US2664234A - Egg carton - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 29, 1953 Filed Deo. 29, 1949 M. BURGER EGG CARTON 2 Sheets-Sheet l Z5 ,Ewige/j M. BURGER Dec, 29, 1953 EGG CARTON 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Deo. 29, 1949 INVENTOR.

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Patented Dec. 29, 1953 EGG CARTON Martin Burger, Morris, Ill., assigner to General Package Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application December 29, 1949, Serial No. 135,804

21 Claims.

The present invention deals with improvements in the bottom supporting structure of a collapsible cellular paperboard egg carton. A related structure is the subject matter of my copending application Serial No. 93,395, filed May 14, 1949.

Generally this type of carton is characterized by front and rear side walls, an inverted V-shaped bottom, a medial longitudinal partition integral with the bottom and a plurality of cross partitions, the longitudinal partition being provided with certain flaps which are bendable outwardly at an angle thereto and the cross partitions being provided with integral tabs which are bendable angularly to interengage with and beneath the longitudinal partition flaps. As a result, the carton bottom is eiectively supported by the cross partitions, the latter are braced and supported` in erected condition, and a vertical bracing of the longitudinal partition, together with a strengthening and stiffening of the carton generally, are produced.

It is a general object of the present invention to accomplish these same results in a carton which is particularly well suited to be erected to operative, egg receiving condition by automatic equipment of a type operated manually orotherwise.

Another and more specific object is to provide a paperboard egg carton of this type having opposed front and rear walls, a bottom and longitudinal partition forming section integrally connecting the walls, and transverse partitions hingedly connected to the walls and swingable to upright position therebetween. in which the transverse partitions are provided with an improved type of medially pivoted tab or ap cut :from the material thereof, being swingable normal to the plane of the cross partition to extend on opposite sides thereof, and in that position being engaged beneath a portion of the longitudinal partition to sustain the bottom and longitudinal partition forming section of the carbon in an improved manner.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a carton as referred to in the preceding lparagraph in which the portion of the longitudinal partition engaged by the medially pivoted `cross partition tabs or flaps is constituted by vcertain integral bendable naps of said longitudinal partition; and in which the medially pivoted tabs or aps lie in side-by-side engagement withthe longitudinal partition, in the sustaining position referred to,

The foregoing statements are indicative in a i general way of the nature of the invention, but

2 other and more specic objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon a full understanding of the construction and operation of the carton.

A single embodiment of the invention is pref sented herein for the purpose of illustration, but it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible of incorporation in other modified forms coming equally within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a flexible paperboardv blank from which the present carton is con.

structed;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view ofthe cartonlin fully assembled, glued and erected condition, the integral cover of the carton being withdrawn to expose the carton interior;

Fig. 3 is a somewhat enlarged, fragmentary view in longitudinal, vertical cross section approximately along line 3--3 of Figs. 2, 4 and 5, illustrating the operative relationship of the improved partition locking and bracing iiaps of the carton, with respect to one another and to the longitudinal partition and bottom section of the carton;

Figs. 4 and 5 are, respectively, views in transverse vertical section along section lines 4-4 and 5 5, respectively, of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective more clearly` showing the operating relation of the tab or flap elements and partitions.

This invention aims at the substantial strengthening of a collapsible cellular paperboard carton ofa well known type, similar to that illustrated and described in the patent to Troyk No. 1,783,397 of vDecember 2, 1930, by the use of coacting, bendable, interlocked ap elements integral with the respective transverse and longitudinal partition lmembers of thecarton. In their operative, interengaged relationV these flaps hold the carton cross partitions in proper upright position and enable the vertical load on the raised carton bottom to be partially distributed through the longitudinal partition member to the various cross partition members, which themselves rest on a supporting surface.

The drawings showthe invention as embodied in a divisible typel carton i. e., capable of being subdivided along a weakened transverse line into sections of equal six-egg capacity, but the prirl-` ciple is just as usefully applied tojhe non-divisible type. The carton is fabricated from a onepiece blankof a'suitable flexible, paperboard stock illustrated in Fig. 1 which is died out in a generalcover panel I9 which carries a foldable locking,v

flap I9 on its outer edge.

The rear wall I'! has a cross partition pa-nel flexibly connected to its.. outer or` upperfmar-` gin by a series of longitudinally spaced and aligned crease lines 2|; similar creases connect it along its opposite margin to a terminal` glue, Panel 2t is subdivided" by slitting and" ap 22` creasing into a plurality of like cross partitions 23 which are connected to the front wall I'I and 4to `the rear wall It (throughthe agency of glue flap 22) by means of the integral triangular webs or gussets 2t. The latter are creased at25. for vertical swinging movement to the operative, upright position illustrated inFig. 2, and it will be noted that the sets of cross partitions on op.u posite sides of the center of the carton blank are adapted to swing in opposite directions about the respective creases 25. This is due to the divisible nature of the illustrated carton, the blank I!) being provided with a perforatedtransverse division line 26 extending across` glue flap 22, front and rear wallsV I1, I6, cover panel Iii and locking flap i9', in alignment with slits .2'i in cross partition section 2G and bottom and longitudinal partition forming. section ID; Concerning the cross partitions immediately adjoining the transverse slit 27|, which. are specially designated 23', they areadapted to hinge downwardly about pairs of spaced creases' to their erected parallel, vertical position and they have individual transverse flaps` 28,1iexibly conoined thereto by parallel creasesor scores. 29. These aps 28 are separated at their endsand center from partitions 23 by the sets, ofA inclinedr and shaped slits 363, 3l, respectively, and are adapted to-be flexed downwardly. along scores4 29 toward the respective adjacent, facing sidesof partitions 23' when the latter are in orerativeposition.

The cross partitions 23, 23 are folded upon themselves about the longitudinally extending, aligned creases 32 in panel 2t, when the carton is in glued, flat, knock-down condition, as i1- lustrated in the Troyk patent. They are of forked outline, being'shaped at 33 on the marginal inner edge thereof to. providemutually inturned hook formations. These formations are adapted to be inserted in certain openings in the longitudinal partition and bottom forming section Il) formed when thelatter is disposed in the angled, upwardly convergent position ofy its parts shown in FigsJi and 5, as hereinaftery described. Thus inserted, the hooksv 33. assist in. vertically sustaining the medial, two-walled longitudinal partition of section Iii, designated-34. See-,Figs 2, 4 and 5.

Referring again to the blank shown in Fig. 1v, cross partition panel 2i! is provided immediatelv adjacent each of the hook formations 33 with special cuts and creasesl designed to free sets oflocking and supporting apsor tabs 3 5-from the material orv the respective cross partitions 2,3. and 23. These includel ther outer, opposed, bow-shaped slitsA 36 opening.A inwardly on either Side ofthe l medial panel creases V32, the. opposed,

U-shaped slits 3I opening outwardly and commonly based in longitudinal alignment with said creases, and the small intermediate hinge elements 38 which lie between and connect the ade jacent feet or ends of the respective bow slits 3E and U-slits 31. Thus there are dened a plurality of tabs 35 which are swingable about their individuall medial hinges 38-into position normal to their respective associated cross partitions 23 or 23 when the carton is in erected condition, as shown in Figs. 3 6 inclusive, and which then lie along the opposite sides of longitudinal partition 3A, in position to sustainingly engage certain portionsthereof. Each tab 35 has a geni erally,rectangular-.portion 35' which performs the direct supporting function and a rounded ear portion 35" which is disposed on the opposite side ofthe cross partition 23 or 23' from whip-"r the :tab is struck.

The bottom and longitudinal partition forming. section It iscut` and creased in the manner shown inFig. l toprovide bendable flaps or tabs d which are adapted to interlock with the tabs 35, thelongitudinal spacingofthe respective sets of elements 35 and 4G relative to one another being-the same. For this purpose, obtusely angled, C-shaped slits 4I are formed to intersect the longitudinal medial crease ofthe panel, these slits terminating at their opposite ends in rearward extensions 42. Transverse creases 43 connect the termini of the slit extensions 42' and a short slit IM which is longitudinally coincident with medial crease II separates the respective flaps 45 from one another.

The bottom and longitudinal partition-forming section Ibis alsoprovided withtwo parallel rows of slitted and creasedcross partitioir-receiving bracing formations 45. These formations are disposed in pairs which are laterally aligned with the pairs of cross-partition hinge lines .555 or 25' being located at equal distances from medial crease II. They are intended to provide bottomopenings ltefor thereception of cross partitions 23, 23! together with aside flap or flaps to brace the cross partitionswhen the latter are swung to upright position and inserted through the carton bottom. Flaps fil hold the cross partitions against longitudinal swinging movement and. assist the same in Nresistingvertical buckling under load, so thatthe carton asa whole is materially strengthened and` rigidiiied.

In a preferred embodiment, the formations t5 each comprises a somewhat elongated slit 48 e24- tending transversely of the bottom and partitioni forming section. I3, each slit being intersected at its opposite ends by the angular, longitudine-.ily aligned V-slitsA 49. The slit 48. is preferably disM posed to one sideof a theoretical line through the apices of the V.slits, i. e., on the side from which the partitions 23, 23. are swung to upright position, so that the Hap It] on one side of slit :iii is somewhat larger than the other. Scoring 53 connecting the ends of slits, @facilitates swinging of the larger flaps.

The above provisions` furnish end-narrowed openings (see Fig. 3). toreceivethe lower portion ofthe cross partitions 23 or 23 and the latter are interlockingly4v engaged with bottoni section IIJ by the. mutuallyv ineturned hooks t?.v on their lower forked leg portions. Openings .13 are of. course normally` closed. by. the, flaps Inassembling the carton fromthe above de'- scribed blank, the latter is 'successively folded on itself along creaselinesilv and AII and the glue ap 22.is.adhered totherear Wallii .adjacent its cover crease I8, in accordance with conventional procedure. This places the carton in its ilat knocked-down condition for shipmentl or storage.

In erecting the carton to the condition shown in Figs. 2 through 6, it is placed with its cover side down and held in such position by restraining the cover section I9 and/or rear wall I6. The front wall il is then engaged adjacent a cut-out notch 5| in its margin and lifted upwardly to initiate spreading the walls apart at the end of the carton. The spreading action is carried out along the length of the carton until it is in a hollow, generally rectangular cross-sectional outline.

The cross partitions 23. 23' are next rotated into operative position parallel to one another and normal to the carton walls, during which operation the locking tabs 35 are preliminarily deflected about their individual medial hinge portions 38, ready to be engaged by their inherent resilience beneath the lower edges of the out-turned naps 4D when the latter are in proper position.

After the cross partitions 23, 23' have been swung to operative parallel relation, the bottom section l0 is shaped to inverted V-outline and engaged with the partitions 23, 23 by causing the latter to enter the openings 43 adjoined by aps dl. During an early phase of this operation the flaps 40 are swung about their respective creases 43 and flared upwardly and outwardly from the longitudinal partition 34. As the flaps 40 move with the shaping longitudinal partition they pass underneath the tabs 35, which yield slightly about their hinges 38 to allow the flaps clearance in their movement. After the partition 3f! is properly shaped, tabs 35 snap into position beneath the aps. Hence, the bottom and longitudinal partition forming section it is positively sustained by the cross partitions 23, 23 at a plurality of points along its length, due to the interlocked engagement of the tabs 35 and llaps 4U. The base of the forked cross partitions is also received in the bottom opening 46, with the hooks 33 of the cross partitions engaging the ends of said openings, to further the support of the bottom by the cross partitions.

The above described operations of bending and engaging flaps 40 and 35 are preferably performed automatically by suitable apparatus, manually or automatically controlled, in timed relation to the swinging of the cross partitions 23, 23 to upright parallel positions, the shaping of longitudinal partition 34, the engaging of the latter with the cross partitions and also the reverse swinging of the center flaps 28 downwardly into the openings 52 from which flaps 4i) are displaced. These operations need not be described in detail; however, it will be noted that the proportioning and locating of tabs and ilaps 35, Ml are such that the former will readily snap beneath the latter into intersecting, substantially normal supporting engagement therewith.

It will also be noted that the medial pivoting oi the tabs 35 at 38 enables the same to be readily engaged and swung by automatic machinery. It is merely necessary to cause a machine finger to press against the surface of the partition 23 or 23 to depress the same relative to the tab 35, after which the finger is readily nsertable beneath the tab ear portion 35 to swing the remaining portion 35 about its hinge 38 to the desired partition supporting position.

Due to the interlocked relationship of the respective tabs and flaps 35, 4U a substantial share of the load on the bottom of the carton is distributed from the longitudinal partition 34 to the cross partitions, a, function also performed in part by the cross partition .hooks 33. Any tendency of the cross partitions to buckle is resisted to some extent by the rear bracing engagement of the flaps 40 on the cross partitions, but the main anti-buckle effect is exerted by the bottom formations 45 adjoining the partition receiving openings 46. The ilaps 4'I yield outwardly when the respective partitions 23, 23 are thrust thereagainst in erecting the carton and the two aps thereafter have direct frictional engagement with said partition at two points to brace the same, so that partitions resist buckle under load and present maximum column strength. Since the lower edges thereof lie approximately in the horizontal plane of the bottom margins of carton Walls I6, I l on a supporting surface, and their upper extremity is abutted by the cover I9 the cross partitions further assist the walls in resisting crushing forces on the carton.

The present carton is strongly resistant to displacement of its parts from final erected condition, due to a considerable degree to the interlocking of tabs and flaps 35, 40 as described. This interlock serves to better distribute and withstand loads and stresses imposed on the carton and, in addition, the cross partitions 23, 23 are rearwardly braced by the elements referred to. The rigidity and column strength of the cross partitions are increased, since their tendency to bend or collapse, either about a horizontal axis or about their medial creases 32, is counteracted by the flaps bearing against this creased area. A like action is performed at a lower point by the force couple which is represented by the bottom section naps 47. The several cross partitions are held by tabs and flaps 35, 40 and 41 against shifting longitudinally of the carton in either direction, again insuring maximum column strength to sustain vertical load. Moreover, in view of the fa-ct that the grain of the material of partitions 23, 23 is disposed in the horizontal direction across said partitions, the tendency of the cross partitions to buckle around a horizontal axis under compressive stress is counteracted by the flaps 4|] and 41 extending angularly across the grain of the partitions.

What I claim is:

1. A paperboard egg carton comprising a bottom, front and rear walls connected to said bottom, an upstanding longitudinal partition connected to said bottom and disposed between said walls, and a plurality of cross partitions adapted to be positioned in upright position between said walls, said longitudinal partition having supporting portions and said cross partitions having medially pivoted tabs extending thereacross substantially parallel to said longitudinal partition and in supporting engagement with said supporting portions.

2. A foldable egg carton comprising 9, bottom, front and rear walls connected to said bottom, an upstanding longitudinal partition connected to said bottom and disposed between said walls, and a plurality of cross partitions hingedly connected to and positionable in upright position between said walls, said longitudinal partition having longitudinally spaced supporting elements projecting laterally therefrom and said cross partitions having medially pivoted tabs extending thereacross substantiallyparallel to said longitudinal partition and in supporting engagement with said elements.

3. A foldable egg carton comprising a bottom, front and rear walls connected to said bottom,

A. an upstanding two-walledlongitudinal` partition ofinverted V crosssection connected to said bottomiand disposed betweensaid Walls, and a plurality of crosspartitionshingedly connected to and positionablein upright position between said \vallsthe,respective walls of said longitudinal partition having longitudinally spaced supporting elements projecting laterally therefrom and said cross partitions having medially pivoted tabs extending thereacross substantially parallel to the respective. walls of said longitudinal partition and insupporting engagement with said elements.. c

4. A oldable egg carton comprising a bott'oin, front and rear, walls4 connected to said bottom, an upstanolingy longitudinal partition connected to said bottom and subdividing the interior of' the carton between said walls, andv a plurality or cross partitions hingedly connected to said wallsk for movement to upright position therebetween, said longitudinal partition having longitudinally spaced elements projecting laterallyv therefrom and said cross partitions each having a, tabA element medially pivoted thereto between opposed.v free tab ends, said tab elements being oset from the plane oi the respective cross partitionsY and disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal partition and in interlocked supporting engagement with said longitudinal partition elements.

V. Afoldable egg carton comprising a bottom, front and. rear walls connectedto said bottom, a two-thickness upstanding longitudinal partition connected to said; bottom and subdividing the interior ofthe carton between said walls, and aV plurality of crosspartitions hingedly connected to said walls for movement to upright position therebetween, each of they thicknesses of said longitudinal partition having longitudinally .spacedY elements projectingr laterally therefrom and said cross partitions each having a pair of tab elements` medially pivoted thereto between opposed free tab ends, said tab elements being oiset from the plane of the respective cross partitions and disposed substantially parallel to saidrespective longitudinal partition thicknesses and in interlocked supporting engagement with said longitudinal partition elements.

d. A paperboard egg carton comprising spaced iront and rear sidewalls, a bottom extending therebetween, anv upstanding longitudinal partition connected to said bottom and paralleling A said walls, a plurality of cross partitions positionable normall to said longitudinal partition and side walls in upright relation to saidl bottom, certain of said partitions having locking elements cut from the material thereof and pivoted thereto at points intermediate the ends of the elements, said locking elements being pivotally movable to extend on opposite sides of the partition to which they are pivoted, and means connecting said elementswith said longitudinal partition in vertically sustainingv relation, vand in substantially face-to-face relation, thereto.

7. A paperboard egg carton comprising spaced front and rear sidewalls, a bottom extending therebetween, an upstanding longitudinal partition connected to said bottom and paralleling said walls, andV a plurality of cross partitions positionable normal` to said longitudinal partition and side wallsL inzupright relation to said bottom, certainof vsaid partitions having locking elements cut from the material,thereof and pivoted thereto atpoints intermediate the ends ofthe elements,` other: of the partitions having cooperating elements out from the material thereof` and positionable at an angle thereto, said locking elements beingpivotally movable to extend on opposite sides oi the partition to which they are pivoted and to engage and sustain said cooperating elements in face-to-iace contacting relation to the partition from which the latter are cut.

8. A paperboard egg carton comprising spaced iront and rear side walls, a bottom extending therebetween, a two walled upstanding longitudinal partition connected to said bottom and paralleling said walls, and a plurality of cross partitions positionable normal to said longitudinal partition and side walls in upright relation to said bottom, said cross partitions having locking elements cut from the material thereof and pivoted thereto on opposite sides oi said longitudinal partition at points intermediate the ends oi the elements, said longitudinal partition having cooperating elements cut from the walls thereof and positionable at an angle thereto, said locking elements being pivotally movable to extend on opposite sides of the partition to which they are pivoted and to engage and sustain said cooperating elements in faoe-to-face contacting relation to the partition from which the latter are cut.

9. A paperboard egg carton comprising front and rear side walls, an integral, longitudinal partition and bottom section connected to and extending therebetween, and forked cross partitions integrally hinged to said walls for swinging movement to upstanding position normal to said walls and partition and bottom section, said cross partitions being provided with locking elements which are medially pivoted between their ends to the cross partitions on opposite sides of thefork formation of the latter for pivotal movement to operative position at an angle thereto and in general parallelism with said partition and bottom section, said partition and bottom section having formations above said locking elements, in said operative position of the latter, which are interlockingly engaged from beneath by said looking elements.

l0, A paperboard egg carton comprising front and rear side walls, an integral, two walled, inverted V-shaped longitudinal partition and bottom section connected to and extending therebetween, and forked cross partitions integrally hinged to said walls for swinging movement to upstanding position normal to said walls and partition and bottom section, said cross partitions being provided with locking elements which are medially pivoted between their ends to the cross partitions on opposite sides oi the fork formation of the latter for pivotal movement to operative position at an angle thereto and in general parallelism with said partition and bottom section, the walls of said partition and bottom section having integral flap formations pivoted thereon which swing at an angle thereto to position above said locking elements, in said operative position of the latter, and are interlockingly engaged from beneath by said locking elements.

11. A. paperboard egg carton comprising front and rear side walls, a bottom and longitudinal partition section connecting said walls and providing a longitudinally extending partition of inverted V-shape subdividing the space between said walls, said partition being provided with a plurality of sustaining portions, and a plurality or forkedcross partitions hinged to said front and amaai one another in penetrating engagement with said carton bottom, said cross partitions being provided with integral flaps adjoining the fork thereof which are bendable about medial hinges out or the plane of said partitions, said cross partition iiaps being disposed along the opposite sides of said longitudinal ypartition in angular relation to f the cross partitions and in interlocked vertically sustaining engagement from beneath with said sustaining portions of said longitudinal partition.

12. A paperboard egg carton comprising front and rear side walls, a bottom and longitudinal 4partition section connecting said walls and providing a longitudinally extending partition oi inverted V-shape subdividing the space between said walls, and a plurality of forked cross partitions hinged to said front and rear walls for disposition in parallel relation to one another in penetrating engagement with said carton bottom, said cross partition being provided with integral flaps adjoining the fork thereof which are pivoted thereto for bending about medial hinges out of the plane ofA said partitions and the longitudinal partition having ilaps pivoted thereto for bending laterally at an angle thereto, said cross partition naps being disposed along the `opposite sides of said longitudinal partition in angular relation to the cross partitions and in interlocked vertically sustaining engagement from beneath with the laterally bent flaps of saidlongitudinal partition.

13. A paperboard egg carton comprising front and rear side walls, a bottom and longitudinal partition section connecting said walls and providing a longitudinally extending partition of inverted V-shape subdividing the space between said walls, said partition being provided with a plurality of sustaining portions, and a plurality of forked cross partitions hinged to said front and rear walls for disposition in parallel relation to one another in penetrating engagement with said carton bottom, said cross partitions being provided with integral flaps adjoining the fork thereof which are pivoted thereto for bending about medial hinges out of the plane of said partitions, said cross partition iiaps being disposed along the opposite sides of said longitudinal partition in angular relation to the cross partitions and in interlocked vertically sustaining engagement with said longitudinal partition, said cross partitions having hooks adjacent said forks which are sustainingly engaged from beneath with said sustaining portions of said partition section.

14. A foldable carton comprising front and rear walls, a bottom connected to said walls including an upstanding longitudinal partition subdividing the space between said walls, said partition being provided with a plurality of sustaining portions, and a plurality of cross partitions hingedly connected to said walls for movement to operative, upright position normal to said longitudinal partition, said cross partitions having integral flaps medially pivoted thereto between the flap ends which are bent out of the plane of the cross partitions to extend lengthwise of the longitudinal partition, said cross partition flaps having interlocked engagement from beneath with said sustaining portions of said longitudinal partition to brace said carton, said bottom being provided with cuts receiving said cross partitions in the operative position of the latter and having tabs adjoining said cuts which are adapted to engage a side surface of said cross partitions.

10 15. A foldable carton comprising front and rear walls, a bottom connected to said walls including an upstanding longitudinal partition subdividing the space between said walls, integral iiaps disposed along said partition and adapted to be bent at a substantial transverse angle from at least one side thereof, and a plurality of cross partitions hingedly connected to said walls for movement to operative, upright position normal to said longitudinal partition, said cross partitions having integral flaps medially pivoted thereto between the ap ends which are bent out of the plane of the cross partitions to extend lengthwise of the longitudinal partition, said cross partition flaps having interlocked, transversely intersecting engagement from beneath with said longitudinal partition flaps to brace said carton, said bottom being provided with cuts kreceiving said cross partitions in the operative position ofthe latter and having tabsadjoining said Cuts which are adapted to engage a side surface of said cross partition. i .A l l,

16. AV foldable egg carton comprising a bottom, front and rear walls connected to said. bottom, an upstanding longitudinal partition connected to said bottom and subdividing the interior of the carton between said walls, and a plurality of cross partitions hingedly connected to said walls for movement to upright position therebetween, said longitudinal partition having longitudinally spaced elements projecting from asuriacethereof and said cross partitions having elements cut from the material thereof and hinged thereto intermediate their ends, said last named elements being disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal partition and in interlocked engagement with said first named elements, said carton being provided with a weakening line extending thereacross to facilitate subdivision thereof and a pair of said cross partitions being located closely adjacent and on opposite sides of said weakening line.

17. A foldable egg carton comprising a bottom, front and rear walls connected to said bottom, an upstanding longitudinal partition connected to said bottom and subdividing the interior of the carton between said walls, and a plurality of cross partitions hingedly connected to said walls for movement to upright position therebetween, said longitudinal partition having longitudinally spaced elements projecting from a surface thereof and said cross partitions having elements hinged thereto intermediate their ends and offset from the plane thereof to position substantially paralleling said longitudinal partition in interlocked engagement from beneath with said rst named elements, said carton being provided with a weakening line extending thereacross to facili- Vtate subdivision thereof and a pair of said cross partitions being located closely adjacent and on opposite sides of said weakening line, the respective oiset elements of said pair of partitions eX- tending in opposite directions with reference to said weakening line.

18. A foldable paperboard egg carton comprising a bottom, front and rear walls connected thereto, an upstanding longitudinal partition connected to said bottom and longitudinally subdividing the interior of the carton between said walls, and a plurality of cross partitions having iiaps integrally hinged thereto by integral hinges located between opposite free swinging nap ends and dellected out of the respective planes thereof, said longitudinal partition also having flaps integrally hinged thereto and deflected out of the iii 'of tiiosiirfao'e to 'whioh they are -iiingoa to fe pose Ai'ening's in which portionsof `said cross rti'tions'are zreceived, Y'the flaps of said cross itions "inldeflected'position engaging a flat Asortito@ "ofsaid 1o'ngitudirjia1 partition and said *longitudinal aps'eng'aging liiat surfaces of said v4'e'ss partitions.

1 9`. 'Acarton in accordance Vwith claim 18, .in which 'said' jl'ongi'tudinal partition flaps are deli'aotetl-'upwardly relative to 'that partition for engagement 'Withf'saidc'ross partitions, and in .Which-said lde'leeted'cro'ss partition flaps have surface oontaot 'with 4saidl longitudinali partition ver"s'iibstant il poti'onsof their respective areas liar-id on opposite sides 'ofthe planes of the respee- P i ""20 oldablepap'erboard eggcarton compris- -Ij'iix'g'la "bottoni, fr'ont'and'rear 'walls connected `-thereto,4 Tan upst'anding longitudinal partition'of viriizertd V-'shap'edcr'o'ss 'section connected to said lbottom and longitudinally sub-dividing the in- Vrior of thecarton'between said walls, and a urality 'of crosspa'rtiti'ons hinged to said Walls andV positioned in upright' position therebetween,

"said ross partitions having flaps integrally :hinged-theretoly 'integral hinges located` between opposite freeswinging flap' ends and deected *out of '-the"respeetive planesthereof, the inverted v's'ii'ifaoesof said longitudinai partition also hav- "ing'a'ps' integrally hinged thereto and deflected l2 out of the plane uofthe surface -to which ,-theyfare hinged vto expose openings in which portions of said rcross partitions are received, the-naps of said cross partitions in vdeected position engaging said surfaces of vsaid longitudinal partition and said longitudinal partition flaps `engaging flat surfaces of said cross partitions. I

2l. A carton in accordance with claim 20,-in which said longitudinal partition flaps are-deected upwardly relative to 'thatv partition for engagement with said cross partitions, and in which said deflected -cross partition aps have surface contact withisaid longitudinal partition over substantial portions of` their Vrespective Vareas and on opposite sides'of the planes of the respective cross partitions. V

MARTIN BURGER.

References Cited in the file 0f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Nov. 2,1194?.

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