US2646915A - Folding box - Google Patents

Description

July 28, 1953 A. BocKMANN FOLDING BOX Filed March 6, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

July 28, 1953 A. BOCKMANN FOLDING BOX 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 6, 1948 VENTOR.

2 lllllfllnli y 28, 5 A. BOCKMANN 2,646,915

FOLDING BOX Filed March 6, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I V EN TOR.

Patented July 28, 1953 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE FIOLDING BOX Arthur Bockmann, Chicago, Ill.

Application March 6, 1948, Serial No. 13,387 8 Claims. (01. 229-34) The invention relates to receptacles, boxes or v containers composed from a single sheet of material, such as paper, paper-board, fiber-board and the like, cut, scored and folded from a flat sheet condition into the final product. The invention constitutes, in'certain sense, improvements over folding boxes or receptacles of the type and construction of that disclosed in Tanner Patent No. 1,833,057, dated November 24, 1931.

One of the primary objects of the invention is to provide a simple and economical construction for a receptacle or the like of the inwardly sloping side wall type, a type especially desirable for various purposes such, for instance, as an ash-tray, pin or button tray, because it is not easily upset or, if tipped, does not easily spill its contents.

Another principal object is to provide a construction and an arrangement of such character that the receptacle or the like may be packaged and shipped either in its flat or unfolded condition and folded or set up when desired for use, or in a pre-folded but flattened condition and easily and quickly opened up or set up when wanted for use.

Another object is to provide a novel type of receptacle 'or the like which may be constructed from surface metallized paper, paperboard and other materials for use as an ashtray or for other purposes where fireproofing or waterproofing may be necessary or desired.

Many other objects as well as the advantages and uses of the invention will be or should become apparent and understood after reading the following description and claims and after viewing the drawings, in which:

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are, respectively, a perspective view of one form of box or receptacle constructed in accordance with the invention, a section taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and a developed or being cut and scored, but before folding;

Figs. l, 5 and 6 are, respectively, a perspective view of a second form of the invention as the same appears when set up foruse, a perspecout with a die from a sheet of the material chosen for the particular article to be made and, either simultaneously or afterward, scored to permit ease and accuracy of folding along predetermined lines. Dotted lines I, 8, 9 and I0 indicate score lines which distinguish and define a bottom panel II, dotted lines I2 indicate score lines distinguishing and defining outer side panels I3 and inner side panels I4, and dotted lines I5 indicate score lines distinguishing tabs It from side panels I? which are segregated from the bottom panel I I by the score lines 8 and II].

t is essential, due to inherent features of the invention, that the receptacle have an even number of sides for alternate sides are similar in certain respects with intermediate sides likewise similar to one another in certain respects. In other words, in the four sided receptacle shown the side panels ll are similar in form and have similar tabs IE5 at their ends, while outer and inner side panels I3 and I4, respectively, at one side, are similar to the correspondingly opposite side panels designated by the same reference numbers. If the receptacle has six sides, then there will be a set of three sides having panels of the nature of panels I I and a set of three sides each with an outer panel 83 and an inner panel I4, with alternation of panel types, as will be understood. The arrangement can be carried out with any even number of sides and with variations in size and shape of bottom and side plan view of the box or receptacle blank after tive view of the receptacle of Fig. 4 when in a I folded and flattened condition for convenience of packing and shipping, and a developed or plan Figs. 7 and 8, and-Figs19 and 10, respectively,

represent a developed or blank form and a perspective view of each of two modifiedreceptacles.

The blank shown in Fig. 3 is cut or stamped panels, so long as certain essential functional features are retained.

It will be noted that the score lines I5 are inclined outwardly toward one another (as respects each panel I?) at an acute angle to the score line Ill and that the end edges I8 of each outer panel I3 are likewise inclined at the same angle to the respective score lines 7 and 9. These angles will define the final upward and inward inclination of the side walls with respect to the plane of the bottom panel I I. However, it is not necessary, although in many cases it is desirable, to have all of the side walls I1 disposed at the same angle to the plane of bottom panel I I or at the same angle at which the walls I3-I4 or some of them are disposed with respect to the bottom panel I I,for this angular disposition of the side walls as between sets of side walls or within a set of side walls may be varied by changing the angles of score lines I 5, the end edges I8 and the angular dispositions of the edges I9 and 2B of tabs It to the score lines I5, all of these angles bearing a relationship to one another, as will be appreciated;

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, the panels I3, [4 and l! are of the same width (measured perpendicular to the score lines I, i2 and 8, respectively) so that the resultant receptacle will have walls of equal height or depth. The panels 14 are of a length no greater than the least length of panels l3, that is, no longer than a score line 12, which makes for economy and convenience in folding and setting up the :receptacle in final form. The setting up is performed by folding the side panels upwardly and inclining them inwardly over the bottom panel I I along score lines I, 8, 9 and [0, while folding the tabs l6 inwardly of the receptacle so that they lie inwardly of the inner faces of panels it or against the inner faces of panels 53. Next, the inner side panels J4 are folded inwardly and downwardly from score lines !2 and over the adjacent tabs [6 until the panels is lie against the panels l3 and those tabs over which they were folded.

*Since the sides :are then Linclined inwardly of the receptacle "which assumes a truncated pyram'id shape, the vertical distance from the top 'edge of-a doublelthickness sidewall (from'a'score line I 2) to the surface .01" EbOttOlll panel ,H, will be :less than the width dimension .of .the side -wall measured-on lthe incline, wherefore, the inturned panels M will be held in their folded :down positions and, .in turn, and together with the inwardlyinclined adjacent sidewalls i I, will secure the tabs ii; so that the tabs it cannot escape and the walls l'il cannot move from their positions. If the receptacle is to be used as an :as'htray, it is desirable to use a fire resistant mater ial-on-as preferred, to employ a material such as paper-board, one :side at least of which has been metallized or metal foil covered. In such -'case the folding is so done that the fire resistant :surface-ison the inside of the final product.

The form'of the invention shown in Figs. 4, 5 and x6, difiers from that just described in one important respect, namely, the construction is such that the completely folded and set up receptacle may be flattened down to .a compact are-formed condition for ease-and economy of packaging and 's'hipmentin quantity, and yetmay be=quicl1y and easily opened out to its receptacle forrn whenever desired.

'Theblan'k is .cutand scored'asshown in Fig. 6 to provide a bottom panel .21, outlined by score lines 12, 23, 32A .and 25, and side forming panels 26, 2?, and 28, the panels 2.5, 21 :atea'ch of one :pair :of opposite or alternate sides being respectively-similaniand panels '28 at each .of the other -opposite-or:alternate sides being similar to one another. *As in the previous form, the sides of the receptacle will be even in number with an "equal number of each type of side panel, alternately arranged.

The outer side panels 26 are distinguished from the inner panels Zl both by a score line 29 and slits or slots '31} which extend in from the end edges of the two adjoining panels at their junctures, in alignment with the score lines 29, each for a distance or depth equal to approximately half :or slightly less than half of the width (narrow dimension) of *a side panel :28. Panels .28 :are provided with tabs 31 which in thisembodiment are made in :a somewhat different shape from the tabs of the previously described receptacle/but the primary characteristic of which is the 'fact'that the marginal edge 32 of each has an overall length somewhat great'er -rthain the length (or depth) of a slot 30. Inclined score 4 lines 33 distinguish the tabs 3! from the side panels 28.

Otherwise than particularly pointed out above, the two forms of the invention are similar in construction and in the method by which they are folded from the blank form into receptacle form. The side panels 26-27 and 28 are folded upwardly, and inclined inwardly over the bot tom panel 2'l,'a'long score lines 22, 23, 2-"4 and 25 while 'the tabs 3| are bent inwardly at score lines 33 to lie against the inner face of panels 26 (at the ends of the latter) where, when the -inner side panels 21 are bent in and down about score lines 29, they will be disposed between the put'ewp'an'els 25 and the inner panels 2?. In this rposition the .marginal edges 32 of tabs 31 will underlie the slitsall which separate the outer end portions of the upper edges of the outer and inner panels, 26 and 27, respectively, and Will ex- :tend itoward'one another beyond the inner ends of the respective slits beneath which they lie. This =efiectively locks the side walls in their ;proper positions with respect to one another and to the bottom panel '21 after the-manner in which the 'firstdescribed receptacle is set up.

The slits or slots .3!) permit the set up re- :ceptacle to be folded down .to the positions of the parts as shown .in .Fig. 5. By pressing either pair of opposite .sides of [the receptacle, .as set up," toward one another with a firm pressure, the receptacle will collapse to the-state of Fig, S5, this operation causing the tree edges of the single side walls -28, at their corners, to enter the slits or v:s'lots 3i; and to progress therea'long toward the inner ends of the slits .until the side walls are completely collapsed against the bottom "panel. In this -:condition the folded receptacles :are not-only easilypackaged andshipped, but are readied for use ina twinkling.merely by grasping the opposite sides (preferably the double walled sides) and pulling ithem upwardly and outwardly to their proper set up positions.

Utilizing the type and -features of construction above described, it is possible and easy to effect many desirable variations, for instance, those of :Figs. H to it, inclusive. The box or receptacle :shown in ,Figs. 17 and 8, is constructed with a rectangular bottom .panel from which arise two inclined walls and two vertical walls, while attached to one of the vertical walls .is a display panel. The two vertical walls are formed from single side panel 35 carrying tabs '35 and from singleside panel Si-carrying tabs '33, the display :pa-nel-.39 being attached to and extending upward in the plane of wall ,panel -31. The two inclined sides :are composed of two panels each, an outer zpanel All and :an inner panel ti, which are so folded as to include and lock the respectively adjacent tabs 35 and '38 between them when the box is set up as in Fig. 8. This modification may also be provided with .siits or slots between *the outer and inner side panels All, 4|, after the :manner'of the form of Figs. 4, 5 and 6, to permit collapse of :the folded receptacle, as will be apparent.

Thebes of Figs. 9 and 10 is-ccnstructed to provide a single vertical wall as to which a vertica'lly (disposed dis lay panel ill and three inclinedwalls'of which wall it is composed of a single thickness or panel and the two remaining walls are composed 'of outer and inner panels lli :andet, respectively. The locking tabs '43 correspond to the locking tabs of the other forms disclosed.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art A that the invention is susceptible of many variational embodiments or modifications without departing from the invention spirit. Accordingly, I desire to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A receptacle of the character described formed from a single sheet of material cut,

scored and folded along predetermined lines to provide a container of truncated pyramidal shape having a bottom panel and an even number of upwardly and inwardly inclined sides with alternate sides of like formation and all sides sloping upwardly and inwardly at an angle less than 90 from the bottom panel, each of one set of alternate sides comprising an outer side panel and an inner side panel each of substantially a single unit of height and distinguished from the bottom panel and from one another, respectively, by score lines substantially parallel to one another and to the plane of the bottom panel, the end edges of the outer side panel being tapered upwardly to the junction with the inner side panel at an angle to said score lines approxi-- mately equal to the angle of inclination of the sides relative to the bottom panel, and the maximum overall length of the inner side panel between its opposite end edges being no greater than the correspondingly measured minimum overall length of the outer panel between its opposite end edges, each of the other set of alternate sides comprising a panel distinguished from the bottom panel by a score line substantially parallel to the plane of the bottom panel I and having a tab on each end thereof distinguished by a score line inclined upwardly and toward the opposite end of such panel at an angle approximately equal to the said angle of inclination of the sides, said tabs being folded along the last said score lines to lie against the I inner faces of the respectively adjacent outer side panels of the first said set of alternate sides and when so folded extending upwardly no higher than one of said units of height, the inner side panels of the first said set of sides being folded inwardly and downwardly over an adjacent tab of each of the respectively adjacent side panels of said other set of alternate side panels and to an inclined position substantially parallel to the adjacent outer panel.

2. A receptacle of the character described formed from a single sheet of material cut, scored and folded along predetermined lines to provide a container of truncated pyramidal shape having a bottom panel and an even number of upwardly andrinwardly inclined sides with alternate sides of like formation and all sides sloping upwardly and inwardly at an angle less than 90 from the bottom panel, each of one set of alternate sides comprising an outer side panel and an inner side panel each of substantially a single unit of height and distinguished from the bottom panel and from one another, respectively, by score lines substantially parallel to one another and to the plane of the bottom panel, the end edges of the outer side panel being tapered upwardly to the juncture with the inner side panel at an angle to said score lines approximately equal to the angle of inclination of the sides relative to the bottom panel, and

the maximum overall length of the inner side panel between its opposite end edges being no greater than the correspondingly measured minimum overall length of the outer panel between its oppositeen'd edges, each of the other set of alternate sides comprising a panel distinguished from the bottom panel by a score line substantially parallel to the plane of the bottom panel and having a tab on each end thereof distinguished by a score line inclined upwardly and toward the corresponding score line at the opposite end of such panel at an angle approximately. equal to the said angle of inclination of theisides, said tabs being folded along the last saidscore lines to lie against the inner faces of the respectively adjacent outer side panels of the first said set of alternate sides and each tab having a side edge extending adjacent and substantially parallel to the score line between the adjacent inner and outer panels of the first said set of alternate sides, the said inner side panels being folded inwardly and downwardly over an adjacent tab of each of the respectively adjacent side panels of said other set of alternate side panels.

. 3. A receptacle of the character described formed from a single sheet of material cut, scored and folded to provide a bottom wall and an even number of upwardly extending side walls, each of alternate side walls consisting of a single panel having a locking tab at each end thereof attached to such end along a score line extending upwardly relative to and at an acute angle to the line of juncture between such side wall and bottom wall and toward the opposite end 7 wall and the bottom wall being substantially parallel to one another, each wall intermediate of said alternate walls being inclined inwardly at an angle to make an angle of less than with the bottom wall and composed of inner and outer connected panels of substantially equal height with the inner panel folded down and substantially against the outer panel inwardly of the receptacle and into contact along its free edge with the bottom wall, an adjacent end tab of each of the adjacent alternate side walls being disposed and held between said folded inner and outer panels of each of said intermediate walls, the said parallel edges of each tab being substantially in engagement respectively and in the order named, with the inside of the fold juncture of the inner and outer panels of the adjacent intermediate wall and the opposed inside surface'of the bottom wall.

4. A receptacle of the character described formed from asingle sheet of material cut,

scored and folded along predetermined lines to provide a container of truncated pyramidal shape having a bottom panel and an even number of upwardly and inwardly inclined sides with alternate sides of like formation and all sides sloping upwardly and inwardly at an angle less than 90 from the bottom panel, each of one set of alternate sides comprising an outer side panel and an inner side panel each of substantially a singleunit of height and distinguished from the bottom panel and from one another, respectively, by score lines substantially parallel to one another and to the plane of the bottom panel, the end edges of the outer side panel being tapered upwardly to the juncture with the inner side panel at an angle "to said score lines approximately equal to the angle of inclination of the sides relative'to the bottom panel, and the accents 17 'i'naximuni :overall length if the inner side panel between its opposite end :edges being no greater than the correspondingly measured minimum :overall length of the outer panel 'between its opposite end edges, :each :of the other set of alternate sides "comprising a panel having end portions that are "of said substantially single of height and being distinguished from the bottom panel by a scoreline substantially paral- =lel to the plane of the bottom panel, there being a tab on eachiend portion of the last said panel, each tab being distinguished by a score line inclined upwardly and toward the opposite end portion of such panel :at an angle approximately equal to the angle of inclination of the sides, 1

said tabs being folded :along the last said score lines and lying against the inner face of the respectively adjacent outer :side panel of the first said :set of alternate :sides, the inner side panels :being folded inwardly and downwardly over an adjacent tab of each of the respectively adjacent side panels of said other set of alternate side panels to positions parallel to the respectively adjacent outer panels, each tab having a side edge extending adjacent :and substantially parallel to the fold line :between the adjacent inner and outer side panels, the outer and inner panels of each side of said one set of alternate sides being separated from one another :along a predetermined length inward .i rom each of the :opposite ends of their upper edges for a distance "less than the length 'of the adjacent :tab for reception of the upper edge and an adjacent marginal part of the adjacent end portion hi the adjacent side panel thereby 'to permit all of the side panels to be folded downfinto a collapsed condition upon the bottom "panel.

5. A receptacle of the character described i-ormed iironi a single sheet of material cut, scored and iol'dedto provide1a"bo'ttom wall and :a'neven number-lei upwardly extending side walls, earth of alternate side walls having a locking tab at each end thereof attached to :such =end along :a score "line extending at .an acute angle to the lineaoi juncture'b'etween the side W2J11i3,l'ldb0tt01fi wall and toward the opposite :end of such side wall, all :other edges 0f each tab being free, =each wall intermediate :of said alternate walls bein inclined inwardly and composed ,of inner and outer connected panels of substantially equal height with the -firmer panel folded idown substantially :in Yface-to-face relation to the outer :panel inwardly nf the "receptacle and into :con-

tact, along one edge, with the bottom wall, an adjacent end tab iof reach of the adjacent alter- .nate walls being disposed :anclzheld between said idlded inner and 'outer :panels of reach of :said intermediate walls, each :tab having a side edge extending iadj acent and substantially parallel to the fold line between the adjacent inner and outer .side panels, there being a slit :extendling along the :fold line between said inner and outer panels :of each intermediate side wall for a distance .less than the length :of cone of said edgescf-rsaidtabs from each :end-of the side wall whereby the sides of the receptacle may be colflapsed inwardly to lie flat againstthe bottom wall. 6. A receptacle :of the character described lformedtrom asinglesheet of material cut,-scored ,and folded to providea-bottom wall :and aneven number nfwupwardly extending side walls, :ea-ch of alternate-side walls having a locking tab at each thereof attached to :such end along a iscore'slineiextending upwardIy-at acute angle to the line of junction between the side Wall and bottom wall and toward the opposite .end of such side wall, all other edges of each tab being free, each wall intermediate of said alternate walls being inclined inwardly and composed of inner and outer connected panels of substantially equal height with the inner panel folded .down substantially against the outer panel inwardly of the receptacle and into contact, along one edge, with the bottom wall, the adjacent end tab of each of the adjacent alternate side walls being disposed and held between said folded inner and outer panels of each of said intermediate walls and having a side edge disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to the fold connection between the inner and outer panels between which it is disposed, at least one of said alternate side walls being disposed at an angle .to said bottom wall difieren't vfrom the angle of inclination of one or" said intermediate walls.

7. A receptacle of the character described formed from a single piece of material cut, scored and folded to provide a bottom wall and an even number of sides each sloping upwardly and "in- Wardly from the bottom in truncated pyramid shape, alternate sides being of like formation, each of one set of alternate sides comprising a panel having .a tab'pro'jecting from and terminating each end thereof, each of the other set of alternate sides comprising an inner'panel and an outer panel of substantially the same height connected together by a fold along a mid-portion of the upper edge of each and folded into substan- "tially parallel relationship with one another to dispose the lower edgeof the inner paneladjacent to the bottom wall, and the juncture between the outer panel and the bottom wall th tab of the adjacent end of each adjacent side panel being disposed between the inner and outer panels, each tab having a side edge portion extending adjacent to and at all times underlying said mid-portion fold,the said upper-edgesof said outer and inner panels being separated from one another outwardly from said mid-portion to each of the opposite ends of such panels whereby the sides of the receptacle may be collapsed inwardly to lie fiat against said bottom wall, the length of said edge portion of each tab being greater than the length of separation of said upper edges of said outer and inner panels measured "parallel to such tab edge portion.

8. A receptacle of the character described for-med from a single piece of mater-ial-cut,-scored and folded to provide a bottom panel and-aneven number of sides each sloping upwardly and inwardly frornthe bottom panel in truncated pyramid shape, alternate sides-being of likeformation, one set of alternate sides consisting of a single panel and including a tab terminating each end thereof and :each of the other set of alternate side being composed of an outer panel and an inner panel of substantially th samelheight connected together along an upper edge portion of each andiolded substantially into :face to face relation to one another over asubstantial length of the side, reach connectedzouter andinner panel enclosing between them the tab of the adjacent end of each of the two adjacent sides of th jfirst said set of alternate asides, each tab having a side separated by .a slit of less length than said -tab 9 10 side edge whereby the sides of the receptacle may Number Name Date be collapsed inwardly to lie fiat against the bot- 1,978,626 Gault Oct. 30, 1934 tom panel. 2,242,741 Betts et a1 May 20, 1941 ARTHUR BOCKMANN. 2,318,198 Clarke May 4, 1943 References Cited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS UNITED STATES PA'IENTS Number 001mm Date 21,779 Great Brltain 1895 Number Name Date 1,833,057 Tanner Nov. 24, 1931 10

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