US2525125A

US2525125A - Cell type carton

Info

Publication number: US2525125A
Application number: US14529A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles H Goodyear
Original assignee: Fibreboard Products Inc
Current assignee: Fibreboard Products Inc
Priority date: 1948-03-12
Filing date: 1948-03-12
Publication date: 1950-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 1967-10-10

Description

c. H. eoomrzm 2,525,125

can. m5: CARTON 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. GHARLES H. GOODYEAR ATTORNEY Oct. 10, 1950 c. H. GOODYEAR 2,525,125

' cm. TYPE CARTON F'n ea Earth 12, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' 7L .9 K28 INVENTOR. E15- 8- GHARLfS H. GOODYEAR 6 4a BY 5' 22 r if 5 4/ I ,2 ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 10, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Charles H. Goodyear, Stockton,

Fibreboard Products Inc., San

Califi, assignor to Francisco, Calif.,

a corporation of Delaware Application March 12, 1948, Serial No. 14,529

4 Claims. 1

My invention relates to cartons, and more particularly to a lidless tray type carton frequently employed for the packaging of the more delicate fancy fruit or vegetables, such as nectarines, peaches, plums and tomatoes.

My invention has as its objects, among others, the provision of an improved carton of the character described which is formed from a single blank of material suitably scored or creased and cut to provide the carton when it is folded, such as paperboard or any suitable paper-like or fibrous material; is provided with cell forming partitions that will reenforce the carton when it is set up and adequately protect the produce during shipment or otherwise; is higher at its ends so that the produce may be readily displayed and also allowing the carton to be machine wrapped with transparent material such as cello phane, without damaging the contents; is provided with projections adjacent the exposed sides of the produce to protect such produce; is formed with flaps at its ends to provide for tierage strength when cartons are stacked one upon the other in overlying relationship; may be provided with an auxiliary liner of any one of varying thicknesses to enable the carton to be adapted for packaging of various sizes of produce by choice of the liner thickness; is of simple and economical construction; and which can be very readily set up from the creased and cut blank. Other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following description.

Referring to the drawings, in which the cuts of the carton blank are shown in solid'lines and crease or score lines in broken or dotted lines:

Fig. l is a plan view of the scored or creased and cut blank for the carton of my invention; the view looking at the inside walls of the carton before they are set up; a

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the auxiliary liner which I prefer to employ in the carton;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the set up carton blank, illustrating the filler panel and the swingable cell forming partition members before they are positioned.

Fig. 4 is an isometric view of the liner of Fig. 2

in folded position;

Fig. 5 is an isometric view of the completely set up carton, with the filler panel and cell forming partition members in position, andwith the liner in the carton; 1

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the completely set up carton;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section taken in a plane indicated by line 1-1 in Fig. 6, the endflaps of the carton which provide tierage strength being parallel end crease lines 4. Hingedly connected to bottom 2 at one of crease lines 3 is a side wall forming portion 6 which has hingedly connected thereto a filler panel structure indicated generally by reference numeral I. To the opposite crease line 3 is hingedly connected an opposite side wall portion 8 which, when the carton is set up, will be in spaced relationship and parallel with respect to side wall 6.

To the ends of

side wall portions

8 and 8 at transversely extendin crease lines 9, are hingedly connected end flaps Ill which are provided with any suitable interengageable or interlockable tongue and slit portions ll enabling such end flaps to be interlocked so that the side walls 6 and B will be held in upright position when the carton is set up. Also, hingedly connected to bottom 2 at the end crease lines 4, are end wallportions l2 separated from end flaps H) by cuts l3 and which are adapted to be folded upright inside the adjacent end flaps II] as is indicated in Fig. 3. The extremities of end wall members l2 are provided with end flaps l4 hingedly connected to end members I2 by transversely extending crease lines l6; so thatthe flaps may be turned inwardly as is indicated in Fig. '7 and in the dotted line position of Fig. 6. From the preceding, it will be seen that the described construction when set up to the position shown in Fig. 3 provides the spaced side walls of the carton and the spaced ends between said side walls, and that the ends of the carton include the end flaps l4 which are adapted to overlap the set up carton and provide support for an overlying carton as is indicated by the partially folded position of such end flaps I 4 shown in Fig. '7.

Side wall portion 8 is formed with an intermediate cut-away portion H, the. longitudinal margin of which being thus spaced a lesser distance from bottom 2 than the end margins [8 of such side wall. Filler panel structure I is hingedly connected to side wall 6 along crease line I!) which is spaced the same distance from bottom 2 as the longitudinal margin of the intermediate portion of side wall 8; the filler panel structure being separated from side wall 6 by diagonal cuts 2|. End margins 22 of side wall 8 are the same distance from bottom 2 as end margins ill of side wall 8 and the width of end flaps l and the height of end walls l2 are of the same dimension as the distance of margins l8-22 from bottom 2.

Consequently, when the carton is set up, the ends of the carton and the side wall portions adjacent each end are of greater height than the intermediate portions of such side walls. Thus, when a row of produce is placed in the carton, it will be clearly displayed as it can be readily observed from the sides of the carton; and when the carton is wrapped in transparent material such as cellophane, a package of pleasing appearance for especially fancy produceob- 'tains. The structure thus far described lends itself very readily to automatic setting up by suitable machinery for this purpose.

Filler panel structure I is des gned to provide adequate protection for the produce in the carton during shipment thereof and otherwise; and comprises filler panel 23 which, as previously explained, is hingedly connected along line IS in side wall 6. The filler panel is of less length than the bottom or length of the carton with each of its ends 24 spaced from the adjacent end of the carton. Consequently, when the carton is set up, each end cell of the carton w ll be formed by the space between each end of the filler panel and the adjacent end of the carton, as can be seen more clearly from Fig. '7.

Hingedly connected to filler panel 23 at crease line 26 which is spaced from and parallel to hinge line l9 for the filler panel. is a closure flap 28 adapted to be secured to side wall 8 when filler panel 23 is folded downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 5. Any suitable means may be provided for securing flap 28 to wall 8. However, I preferably employ a pair of projecting tongues 29 on flap 28 adapted to be inserted in longitudinal slit portions 3| formed in side wall 8, so that when tongues 29 are inserted therein. the filler panel will be held in position by frictional engagement of the tongues in the slits. To facilitate insertion of the tongues in the slits 3|, transversely extending intermediate slits 32 are provided. as is indicated in Fig. 1. Closure of filler panel 23 and insertion of the tongues 29 into slits 3| can be quickly effected by a s ngle hand motion of the operator filling the carton with produce.

Cell forming partition members are swingably or hingedly connected to filler panel 23, which may be readily moved to cell forming position by insertion of produce into the carton. For this purpose, spaced parallel crease lines are provided in the filler panel, extending transversely of the carton between crease lines l9 and 26. Such filler panel crease lines comprise end creases 36, and intermediate creases 31 in spaced relationship between the ends of the filler panel. A cut 38 parallel to and midway between each pair of adjacent crease lines in the filler panel, provides 1 pair of cell forming partition members 39 between each pa r of such crease lines. These partition members can be readily swung downwardly by insertion of produce into the carton when it is set up; and they form cells in which the transverse walls are of double thickness as can be seen from Fig. 7, thus providing adequate reenforcement for the carton and protection to the produce contained in the cells formed. To fat itate folding of partition members 38, crease lines 36-41 are preferably formed with short central cuts 40.

Preferably, the ends of the filler panel are provided with partition members 4| which are hinged to the end crease lines 38 so that the end transverse cell wall structure formed by the filler panel will also be of double thickness as can be seen from Fig. 7. Triangular webs 42 are provided at the necessary locations adjacent meeting corners of crease lines in the filler panel to provide support for the partition wall members.

Cuts 38 may extend all the way between crease lines i9 and 28, but in order to provide for protection of the sides of the produce projecting above the cells lying between the ends of the filler panel, I preferably cut the filler panel to provide spaced side projections 43 at the sides of such cells in the spaces between

crease lines

38, 31, and which extend above the plane of the filler panel when the carton is set up. These projections may be readily formed by providing cuts 44 at the sides of each pair of cell forming partition members 89; each out being preferably arcute in form and extending across the out 38 which forms the hingedly connected partition wall members. In this connection, it will be noted that the crease lines l9 and 26 do not extend across the projection forming portions 43. and that the cuts 44 leave openings or cut-away portions 45 adjacent projection portions 43 when the carton is set up.

The carton may be used as described thus far; and when it is set up and produce inserted in the cells formed by the partition members hingedly connected to the filler panel, such produce will be adequately protected and the produce filled carton will be adequately reenforced during shipment and otherwise. Such produce may vary in ize; and to adapt a carton of one size for produce of different sizes so that the produce may fit snugly in the cells, I preferably employ an auxiliary liner which is preferably of corrugated paper and which is selected of the proper thickness to provide the desired cell width. Also, the liner provides a cushion support for the produce and consequently serves as additional protection.

With reference to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the liner 46 is of a length substantially equal to that of bottom 2 of the carton, and it is provided with parallel spaced crease lines 41 spaced apart substantially the same distance as the spacing between crease lines 3, so that the liner may be set up to provide upstanding side wall portions 48 adapted to lie against

side walls

6 and 8 of the carton. The edges of such side wall portions 48 are scalloped to provide projections 49 which are adapted to extend through the cut away portions 45 in the partition wall members 39 formed by projections 43, and to overlie such projections 48, thus providing protection for the sides of the produce adjacent such projections. In assembling the liner, it is inserted into the carton when it is set up in the position shown in Fig. 3, with the filler panel structure open. By selecting a liner of the proper thickness from liners of varying thickness, the carton can be readily adapted for different sizes of produce. Although the liner is preferred for the reasons stated, it may be omitted if so desired.

, From the preceding description, it is seen that the carton of my invention is relatively simple and of economical construction, can be readily produce 01' the type described. I claim:

l. A lidless, tray and cell type carton comprising a bottom, spaced side walls and spaced end walls both vertical with respect to said bottom, the end walls of the carton and a portion of each side wall adjacent each of said end walls being of greater height than intermediate portions of said side walls, the top edges of such higher end portions 01' the carton lying in substantially the same horizontal plane and the top edges of said intermediate portions of said-side walls also lying in substantially the same horizontal plane below said first mentioned horizontal plane, a filler 6 between each pair of adjacent crease lines of said filler panel forming a pair of cell forming partition members between each pair of said adiacent crease lines, and each pair of said cell forming partition members being cut away ad- Jacent each side .by a cut extending generally panel connected to' and extending between said top edges of the intermediate portions of said side walls, the length of said filler panel being less than the length of said carton and each end of said filler panel being spaced from the adjacent vertical end wall of the carbon whereby an uncovered cell is provided in each of said higher end portions of the carton between each end of the filler panel and the adjacent end wall of the carton, one side edge of said filler panel being integral with and hingedly connected to one of the carton side walls and said filler panel having an integral fiap hingedly connected thereto along the opposite sideedge thereof, said flap having a tongue adapted to be inserted in a slit formed in the side wall of said carton opposite to that to which said filler panel is hingedly connected, crease lines formed in said filler panel adjacent its ends and in spaced relationship between said filler panel ends, all of said filler panel crease lines being parallel and extending transversely of said filler panel, and a out between each pair of adjacent crease lines of said filler panel, forming a pair of cell forming partition members between each pair of said adjacent crease lines,

2. A lidless, tray and cell type carton comprising a bottom, spaced side walls and spaced end walls both vertical with respect to said bottom, the end walls of the carton and a portion of each side wall adjacent each of said end walls being of greater height than intermediate portions of said side walls, the top edges of such higher end portions of the carton lying in substantially the same horizontal plane and the top edges of said intermediate portions of said side walls also lying in substantially the same horizontal plane below said first mentioned horizontal plane, a filler panel connected to and extending between said top edges of the intermediate portions of said side walls, the length of said filler transversely across the out which forms the partition members whereby projections are provided along each intermediate portion of each side wall of the carton extending above the plane of said filler panel at both sides of each of the cells formed by said filler panel. I

3. A lidless, tray and cell type carton comprising a bottom, spaced side walls and spaced end walls both vertical with respect to said bottom,

the end walls of the carton and a portion of each side wall adjacent each of said end walls being of greater height than intermediate portions of said side walls, the top edges of such higher end portions of the carton lying in substantially the same horizontal plane and the top edges of said intermediate portions of said side walls also lying in substantially the same horizontal plane below said first mentioned horizontal plane, a flller panel connected to and extending between said top edges of the intermediate portions of said side walls, the length of said filler panel being less than the length of said carton and each end of said filler panel being spaced from the adjacent vertical end wall of the carton whereby an uncovered cell is provided in each of said higher end portions of the carton between each end of the filler panel and the adjacent end wall of the panel being less than the length of said carton and each end of said filler panel being spaced from the adjacent vertical end wall of the carton whereby an uncovered cell is provided in each of said higher end portions of the carton between each end of the filler panel and the adjacent end wall of the carton, one side edge of said filler panel being integral with and hingedly connected to one ofithe carton side walls and said filler panel having an integral fiap hingedly connected thereto along the opposite side edge thereof, said flap having a tongue adapted to be inserted in a slit formed in the side wall of said carton opposite to that to which said filler panel is hingedly connected, crease lines formed and said filler panel adjacent its ends and in spaced relationship between said filler panel ends, all of said filler panel crease lines being parallel and extending transversely of said filler panel, a cut carton, one side edge of said filler panel being integral with and hingedly connected to one of the carton side walls and said filler panel having an integral flap hingedly connected thereto along the opposite side edge thereof, said flap having a tongue adapted to be inserted in a. slit formed in the side wall of said carton opposite to that to which said filler panel is hingedly connected, crease lines formed in said filler panel adjacent its ends and in spaced relationship between said filler panel ends, all of said filler panel crease lines being parallel and extending transversely of said filler panel, a out between each pair of adjacent crease lines of said filler panel forming a pair of cell forming partition members between each pair of said adjacent crease lines, and spaced projections integral with and along each intermediate portion of each side wall extending above the plane of said filler panel at both sides of each of the cells formed by said filler panel.

4. A lidless, tray and cell type carton comprising a bottom, spaced side walls and spaced end walls both vertical with respect to said bottom, the end walls of the carton and aportion of each side wall adjacent each of said end walls being of greater height than intermediate portions of said side walls, the top edges of such higher end portions of the carton lying in substantially the same horizontal plane and the top edges of said intermediate portions of said side walls also lying in substantially the same horizontal plane below said first mentioned horizontal plane, a filler panel connected to and extending between said 7 carton, one side edge oi said filler panel being integral with and hingedly connected to one of the carton sidewalls and said filler panel having an integral flap hingedly connected thereto along the opposite side edge thereof, said flap having a tongue adapted to be inserted in a slit formed in the side wall of said carton opposite to that to which said filler panel is hingedly connected, crease lines formed in said filler panel adjacent its ends and in spaced relationship between said filler panel ends, all of said filler panel crease lines being parallel and extending transversely of said flller panel, a out between each pair of adjacent crease lines of said filler panel forming a pair of cell forming partition members between I each pair of said adjacent .crease lines, spaced projectionsintegral with and along each intermediate portion of each side wall extending above the plane of said filler panel at both sides of each of the cells formed by said filler panel,

, 8 and an end flap integral with and hingediy connected to each end wall of the carton adapted to overlap the carton to provide support for an overlying carton.

CHARLES H. GOODYEAR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED ST ATES PATENTS