US2651449A - Container construction - Google Patents

Description

E. N. BURNETT CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION Sept. 8, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 28, 1950 INVENTOR. E'ouemo/M BUR/VISIT BY WM *4 M4 Se t. 8, 1953 E. N. BURNETT 2,551,449

CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 28, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TOR. Eowmo/M BUR/V677 By W Se t. 8, 1953 E. N. BURNETT CONTAINER CONSTRUETION Filed Jan. 28, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Faun/21a fV. Bulawarr BY Se t. 8, 1953 E. N. BURNETT 2,651,449

CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION 7 Filed Jan. 28, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

" EDWARD /v. BURNETT Sept. 8, 1953 E. N. BURNETT CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 28, 1950 INVENTOR. EDWARD IV. BURNETT ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 8, 1953 CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION Edward N. Burnett, San Lorenzo, Calif., assignor to Gerber Products Company, Fremont, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application January 28, 1950, Serial No. 141,150

12 Claims. 1

,This invention relates to an'improved container construction. Reference'is maderto my co-pending application Serial Number 112,886, filed August 29, 1949, for Container Construction, now abandonedand of which this application is a continuation-in-part,

The particular embodiment of my invention which is illustrated in the'drawings and which will be described hereinafter in greater detail comprises, generally, a pair of closed identically formed box units, each of which is provided with mutually interlocking parts to permit the two individual box units to be locked together to form a unitary box construction. As will hereinafter appear each of the individual box units may be formed from one integral blank of material, such as corrugated cardboard or the like.

In the shipment of certain types of goods and particularly goods contained in relatively small cans or bottles, such as baby foods, medicines, etc., it has generally been the custom to package the goods in inner cartons or containers and to place several of these inner cartons within a relatively larger and sturdier outer shipping carton or case. Obviously, such practices require the utilization of considerable material in making both inner and outer cartons, and, moreover, considerable labor and equipment is involved just in packaging the goods for shipment.

Recently there have appeared on the market several types of box constructions designed to obviate the necessity of employing both inner and outer containers. One type of box construction, for example, comprises two individual box units made of relatively heavy gauge paperboard material (such as is normally employed in conventional outer cases or containers) which are glued to a heavy paper pad and held together at their tops with a seal formed of similar material. Two box units so assembled form a unitary two section container.

Another similar type of box construction con sists of two partitioned box units stitched together adjacent their bottom extremities by two strips of suitable material and held together at their tops by a glued or stitched seal or pad. In each of the above instances the pads, strips and seals are separate pieces from the box units which they are adapted to join together.

The present invention provides an improved box construction which utilizes two individual and completely closed box units provided with mutually interlocking members to affix'them rigidly and securely to one another. A double wall forming a central partition is established by the joining and interlocking of the two box units together. It is contemplated that a packer or'shipper will pack each individual box unit with a predetermined number of cans or bottles'and after each unit is fully packed the units will be paired ofi and locked to one another to form the'larger size unitary box constructions.

The advantages of such shipping container made up of a plurality of individual box units interlocked together are numerous. In the first place, a shipper or manufacturer of canned or bottled goods can ship the'larger containers to warehouses or central distributing points, and because of the fact that each of the shipping containers is made up of a plurality of individual box units interlocked together, the warehousemen or distributors may divide the larger box constructions into their component box units and sell to retailers or customers in box unit lots if so desired. The interlocking means are such that it is a relatively simple matter to split the units apart by cutting through the material forming the said interlocking means, and, moreover, the

entire construction is designed to permit the separation of box units one from the other without causing them to open or in any way exposing the packed contents to dustrand deterioration and/ or damage in further transit.

Another advantage of the present box construction is that the individual box units are of themselves made of relatively heavy outer casing material and can withstand reshipment and rough handling which goods packed in conventional inner cartons or containers could not withstand.

Another advantage that the present box construction afiords is that retailers can divide a shipping case into its component individual box units as heretofore suggested and place only the contents of a single box unit on the shelf at one time if so desired. The emptied box unit can be disposed of and no space is wasted by having to store half empty cases or cartons. Further, the unpacked products are maintained in clean condition during prolonged storage and prior to final retail display. Also, a retailer may sell the contents of a single box unitto a customer for convenient transportation.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a box construction comprising a number of individual closed box units which, in turn, are provided with mutually interlocking parts to permit the secure joinder of at least two such units together to form a relatively larger unitary shipping case or the like.

actin a finished box construction according to the pres;

ent invention. as is required to make a comparable size shipping container according moon.- yntional practice wherein both inner and outer cartons are employed. Mor er, a savings'in' materia1 results in a saving b'y weightf'anda ship per using the present box construction will benefit by substantial savings in sliippingandfreight rates based on weight. Less glue and inkare required to seal and print.v the container"vvhich is the subject of this invention than when both innr and'outer cartcns'are employed.

' Another obj ect 'of the prjesent'invention is to. provide'a box construction wherein each individual' box unit is formed from one integral piece orbla" nk of material, thus eliminating the necessity for rabr'icaungwa plurality ofl'se'parate' bdX parts, such as padsor'stit'ching strips or thelike. A particular disadvantage in manufacturing box units from "a" plurality of separate and nonintgral' parts is that :more equipment generally is required to produce thefindividual parts and t6 assembly and fabricatethe partsinto finished boxummr "Another object of the present invention is to provide a boxconstruction. of the type hereina'bove characterized which 'when' not in use may be "storedasa substantiallyfl'at' blank thereby resulting in a'savingcsstcra ge space;

Another object' 'of thejpresent invention is to provide a box cdnstructi'onwhich is particularly adaptable for relatively simple and inexpensive manufacture.

"The ea'se'of packing and forming a plurality of box unitsinto-an interlocked container for shipnient and/or storage is r a principal advantage of the "invention. It? has been found through actual experience that the'amo'unt of equipment and labor necessary to "pack-and rea'dythe new package for shipment according to the present inventionis approximately 50% less than required to pack andrea'dy conventional shipping containers which incorporate both innencartons and outer. casings.

Further objects of. the present. invention. will become apparent upon reading the following specification. and referring to the. accompanyin drawings. whichysimilar characters of refer.- ence; represent. correspondingparts in each, of the severalviews.

In. t e drawings:

ile. s. lan. v awof. a. an rom. h ch a b SH iiL IQ TFI Q i 2 a explode v w in. arsnecti coft c boxi onst uc i n.comprising twoindi idua ox uni n showin por ion if. a unit roken awa la .persp s iv yiemqithe bq cqn iri stion comprising two box. interlocked toa d hqvi es aia ar 35 a ig. is a plan view ofa blank from which a d c liir qiien' er s a m Fig. 5, is: an. exploded View in'perspe ctive of the modified. box construction of Fig. 4.

"Fig"; 6 is a clam/r wfiof j blank from which another n'io'difie' x 'ionstriiction "may" be formed. l

Fig. '7 is an exploded view in perspective of the modified box construction of Fig. 6, and showing certain parts broken away.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the modified box construction of Fig. '7 comprising two box units interlocked together.

Fig. 9 is a schematicvieyvshowing means for closing the box constructions 'shov'vii' in'Figs. 6 tog.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings there is illustrated a unitary box construcinterlockedtogetlier in a manner to be described hereinafter in greater detail.

Ihepattern cut-out or blank of material out of which each individual box unit may be formed is illustrated in Fig. 1. The blank may be formed of any suitable and adaptable-shipping container material, such ascor-rugated cardboard. or the like. The blank' maybe considered as comprising essentially four princip al central panels in dicated at I, 2, 3 and 4, respectively, and. eight flap members which are identified respectively at 5, 6, I, 8, 9, I0, I land-l2;

More specifically, the blank. isprovidedwith a pair of longitudinally. extendingparallel score lines 1 3 and '14. Transverse slits i5;and.l6,,are

formed in the blank and each extends inwardly from the left edge ofthe. blank tothe. score line 13. Transverse slits l1. and. I8, similarto slitsv I5. and I6, extendinwardly from the right. edge of the blank to score line. l4. Angular cut-outs l9 and 20. areformed. in the. blank and extendv inwardly iromthe left. and. right edges oflthe blank, respectively, to. meet scorelinesj I 3..and; [4, respectively.

Spaced transverse score lines. 2i. and 22 ex: tend in straight. lines between slits. l5.'fl and l 6--! 8, respectively. Score line. 2.3 extends. trans: versely' across the. blank between. cut-outs. l9; and 20.

It is thus readily seen. that. the arrangement of the various slits andscore. linesahovefidentie fled define the various panel andflap. members numbered l.-|2..inclusive, in. the drawings. and' previously mentionedlhereinabove.

All of the. pane1s ..ar.e, of thesame width, but panels I. and. 3-which are. of. equal length are shown as being, slightly, shorter than nanclsi and 4,which, in.,turn, areoiequallength.

The ut r e of l ps Brand ip oi st beyond theoutermost edge ls of, panel I to. fo r m. ears 5 and. B,, e inn n d esm andlfiimcfer: bly ut so to. div r eoutward vfrom l ncs. 3. wait. t p rox m lr a .0.? ns ierablv d es and f. an ular cut-outs 9 nd; ariasalonel n srarall lins edges 25 and 26, respectively, of the ears.

To s mbiea r. a; iiitsv i s s i of v a iv sm e ribrm dn eri s which is particularly des ableji the containers are used to pack glass conta ners. entails the following p (A) The blankofeach unit.is folded atsuc: cessive ngmg mng sebraiimes Zj;'22. .an"d 2'. This operation vii l the ouferi, edge; It. of as mad m; asw of panel 4 and thefo ,p n sgwi1raefinss rec: tangle in. plan. view? K strip. (if-adhesive tape 21 or otherTsuitable attachi membenrnavb applied to hold thcjoincd edge oi panel" "I "and panels 4 of each of a pair of units are brought into juxtaposition.

(C) Flaps 8 and I2 of each unitare folded at a 90 angle with respect to panels 2 and 4.

(D) Glue is applied to the undersides of panels 6 and I of each unit.

(E) Panels 6 and I0 of each unit are folded at a 90 angle with respect to panels I and 3 to overlie and adhere to panels 8 and I2.

(F) Each unit is filled with empty containers at the container factory.

(G) Flaps I and II and then flaps and 9 of each unit are folded down, but not glued.

(H) Boxes are shipped to the cannery when empty containers are removed, filled and then replaced in the box units.

(I) Flaps I and II of each unit are folded down. I V

(J) Glue is applied to the undersides of panels 5 and 9 of each unit.

(K) Flaps 5 and 9 of each unit are folded down at a 90 angle with respect to panels I and 3 to overlie and adhere to panels I and II.

Another series of operations to assemble a pair of box units, which is preferable for packing metal containers, entails the following steps:

(A') The blank of each unit is folded at successive 90 angles along score lines 2I, 22 and 23. This operation will bring the outer edge I of panel I into contact with the outer edge 4 of panel 4 and the four panels will define a rectangle in plan view. A strip of adhesive tape 2! or other suitable attaching member may be applied to hold the joined edges of panel I and panel 4 together.

(B) The bottom of'each unit is folded together temporarily by folding down flaps 8 and I2 and then flaps 6 and I0. No glue is used at this time.

(C) Each unit is filled with containers.

(D') Pairs of units are grouped together and panels 4 of each of a pair of units are brought into juxtaposition.

(E') Flaps I and II of each unit are folded down.

(F') Flaps 6 and I0 of each unit are unfolded, the contents of the box units being supported by flaps 8 and I2.

(G) Glue is applied to the undersides of each of fiaps 5, 6, 9 and I0 of each unit.

(I-I') Flaps 5, 6, 9 and I0 of each unit are folded down. Flaps 5 and 9 of each unit overlie and adhere to panels I and II. Flaps 6 and I0 of each unit underlie and adhere'to panels 8 and I2.

Figs. 2 and 3 are illustrative of how two fully packed box units B and C may be moved into interlocked relationship with respect to one another to form a unitary box construction A. These figures also illustrate how angular cutouts I9 and 20 of each box unit are proportioned to form niches or recesses, such as indicated at 30 and 3| to receive the ears of an adjoining box unit.

The advantages of shippingcanned or bottled goods in containers of the character herein described has already been discussed in considerable detail. As has been mentioned, it is sometimes expedient or desirable for warehousemen, distributors or retailers after initial shipment of the goods to divide a shipping carton into its component box units. In Fig. 3 dotted lines 28 indicate the line along which the box construction should be out. It is noted in this respect that a out along the indicated dotted line would sever box units B and C from'one another at the point of juncture between adjoining side Walls 4 of the interlocked box units. Thus, each box unit when severed from its mate in the above manner will remain wholly intact and closed and may, if desired, be reshipped without having to repack its contents or reinforce the box unit in any way.

Further. unit B may be opened and the contents dispensed, while unit C remains sealed, the contents of unit 0 during this interval being protected from dirt and other conditions which might affect the merchantability of the product.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 4 and 5 there is illustrated a modification of the container construction which, it is seen, comprises two interlocking individual box units, indicated generally'at D and E.

The blank of material from which the modified box construction is formed is illustrated in Fig. 4 and resembles the blank construction illustrated in Fig. 1 in that there are formed four central panels identified at IOI, I02, I03 and I04, respectively, which are defined by a pair of parallel left and right longitudinally extending score lines, H3 and H4, and three transverse score lines I2I, I22 and I23.

The flaps identified at I01, I08, III and H2 are similar to flaps I, 8, II and I2 of the blank shown in Fig. 1 and hereinabove described. It is noted that in the modified blank construction no flaps corresponding to flaps 9 and I0 are provided. Flaps I05 and I06 of the modified blank construction are provided with integrally formed 7 projecting ears I25 and I26 having outwardly divergent inner edges I25 and I26 The width of each of the flaps I05 and I06 approximately equals the length of either of the panels 2 and 4, and said flaps I05 and I06 are formed with ear receiving pattern cut-outs indicated at H9 and I20.

The initial folding operations required to .assemble a box unitfrom a blank proportioned according to the construction illustrated in Fig. 4 are substantially identical with the initial folding movements involved in the assembly of a box unit from a blank proportioned according to Fig. 1. More specifically, successive right angle folds along score lines I2I thru I23, inclusive,

are effected and the edges of panels IM and I04 are secured to one another by a strip of gummed tape I 21 or other suitable equivalent means. Opposed pairs of flaps I08II2 and I0|-III are then folded at right angles into edge to edge contact with one another to form top and bottom closures for the box unit. Up to this point the steps of assembly of a box unit from a blank proportioned according to Fig. 4 are identical with the assembly steps described with respect to forming a box unit from a blank constructed in accordance with Fig. 1.

After the above folding operations have been effected flaps I05 and I06 may be folded at right angles to overlie the top and bottom closure members I01I II and I08I I2, respectively, and flaps I05 and I06 are preferably securely glued to said closure members. A strip of gummed tape, suchas indicated at I3I may be employed to secure the edge of each flap I05 and I06 to an associated end of the box unit.

It is seen that the pattern cut-outs H9 and I20 formed in flaps I05 and I06 present ear receiving niches, such as indicated at I30 and I3I, and the purposes and function of these niches are substantially the same as niches 30 and M 7 previously described. The box units- 13 and-:EL-may be securely interlocked to one another by. gluing the ears of each box unit-within their respective ear receiving niches.-

Referring nowparticularly to Figs. 6 to. 8, thereis-illustrated a modification .of. the contain.- er construction which, it is seen, comprises two interlocking box units indicated generally as F and-G.

The blankor material: from. which this type box is formed is illustrated in Fig. 6: andaitz-will be seen that it resembles :theblank showndn. Fig. 1 except for the reversal ofi position of. certain. of the panels together with. their connected-z fiap members and the cutting. away of. corners. of two flap members to permittheiresultantpositioning of the projecting ears. The resultant-blankrequires less stock for a completedbox of the same capacity than. that of Fig. 1. Thus. there are forinediour. rectangular central panels, which, proceeding in order from oneend. of the blank totheother, are identified as 203, 204, 20! and 2-02. Panels 203 and 20! aresubstantially of the same size andipanels 2M. and202 are also of "the same size. -Said panels are defined by longitudinal score lines 213;.and2l4- andzby transverse score lines 223, 222 and 22 I.

Integrallwith panel 203 are flap. members 209 and 2105. with score lines 213" and 2! there between. Said= flaps are notched out as indicated byreference numerals 219' and 220., the angle betweentheedges 219% and 223 of said flaps-and 'theprojection of: transverse score line 223 being about 35?. The. notched out. areas: are for the reception of the projecting ears 225- and: 2280i the box with which the .box. formedof the instant blank interfits and hence the notchedout areas are-so dimensioned. Thus line 2-! which defines the .inner. edge ofzflap 209*extends outwardly in a straight line until it" intersectsthe. projection of the outer edge of flap 2| I, whereupon it extends outwardly perpendicular. to line 2K3: until it reaches a point distantfrom line 2la3-about one.- half the length of panel-20:4; Fla-p 2 I B is similarly. shapedibyline 220 Ear 225.constitutesan integral extension of flap 205-,- associatedwith panelZiH. Said earls definedb'y cut line 2-25 which extends outward fromthe intersection of lines 222-and 2l3 at-an angleofabout 35 until it intersects the-outer edge offlap 2! i, then proceeds. outward perpendicular to :line 213* to intersect the outer edge of flap205; The line 225 which. separates ear 2-25 from flap 2-H thus. cuts offrone of thecorners of said flap. It will be seen that this corner is concealed in the completed box and the material cut away does not adversely afiectthestrength, appearance or other qualities of-the box. Ear 225 is similarly shaped by line 22 B The initial folding operation required to as.- semble a box unit from a blank comprises folding the blank along lines 22L 2-22 and 2-23ryand securing theabutting edges. of panels 203*. and 202 together by a strip of gummed tape22-lyor other suitable means. Opposed pairs. of flaps 208.2l2 and 201-21! are then folded at right angles into edge to edge contact with oneanother to. form top and bottom closures forthebox unit. Thereupon fiaps 206-2 i B and 20.5--209=.-are.-fo1ded downwardly to overlie the top and bottom closure members and are securely glued to said topand bottom closure members in a; mannen well @known in the art.

It will be seen that. the out-out portions. 2-19 and 220 formed-'in-fiaps- 20 Brand 21 c are. properly 8 shaped? to: receive the projecting. ears 225: and 226. Thus box units F and G may be securely interlockedzbygluing the. ears of each box unit within theinrespective receiving niches.

Gnex of; the: advantages. ofg the last-described modified construction isthe fact that less; stock is required: to.mal e:this modification than the others; Another advantage arises in closing the individual box unitsafterfilling, asillustratedin Eig. 9.. A series. of filled box unitsare carried along at regularly spaced, intervals on conveyor belt 230. which is-here, assumedtobe moving toward theleft. It is assumed: that-the bottoms v of thELbOXdlIlitSs have been assembled withunits F and G1 inthe position,shown. The contentshave been packed in the box. Paddle 23 .I-is attached to shaft; 232; which iscaused to revolve in I a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9. Said paddle forces down'fiapwhas itrevolves, and, because of the notched out portion of fiap 2| I, fiap 2 doesnot: interfere-with the movement of paddle 2.3L Flap 2 11; is then forceddown by shoe 233 as belt 230 moves-forwardly. The other flaps are then folded: down in the a usual manner.

Although thepresent invention has; been described; insome= detail'by way. of illustration and example .fon purposes of; clarity of understanding it.- is. understood that certain changes and modifications may be-practicedwithin the-spirit. of the invention andscope of-the appended-claims. For example, although the expression closedbox unit is employed: in; some of the accompanying claims; it will :be understood that boxunits which are apjertured:for ventilation; or other purposes, boxes provided with transparent windows, and other boxun-itsspecia-lly adaptedfor specificuses, maybe employed.

I. claim:

1. A box unit adapted for interlocking with a complementary 'boxi-unit-toform av unitary box construction comprising; a. hollow rectangular parallelepiped container, and four flaps constituting extensions of side members of said container and: closing the top thereof; a first pair of flaps folded downwardly from oppositeside edges. a..second pair-ofifiapsoverlying said first pair-on flaps.- fo1d'ed= downward-lyfrom opposite side edges and meeting approximatelyalong the center of'thetop of; said-container, one of said flaps of said secondgpair-oifiaps having a projecting; extending; beyond the confines of said-"container; and the other of said flaps of said second pair o f-fiapshavinga cut-out portiondimensioned: and; positioned to receive the projecting ear of a complementary box unit.

2 Alboxunitas-de fined-in claim 1 and wherelIit1 1e;.sides-.. of. said-container are joined along one side;edge-ythereof, saidlast-mentioned flap of said-second pair of flaps constituting. an extension; o f--one of the; sides ot said container joined. at; said side edge, and. the first-mentioned;- fiap'; of said-second. pair of flaps constitoting an extension of-the side of said-container opposite said last-mentioned side.

3; A blanhfer; a-bo-xmnit-of the characterdescribed: Comprising; four rectangular central panels alternate panels being substantially equally-dimensioned; and: all of said panels having common side edges each 05 said central panels! having. an; integral; fia-p-- projectingbeyond eachsideedge; the-flaps along one side, of'said blanlgbeing inconsecutive order, afirst flap, rectangulari-inshape a second: flap having a projecting. ear extending upwardly at an angle war from saidizfirstiflapia third ap generally rectangular but cut away at one corner to provide stock for said projecting ear and a fourth flap cut away at a corner adjacent said third flap, the cut away portion being of the same shape as the ear of said second flap.

4. A blank as defined in claim 3 and wherein the four flaps along the other side of said blank are formed in the same manner as the four flaps along the first side of said blank.

5. A plural box construction comprising, a first container unit and a second container unit, each of said units comprising a hollow, rectangular, parallelepiped container and having two top and two bottom outer closure flaps folded at right angles inwardly from and constituting extensions of sides of said units, one top outer fiap of each unit having an integral projecting tongue extending beyond the confines of its unit, and one outer top flap of each unit having a niche dimensioned and positioned to receive the projecting tongue of the complementary unit, said tongue projecting beyond the same edge of said unit as that edge from which said niche extends inward, the tongue of each unit overlapping and being joined to the complementary unit.

6. A plural box construction according to claim 5 in which the two outer bottom flaps of each unit are formed in the same manner as the two outer top flaps of the same unit.

'7. A plural box construction comprising, a first container unit and a second container unit, each of said units comprising a hollow parallelepiped container, closure flaps folded inwardly from and constituting extensions of sides of said units, and a projecting tongue on a first surface of each unit extending outwardly from one edge of the top of said first surface beyond the confines of its unit, said first surface of each unit also being provided with a, niche, each said niche extending inwardly from the same edge as that from which said tongue extends outwardly, each said niche being dimensioned and positioned to receive a projecting tongue of the complementary unit, each said tongue overlapping and being joined to a complementary unit.

8. A plural box construction according to claim 7 in which said first surfaces of said units and the respective tongues engaging therewith are coplanar.

9. A box construction according to claim 7 in which each said tongue is formed as an integral portion of the blank of material out of which the box unit from which it projects is formed.

10. A box unit, adapted for interlocking with another box unit to form a unitary box construction, comprising, .a closed box structure presenting six substantially flat plane surfaces comprising top, bottom, and four side forming members, and two substantially identical ears formed as integral portions of the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the box structure projecting outwardly in the same direction beyond one of said sides and substantially coplanar with the surface with which they are formed, said top and bottom surfaces each being formed with a niche shaped complementary to an ear, said niches extending inwardly from the same side as that beyond which said ears project.

11. A box construction comprising, a pair of individual closed box units, each said unit having top closure fiaps formed by folding extensions of side members, and a projecting ear on the top of each said unit formed as an integral extension of one of the top closure flaps of said unit, each said ear overlapping and. being joined to the top surface of the adjoining unit of said pair of units, and in which a top closure flap of each said unit is provided with a niche positioned and dimensioned to receive the projecting ear of the adjacent unit.

12. A box construction comprising a pair of individually closed box units, each box unit formed from an integral blank of material and having bottom, top, end and side forming members, and mutual interlocking means formed as integral portions of the blanks of the material out of which said box units are formed to per mit said box units to be interlocked together to form a unitary box construction, said interlocking means comprising a first ear projecting outwardly from a first surface of a first box unit and overlapping and joined to a first surface of an adjoining second box unit and a second ear projecting outwardly from said first surface of said second box unit and overlapping and joined to said first surface of said first box unit, said first surfaces of said box units being substantially co-planar, and wherein a niche located adjacent and co-planar with each projecting portion of each box unit is formed receiving in nested position and filled by a projecting ear of the adjoining box unit.

EDWARD N. BURNETT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,413,108 Dyer Apr. 18, 1922 2,327,529 Kieckhefer Aug. 24, 1943 2,329,628 Lanigan Sept. 14, 1943 2,361,650 Potts Oct. 31, 1944

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