way interfere with the joining of the metallic surfaces to form the desired metal-to metal longitudinal seam, since the melted wax will not pass through the metallic material.

Either end, such as the top, for example, of the container may be closed and sealed by folding the opposed marginal portions of the body inwardly about the embossed lines |4-at the upper edges of panels 20 and 2| to form atwo-part end wall and thence upwardly about the embossed lines I3 and along lines |2b to form opposed reinforced upstanding flanges 40, as indicated in Figs. 8 and 11, with the surface of hemV I in contact.

During this folding operation, portions of the blank above side panels 22 are folded along lines |3a to form laterally extending triangular tabs A40. It will be seen that each fold or bend is made along an embossed line and toward the grooved side thereof to thereby avoid sharp bending and, hence, breaking down of the metal component of the blank. 'Flanges 40 may be sealed serves to cause the flap 25 to conform to the -inner edge of the hem 23, thereby forming an offset portion 32 extending over the hem 23 and a portion 33 which is bent over the end of the hem 23 and engages the inner surface of the fibrous layer I0, as well as the raw edge of the infolded part of the hem. The heat and pressure thus applied, in addition to activating the thermoplastic material to render the same adhesive, serve to compress and compact the/bres so as to effect a firm, permanent seal.

It will be noted that, when the impervious layer consists of metal foil, the hem 23 forms a metalto-metal seal with the corresponding portion of the flap 25, thereby positively preventing moisture from passing through the seam and forming a trap for any moisture which may be absorbed and wicked by the fibrous material. The flange 33 is also adhesively securedto the fibrous material I0 and thereby completes a strong and impervious seam. It is to be understood that in Fig. 6 the relative dimensions of the various layers are shown as exaggerated for clearness of illustration. Iny practice, for example, the layers may comprise paper of any desired weight and metal foil ranging in gauge from ".0003 to ".001. In any event, the edge 23 of hem 23 remains in a rolled condition and care is, taken to` prevent the application *of any pressure thereto which would tend to make a sharp bend at which the together by the application of heat and pressure, using suitablyvv opposed sealing members to be hereinafter more fully described. The heat and pressure thus applied for forming the end closure seam are effective tovmelt the wax coating 25a thereby causing the same to impregnate the paper component of the blank in the vicinity of the lines along which the blank is folded.

The above-mentioned sealing members may be and preferably are provided with cooperating grooves and ribs to form compressed grooves 4| extending across flanges 40. 'I'hese grooves 4| constitute lines of concentrated-pressure along which the stock is more firmly compacted and thereby increase 'the effectiveness of the seal, 'particularly where the flanges consist of multiple plies. B v embossing flanges 40 in the' above manner, an impervious seal is assured at the point where the longitudinal body seam extends across the end closure seal. The grooves 4|, in the embodiment shown, are lsloped downwardly from the center of the flanges 40 toward the ends of said flanges so as to facilitate the opening of the' package. The flanges 40 may be leftunsealed above `the upper groove 4| to provide a finger grip by which the opposed halves of hem I6 can be separated for breaking the seal and opening the container. Solvents'can be employed for activating the lacquers on the engaging surfaces of flanges 40, if desired, as an alternative.

If the container is of small/size, it may be desirable to provide a pair of tabs 42 for this latter purpose, said tabs, as illustrated, being attached to opposed engaging surfaces of hem f6 above the upper groove 4| and being of a sufficient size to be readily grasped by the fingers for pulling the flanges 40 apart to open the container. Tabs 42 may be made of any suitable material, such as, linen, and may also be secured Way.

to the `blank by a thermoplastic adhesive lacquer. They must be attached firmly enough to prevent the same from pulling off when a pull is exerted thereon for opening the container.

Itwill be noted that in applying heat :and pressure to -the two fianges 40, the pressure is terminated well below the top edges'thereof so that no pressure is exerted against the rolled portions or embossing i2 at the extreme edges thereof. This prevents the metal componen-t of said rolled portions from fracturing and, at the same time, leaves the fianges in a suitable condition to `be readily pulled apart by the fingers s for opening the container. It will, of course, be

, understood that the provision of the embossed lines along the fold lines, the folding of the material in the direction of the groove of the embossing, and the non-application of pressure to the edges of the folds preventI internal destruction of the fibre, as well as of the metal component of blank I0, Il during the folding and sealing thereof.

While two grooves 4| have been shown forpurposes of illustration, it is to be understood that the number of these grooves may be varied as desired; In somey cases, one groove may be sufcient or, on the other hand, a plurality thereof may be desired, depending upon the materiais and the adhesive used. f After the anges 40, have been sealed in theT manner above'described and to be hereinafter amplified, they may be folded at against the top of the container, as illustrated in Fig. 9, with the tabs 42 tucked' under. The ends 0f the anges 40 and triangular Atabs 40' may be 'bent downwardly against sides 22, and secured in poportion of the iiaps unsealed. The entire width ofthe flaps may accordingly be sealed by exerting pressure to a point'closelys adjacent the-edges thereof. The pressure should, however, terminate short of the rolled edges so as not to injure`thesame. vAt the bottom of the container,

the vends of the sealed flanges 40 and the trianguiar tabs 40 may be folded back over the bottom or end wall instead of extending aroundthe sides. I

'Ilie particular way in which the ends are folded and closed is morefully set forth in the copending aplication above referred to and it is to be understood that the present invention is applicable 1 to the various embodiments set forth in that application.

When the above-described container is to be opened for dispensingl the *contents thereof, the revenue stamp or the like is firstl removed or broken and the ends of the flanges 40, together with tabs 40', are bent upwardly into the plane of the top .end Wall. The flanges 40 are' then bent into upstanding position as shown in Fig. 8. The tabs 42 may then be grasped by the fingers and a pull exerted for breaking the seal between the two anges and opening the container. It will be noted that, as the pull is exerted on the tabs 42, the seal is broken rst at fthe apex of the diagonal grooves 4I and extends progresas the seal is broken. The seal is thus easily broken without rupturing or tearing the material. Thecontainer may be again temporarily closed without sealing by refolding the top in the manner above described.

The above-described container is light of weight and suiiiciently flexible to be readily carried in the users pocket and yet is durable and highly efiicient in preventing transfer of moisture between the contents and the atmosphere. 'I'he container is entirely closed by metal-tometal points and the metal layer is unbroken at the folded edges so that the wicking of moisture into or out of the container by the fibrous ma terial is entirely avoided. A Wax seal is also provided as a safeguard in the event the metallic layer of the blank is broken during the folding thereof.

In certain circumstances, it may be desirable to fold the blank with the fibrous material on the outside and with the impervious material or metal on the inside. Such an embodiment can also be closed by a metal-to-metal seal as shown more in detail in Fig. 12. Referring to that iigure, the material at one side edge of the blank is folded over to form a hem 50 with the layer of metal on the outside. This is joined to the metal layer on the inside of the opposite side edge 5I ofthe blank, suitable heat and pressure being applied to effect the necessary seal. It is to be n oted that the metal foil on'the side edge 5| of the blank effects a metal-to-metal seal with the foil on the inside of the hein 50 and also a metal-to-paper seal with the fibrous material 53 adjacent the hem 50 over which the side edge 5I extends. Any moisture entering the fibrous material is thus eectively trapped in this construction and cannot pass from the inside to the outside of the container or vice versa.

`Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 13 to 16, inclusive, 'wherein the longitudinal side seam is formed so as to guard against' separation thereof at'the topA of the container when the latter is opened by pulling on tabs 42 which, in the interest of clarity, have not been illustrated in the last-mentioned figures. ployed for `making this latter embodiment as is used in making the embodiment of Fig.l 9 and, accordingly, the same reference numerals are used to designate like parts. As shown in Fig. 13, the longitudinal side seal of the body is formed by providing a hem 23a (corresponding to hem 23 of Fig. l) in flap 25 and said flap is lapped over, rather than under. the marginal s portion of the opposite end of the blank. Thus,

when a pull is exerted on sides 20 and 2l, such as by means of tabs 42, to break the end closure seal in the manner above described, there will be no tendency to separate the sealed surfaces of the sideA seam until after the end closure seam adjacent said side seam has been broken. In the formation of said side seam, the mandrel, on which the body is formed is preferably grooved to compensate for the extra thickness Y introduced by hem 23a. In this manner, hem

sively outwardly to the ends of the flanges 40 'I6 23a is ycaused to be embedded in a groove 23h formed in side 20 of the body so that the resulting seam is locked against any sheering stress.

After the formation of the body, the .end of the container is formed. as illustrated in Fig. 14, by` folding the peripheral marginal portion of in. the manner abovev described. Fiangcs 40 are then simultaneously embossed and the engaging surfaces thereof are sealed Substantially the same blank is emassauts together in a novel manner by heat and pressure applied by means of novel sealing members or dies 54, 55. In order to insure an impervious seal throughout the entire width of flanges 40 and particularly adjacent the longitudinal side seam, one of the sealing dies 54 is provided with a groove 56 for receiving the excess material at said seam. Additionally, die Il is provided with a transversely extending groove and die l has a corresponding rib (not shown) for producing the groove 4i` in flanges". Preferably. the pressure of dies 54, 55 is such that the engaging surfaces of flanges 4I are sealed together over small areas 51, l1 (Fig. 15) both above and below groove 4I. Dies Il and may be heated by means of electrical cartridge heaters Il and pressure is applied thereto by any suitable meansfmany of which are well known in the art.

By employing the foregoing novel method and means for forming the longitudinal body seam and end closure seams of the above-described container, it will be seen that the double thickness portions of anges I0 on each side of said longitudinal seam are brought into parallel relationship during the formation of the end closure seam, whereas the inwardly projecting extra thickness or oifset portion of said longitudinal seam is pressed against the opposite flange Il in such manner as to form an offset in the latter. The multiple thickness of the longitudinal seam is thus blended into the end closure seam with the opposing flange 4| wrapped snugly and compressed around the cifset portion so as to conf form to the shape thereof. Harmonious configuration of the joined surfaces and hence a tight Joint are thus assured.

For convenience of description. the impervious material has been referred to herein as metallic foil and the seal has been referred to as a metalto-metal seal. It is to be understood, however, that these terms are, not used as a limitation of the scope of the invention. Other types of impervious material. such as cellulosic products, resins and other suitable products may be employed and the seal may be effectedby bringing two layers of such material into contact ln the manner above pointed out.

Although only a limited number of specific embodiments-of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Various changes may be made, for example, in the particular materials and examples speciflm, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will be readily understood by apersonskilledintheart. Pbradennltion of the limits of the invention, reference is had primarily to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A container made from a laminated blank comprising a layer of iibrous material and a layer of impervious material, the top and bottom marginal edges of said blank being rolled and folded over to form top and bottom hems having rolled unpressed edges with the impervious material on the outside, one side marginal portion of said blank being likewise rolled and folded to form a side marginal hem having a rolled unpressed edge with the impervious material on the outside, said -blank being folded to form a tubular body with said last-mentioned hem overlapping and in engagement with the other side marginal portion of the blank to form an overlapped seam extending longitudinally of said body, the impervious material of said hem engaging the impervious material of said other side marginal portion and being secured thereto by a thermoplastic adhesive interposed therebetween, the top and bottom portions of said blank being folded inwardly to close the top and bottom portions. respectively, of said body, with the top and bottom, respectively, pressed together and joined by thermoplastic adhesive interposed therebetween.

2. A container constituted by a tubular body having a wall comprising a layer of fibrous material and an outer layer of foil, a marginal portion of an end of said body being infolded to form a foil-covered, reinforcing hem, the engaging iibrous surfaces vof said hem being coated with parai'iin wax and opposed halves of the surface of said hem inside the body being pressed into engagement with each other and joined together by a thermoplastic adhesive interposed therebetween to form a metal-to-metal closure seam.

3. A container constituted by a body formed from a laminated blank having a layer of nbrous material anda layer of metallic material, a marginal portion at one end of said body being infolded to form a hem with said metallic material outermost, the engaging fibrous surfaces of said hem being coated with paramn wax and opposed halves of the surface of said hem in the body being sealed together by a thermoplastic adhesive to form a substantially impervious closure seam.

4. A container made from a laminated blank comprising a layer of fibrous material and a lger of impervious material, said blank being folded to form atubular body with the side marginal portions of the blank overlapping to form an overlapped seal extending longitudinally of said body, one of said side marginal portions being folded over to form a two-ply hem with the impervious material on the outside and a coating of paramn wax onthe engaging fibrous surfaces of said hem. said hem engaging the layer of impervious material on the other side marginal portion and being adhesively secured thereto.

GEQRGE ARLINGTON MOORE.

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