US2350163A - Merchandise container - Google Patents

Description

May 30, 1944. R. GUYER I 2,350,163

MERCHANDI SE CONTAINER Filed June 18, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l l\ /l I: 31 II l 1/6 L17 f5] 70 jgmgg/ @@Wmmw ATTORNEY May 30, 1944. R. GUYER MERCHANDISE CONTAINER v Filed June 18, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 je INVENTOR BY QMLMD ATTORNEY May 30, 1944.

R. GUYER MERCHANDISE CONTAINER Filed June 18,' 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 f f, e/l/ ha M ATTORNEY Patented May 30, 1944 MERCHANDISE QONTAINER Reynolds Guyer, St. Paul, Minn., assignor to Waldorf Paper Products Company, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application June 18, 1941, Serial No. 398,619

(Cl. 20G-44) 6 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in merchandise containers, wherein it is desired to provide a means for stiiening fibrous board to render the same capable of maintaining shape when containing articles of merchandise.

Various types of containers have been used for the packing of fragile articles to be shipped. Corrugated paper board has been commonly used for enclosing the articles during transportation. This corrugated paper board is possessed of considerable stiffness when in its flat state. However, when this board is folded across the corrugations, the rigidity of the board along this line is destroyed. If such material is folded into box formation, some means must be provided for locking the various walls of the box together, as otherwise the box would unfold along the various fold lines. It would be extremely advantageous if two sections of corrugated paper board, connected along a fold `line intersecting the corrugations, would maintain a set relationship. The packing of merchandise could then be greatly simplified.

The object of the present invention is to provide a stiifening means within the fibrous board which will resist folding of the board at the fold lines. With such an arrangement, no locking tongues, fastening means, or binding devices are necessary to hold the folded sections in desired angularity. As a result, merchandise may simply be placed in a support such as a channel shaped tray, and the upper edges of the channel folded partially over the merchandise, holding the same rmly wrapped. At the same time, such channels may be open throughout a major portion of the area of the top, permiting the display of the goods packed. V

It is an object of the present invention to provide` a means of stiffening the lines of fold of fibrous board containers, so as to thoroughly protect the merchandise and at the same time to leave the merchandise openly visible for display. As a result, the goods may remain in packed condition until sold to a customer. Two advantages exist in such a construction. In the first place, it is not necessary for the store owner to remove the goods from their original packing for display purposes. In the second place, it is not necessary for the store owner to pack the merchandise for delivery to the customer. Both of these advantages means the saving of time and money to the merchandiser.

AAn extremely important features of the present invention lies in the ease with which merchandise containers lmay be manufactured and assembled. In the formation of the containers, it

is only necessary to blank out the container body to the desired shape, and with the fold lines properly scored; and to subsequently insert between the corrugations a ductile or malleable stiffening means so as to extend on both sides of the lines of fold. In the assembling of the containers, it is only necessary to bend the sections of the container along the fold lines. The ductile stiffening means will bend to assume the proper folded shape. However, when once bent, the sections of the container will remain in the same angular relationship until sufficient force is exerted to change the angle of bend of the ductile stiffener. The sections are then sustained without the use of separate fastening means.

A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the ductile stiffening means may, if desired, project from the ends of the container sections through whichit extends, providing a means of holding or supporting elements of merchandise contained. As Va result, the stiffening means may form not only a means for holding the folded sections of the container in the desired relationship, but also an attaching means for holding the merchandise in set relationship with respect to the container.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of adisplay container enclosing merchandise to be shipped and displayed. l

Figure 2 is a plan view showing the died-out formation of one of the sections of the enclosing container.

Figure 3 is a plan view. showing the died-out formation of the other section of the enclosing container.

corrugated paper board and the stiffening mem-` ber enclosed therein. I

Figure 9 is a perspective View of a modified form of support, and display container used in conjunction therewith.

Figure l is a perspective view of the merchandise support illustrated in Figure 9, with themerchandise removed therefrom.

Figure 1l is a plan View of the died-out formation of the merchandise support illustrated in Figure 10.

Figure l2 is across-sectional View through the corrugated paper board and the stiifening element embodied therein.

My invention is applicable to a great number of diierent specific forms of construction; and for this reason the embodiments illustrated are only indicative of the manner o'f carrying out the invention. The speciiic shapeand 'form of the container must to some degree be dependent upon the typek of goods to be shipped and displayed.

he display container A, illustrated in .Figures l, 2, and 3 of the drawings, is designed to "accommod'ate-fragile goodssuc'h as the so-called hurricane lamps B. The container A as illustrated comprises a base i il, and a pair of end walls I l and I2, secured to the base il) along the fold lines I3 and M, respectively. The end walls II and I2 airegenerallyrectangular in shape, and comprise two sections connected along a fold line. The end'walll l comprises alower section I5 connected to the base t@ along the fold line vI 3, and connected .toithe :upper/section lIS-along the `diagonal fold line I7. The end .wall I2 .comprises a lower section I9 connected along Vthe fold line I 4 to the base, and connected to the upper section :along the diagonalfoldlline *2l The upper end wall sections I and 2i) may foldout ffrom the end walls as seen in Figure l1,-to betterdisplay the merchandise.

As best illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings, a ydu'ctile ,or Amalleable'stiifening means, in the form 'of `a Wire rod `22, extends between corrugations of the `board yfrom which the container is formed, extendingthrough the fold lines I3', I4, Il, and -2I. The'smanner in which the stiifening -means `Mais-:positioned is best illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings. The board from which the container A is formed comprises a pair of spaced jpara'llel covering sheets 23 and 24, with a -corrugated webz yconnecting the 4vsame and connected alongthe ridges off rthe-corrugations to thesheets'23 and 24. spaced-parallel passages are thus formed 'by the web 25, through which the wire 221may; extend.

A second*containersection is sho-wn in vFigure 3 of the drawings. This section comprises a container jrear 'panel V.26, connected .along the 'fold line Z'Ito the container top 29. The top 29 is connected along the fold line 3l) to the container frontwall 3|. Thetop 29 is formed of a display panel `section '32, which is separated from the rear supporting portion 33 by a substantially U- shapedlline0f1separation'3'4. Fold lines T35 connect 'thedisplay panel section 32 withthe rear supporting section 33, so that the display panel section may be erected into gthe display position illustrated'in Figure' l of the drawings, or the entire top panel f2s may extend in a common plane.1 y y f A `pair of y.stiiening wires 36 are inserted -between the corrugations of `the Vweb connecting thecovering sheets of the corrugated board, as illustrated-in Figure 8. These ductile or malleable -Wires35 extend through-thefold lines 2l, 3U, and 35. -'I'liusvv'hen this section is folded into the display position illustrated,lthe parts are-held in proper relationship by these stiffening elements 36. The rear panel 26 is taped or otherwise secured to the end walls II and I2, and to the base IE), in the assembled container.

The hurricane lamps B are individually contained in supports C designed to protect the lamps and to hold the same in proper relationship. The hurricane lamps B comprise a dishlike holder 31, designed to support a candle 39, and also a lamp chimney 40. As both the lamp chimney and the holder are formed of fragile material, it is necessary to hold these elements in spaced relation, and also spaced from similar elements of other lamps B.

The supports C comprise a base 4I formed of corrugated paper board, connected along fold lines 42 to side walls 43, which, in turn, are connected to the anges 44 along the fold lines 45. The corrugations of the connecting web within the corrugated board extend at substantially right angles to the fold lines 42 and 45, so that these fold lines intersect the corrugations. A ductile or malleable stilening element 4t extends longitudinally of the web corrugations, and the ends 41 of thestiffening element project beyond the ends of the flanges 44, as best illustrated in Figures w5 and 7 ofthe drawings.

The supports C are formedinto the shape illustrated vin Figure 5 of thevdrawings, the base 4I and side Walls43 forming a channel-shaped tray,

Vand the Vflanges 44 extending inwardly -from the side walls 443, lextending substantially :parallel to the base 4I. The projecting ends 4l ofthe stiffening element 4.5 are bent upwardly, and are outwardly kinked at49, to engage the inner Wallsof the lamp chimney which .is subsequently supported thereby.

yA 'disc having a central aperture 5I and op- `positely disposed notches 52 is applied over the anges 44, thernotches Q52 straddling theupstanding wire ends 4l. A pair ofvopposed ears 53are bent'up lfrom the body vof the disc 5i) to engage Within the 'lamp'chimney 40 to hold the same centered. The dish-shaped holder 3l rests upon the support base 4I. The candle 3Q extends through the aperture V5I in thedisc 5I), and jis supported `by the holder 31; the disc 5S thusacting through the r,candle 39 to -hold lthe holder 31 in place. Thelamp chimney -40 is supported by the disc 5U, anjd held upright and centered bythe ears 5,3, and :isgfrictionallyengaged by the ends 41 of the lstiiening element, the-kinks 49 engaging -in ,the outwardly bulged portion 54 of the chimney'40.

In packingfthe lamps Bin'the container A, the supports C of alternate lamps are turnedat right anglesso that inthenished container the holders 3lv are all vconnedwithin f our upstanding walls arranged in asquare. Thus, during transportationfthe holders :Blofthe lamps B cannot move out of proper position.

In Figuresg through 12 ofthe drawings, I disclose a moded :form of construction of container. In this form, the outerpacking container D isin thegeneral'formfof abox .of rectangular shape, including a base (notshown), afront wall 55, a rear wall V5B, land opposed side walls 5l. Short cover iiaps 59 aresecuredalong fold lines 60 .to theside Walls-.51. VA top panel 6| is connected along'theifold line62to thefront Wall 55, and a rear panel 58 is secured V.to `the rear Wall along thefold line-63. If desired-a ductile lstiifenin'g :element 164 fmay `be `embedded within .the -rear ipanel 156, extending -on -both sidesA of `self'sustaining. j .Custardcups E are shown as the specific merthe fold line.63 so as toV make this rear panel chandise packed within the container D; and thesegifragilecups are vheld in proper relation by ,a merchandise support F. This merchandise supportlactstto hold the cups spaced, and holds them contained in units, each supporting four cups.: v

The supports F comprise a base 65 having apertures 65 through which the tapered walls of the cups 1E may extend and engage. These aperturesare ofsuch .a size as to hold the mouths of the cups spaced well above the base B5; but suiicient of the cup extends through theaperturesto .securely hold thecups in fixed relation.

.Connected along fold lines 61 tothe base 65, I

lprovide side walls 69. These side walls extend `upwardly from the base S5 at substantially right 'anglesfv thereto; and combine with the base to form-.a channel-shaped tray. Spaced flanges 1i) aresecuredto the upper edge of the side walls 6,9 along fold lines 1 i. Each of the flanges 1li` engages the top surface .of two adjacent `cups E, to hold these cups in place upon the base 65. Opposedpairs ofthe flanges engage the cups. Arcuate notches 12 are formed in the flanges 10 so that these flanges engage or overlie the rims of the cups, but do not conceal the interior portion of the cups.

Ductile or malleable stiening elements 13 extend through the flanges 1, side walls 69, and base 65 of the supports F to stiften the fold lines in the corrugated paper board supports. The fold lines B1 and 1I extend transversely of the direction of the corrugations, and accordingly the stiffness of the board is destroyed along the line of fold. The bendable wires 13 are inserted between the corrugations of the web within the board, as best illustrated in Figure l2 of the drawings, this corrugated web being indicated by the numeral 14, and the covering sheets being designated by the numerals 15 and 16.

Obviously, the corrugated paper board will not remain in any set position along the lines oi' fold unless stiffened by some such means as is provided by the applicant. However, with such a stiifening element in place, the flanges 10 act to hold the cups El in position, and the four cups mounted on each base 65 may be handled as a unit. As the material forming the stiffening elements such as 13 is ductile and malleable, it

will retain the shape into which it is manually set, and resists bending along any of the fold lines through which it extends.

When the container D is opened into display position, it is desirable to hold the cups E prominently displayed. To accomplish this end, I provide apertures 11 in the front display panel 6l, which apertures register with the apertures E6 in the base 65 of the support F. The lower ends of the cups E which project below the base 65 engage in these apertures, so that the base 65 may rest directly upon the inclined panel El in inclined display position.

The simplicity of assembly of such containers makes them extremely desirable for use in holding merchandise while it is shipped and displayed. To hold the merchandise in position, it is only necessary to fold the supporting tray in position to enclose the same sufficiently to prevent removal of the same. The stiffening element prevents the unfolding of the tray out of this engaging position.

In constructing the merchandise container the blanks are out out in the proper form and the fold lines scored or creased into the blanks. This scoring orY creasing at the fold lines acts to bend thecorrugations so as to destroy the stiffnessI of the board along the line of fold. After creasing, the stiffening wires are inserted to extend through the lines of fold,.to reinforce the fold lines. 1 In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of .construction and operation of my merchandise container, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof, I desire tohave it understood that these areonly illustrative of a means of carrying out my invention, and that obvious changes maybe made within the scope of the `following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

v1. A merchandise packing support comprising a base, and a retaining flap means foldably secured thereto along a fold line and designed to engage an article of merchandise upon said base, said base and iiap means being formed of a sheet of corrugated paper board comprising a pair of spaced parallel covering sheets and a connecting corrugated web forming passages through the board, and a ductile stiifening element extending within one of said passages beyond the line of fold to render the board resistant to bending at the fold line, said ductile element projecting from the flap means to engage the article of merchandise to hold the article in xed relation to said base.

2. A merchandising packing support comprising a base, opposed flap means foldably secured to said base along fold lines, said base and flap means being formed of corrugated paper board comprising a pair' of parallel spaced covering sheets connected by a corrugated web, providing passages through the board between the corrugations, and a ductile stiffening means extending through one of said passages and extending Y beyond the ends of said flap means, the corrugations of said board extending across the lines oi' fold, the ends of said ductile means being v exposed for engagement with an article of merchandise to hold the article in xed relation to said base.

3. A merchandise packing support in combination with an article of merchandise comprising a channel-shaped tray having a base and foldably connected side walls of corrugated paper board, the article engaging said base be tween said side walls, the corrugations of the paper board extending transversely of the channel and forming passages through the board intersecting the fold lines connecting said base to said side walls, anges foldably connected to the free edges of said side walls and foldable into opposed spaced relationship to engage 0pposite portions of the article engaging said base, and a ductile stiffening element extending through one of said passages and extending on both sides of said fold lines, said ductile stiifening element holding said flanges in engagement with opposite sides of said article of merchandise to hold said article against said base.

4. A merchandise packing support in combination with an article of merchandise, comprising a channel-shaped tray having a base and foldably connected side walls, flanges foldably connected to the upper extremities of said side walls, said article engaging against the base, said flanges `engaging r'spaced marginal edges of said article .to hold said article in engagement with :said hase, ,said packing support being formed of a singleslieet of corrugated .paper board, the cor- `rnga'tions of which extend ltransverselyfiof the .channel to form passages through the flanges, side walls, channel base, and a ductile stiffening element extending through .one of said passages and extending on both sides of the line .of fold, :said -diictile stiffening element holding said Iianges firmly Aagainst the upper extremity of thearticle of merchandise to clamp the vsame ragainst said base.

.5. .A merchandise packing 4support in combination with an article V.of merchandise, comprising a channeis`naped tray .having a .base and folclably ,connected side Walls, yopposite spaced flanges on said .side Walls foldable substantially into alignment and being maintained in spaced Irelationship, said channel shaped tray and lflanges being formed of a lsingle piece of corrugated paper board, the corrugations .of which extend transversely of the channel to provide passages through the board intersecting the fold `lines thereof, and ductile stiiening element extending through one of said passages provided on 4both ,sides of .each of the lines Vof fold in .said corrugated paper board, said stiffeningielemen't acting to .hold said article .against `said base, means on .said ibase 4for Vhold-ing the .article .of merchandise from lateral movement in any direction, vsaid flanges engaging over opposed `'edges of l'said article of Ymerchandise Ito hold the same from movement away from said base.

6. A merchandise packing support in combination with .an articLe of merchandise, comprising .a base, aps foldabiy connected to rsaid Vbase along substantially .parallel fold lines, said Ylaps `engaging over opposed marginal portions of the article of merchandise .and being arranged in spaced relationshipto display the .article of merchandise between said Aflaps, said .base and Aflaps .being Vformedof a single sheet of corrugated A.boa-rd having the corrugations thereof intersecting said fold lines Aat substantially right angles, and a .ductile stiiening element in one of .said corrugations extending on both sides of both of said Afold lines to hold said aps clamped against said article of merchandise to hold the article of merchandise against said base.

REYNOLDS GUYER.

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