US2725177A - Collapsible cellular carton - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 29, 1955 w. H. lNMAN COLLAPSIBLE CELLULAR CARTON 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 5, 1953 .3 mm mm F \m mm mm R mw mw R mv kw N a IN VEN TOR. WILLIAM H. INMAN HIS ATTORNEY Nov. 29, 1955 w. H. lNMAN 2,725,177

COLLAPSIBLE CELLULAR CARTON Filed Jan. 5, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 HIS 4T 7' ORNE Y United States Patent CGLLAPSIBLE CELLULAR CARTON William H. lnman, Newark, N. Y., .assignor to. Bloomer Bros. Company, Newark, N. Y.,.a eorporation of New York Application January 5, 1953, Serial No. 329,624 10 Claims. (Cl. 229-28) This invention relates to cellular cartons of the variety made from cardboard or other suitable sheet material, for containingeggs orother fragile articles, one object of the invention being to provide an improved carton of the above character having a more simple, practical and efiicient construction affording a high degree of strength and resistance to crushing, particularly under vertical pressure on the carton or the contents thereof.

Another object is to provide a carton havingthe above advantages which is capable of being readily cut from sheet material, scored for folding, folded and. glued in collapsed condition, and of being easily swung to erected condition by. automatic machines of known construction.

A further object is to provide a carton of the above character having aform of construction which eliminates externally projecting supporting legs. or other irregular projections and presents smooth outer. wall surfaces when in erected condition so as to obviate entanglementwith one another and to facilitate. the stackingof quantities of the filled cartons.

Still a further object. is toprovideacarton having the above advantages which requires a minimumamount of material in proportion to its strength and which is capable ofbeing readily and economically manufactured.

To these and other ends-theinvention 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 theend ofthe specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a. blankofsheet material .cut, scored, and glued for foldingto form a carton. embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary planview of the top wall ofthe carton;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation showing the completed carton in the process of erection;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation.oftheerected. carton,.and

Fig. 5 is a. perspective. view showing. the. carton in erected condition.

This invention is an-improvementof the general .type of carton disclosed in my prior Patent No.. 2,55 6,088,, for the purpose of producing a stronger and more. practical, economical and convenient carton- The embodiment of the. present invention, hereindisclosed by way of illustration, preferably comprisesaonepiece blank, shown generally at 21, of cardboard or other suitable sheet material, cut, scored and glued for-folding, as shown in Fig. l. Theblank is shown in Fig, l with the outer surfaces ofthe carton uppermost inorder to: more clearly show the variouscut andscore lines wh-ich form the parts of the carton, hereafter described. The blank is adapted to be economically cut. from stockmaterial, and comprises in order, as shown in Fig,. l, alockingfiap 23, cover 25, rear wall 27, inner bottom cushioning plies 29 and 31, outer'b'ottom wall'33', long itudinal partition sections 35 and 37 outer bottom cushioning wall39;front Wall 41, top Wall 43and an attachingstrip 45;

The above sections of the blank are separated by score lines extending across the blank, as shown.=by multiple lining in the drawings, to facilitatefolding, as well understood in the art. Thetop. wall 43 is cutand. scored for the downfoldingof a series of cross orv transverse pal'titions having three different configurations, as shown at 47, 49 and 51 (Fig. 2), forseparating the carton. longitudinally into cells. Thus, the blank. is cut through alongv lines. 53 and scored along lines 55-to permit the downfolding of the cross partitions, as .shown. in Fig. 5, for-coaction with a central longitudinal partition, here.- after described, to divide. the carton into a dozen articlereceiving cells. The top wall hasa series of short, transversely-extending some lines .57 (Fig.2) located adjacent opposite sides thereof, which in conjunction with score lines, 55 form a series of substantially triangular hinge portions'59 (Fig. 2) about which thetransversepartitions may be swung to their downfolded positions, shown in Fig. 5

The'lower edges of the transverse partitions are preferably notched or slitted centrally, as at 61 (Fig. 2), for engagement with the longitudinal partition, hereafter described. Transverse partitions 51 are. each preferably provided-with a pair of short cuts. or slits 63 (Fig. 2) which in conjunction with centralslit 61 form a pair of tab portions which are adapted, to yield slightly as partitions 51 are. swung into engagement with the longitudinal partition for assisting. in the-frictional engagement therer between, as disclosedin myv prior Patents Nos. 2,277,327 and 2,556,088. The upper-edges. ofpartitions 49 and. 51 are preferably notched or slitted centrally, as ,at-65. (Fig. 2) for. allowing. theupper portions ofthe longitudinal partition to extend upwardly, throughjthe top Wall when the carton is in collapsed condition .as can be seenv from an inspection of the carton. in partially. collapsed con.- dition shown in Fig. 3. Eachcross partition is centrally scored longitudinally of the carton,,as .at 67 (Fig. 2.), in addition to slits 61 and -to facilitate the centralfoldingof the transverse partitions andthe top wall inthe collapsed condition of the carton, as hereafter more .fully described. The partitionsare preferably so arranged that, when the blank is turned over and. folded,,.the. three partitions adjacent the right endof the. blank, asshown inFig. 1, fold downwardly in a clockwise, direction totheir erected positions shown in Fig. 5, while the, remaining four partitions, are arranged to swing in acountercloch- Wise direction. to. their erected positions shown in Fig- 5.

The longitudinal partition members 35 and. 37 are formed with a series of cut-out-portions. or notches, as at 69 (Fig. 1) to provide, when erected, a series of notches in the upper portion of the. longitudinal partition. Notches 69 areopenat the upper ends thereof and. are arranged to. receive the transverse partitions which swing. down and engage the longitudinal partition in the slits 61 thereof. Partition Inernbers35 and 37 are. separated by an interrupted. score or fold line 71 (Fig. l) extendinglongitudinally ofthe carton, to assist in reverselyfolding the, partition members to their juxtaposed position shown in Figs. 4 and.5; Partitionmembers 35 and. 3.7 are separated, from theadjacent. outer bottom walls 33 and 39,.respectively, by, longitudinally extendingscore lines 73 and 75 (Fig. 1),.

The cartonis preferably providedwith a longitudinally. extending, inner bottomcushioning. section shown generally at 77 (Fig. 4). Inner bottom section 77 comprises a. lower. ply 31. which is separated, from. outer bottom wall 33. by alongitudinallyextendingscore line 79 (Fig. 1) and an upper ply 29 which is separated from lower ply 31 by a score line 81' and from rear, Wall 27 by a score line 83, as shown. in Fig. l; Innenbottorn plies. 29 and .31 are preferably provided with aband or strip of glue or other suitable adhesive, as at85 on the upper surfaces thereof, as viewed in Fig. 1, for securing the same together when reversely folded about score line 81 in the formation of inner bottom section 77. Longitudinal partition members 35 and 37 are preferably provided with glue or other suitable adhesive, as at 87, on the upper surfaces thereof, as viewed in Fig. l, for securing the same together when reversely folded along score line 71 in the formation of the double thickness, longitudinal partition shown in Figs. 35.

Top wall 43 is separated from front wall 41 and attaching strip 45 by irregular, longitudinally extending fold lines formed in part by the respective series of spaced cuts 53 and in part by the respective series of spaced score lines 55. Cover is separated from rear wall 27 by a score line 89 (Fig. l) and from locking strip 23 by a score line 91 (Fig. 1).

The folding and gluing of thecarton is preferably done as follows: The blank is passed through a gluing machine which applies glue or other suitable adhesive, as at 85, 87, and along the upper surface, as viewed in Fig. l, of attaching strip 45, as at 93. The blank is preferably broken along score lines 83, 81, 79, 75 and 73, and then plies 29 and 31 are reversely folded along score line 81 and adhesively secured together for forming the double-thickness inner bottom cushioning section 7'7. The blank is then reversely folded along score line 71, bringing members 35 and 37 into juxtaposed relationship for forming the double-thickness longitudinal partition as shown in Figs. 3-5. Thereafter, front wall 41 and top wall 43 are swung as a unit about a longitudinally extending score line 95 which separates the front wall from outer bottom cushioning wall 39. Front wall 41 and top wall 43 are swung upwardly so as to bring top wall 43 over the top of the longitudinal partition, where it is then reversely folded along score line 67, swinging attaching strip 45 downwardly against inner bottom upper ply 29. The parts are then swung to collapsed position bringing front wall 41 against outer bottom wall 39, and cover 25 and rear wall 27 are then folded upwardly along score line 83, bringing the rear wall into contact with attaching strip 45 to which it is securely held by adhesive 93.

The folding operation completed, the carton is in collapsed condition, substantially as shown in Fig. 3, and requires a minimum of space for storage nad shipment. The upper portion of the longitudinal partition extends upwardly through slits 61 and 65 in the corresponding transverse partitions beyond the longitudinal center line of the top wall, as shown in Fig. 3, so that once the carton is glued and folded, the parts will always remain in proper alignment and the carton may thereafter be quickly and easily erected without special operations or machines to hold the parts in position. That is, in erecting the carton, the transverse partitions may be forced downwardly into notches 69 of the longitudinal partition while said longitudinal partition is forced downwardly to move outer bottom wall 33 into substantially fiat position and to spread the front and rear walls to their positions shown in Fig. 4. At this point the transverse partitions are substantially horizontal and well below the top of the longitudinal partition, and may bereadily swung to their substantially vertical, erected position by hand or by known erecting devices, thereby completing the erection of the carton.

After filling, cover 25 is folded along score line 89 and locking flap 23 folded along score line 91 into depending position relative to cover 25. Flap 23 is provided with a series of locking hooks 97 and a tab 99 (Fig. l) which are moved downwardly into engagement with and between hinge portions 59, for securing the cover in closed position, as well understood in the art. The longitudinal partition is preferably of sufiicient height to engage and support the cover adjacent the longitudinal center thereof when the cover is swung to closed position, shown by broken lines in Fig. 4. Transverse partitions 47 and 49 are preferably provided along the rear edges thereof with small projecting lugs 101 (Fig. 2) which are adapted to engage the inner surface of the rear wall of the carton when the partitions are swung to erected position, as shown in Fig. 4, thereby increasing the frictional engagement between the partitions and the rear wall of the carton. Partitions 47 and 49 are preferably shaped so that the lower edges thereof engage the upper surfaces of outer bottom cushioning wall 39 and inner bottom ply 29 for holding inner bottom section 77 in its position shown in Fig. 4 and for increasing the frictional interengagement of the carton parts in the erected position thereof. Partitions 47, 49 and 51 are preferably so shaped that the front edges thereof engage the inner surface of the front wall when in their erected positions, as at 103 (Fig. 4), thereby increasing the frictional resistance holding partitions in their erected positions. Partitions 51 are each provided with slits 63 which, in conjunction with central slit 61, form a pair of substantially triangular tab portions adapted to bend and frictionally engage the longitudinal partition as the transverse partitions are swung into erected position. In addition, partitions 47 are preferably provided with a series of interrupted cut or slit lines arranged as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 for allowing partitions 47 to bow outwardly towards the adjacent end of the carton between the front wall and the longitudinal partition and between the longitudinal partition and the rear wall, thereby increasing the length of the end cells of the carton.

Partition members 35 and 37 are of different height, as shown in Fig. 4. Member 35 extends below member 37 and is connected to the substantially fiat outer bottom wall 33 while member 37 terminates at a distance spaced above the outer bottom of the carton and is connected to the upper edge of the inclined outer bottom cushioning wall 39, as shown in Fig. 4. The carton rests on bottom wall 33 and the corner formed by outer bottom wall 39 and front wall 41. Thus, if the carton is resting on a substantially flat surface, outer bottom wall 39 is held above this surface and due to its natural resiliency is free to bow or flex upwardly or downwardly under impact for providing a resilient cradling of the eggs or other contents in the front row of cells. Inner bottom section 77 is secured only along its outer edge to bottom wall 33 and rear wall 27, and, upon erection of the carton, it is swung downwardly into engagement with the longitudinal partition substantially as shown in Fig. 4.- Bottom section 77 is wider from front to rear than bottom wall 33 so that it will strike against the longitudinal partition at a point spaced above the juncture between bottom wall 33 and partition member 35. Although bottom section 77 is prevented from moving upwardly by partitions 47 and 49 and downwardly by its engagement with the longitudinal partition, it is free to bend or bow either upwardly or downwardly to absorb impacts imparted thereto and thereby forms a resilient cushion for the contents of the rear row of carton cells.

In addition to the above cradling action of outer bottom cushioning wall 39 and bottom section 77, inner bottom section 77, outer bottom wall 33 and the lower portion of partition member 35 below the inner edge of bottom section 77 form a truss-like construction of substantially triangular shape, which imparts considerable strength to the upper portions of the longitudinal partition, the transverse partitions, and through the longitudinal partition to the cover of the carton, when in its closed position, as shown by broken lines in Fig. 4. This construction strengthens the longitudinal partition and holds the same in substantially vertical position so that impacts or forces on the cover will be transmitted directly to the bottom of the carton either through the front and rear walls of the carton or through the longitudinal partition, without injuring the contents thereof. In addition, it increases the transverse strength of the carton.

amen-"r7 A further advantage of the'above constructionisthat there are no feet or other projections dependingbelow the outer bottom walls 33 and 39, so that'the outer surfaces of the carton are smooth and are not likely to engage or entangle one another.

Thus, it will be seen that my invention provides an improved carton having a smooth outer bottom and an inclined inner cushioning bottom which supports and cradles the contents. Inner bottom section 77 is so spaced from the corresponding outer bottom wall 33, and the inner edge of'outer bottom cushioning wall 39 is so supported above the lowermost edge of longitudinal partition member 35 that the carton provides a cushioning or cradling'bottom structure for each of the'twelve articlereceiving cells. As the cover of the carton is not only supported along the rear edge thereof by rear wall 27, and along the front edge thereof by front wall 41 and closure flap 23', but it is also supported midway between the front and rear edges thereof by the upper edge of the longitudinal partition, vertical loads thereon will be transmitted directly to the outer bottom of 'the carton without injury to the contents. My improved construction has the further advantages that the above construction is accomplished with a minimum of material, and the carton is of such type that it may be readily and economically manufactured and folded to collapsed, compact'condition for shipment or storage. Thereafter, the carton may be readilly erected by hand or by mechanical erecting devices to its condition shown in Figs. 4 and 5, sincethe top wall and longitudinal partition are continuously engaged and guided in movementupon' each other.

Thus, it will be seen thatth'e invention accomplishes its objects and, while it has been herein disclosedsby 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 cellular carton comprising ablank of'sheet material cut, scored and'folded to form front andrear side walls, an inner cushioning bottom section having an upper ply hingedly connected to one of said side walls along the lower edge thereof and extending upwardly; and inwardly adjacent the longitudinal center line ofthecarton, said inner bottom section having a lower ply hingedly connected to said upper ply along the inner edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly adjacent the bottom of said one of said side walls, an-outer bottom wall hingedly connected to said lower ply along the outer edge thereof and extending inwardly adjacent the longitudinal center of the carton, an upwardly extending longitudinal partition member hingedly connected. to said outer bottom wall adjacent the inner edge thereof, a second longitudinal partition member hingedly; connected to said first member along the upper edge thereof and extending downwardly adjacent the inner edge of said inner cushioning bottom section, an outer cushioning bottom wall hingedly connected to said second longitudinal partition member along the lower edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly, said outer cushioning bottom wall being foldably connected with the otherof said side walls along the lower edge thereof, and a top wall hinged to and connected with said front and rear walls and having therein a series of transverse partitions hingedly connected thereto and folded downwardly therefrom between said side walls and on oppo- 6 ing bottom section having an upper ply hingedly-connected" to' one of said-side walls-along the lower' edge thereof and extending upwardly and inwardly adjacent the longitudinal center lineaof the carton, said inner bottom section having a lower ply hingedly connectedto-said upper ply along the inner edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly adjacent the bottom of said one of said side walls, an outer bottom wall'hingedly connected to'said lower ply along the outer edge thereof and extending inwardly adjacent the longitudinal center of the carton, a longitudinal partition member hingedly connected to said outer bottom wall adjacent the inner edge thereof and extending upwardly in supporting-proximity to said cover, a second'longitudinal partition'member hingedly connected to said first member along the upper edge thereof and extending downwardly adjacent the inner edge of said inner cushioning bottomsection an outer cushioning bottom wall hingedly connected to said second longitudinal partition member along thelower. edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly, said outer cushioning bottom wall being foldably connected with the other of said sidewalls along the lower edge thereof, and a top wall hinged to and connected with said front and rear walls and having therein aseries of transverse partitions hingedly connected thereto and folded downwardly therefrom between said side walls and on opposite sides of said longitudinal partition to provide a plurality of cushioned article-receiving cellson each side of said longitudinal partition.

3. A cellular carton comprising a blank ofsheet material cut, scored and folded to form front and rear side walls, an inner cushioning bottom member having an upper ply hingedly connected to one of said side walls along the lower edge thereof and extending upwardly and inwardly adjacent the longitudinal central line of the-carton, said inner bottom section having a lower ply hingedly'connected to saidf'upper ply along the inner edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly adjacent the bottom of said one of said side walls, an outer bottom' wall hingedly connected to said lower ply along the outer edge thereof and extending inwardly adjacent the longitudinal center of the carton, an upwardly extending longitudinal partition member hingedly connected to said outer bottom wall adjacent the inner edge thereof, a second longitudinal partition memberhingedly connectedto said first member along-the'upper edge thereof and extendingdownwardly adjacent the inner edge of said inner cushioning bottom section, an outer cushioning bottom wall hingedly connectedto said second longitudinal partition along the lower edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly, saidouter cushioning bottom wall being foldably connected with the other of said side walls along the lower edge thereof, and a top wall hinged to said front wall and foldably connected with said rear wall, said top wall having therein aseries of transverse partitions hingedly connected thereto and folded downwardly therefrom between said side wallsand on opposite sides of said longitudinal partition to provide a plurality of cushioned article-receiving cells on each side of said longitudinal partition, said top wall being formed with a central longitudinal score line, whereby said top wall and transverse partitions may be folded upwardly in continuous engagement with said longitudinal partition while said bottom sections are foldable downwardly centrally about their respective lines of connection with the'longitudinal partition members for collapsing said carton to substantially fiat condition.

4. A cellular carton comprisinga blank of sheet material cut, scored and folded to form front and rear side walls, an inner'cushioning bottom section having an upper ply hingedly connected to one of said side walls along the lower edge thereof and extending upwardly and inwardly adjacent the longitudinal center line of the carton, said inner bottom section having a lower ply hingedly connected'to said upperply along the inner edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly adjacent the bottom of said one of said side walls, an outer bottom wall hingedly connected to said lower ply along the outer edge thereof and extending inwardly adjacent the longitudinal center of the carton, an upwardly extending longitudinal partition member hingedly connected to said outer bottom wall adjacent the inner edge thereof, a second longitudinal partition member hingedly connected to said first member along the upper edge thereof and extending downwardly adjacent the inner edge of said inner cushioning bottom section, an outer cushioning bottom wall hingedly connected to said second longitudinal partition member along the lower edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly, said outer cushioning bottom wall being foldably connected with the other of said side walls along the lower edge thereof, and a top wall hinged to and connected with said front and rear walls and having therein a series of transverse partitions hingedly connected thereto and folded downwardly therefrom between said side walls and on opposite sides of said longitudinal partition to provide a plurality of cushioned article-receiving cells on each side of said longitudinal partition, said inner cushioning bottom section being wider than said outer bottom wall and engaging the longitudinal partition above the juncture between said outer bottom wall and the longitudinal partition for holdingsaid inner cushioning bottom section in spaced relationship with said outer bottom wall adjacent the inner edge thereof, said inner cushioning bottom section, said outer bottom wall, and the lower portion of said longitudinal partition therebetween forming a relatively rigid, truss-like support of substantially triangular shape for firmly supporting said inner cushioning bottom section, said outer cushioning bottom wall and said longitudinal partition, with a smooth outer bottom surface for said carton.

5. A cellular carton comprising a blank of sheet material cut, scored and folded to form front and rear side walls, a cover hinged to said rear wall, an inner cushioning bottom section having an upper ply hingedly connected to one of said side walls along the lower edge thereof and extending upwardly and inwardly adjacent the longitudinal center line of the carton, said inner bottom section having a lower ply hingedly connected to said upper ply along the inner edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly adjacent the bottom of said one of said side walls, an outer bottom wall hingedly connected to said lower ply along the outer edge thereof and extending inwardly adjacent the longitudinal center of the carton, a longitudinal partition member hingedly connected to said outer bottom wall adjacent the inner edge thereof and extending upwardly in supporting proximity'to said cover, a second longitudinal partition member hingedly connected to said first member along the upper edge thereof and extending downwardly adjacent the inner edge of said inner cushioning bottom section, an outer cushioning bottom wall hingedly connected to said second longitudinal partition member along the lower edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly, said outer cushioning bottom wall being foldably connected with the other of said side walls along the lower edge thereof, and a top wall hinged to and connected with said front and rear walls and having therein a series of transverse partitions hingedly connected thereto and folded downwardly therefrom between said side Walls and on opposite sides of said longitudinal partition to provide a plurality of cushioned article-receiving cells on each side of said longitudinal partition, said inner cushioning bottom section being wider than said outer bottom wall and engaging the longitudinal partition above the juncture between said outer bottom wall and the longitudinal partition for holding said inner cushioning bottom section in spaced relationship with said outer bottom wall adjacent the inner edge thereof, said inner cushioning bottom section, said outer bottom wall, and the lower portion of said longitudinal partition therebetween forming a relatively rigid, truss-like support of substantially triangular shape for firmly supporting said inner cushioning bottom section, said outer cushioning bottom wall and said longitudinal partition, with a smooth outer bottom surface for said carton.

6. A cellular carton comprising a blank of sheet material cut, scored and folded to form front and rear side walls, an inner cushioning bottom section having an upper ply hingedly connected to said rear wall along the lower edge thereof and extending upwardly and inwardly adjacent the longitudinal center line of the carton, said inner bottom section having a lower ply hingedly connected to said upper ply along the inner edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly adjacent the bottom of said rear wall, an outer bottom wall hingedly connected to said lower ply along the outer edge thereof and extending inwardly adjacent the longitudinal center of the carton, an upwardly extending longitudinal partition member hingedly connected to said outer bottom wall adjacent the inner edge thereof, a second longitudinal partition member hingedly connected to said first member along the upper edge thereof and extending downwardly adjacent the inner edge of said inner cushioning bottom section, an outer cushioning bottom wall hingedly connected to said second longitudinal partition member along the lower edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly, said outer cushioning bottom wall being foldably connected with said front wall along the lower edge thereof, and a top wall hinged to and connected with said front and rear walls and having therein a series. of transverse partitions hingedly connected thereto and folded downwardly therefrom between said side walls and on opposite sides of said longitudinal partition to provide a plurality of cushioned article-receiving cells on each side of said longitudinal partition.

7. A cellular carton comprising a blank of sheet material cut, scored and folded to form front and rear side walls, a cover hinged to said rear wall, an inner cushioning bottom section having an upper ply hingedly connected to said rear wall along the lower edge thereof and extending upwardly and inwardly adjacent the longitudinal center line of the carton, said inner bottom section having a lower ply hingedly connected to said upper ply along the inner edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly adjacent the bottom of said rear wall, an outer bottom wall hingedly connected to said lower ply along the outer edge thereof and extending inwardly adjacent the longitudinal center of the carton, a longitudinal partition member hingedly connected to said outer bottom wall adjacent the inner edge thereof and extending upwardly in supporting proximity to said cover, a second longitudinal partition member hingedly connected to said first member along the upper edge thereof and extending downwardly adjacent the inner edge of said inner cushioning bottom section, an outer cushioning bottom wall hingedly connected to said second longitudinal partition member along the lower edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly, said outer cushioning bottom wall being foldably connected with said front wall along the lower edge thereof, and a top wall hinged to and connected with said front and rear walls and having therein a series of transverse partitions hingedly connected thereto and folded downwardly therefrom between said side walls and on opposite sides of said longitudinal partition to provide a plurality of cushioned article-receiving cells on each side of said longitudinal partition.

8. A cellular carton comprising a blank of sheet material cut, scored and folded to form front and rear side walls, an inner cushioning bottom member having an upper ply hingedly connected to said rear wall along the lower edge thereof and extending upwardly and inwardly adjacent the longitudinal central line of the carton, said inner bottom section having a lower ply hingedly connected to said upper ply along the inner edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly adjacent the bottom of said rear wall, an outer bottom wall hingedly connected to said lower ply along the outer edge thereof and extending inwardly adjacent the longitudinal center of the carton, an upwardly extending longitudinal partition member hingedly connected to said outer bottom Wall adjacent the inner edge thereof, a second longitudinal partition member hingedly connected to said first member along the upper edge thereof and extending downwardly adjacent the inner edge of said inner cushioning bottom section, an outer cushioning bottom wall hingedly connected to said second longitudinal partition along the lower edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly, said outer cushioning bottomwall being foldably connected with said front wall along the lower edge thereof, and a top wall hinged to said front wall and foldably connected with said rear wall, said top wall having therein a series of transverse partitions hingedly connected thereto and folded downwardly therefrom between said side walls and on opposite sides of said longitudinal partition to provide a plurality of cushioned article-receiving cells on each side of said longitudinal partition, said top wall being formed with a central longitudinal score line, whereby said top wall and transverse partitions may be folded upwardly in continuous engagement with said longitudinal partition while said bottom sections are foldable downwardly centrally about their respective lines of connection with the longitudinal partition members for collapsing said carton to substantially flat condition.

9. A cellular carton comprising a blank of sheet material cut, scored and folded to form front and rear side walls, an inner cushioning bottom section having an upper ply hingedly connected to said rear wall along the lower edge thereof and extending upwardly and inwardly adjacent the longitudinal center line of the carton, said inner bottom section having a lower ply hingedly connected to said upper ply along the inner edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly adjacent the bottom of said rear wall, an outer bottom wall hingedly connected to said lower ply along the outer edge thereof and extending inwardly adjacent the longitudinal center of the carton, an upwardly extending longitudinal partition member hingedly connected to said outer bottom wall adjacent the inner edge thereof, a second longitudinal partition member hingedly connected to said first member along the upper edge thereof and extending downwardly adjacent the inner edge of said inner cushioning bottom section, an outer cushioning bottom wall hingedly connected to said second longitudinal partition member along the lower edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly, said outer cushioning bottom wall being foldably connected with said front wall along the lower edge thereof, and a top wall hinged to and connected with said front and rear walls and having therein a series of transverse partitions hingedly connected thereto and folded downwardly therefrom between said side walls and on opposite sides of said longitudinal partition to provide a plurality of cushioned article-receiving cells on each side of said longitudinal partition, said inner cushioning bottom section being wider than said outer bottom wall and engaging the longitudinal partition above the juncture between said outer bottom wall and the longitudinal partition for holding said inner cushioning bottom section in spaced relationship with said outer bottom wall adjacent the inner edge thereof, said inner cushioning bottom section, said outer bottom wall, and the lower portion of said longitudinal partition therebetween forming a relatively rigid, truss-like support of substantially triangular shape for firmly supporting said inner cushioning bottom section, said outer cushioning bottom wall and said longitudinal partition, with a smooth outer bottom surface for said carton.

10. A cellular carton comprising a blank of sheet material cut, scored and folded to form front and rear side walls, a cover hinged to said rear wall, an inner cushioning bottom section having an upper ply hingedly connected to said rear wall along the lower edge thereof and extending upwardly and inwardly adjacent the longitudinal center line of the carton, said inner bottom section having a lower ply hingedly connected to said upper ply along the inner edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly adjacent the bottom of said rear wall, an outer bottom wall hingedly connected to said lower ply along the outer edge thereof and extending inwardly adjacent the longitudinal center of the carton, a longitudinal partition member hingedly connected to said outer bottom wall adjacent the inner edge thereof and extending upwardly in supporting proximity to said cover, a second longitudinal partition member hingedly connected to said first member along the upper edge thereof and extending downwardly adjacent the inner edge of said inner cushioning bottom section, an outer cushioning bottom wall hingedly connected to said second longitudinal partition member along the lower edge thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly, said outer cushioning bottom wall being foldably connected with said front wall along the lower edge thereof, and a top wall hinged to and connected with said front and rear walls and having therein a series of transverse partitions hingedly connected thereto and folded downwardly therefrom between said side walls and on opposite sides of said longitudinal partition to provide a plurality of cushioned article-receiving cells on each side of said longitudinal partition, said inner cushioning bottom section being wider than said outer bottom wall and engaging the longitudinal partition above the juncture between said outer bottom wall and the longitudinal partition for holding said inner cushioning bottom section in spaced relationship with said outer bottom wall adjacent the inner edge thereof, said inner cushioning bottom section, said outer bottom wall, and the lower portion of said longitudinal partition therebetween forming a relatively rigid, truss-like support of substantially triangular shape for firmly supporting said inner cushioning bottom section, said outer cushioning bottom wall and said longitudinal partition, with a smooth outer bottom surface for said carton.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,836,100 McWilliams Dec. 15, 1931 2,374,382 Rutledge Apr. 24, 1945 2,460,020 Lupton Jan. 25, 1949 2,634,898 Inman Apr. 14, 1953

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