US2711346A

US2711346A - Shrunk sleeve package

Info

Publication number: US2711346A
Application number: US156412A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr August W Willert; Elise V Irwin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-04-17
Filing date: 1950-04-17
Publication date: 1955-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 1972-06-21

Description

June 21, 1955 G. c. IRWIN ET AL 2,711,346

SHRUNK SLEEVE PACKAGE Filed April 17, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l AZ 64 Mnw r0 GEOEGE C. //?w J l i QUGQST MW/ALERZJR.

07-7-0 mk/Efs June 21, 1955 c, |Rw|N ET AL 2,711,346

I SHRUNK sLEEvE PACKAGE Filed April 17, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E WWW QTToR/VEKS 2,711,:i4s SHRUN-K sLEEvE PACKAGE Ge r .1mm Un v r i y. and Antiw w 'rt Jr., Webster Groves, Mot; E Iise'V. Irwin, administratrix or said George C;Irwin,'de'ceased f ApplicationApril 17, 1950, Serial N0.Y156,412

The present invention relates generally to the packaging art and more particularly to a novel tubular container and a method of form. v

In one form, the invention vcomprises'a single cake, or a series of cakes, wrapped individually or together in sheets of cellophane or likeflexible material, and having a length of wet flexible regenerated cellulose tubing disposed around the wrapped cakes, the cellulose tubing forming a tightly fitting rigid container for the cakes when it dries and shrinks, and Ialso'forming an-a'ir-tight seal therefor.

blocks, moth repellent cakes, and the like, are very unsatisfactory for many reasons. They are usually made entirely of metal or else they have fiber bodies with metalends or backs. These are heavy, cumbersome, andiexpensive. Furthermore, they are not completely air-tight so that with many of these; containers a portion of the contents sublimates before the product reaches the ultimate purchaser. p v

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to

provide a novel container and method of packaging which is particularly applicable for use with cakes. and blocks of a material which sublimates at normal room temperature. An example ofthis is paradichlorobenzene which is used both as a moth repellent and as a deodorant in lavatories. 1

Another object is to provide acontainer which is applied to the goods in the form of a flexible tubular member and which stifi'ens upon drying to form a -rigid co r itaiuer and provide an air-tight seal. f

Another object is to provide a novel container for moth repellent material which can be suspended in acloset or the like.

Another object is to providea novelpackageof moth repellent material, the c9ntents of which sublimate in a predetermined manner. I

Another object is to providea novel package of t noth repellent material in block form which has an increased exposed surface area over an ordinary block of comparable size. p, I f f i A l flls it t s t Pr d n e Pa ka ed s odorant blocks in which there are external lines of de-,

a ation v stvt ndividua b ocks otha lth contai ca be S v re etwee the bal q mother object is 'to provide a novel'package. for dethe package without disturbing the air-tight'seal' of the remainder of the package.

Other objects are to provide a containerwhich is light simple in construction, and relatively inexpenpackaging material in cake or block 2,711,346 Patented June 21, .1955

ice

:Fig'. 1 is a front .elevational view of a package of math repellent material adapted to be suspended ina closet or the like, embodying the teachings of the-present invention;

Fig.' 2 is -a side elevational viewof the package taken Fig. 6 is a view similar toFig; 5 showing a modified form of wrapping? Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of a modified form ,offpackage used with-a plurality of vertically stacked cakes; h

Fig. 8 is a top plan view 1 Fig; f Fig. 1.0-i's a sideelevational view of the package shown in Fig. 7, a portion of the container being-shown in sec- V ':Fig.' ll is a rear elevationalview of the package shown? 1 v. in Fig. 7 a :portio'n of the container being cut away to The containers in use at the present time for deodorant show the-inner construction ofthe package;

on thelinelZ-JZ in Fig. 7;

"Figi 12is a horizontal -transver'se sectional view ta-k'ei't' Fig. 13 is an enlarged" vertical transverse sectional view taken'on theline 1+13 in Fig.7; V I

Fig.' 14 is a'plan view of one of the eakes used inthe package shown'in Fig .--7 4 Fig. 15 is a fro'rit'elevationalview of'another modified fo'r'm of the package whichis particularly applicable'fo r thep'a'ckagin'g ofjde'odorant blocks; Fig. 16 is anend view of the package shown in Fig. 15 taken from the right side,a'porti on of the container being y and shown'incross section to better 'illustrate cut aw the inner construction;

' Fig."l7 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view'taken on the line 17 "1 7 in Fig. 15 ;and

Fig. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a method "of cutting a single deodorant block from the package. K

Although the container and'method of packaging dis closed herein is particularly applicable f or use with moth repellent cak'es'and deodo'r'aritblocks, it is to be understood that itis not so limited Land that it can also be used with bars of soap, candy, etc.- infact practically any material which sold in cake, block or bar form;

Referring tothe drawings" more particularly 'by reference numerals, specifically Figs. lthrough 6,110 indi-{ cates generally a package of mot-h repellent material 'constructed in accordance with theteeachings of th p e invention f" I a 7 V v includes; 'i t ricsl' cake of mate:

rial 22; such asparadichlorobenzene, which has a side surface'23,a frontsurf5ce 24" and a rear surface 26.

[The front surface- 24 contains a groove 23 around the periphery-thereof which forms an edgeffifl with the side zs'o't'th'e'c'ake. V a I A cylindrical recess 32 is formed in the rear surface 26'for apurpose to appear;

The cak -22 is wrapped'in-two sheetsi34 and 36' 5) ofathin flexible material such as cellophane orithelike, sheetsf' 34 and6 are'driginally circu-Q lar' in forri1.- One is-positioned"against the' frdnt'sui'face' 24 and the other against the rearsurface 2 6. The

sheets

34 and 36 are then pressed around the cake 2:2 and their edges brought together toward the front surface 24" as shown in Fig.5, so as to form a flange-like portion 38. This joining together of the edges provides the first of the package shown in Fig. '7; is a bottom plan view of the package shown in oftwo seals. The flange-likeportion 38 is then pressed rearwardly against the side of the cake 22. If desirable,

sheets

34 and 36 could each consist of two layers of material. Thus, if one layercontained a small pinhole, itwould be very unlikely that the other one would also contain a pinhole in exactly the same place. This would assure an absolutely air-tight package. v t

:Fig. 6 showsan alternate wrappingconstruction in which a single sheet of material 40 is wrapped around the front of the cake 22 and the edges gathered together and twisted adjacent the rear face 26 as at 41. The free edges could also be merely overlapped.

A disc 42-of cardboard or the like is positioned adjacent the rear surface 26. The disc 42 contains a reinforced eyelet 44 adjacent the upper edge thereof and a loop of string 46 extends through the eyelet 44.

If thetype of wrapping shown in Fig. 6 is employed, the twisted portion 41 is forced into the recess 32 by the disc 42. If overlapping is used, the disc 42 holds it in position.

Disposed around the edge of the disc 42 and the side surface of the wrapped cake 22 is an annular member 48 which forms a container or housing for the cake 2.2. The member 48 is a length ofregenerated. cellulose tubing such as Du Pont Celoseal, which has been maintained in an aqueous solution to keep it soft and flexible.

The tubing is slipped rearwardly over the edges of the cake 22 and disc 42 while it is wet and flexible and as it dries it stitfens and shrinks so that it presses the flangelike portion 38 of the wrapping tightly against the side surface 23 of the cake so as to form a second seal. Thus the cake 22 is doubly sealed within anvair-tight wrapping so that there is no chance of the vapor escaping during transporation and storage.

The tubing is slightly longer than the thickness of the cake 22 so that the front edge of the tubing shrinks over the edge 30 of the cake 22 and the rear edge shrinks over the edge of the disc 42 (Fig. 4), whereby when the member 48 is completely dry, it forms a rigid container for the cake 22. This container is rigid enough to support the cake 22 through all phases of its sublimation, and its weight is practically negligible.

When the tubing shrinks over the edge of the disc 42 it binds the looped string 46 tightly against the disc 42 and prevents it from pulling free. of a separate tab (not shown) can be inserted between the disc 42 and the flange portion of the annular member 48 in place of string, and the tab used for suspending the package from a support.

Furthermore, the

sheets

34 and 36 and the annular f member 48 can all be of difierent colors to enhance the appearance of the package 20. V

To use the contents of the package 20, the sheet 3 6 (or the sheet 40, depending on which type of wrapping is used) is cut out along the groove 28 adjacent the front edge of the member 48 so as to expose the front surface 24 to the atmosphere.

As the cake 22 sublimates a depression is formed in the front surface 24 which enlarges and eventually meets the recess 32 so that the portion of the cake 22 at that phase of the sublimation is in the form of an annulus adjacent the annular member 48. The fact that the portion of the cake 22 which is adjacent the member 48 remains in solid form until a large portion; of it has sublimated aids in maintaining the member-48in annular. shape. V

Because the paradichlorobenzene vapor is heavier than air, the upper portion of; the cake 22 will sublirnate before the lower portion does, so that after the cakehas been. reduced-to an annulus, further sublimation results in the formation of a crescent shaped portion at the bottom of the member 48.

A modified form of package .50, which is; shown in Figs. 7 to 14, includes a series ofsemhcircular shaped cakes S2 (Fig.v 14) which are stacked ,one'on top of If desirable, the edge the other in the manner illustrated in Fig. 13 so as to provide a flat surface 53 on one side of the stack. Each that the recesses 58 are facing toward the center of the package; the ridges 56 of the end cakes bearing against the flat surface 54 of theinner cakes, and the ridges'56 of the inner two cakes being in abutted position. This provides a recess between each cake and provides a flat surfaceat eachend of the stack; Manifestly; the double recess could also be either between the top cake and the one adjacent thereto, or between the bottom cake and the one adjacent thereto.

A sheet 62 of cellophane or the like is wrapped around the stack of cakes 52 and the ends gathered together and sealed so as to form an air-tight wrapping.

A U-shaped supporting member 64 of cardboard 'or like material is positioned adjacent the wrapped stack of cakes 52. The supporting member 64 has a body portion 66 which is adjacent the flat surface 53 formed by the cakes 52, a top end portion 68 which is disposed at an angle to the body portion 66 adjacent the upper end of the stack, and a similar bottom end portion 70 which is adjacent the lower end of the stack.

Each of the

end portions

68 and 70 contains circular cutouts 72 which are in alignment with the openings in the cakes, for a purpose to appear.

Formed integral with the top end portion 68 is an upwardly extending tab 74 which contains an opening 76 therein for suspending the package 50 from a support.

Disposed around the wrapped cakes 52 and the supporting member 64 is a tubular member 78 of regenerated cellulose. As described above, this member 78 is slipped over the cakes 52 and the body portion 66 of the supporting member 64 while it is wet and flexible, and after it dries it forms a rigid container for the cakes and also provides a second seal for the wrapping. The member 78 is slightly longer than the stacks of cakes 52 so that the ends of the member 78 shrink around the edges of the top and bottom end portions 68 and respectively of thesupporting member 64 (Fig. 13), so as tomaintain them securely against the ends of the stack. T If desirable, a sheet of cardboard or the-like, can be wrapped around-the front of the stackfrom one edge of the body portion 66, to its other edge. This provides a smooth surface for the tubular member 78 to bear against; thereby providing a package having abetter appearance.

To use the contents of the package 50, the cutouts 72 e are removed from the end portions of the supporting member'64, and'the cellophane wrapping over the openings 60 broken so as to expose the interior of the cakes 52' tojthe' atmosphere.

'As'shown in Fig. 13, the recesses 58 provide additional exposedsurface. Because these surfaces extend transversely from the opening 60.and prevent a direct flowof vap'or through the stack of cakes 52 the'rate of sublirnation is more uniform.

' Another modified form of package 80 embodying the teachings of the present invention isshown in Figs. 15m 18. This type ofpackage is'particularlyadvantageous for thepacka'ging of cylindrical shaped deodorantblocks Eachblock 82 hasan end surface 84 which flat and an end surface 86 which contains a bevelled edge 88 (or a groove similar to the groove 28 of the cake 22). I

As shown in Fig. 17, each block 82 is wrapped in two sheets of flexible air impervious material suchas cellophane, the edges of the two sheets overlapping so as to form. ascai. Manifestly, the blocks 82 can also be wrapped in the manner illustrated in either Figs.. 5 or 6,,

Discs 90 of cardboard or like material are disposed adjacent the ends of the stack-of blocks 82. Disposed around the stack of blocks 82 and the end discs 90is anelongated tubular member 92 of regenerated cellulose. I As described above, the member 92 is slippedover the blocks 82 while wet and when it 'driesit forms a rigid container for the blocks 82 and also providesa second seal for the wrapping. Even if the wrappings of the individual blocks 82 are not airtight, thermember 92 will prevent the escape of the vapor. v

The member '92 is slightly longer thanthe stacksof blocks 82 so that when the ends shrink they; form flangelike portions around the peripheries of the discs 90 v so as to maintain them securely in place against the ends-of the stack.

When the member 92 shrinks around the blocks. 82 it" aligns them and also forms a series of spaced annular indentations 94between adjacent blocks (Fig. 15'). These indentations are used as guides whenvsevering a block 82 from the remainder of the package as illustrated in Fig. 18. Thus, one block at a time can be removedfrom the package 80 without disturbing theairtight seal of the remainder of the blocks.

Also, because the container 80 is reduced in size. each time a block 82 is removed, the number of blocks remain; ing in the package canbe easily determined ata glance and additional packages ordered before the last few blocks are placed in use.

The discs 90 prevent the end portions from being broken in shipment and alsoprovide a surface for aflixing trade-marks, description of blocks, etc. Information and trade-marks can also be applieddirectlyto the surface of the tubing 92 and thereby obviate the necessity of separate stickers or tags being aflixed to its surface.

Thus the regenerated cellulose member 92 forms a container which is only a fraction of the weight and size of the containers in use at the present "time, which provides a second seal for the wrapping, and from which a single block can be removed without disturbing the airtight seal of the remainder of the package.

From the above it is apparent that there has been provided several forms of the present invention which fulfill all of the objects and advantages sought therefor;

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings have been given only by way ofillustration and example, and that changes and alterations in the present;disclosure,;which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the; art,,are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A package, comprising at least one cake of material; flexible material in sheet form totally enclosing the sides and the ends of said cake; and a tubular member disposed around said cake and a portion only of said flexible material at the ends of said cake in close engagement therewith so as to form a container for said cake, said tubular member being of a diameter greater than the diameter of said cake and made of a material which is initially wet and flexible and which stitfens and shrinks when it dries for sealing said sheet materialaround the cake.

2. A package, comprising a cake of material which sublimates at ordinary room temperature; flexible material in sheet form completely wrapped around said cake so as to form an enclosure therefor; a disc-like member disposed adjacent one end of the cake; a tubular member disposed about said cake in close and binding engagement therewith so as to form a container therefor,

the, end of the tubular member adjacent the disc-like member being flanged over the latter so as to hold it against the cake, said tubular member being of an initial diameter greater than the diameter of said .cakeand madeof a material whichis initially wet and flexible and which stiffens, shrinks and tightens against the cake when it dries for sealing said sheet material around the cake; and rneans for suspending the package from a support including a suspension device having one end which is held in fixed relationship between thecake and the tubular member. I i

13. Apackage; comprising a cake of material; sheets of flexible material disposed completelyaround the ends of thecake, the edges of the sheets being joined together so as to provide an enclosure for thecake and form a flange-like portion around the cake, the flange-like por- 'tion being disposed against the side of the cake; and a tubular member disposed around the cake and over the flange-like portionin close .and binding engagement therewith so as. to form a container for the cake and seal, the edges of the sheets offlexible material, against the cake,'said tubular member being of an initial diameter greaterthan the*diameter of said cake and made of -a mater-iallwhichis.initially wet'andflexibleand which stitfens, shrinks and tightens against the cake when it dries for sealing said sheet material around the cake.

; 4 ..A package, comprisinga plurality of cakes disposed one on top of the other, to form a column; flexible material in sheet form wrapped around the column so as to form an enclosure thereof; a supporting member having afbody portion disposed adjacent one side of the column,

the; ends of the supporting member extending at anangle to the body portion adjacent the ends of the column;

and a" tubular member disposed around the column and the body portion of the supporting member in close proximity thereto, the ends of the tubular member being flanged over at least a portion ofthe ends of the support- 1 a ing member toholdthem against the endsof the column, saidtubularmember being of an initial diameter greater than the diameter of said cakes and made of a material which is initially wet and flexible and which stitfens, shrinks and tightens against the'cakes when it dries for sealing said.sheetmaterialaround the cakes.

.5; A; package, comprising a plurality of cakes disposed one on top of the other to form a column; flexible materialin sheet form wrapped around the. column so as to form an enclosure therefor; a supporting member having abody portion disposed adjacent one side of the.

column, the ends of the supporting member extending at anangleto the body portion adjacent the ends of the columnaand a tubular member disposed around the column and the body portion of the supporting member in close proximity thereto, the ends of the tubular mem- '1 ber being flanged over at least a portion of the ends of the supporting member tohold them against the ends of the column, said tubular member being of an initial diameter greater than the diameter of said cakes and made of a material which is initially wet and flexible and which stitfens, shrinks and tightens against the cakes when it dries for sealing said sheet material around the cakes.

6. A package, comprising a plurality of cakes disposed one on top ofthe other to form a column; a passageway extending longitudinally through said column; a supporting member having a body portion disposed adjacent one side of thecolumn, the ends of the supporting member extending at an angle to the body portion adjacent the ends of the column and containing weakened portions in alignment with the ends of said passageway; flexible material in sheet form totally enclosing the sides and the exposed ends of said cakes in the column; and

a tubular member disposed around the column and the body portion of the supporting member in close proximity thereto, the ends of the tubular member being flanged over at least a portion of the ends of the supporting member to hold them against the ends of the column, said tubular member being of an initial diameter greater than the diameter of said cakes and made of a material which is initially wet and flexible and which stiffens, shrinks and tightens against the cakes when it dries for sealing said sheet material around the cakes.

7. A package, comprising a plurality of cakes disposed one on top of the other to form a column, at least some of the cakes having a ridge-like portion extending around at least one end thereof adjacent the periphery so as to provide chambers between adjacent cakes; a passageway extending longitudinally through said column interconnecting the chambers; a supporting member having a body portion disposed adjacent one side of the column, the ends of the supporting member extending at an angle to the body portion adjacent the ends of the column and containing weakened portions in alignment with the ends of said passageway; flexiblematerial in sheet form totally enclosing the sides and the exposed ends of said cakes in the column; and a tubular member disposed around the column and the body portion of the supporting member in close proximity thereto, the ends of the tubular member being flanged over at least a portion of the ends of the supporting member to hold them against the ends of the column, said tubular member being of an initial diameter greater than the diameter of said cakes and made of a material which is initially wet and flexible and which stifiens, shrinks and tightens against the cakes when it dries for sealing said sheet material around the cakes,

8. A package, comprising a plurality of cakes disposed one on top of the other to form a column, each of said cakes having flexible material in sheet form wrapped around it so as to form an enclosure therefor; annular grooves around the column between adjacent cakes; and a tubular member disposed around said cakes in close engagement therewith so as to form a container therefor having indentations between adjacent cakes, said tubular member being of an initial diameter greater than the diameter of said cakes and made of a material which is initially Wet and flexible and which stiflens, shrinks and tightens against the cakes when it driesfor sealing said sheet material around the cakes.

9. A package, comprising a plurality of cakes disposed one on top of the other to form a column, each of said cakes having a beveled end portion so as to provide annular peripheral grooves between adjacent cakesgflexible material in sheet form totally enclosing the sides and the exposed ends of said cakes in the column; and' a tubular member disposed around said cakes in close engagement therewith so as to form a container therefor having indentations between adjacent cakes, said tubular member being of an initial diameter greater than the diameter of said cakes and made of a material which is initially wet and flexible and which stifi'ens, shrinks and tightens against the cakes when it dries for sealing said sheet material around the cakes. i

10. A package, comprising a plurality of cakes disposed one on top of the other to form a column; flat disc-like members disposed adjacent the ends of the column; flexible material in sheet form totally enclosing the sides and the exposed ends of said cakes in 'the column; and an elongated tubular member disposed about the cakes in close engagement therewith so as to provide a container therefor, the ends of the tubular member being flanged around the edges of the disc-like members soas to hold them securely against the ends of the column, said tubular member being of an initial diameter greater than the diameter of said cakes and made of a material which is initially wet and flexible and which stiflfens, shrinks and tightens against the cakes when it-dries for sealing said sheetmaterial around the cakes.

1l.-A package comprising a cake of material; at least two sheets of material disposedover the ends of said cake to completely cover the same, said sheets being secured together at the side of said cake to form a flange-like portion therearound a disc-like member disposed 'over one end of said cake exteriorly'of the sheet material; a tubular member disposed about said cak e in close engagementtherewith and having flanged-over end portions bearing against the outer periphery of the ends of said cake in sealing relationship with the sheet material and said disc-like member, said tubular member being of an initial diameter greater than the diameter of said cake and made of a material which is initially wet' and flexible-and which stiffens, shrinks and tightens against the cake when it'dries for sealing said sheet material around the cake; and means for suspending the package from a support including a suspension device having one end which is held in fixed relationship between thecake and the tubular member.

' References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,334,34

- Boehm Mar. 23,

1,434,566 Sharp Nov. 7, 1922 1,578,066 Bolingbroke Mar. 23, 1926 1,757,530 Keim May 6, 1930 1,937,468 Talbot Nov. 28, 1933 2,029,131 Shoemaker Ian. 28, 1936 2,102,128 Replogle et al. Dec. 14,1937 2,298,779 Vogt Oct. 13, 1942 2,351,267 Irwin June 13, 1944 2,423,224 r Card July 1, 1947 2,474,166; 7 Ramsey, -Jr. June 21, 1949 2,477,274 Trecek July 26, 1949 2,547,687 Brody Apr. 3, 1951 2,547,688 Brody -5. Apr. 3, 1951 2 ,621,965 Bagley Dec. 16, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS .Great Britain Apr. 23, 1888