US2382819A

US2382819A - Container

Info

Publication number: US2382819A
Application number: US521936A
Authority: US
Inventors: John R Richards; Charles W Evert
Original assignee: DOWNING BOX CO
Current assignee: DOWNING BOX CO
Priority date: 1944-02-11
Filing date: 1944-02-11
Publication date: 1945-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 1962-08-14

Description

Aug 31 2', 3945. J. R. RICHARDS ET AL 9 5 CONTAINER Filed Feb. 11, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l /3 j- INVENTOR.

J. R. RICHARDS ETAL 232,819

CONTAINER Filed Feb. 11, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,E INVENTOR.

* WZz m Patented Aug. id, 1945 CONTAINER John R. Richards and Charles W. Evert, Milwaukee, Wis., assignors to Downing Box Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application February 11, 1944, Serial No. 521,936

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in containers, and more particularly to containers adapted for the transportation and handling of bottled or canned beverages such as beer.

Containers formed of fiberboard have in recent years, because of their relatively inexpensive nature and lightness in weight, become increasingly popular for use as beverage cases in lieu of the wooden boxes formerly employed. Two types of fiberboard containers are commonly used. One type, the single shipment variety, is formed of relatively light-weight fiberboard and is of a very inexpensive nature. The other type, with which the present invention is concerned, must be constructed to stand up satisfactorily when re-used seven or eight times. Containers of this latter variety as heretofore constructed have, however, been objectionable for a number of reasons. Inasmuch as it is common practice to pick up a beverage case by the hand hole of one end wall only, a great deal of strain is placed on said end wall, causing tearing, particularlyiat' the corners. In addition, the usual fiberboard container of this type will not withstand a iairge amount of inward pressure on the side cij'tOp and will not withstand pressures applied to two diagonally opposite corners. Furthermore, difiiculty has been encoun-- tered in maintaining the hinged covers against popping open during handling.

It is, therefore,.a general object of the present invention to provide an improved fiberboard container which is constructed in a novel manner to provided greater rigidity in all directions. Thus the box will withstand the usual rough handling, the containers can be stacked one on top of another without fear of crushing those below, and the containers cannot be injured when pressures of the usual type are applied to two diagonally opposite corners.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container including complementary hinged covers, the covers and end walls being constructed in a novel manner to cooperate with each other in producing a bracing effect against both inward and outward strains when the covers are closed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container of the class described wherein the covers are maintained firmly in position even when the box is subjected to diagonal pressures.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container formed of fiberboard or the like which has such strength, rigidity, and resistance to tearing or breaking forces that it can be re-used a relatively large number of times.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a container, as above described, having complementary hinged covers wherein each cover member is formed with side and end flanges, and wherein the container end walls are provided with upper edge slots for receiving the meeting side flanges and with external upper edge channels for receiving the end flanges of the cover members. With this arrangement the container is braced against inward, outward, or diagonal strains on the end walls and against downward pressure on the cover sections. Furthermore, cover members are maintained in position because of the frictional engagement of the side flanges within the end wall slots and because of the frictional engagement of the end flanges Within the end wall channels.

A further, more specific objection oithe invention is to provide a construction wherein each end wall channel is formed by integral means bent downwardly from the upper edge of the end wall and then upwardly, the downwardly bent portion upper edge slot of the end wall proper.

A further specific object of the invention is to provide a container having end wall channels wherein the horizontal fold line between the downwardly and upwardly bent channel forming parts is slotted at its ends for receiving the upper portions of the side wall flanges in a Bliss type of box. Thus the upper ends of these side wall flanges, which overlap the end walls, are received between the downwardly and upwardly bent portions of the channels. By this arrangement the downwardly and upwardly bent channel forming portions are held in properly separated condition for readily receiving the end flanges of the cover members. Furthermore, the end wall channels do not project an undesired distance beyond the surfaces of the end walls.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of the improved container and all its parts and combinations, as set forth in the claims and all equivalents thereof:

In the accompanying drawings illustrating one complete embodiment of the preferred form of the invention, in which the same reference numerals designate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. l is a, perspective view of the container with the cover sections open;

Fig. 2 is an end view with the covers closed, part being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of P18. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of one of the cut and scored end wall blanks before folding; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the blank of Fig. 5 after the upper edge portions have been folded to form a. channel.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the box illustrated is of the Bliss" type, but features of the invention are obviously applicable for use in other types of boxes. The container comprises side walls II and I2 foldably connected to opposite edges of a bottom wall l3, cover members l4 and I6 foldable toward one another irom the upper edges of the side walls II and I2, and end walls l6 and I1 secured by metal stitching l3, or in any other suitable manner, to stitching flaps l9 and 26. The side walls, bottom wall, end walls and cover are preferably formed of solid fiberboard. They may, however, be formed of corrugated board or other suitable material of like nature.

The cover section l4 has its upper edge formed with a right-angularly bent side flange 2| and has its end edges formed with end flanges 22. Tongues 23, bent at right angles to the end flanges 22, are stapled as at 24 to the ends of the side flange 2|. In order to obtain maximum reinforcement at the free edge of the cover memher, the side flange 2| is of greater depth than the end flanges 22. Furthermore, the ends of the side flanges may be cut down in depth, as at 26, to coincide with the depth of the tongues 23. It is not desirable to have the end flanges 22 of as great depth as the side flange 2|, as this takes an unnecessary amount of material without accomplishing any useful purpose. The other cover member I5 is similarly formed with a. side flange 26, and with end flanges 21 having tongues 26 which are stapled to the ends of the side flange as at 29. The ends of the side flange 26 are cut down in depth as at 36.

The end walls l6 and I! are identical in construction and, therefore, the description of one end wall will suflice. Referring to Figs. 5 and 6 the end wall blank has a hand hole 3| and also has spaced parallel lines of

scoring

32 and 33 which deflne a downwardly foldable channelforming portion 34 and an upwardly foldable channel-forming portion 36. Midway between the sides of the blank is a slot which crosses the line of scoring 32. This forms a slot portion 36 extending downwardly from the score line 32 in the end wall proper and a slot portion 31 which extends downwardly in the channel-forming portion 34 and which registers with the slot portion 36 when the blank is folded, as in Fig. 6. In addition, there are horizontal slots 38 at the ends of the score line 33 between the downwardly and upwardly foldable portions 34 and 35.

When the end walls are assembled in the container the downwardly folded channel-forming portions 34 contact the inner sides of the upper edges of the flanges I9 connected with the side walls, as is clear from Figs. 1 and 2. The upwardly folded channel-forming portion 36 contacts the outer sides of the upper ends of the side wall flanges l9. This novel arrangement is permitted 'by the slots 36, which slots receive the upper ends of the flanges l6. Thus these upper ends of the flanges l9 space the two portions 34 and 36 of the channels a required distance apart. In addition, this arrangement prevents the channel-forming members from projecting too far outwardly from the ends of the box. Staples 40,

which extend through the ends of the channelforming portion 36, through the upper ends of the flanges l6, through the ends of the channelforming portion 34, and through the end wall "proper, maintain the end wall channels in assembled position.

When the cover sections l4 and II are closed,

the cut-down

portions

26 and 33 of the cover side flanges 2| and 26, together with the inwardly

bent tongues

23 and 23, are received in the downwardly extending slots of the end walls, as is illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. These slots are formed by portions 36 extending downwardly from the upper edges of the end walls and by portions 3'! extending downwardly in the downwardly foldable channel-forming part 34. At the same time the

end flanges

22 and 21 of the cover members are received within the end wall channels, The parts are so arranged so that these cover end flanges readily enter the channels. On the other hand the spacing is such that when fully inserted in the channels they are frictionally maintained in position. Furthermore, the meeting flanges 2| and 26 of the two cover members frictionally engage one another in closed position and are also frictionally held in the end wall slots.

Due to the novel use of the end wall channels, together with end wall slots, the container possesses unusual rigidity. The side flanges 2| and 26 of the covers reinforce the covers against downward pressure and also strengthen the box against inward pressures on the end walls. Such inward pressure is also prevented because of the engagement of the cover end flanges in the channels. At the same time the channels prevent outward strains on the end walls from causing the end walls to bow outwardly. Due to the snug fit of all of the parts, when in closed position, the container is strongly braced against diagonal pressures. Furthermore, the possibility of the cover members popping open during handling is minimized Although only one form of the invention has been described, it is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the end wall channels may be formed by separate members connected to the end walls. In addition, the construction as to certain features may be employed in boxes other than the "Bil-as type. Various other changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and all of such changes are contemplated as may come within the scope of the claims.

What we claim is:

1. In a container having'side and end walls, each end wall having an upper edge portion folded downwardly on the outer side of the end wall and then upwardly to provide an upwardly opening channel, there being a slot extending downwardly from the upper edge of each end wall and there being a registering slot formed in the downwardly folded part of each channel, complementary cover members hinged to said side walls and foldable toward one another over the container, and side and end flanges on each cover member, said side flanges being received in the upper edge slots of the end walls and said end flanges being received in said end wall channels when the cover members are closed.

2. In a container having side and end walls, each end wall having an upper edge portion folded downwardly on the outer side of the end wall and then upwardly to provide an upwardly opening channel, there being a slot extending downwardly from the upper edge of each end wall and there being a registering slot formed in the downwardly folded part of each channel,

complementary cover members hinged to said side walls and foldable toward one another over the container, and side and end flanges on each cover member, said side flanges being received in the upper edge slots of the end walls and said end flanges being received in said end wall channels when the cover members are closed, and metal staples securing said channel-forming parts in folded position so that the channels frictionally aid in maintaining the 'cover end flanges in position when the cover members are closed.

3. In a container having a bottom provided with end flaps and having side walls provided with end flaps, an end wall secured at each end of the container to said end flaps of the bottom and side walls, each end wall having an upper edge portion folded downwardly on the outer side of the end wall and then upwardly to provide an upwardly opening channel, there being a fold line between said downwardly and upwardly folded channel parts with slots in the ends of said fold line for receiving upper end portions of the side wall end flaps, each end wall having a slot extending downwardly from its upper edge and there being a registering slot formed in the downwardly folded part of each channel, complementary cover members hinged to said side walls and foldable toward one another over the container, and side and end flanges on each cover member, said cover side flanges being received in the upper edge slots of the end wall and said cover end flanges being received in said end wall channels when the cover members are closed.

4. In a container having a bottom provided with end flaps and having side walls provided with end flaps, an end wall secured at each end of the container to said end flaps of the bottom and side walls, each end wall having an upper edge portion folded downwardly on the outer side of the end wall and then upwardly to provide an upwardly opening channel, there being a fold line between said downwardly and upwardly folded channel parts with slots in the ends of said fold line for receiving upper end portions of the side wall end flaps, complementary cover membershinged to said side walls and foldable toward one another over the container, and end flanges on each cover member which are received in said end wall channels when the cover members are closed.

5. In a container having a bottom provided with end flaps and having side walls provided with end flaps, an end wall secured at each end of the container to said end flaps of the bottom and side walls. each end wall having an upper edge portion folded downwardly on the outer side of the end wall and then upwardly to provide an upwardly opening channel, there being a fold line between said downwardly and upwardly folded channel parts with slots in the ends of said fold line for receiving upper end portions of the side wall end flaps, complementary cover members hinged to said side walls and foldable toward one another over the container, end flanges on each cover member which are received in said end wall channels when the cover members are closed, and metal staples at the ends of each channel extending through the upwardly folded channel-forming part, through the upper ends of the side wall and flanges, through the downwardly folded channel-formmg part and through the end wall proper.

6. In a container having side and end walls, each end wall having an upper edge portion folded downwardly on the outer side of the end wall and then upwardly to provide an upwardly opening channel, there being a slot extending downwardly from the upper edge of each end wall and there being a registered slot formed in the downwardly folded part of each channel, complementary cover members hinged to said side walls and foldable toward one another over the container, side and end flanges on each cover member, and angularly bent corner tongues connecting the side and end flanges, said side flanges and tongues being received in the upper edge slots of the end walls and said end flanges being received in said end wall channels when the cover members are closed.

7. In a container having side and end walls, each end wall having an upper edge portion folded downwardly on the outer side of the end wall and then upwardly to provide an upwardly opening channel, there being a slot extending downwardly from the upper edge of each end wall and there being a registering slot formed in the downwardly folded part of each channel, complementary cover members hinged to said side walls and foldable toward one another over the container, side and end flanges on each cover member, and angularly bent corner tongues connecting the side and end flanges, said side flanges and tongues being received in the upper edge slots of the end walls and said end flanges being received in said end wall channels when the cover members are closed, and metal staples securing said channel-forming parts in folded position so that the channels frictionally aid in maintaining the cover end flanges in position when the cover members are closed.

8;!!! a container having a bottom provided with end flaps and having side walls provided with end flaps, an end wall secured at each end of the container to said end flaps of the bottom and side walls, each end wall having an upper edge portion folded downwardly on the outer side of the end wall and then upwardly to provide an upwardly opening channel, there being a fold line between said downwardly and upwardly folded channel parts with slots in the ends of said fold line for receiving upper end portions of the side wall end flaps, each end wall having a slot extending downwardly from its upper edge and there being a registering slot formed in the downwardly folded part of each channel, complementary cover members hinged to said side walls and foldable toward one another over the container, side and end flanges on each cover member, and angularly bent corner tongues connecting the side and end flanges. said cover side flanges and tongues being received in the upper edge slots of the end wall and said cover end flanges being received in said end wall channels when the cover members are closed.

JOHN R. RICHARDS. CHAS. W. EVERT.