US2708065A

US2708065A - Collapsible carton

Info

Publication number: US2708065A
Application number: US306128A
Authority: US
Inventors: William H Inman
Original assignee: BLOOMER BROS CO
Current assignee: BLOOMER BROS Co
Priority date: 1952-08-25
Filing date: 1952-08-25
Publication date: 1955-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 1972-05-10

Description

May 10, 1955 w. H. INMAN COLLAPSIBLE CARTON 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 25, 1952' IN V EN TOR. WILL [AM If. [NMAN HIS ATTORNEY 7 May 10, 1955 w. H. mM AN 2,708,065

COLLAPSIBLE CARTON Filed Aug. 25, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

IN VEN TOR. WILLIAM H. INMAN HIS ATTORNEY United COLLAPSHELE CARTON William H. Iranian, Newark, N. Y., assignor to Bloomer Bros. Company, Newark, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 25, 1952, Serial No. 366,128

6 Claims. (Cl. 229-33) This invention relates to cartons and trays, and more particularly to collapsible cardboard cartons and trays of the variety used for packaging fruits and vegetables and the like, one object being to provide an improved carton of the above character having a simpler and more eco nomical construction.

Another object is to provide a carton of the above character capable of being readily collapsed to fiat condition for shipping and storage, and quickly erected for filling.

Another object is to provide a carton of the above character which may be readily swung from its fiat condition to erected position by merely applying pressure at its opposite corners.

Still another object is to provide a carton having the above advantages and including self-erecting end closures which are completely folded and glued by the manufacturer and which automatically swing to erected position closing the ends of the carton as the carton is erected.

Still a further object is to afford a carton having the above advantages in a form capable of being readily manufactured in quantity lots, by known machines and at relatively low cost.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

in the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan view of a cardboard blank for forming the carton;

Fig. 2 is a similar View with end-closure flap portions folded over and glue applied;

Fig. 3 is an edge view of the blank as seen from the right in Fig. 2, but with the outer wall portions partly folded over toward glued positions;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but with the parts glued together and the carton in collapsed position;

Figs. 5 and 6 are end elevations of the carton in progressive positions of erection for filling;

Figs. 7 and 8 are perspective views of the carton in progressive positions of erection for filling;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the carton fully erected with the cover in open position, and

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, but showing the cover in closed position.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention, herein disclosed by way of illustration, is preferably made of a one-piece cardboard blank such as shown generally at 19 in Fig. l of the drawings, cut and scored to form a plurality of

side walls

21, 23, and a closure wall 27, respectively, separated by parallel scored

fold lines

29, 31 and 33, as shown. Closure wall 27 carries a securing strip 35 foldably connected therewith along a scored fold line 37 and adapted to be folded over for detachably closing the carton when the same is erected, as hereafter described.

Walls

21, 23 and 25, inclusive, which may be designated as front, bottom, and back walls, respectively, are

2,703,055 Patented May 10, 1955 provided at each end thereof with a series of end-closure flaps shown generally at 39, 41 and 43, respectively, which are foldably connected therewith along parallel score lines 45. Flaps 39 and 4-3 are provided with diagonally-extending

score lines

47 and 49, respectively, which separate each of said flaps into two sections as 51 and 53 and 55 and 57, respectively, as shown in Fig. 1, so that each flap may be folded 011 itself and rolded over the respective side wall on which it is foidably connected, as hereafter further described.

Flaps 39 each carry a relatively narrow flange 59 fold ably connected therewith along a score line 61. Flanges 5? each have a narrow flange 63 foldably connected therewith along a fold line 65 which extends at substantially right angles to fold line 61 as shown in Fig. 1.

The outer free edges of

flaps

39 and 43 have the irregular shape shown in the drawings, including

notches

67 and 69, respectively, for engagement with each other in the erected position as hereafter described. Flaps 41 which are foldably connected to side wall 23' are substantially rectangular, as shown, and are substantially of the same size and shape as the inside of the ends of the carton when in erected position, so as to completely cover the same, as hereafter described. Flaps ii are each crossed with a diagonally-extending fold line 71 (Fig. l) to enable them to bend more flexibly while in contact with back wall 25 during the erection of the carton as hereafter described.

in the folding and gluing of the blank, as shown in Fig. 2, flaps 4-1 are folded over side wall 23, end-closure flaps 39 are folded on themselves and folded inwardly over wall 21 and flaps 41, and

flanges

55 and 63 are folded inwardly over the folded

flaps

39 and 41 as shown. Flaps 43 are folded on themselves and over wall 25 as shown in Fig. 2. in this position of the parts glue is applied to a restricted area 73 of flaps 43 and to substantially the entire upper surface of flanges 63 as at 75, as shown in Fig. 2.

In the further folding and gluing of the blank, rear wall 25 with the inwardly-folded flaps 43, and closure wall 27, are folded over bottom wall 23 and front wall 21, about score line 31, as shown in Fig. 3, flaps 39 being folded inwardly as shown in Fig. 2. Flanges 59 are raised slightly and flanges 63 inserted between the inner surface of back wall 25 and flap portions 57 as shown in Fig. 3. This brings the glued portions 75 of flanges 63 into glued cohesion with the inner surface of wall 25 and brings the glued areas 73 of flap portions '55 into glued cohesion with flaps 41 thereby completing the folding and gluing of the carton in the compact collapsed position shown in Fig. 4 and readying the carton for storage and shipment.

When it is desired to erect the carton for filling, this is quickly accomplished by an inward pressure against the opposite folded edges shown generally at 77 and 79 in Fig. 4, which serves to separate and distend the side walls in the progressive manner shown in Figs. 5 and 6, as viewed from the end of the container and in Figs. 7 and 8 as viewed from the top of the container.

The separation of rear wall 25 from side wall 23 tends to pull the inwardly-folded flaps 43 and inner end flaps 4]; to erected position, and through

flanges

63 and 59 pulls inwardly-folded flaps 39 toward erected position. In such movement a portion of the edge of flap 43 rides under a portion of the edge of flap 39, as shown in Fig. 5, with the result that the opposing edges move along one another in crossing relation and are finally interengaged in

notches

67 and 69, as shown in Fig. 6. Such an arrangement tends to limit the erecting movement with these inwardly-folded flaps in a position normal to the walls of the carton. The erecting movement is further limited by the engagement of inner-end flaps 41 with the inside of flaps 39. The end flaps are quickly snapped to such erected position by merely pressing on the

opposite corners

77 and 79 of the carton, as stated, leaving closure flaps 27 and 35 in open position to receive the contents.

The carton, resting on bottom wall 23, is then filled and closure fiap 27 folded down across the top of the carton and fiap 35 is folded along line 37 at substantially right angles to flap 27 and is inserted between the free ends of flanges 59 and the inner surface of front wall 21 as shown in Fig. 10. There is sufiicient friction between flanges 59 and front wall 21 so as to securely hold the cover in closed position, but if desired a sealing tape or paper label may be placed on cover 27 and front wall 21, for sealing the same, as well understood in the art. In addition, flange 35 may be adhesively secured to the outer surface of front 21 instead of being inserted inside thereof. In either case, the carton is opened by breaking the detachable connection between the cover and front of the carton.

If desired, closure flaps 27 and 35 may be omitted and glued in the same manner as before and will readily assume the position shown in Fig. 4 thereby requiring minimum shipping and storage space. The carton or tray is again set up in the same manner by inward pressure at

corners

77 and 79 and, after filling, may be covered with a suitable cellophane or plastic covering or, if desired, may be left uncovered.

Thus it will be seen that the above invention provides a novel carton or tray which may be readily formed from a one-piece blank of stock and completely folded and glued by the manufacturer. The cartons or trays may be shipped in compact, flat position to the purchaser. The purchaser may quickly set up the cartons by merely applying pressure at the opposite corners of the collapsed carton and is not required to separately fold or glue any of the end-closure llaps, but rather the end closures are completely formed by the manufacturer and automatically spring into erected position upon the erection of the side walls as above. If a cover or closure wall is provided, the carton may be readily closed by tucking flap 35 inside front wall 21, or by a glued or taped connection, depending upon the use to which the carton is put.

It will thus be seen that the invention accomplishes its objects and, while it has been herein disclosed by reference to the details of a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure is intended in an illustrative, rather than a limiting sense, as it is contemplated that various modifications in the construction and arrangement of the parts will readily occur to those skilled in the art, within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A collapsible carton having self-erecting end closures comprising a one-piece blank cut, scored and folded to form foldably-connected front, bottom and back walls, said front and back walls each having an end-closure flap foldably connected therewith at each end thereof, each of said end-closure fiaps being formed with a fold line extending diagonally inwardly from a corner of the carton, said fold lines in said flaps being substantially parallel to each other and said flaps being adapted to fold inwardly at said fold lines between the walls when the back and bottom walls are collapsed toward each other, an end-closure flap foldably connected to each of the opposite ends of the bottom wall and each having a glued connection with the inner surface of one of said e inwardly folding flaps, the others of said inwardly folding flaps each having a flange extending foldably inwardly between the front and back walls and glued to the opposite one of said front and back walls, said endclosure flaps being moved to erected position substan- 4 tially normal to said front, bottom and back walls by erecting movement of said walls.

2. A collapsible carton comprising a one-piece blank cut, scored and folded to form foldably-connected front, bottom and back walls and a closure wall, said front and back walls each having an end-closure flap foldably connected therewith at each end thereof, each of said endclosure flaps being formed with a fold line extending diagonally inwardly from a corner of the carton, said fold lines in said flaps being substantially parallel to each other and said flaps being adapted to fold inwardly at said fold lines between the walls when the back and bottom walls are collapsed toward each other, an end-closure flap foldably connected to each of the opposite ends of the bottom wall and each having a. glued connection with the inner surface of one of said inwardly folding llaps, the others of said inwardly folding flaps each having a llange extending foldably inwardly between the front and back walls and glued to the opposite one of said front and back walls, said end-closure flaps being moved to erected position substantially normal to said front, bottom and back walls by erecting movement of said walls, said closure wall being foldably connected to one of said front and back walls and detachably connected to the other of said front and back walls for securing said closure wall in a closed position and completing the closure of said carton, and said closure wall being detachable from said other of said front and back walls and movable to open position to expose the carton contents with the carton in erected condition.

3. A collapsible carton comprising a one-piece blank cut, scored and folded to form foldably-connected front, bottom and back walls, said front and back walls each having an end-closure flap foldably connected therewith at each end thereof, each of said end-closure flaps being formed with a fold line extending diagonally inwardly from a corner of the carton, said fold lines in said flaps being substantially parallel to each other and said flaps being adapted to fold inwardly at said fold lines between the walls when the back and bottom walls are collapsed, an end-closure fiap foldably connected to each of the 0pposite ends of the bottom wall and each having a glued connection with the inner surface of one of said inwardly folding flaps, the others of said inwardly folding fiaps each having a flange extending foldably inwardly between the front and back walls and glued to the opposite one of said front and back walls, said end-closure flaps being moved to erected position substantially normal to said front, bottom and back walls by erecting movement thereof, said inwardly-folding liaps having notched edges for engagement with each other to locate the same in erected position.

4. A collapsible carton comprising a one'piece blank cut, scored and folded to form foldably connected front, bottom and back walls, said front and back walls each having an end-closure fiap foldably connected therewith at each end thereof, each of said end-closure flaps being formed with a fold line extending diagonally inwardly from a corner of the carton, said fold lines in said flaps being substantially parallel to each other and said flaps being adapted to fold inwardly at said fold lines between the Walls when the back and bottom walls are collapsed, an end-closure flap foldably connected to each of the opposite ends of the bottom wall and each having a glued connection with the inner surface of one of said inwardly J folding flaps, said closure flaps of said bottom wall having substantially the size and shape of the respective inside end of said carton and adapted to cover the same, the others of said inwardly folding flaps each having a flange extending foldably inwardly between the front and back Walls and glued to the opposite one of said front and back walls, said end-closure flaps being moved to erected position substantially normal to said front, bottom and back walls by erecting movement of said walls.

5. A collapsible carton comprising a one-piece blank cut, scored and folded to form foldably connected front,

bottom and back walls and a closure wall, said front and back walls each having an end-closure flap fold-ably connected therewith at each end thereof, each of said endclosure flaps being formed with a fold line extending diagonally inwardly from a corner of the carton, said fold lines in said flaps being substantially parallel to each other and said flaps being adapted to fold inwardly at said fold lines between the walls when the back and bottom walls are collapsed, an end closure flap foldably connected to each of the opposite ends of the bottom wall and each having a glued connection with the inner surface of one of said inwardly folding flaps, said closure flaps of said bottom wall having substantially the size and shape of the respective inside end of said carton and adapted to cover the same, the others of said inwardly folding flaps each having a flange extending foldably inwardly between the front and back walls and glued to the opposite one of said front and back walls, said end-closure flaps being moved to erected position substantially normal to said front, bottom and back walls by erecting movement of said walls, said closure wall being foldably connected to one of said front and back walls and detachably connected to the other of said front and back walls for securing said closure wall in a closed position and completing the closure of said carton, and said closure wall being detachable from said other of said front and back walls and movable to open position to expose the carton contents with the carton in erected condition.

6. A collapsible carton comprising a one-piece blank cut, scored and folded to form foldably connected front, bottom and back walls, said front and back walls each having an end-closure flap foldably connected therewith at each end thereof, each of said end-closure flaps being formed with a fold line extending diagonally inwardly from a corner of the carton, said fold lines in said flaps being substantially parallel to each other and said flaps being adapted to fold inwardly at said fold lines between the walls when the back and bottom walls are collapsed, an end-closure flap foldably connected to each of the opposits ends of the bottom wall and each having a glued connection with the inner surface of one of said inwardly folding flaps, said closure flaps of said bottom wall having substantially the size and shape of the respective inside end of said carton and adapted to cover the same, the others of said inwardly folding flaps each having a flange extending foldably inwardly between the front and back walls and glued to the opposite one of said front and back walls, said end-closure flaps being moved to erected position substantially normal to said front, bottom and back walls by erecting movement of said walls, said inwardly folding flaps having notched edges for engagement with each other to locate same in erected position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,265,279 Graf Dec. 9, 1941 2,357,009 Klein Aug. 29, 1944 2,383,190 Smart Oct. 30, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 660,484 Great Britain Nov. 7, 1951