US2750100A - Container - Google Patents

Description

B. GREISMAN June 12, 1956 CONTAINER Filed Aug. 25, 1953 6'0 64 78 7&

. nite i This invention relates generally to containers and more particularly to those especially adapted for carrying articles such as vegetables and fruits which are further protected by a cellophane or similar transparent film Wrapper.

It is known in the art to provide a device generally of this character, commonly referred to as a tray, and which forms a semi-rigid support for a plurality of articles, in turn covered by a thin protective wrapping. The tray gives physical support to both the articles and to the clear Wrapping about it, so that the product may be easily viewed, carried, and stored by the user.

It is desirable in a device of the present character that the same be compact prior to use, and so it is therefore among the objects of the present invention to provide a tray-like container which is no thicker than the cardboard of which it is composed when it is in a flattened state.

Since the present device serves only a temporary function of supporting the article which it carries until the article is used, it is highly desirable that the device be produced at low cost, and another object herein lies in the provision of such device using a minimum of planar material for a given size.

Another object herein is to provide a container of the class described, which although delivered to the user in a flattened state, is easily and quickly set up, and which when erected, substantially maintains its shape and strength without the use of any adhesives.

Another object lies in the provision of a container, which when set up, has a plurality of parts which snap into interengagement with a locking action.

A feature of the present construction is that since the board, which is cut away from the rectangular blank represents a loss or waste, a minimum of such cutting away occurs, and consequently a box of maximum strength is provided, even when the cardboard or other planar material of which it is composed is of relatively light weight.

Another feature of the present construction is desirable in that by virtue of the simplicity of the set up operations, the same may be performed by comparatively simple automatic machinery.

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages will more fully appear in the progress of this disclosure and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a top plan view of a blank of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing a first step in the erection of the container.

Figure 3 is a perspective view comparable to Figure 2, showing an ensuing step.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view corresponding generally to Figure 3, and showing a following step in erection.

States Patent Ofiice 2,750,100 Patented June 12, 1956 Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the container fully set up.

Figure 6 is an elevational view as might be seen from a point rearwardly of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an elevational view reduced in size, showing a finished set up container.

As in accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, is formed from a blank 11 of substantially planar material. The material may be relatively flexible cardboard, wellknown in the art, which when bent and folded, produces a semi-rigid container. The blank is best seen in Figure 1 where the dot-dash lines indicate lines along which the blank has a predisposition to bend or told. This is produced in any suitable manner Well-known in the box making field, as for example, by spaced perforations or slits, or by scoring or embossing. \Vhile the device may be used in any suitable position, for clarity in description, the edge 12 may be referred to as a front edge. The blank, therefore, also includes a rear edge 13, and end edges 14 and 15. The base 16 lies between the fold line 17 and the fold line 13, and between fold lines 19, 20 and cut 21 on the left, and fold lines 22, 23, and the cut 24 on the right.

Extending to the left of the cut 21 is the end wall 25, the fold line 26 and the top flap 27. Similarly, extending to the right of the cut 24 is the end wall 28, the fold line 29 and the top flap 30. The lines 17 and 18 are preferably substantially parallel, While the fold lines 19 and 20, and 22 and 23 are substantially parallel, and at right angles to the lines 17 and 13. Front wall 31 and rear wall 32 lie between the fold lines 17 and 13, and the edges 12 and 13 respectively, at their ends extend to the fold lines 33*40, inclusive, respectively, and the elongated orifices 41-44 inclusive, respectively.

Extending inwardly from the outer ends of the edges 14 and 15, are inwardly directed cuts 45, 46, 47, 48, which extend to the juncture of the tab fold lines 43-52, inclusive, with the end wall fold lines 53-56, inclusive. The cuts 4548 are substantially colinear with the fold lines 5356, respectively, so that they converge in the direction of the edges 14 and 15. Disposed between the fold lines 33, 37, 35, 39, and the fold lines 49-52, respectively, and outwardly of the fold lines 53-56 respectively, are the gusset portions 57, 58, 59, 60. Each of the gusset members has a V-shaped indentation 61-64 respectively, one edge of which indentation being colinear with the diagonal fold lines 6568.

Disposed outwardly of the cuts 4548 and the fold lines 49-52, respectively, are the locking tabs 71-74. The locking tabs ll-74 have outer longitudinal edges 75-78, while their end edges are of irregular configuration best seen in Figure 1, having the locking projections 79-82 respectively, and the locking tips 8386.

Since the right hand end of the container is substantially identical with the left hand end, for the purpose of avoiding needless repetition, a detailed description is given here with respect to the left hand end.

As seen in Figure 2, the gusset portions 57 and 58 are pushed inwardly toward each other, that is to say, toward the central longitudinal axis of the blank 11. This will cause elevation of the front wall 31 and the rear wall 32, as well as elevation of the end wall 25. At the same time, further folding of the gusset members about the then inwardly moving fold lines 65 and 66 is obtained by pivoting the end wall 25 about the fold lines 19 and 20. Simultaneously, the convex portion of the cut 21 swings downwardly about the fold lines 19 and 20 as an axis, to produce the opening 85 (Figure 3).

The parts at this stage may appear as seen in Figure 3.

Next, the locking tabs 71 and 72 are brought inwardly and downwardly about the folding lines 49 and 50, re spectively, in the direction of the arrows 86 on Figure 4. Because the effective width of the locking tabs 71 and 72 (transversely of the device across the long axis thereof) is greater than the total width of the base 16, and they swing inwardly about the fold lines 53 and 54 as an axis, and these lines converge toward each other, the locking tabs 71 and 72 will overlap, and the parts will appear as seen in Figure 4. Further movement of said tabs in the direction of the arrows 86 will result in the projections 79 and S0 snapping into the opening 85, and in the locking tips 83 and 84, snapping into the openings 41 and 43, whereupon the parts appear as seen in Figure 5.

Preferably after the projections 79 and 80, and the locking tips 83 and 84 have been secured, the top flap 27 is bent through 90 degrees so that it may take the position as seen in Figure 5. As viewed from the left end, the device 10 will now appear as seen in Figure 6. The protuberation of the projections 79 and 80, and the locking tips 83 and 84 on Figure 6, is exaggerated for purposes of clarity in the drawing. Actually, it is desirable that these parts interlock sufficiently so that normal container distortions will not result in unseating them. Excess projection may have a deleterious effect upon the exterior wrapping (not shown).

The taper of the cuts 45 and 46, and of the fold lines 53 and 54, is well seen in Figure 6. Here the taper is not so much as to greatly affect the protection alforded by the end of the container to the contents 9, and particularly where these are round objects, such as apples or tomatoes, their generally round shape somewhat conforms to said taper. Yet this taper is sutficient to enable the locking tabs 71 and 72 to overlap and partially cross over to produce increased thickness, firmness and protection at the end of the box.

It may thus be seen that I have disclosed a novel and useful container, which although it may be manufactured at low cost, provides substantial protection for the contents with increased convenience and strength.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. Container construction comprising: a base; a front wall and a rear wall foldably connected to said base; an end wall foldably connected to said base; said container having an opening between said base and said end wall; a pair of gusset portions interconnecting said end wall with said front and rear walls respectively; said container having a pair of elongated orifices disposed between front and rear walls and said gusset portions; a pair of locking tabs extending from said gusset portions; said locking tabs each having a projection at a corner thereof, and a locking tip in spaced relationship with respect to said projection at a second corner thereof; said gusset portions being inwardly foldable toward said base to elevate said end wall; said locking tabs being downwardly foldable in lapped interrelation, the projections being insertible into said opening, and the locking tips being insertible into said elongated orifices.

2. Container construction comprising: a base; a front wall and a rear wall foldably associated with said base; a tapered end wall foldably associated with said base; said container having an opening between said base and said end wall; a pair of gusset portions interconnecting said front wall and end wall, and rear wall and end wall, respectively; said container having a pair of elongated orifices disposed between said front and rear wall and said gusset portions; a pair of locking tabs extending from said gusset portions, said locking tabs each having a projection disposed at a corner thereof, and a locking tip in spaced relationship with respect to said projection at a second corner thereof; said gusset portions being inwardly foldable toward said base to elevate said end wall; said locking tabs being downwardly foldable in lapped interrelation, the projections being insertible into said opening, and the locking tips being insertible into said elongated orifices.

3. Container construction comprising: a base; a front wall and a rear wall foldably associated with said base; a tapered end wall foldably associated with said base; said container having an opening between said base and said end wall; a pair of gusset portions interconnecting said front wall and end wall, and rear wall and end wall, respectively; said container having a pair of elongated orifices disposed between said front and rear wall and said gusset portions; a pair of locking tabs extending from said gusset portions, and lying in overlapping re lationship; said locking tabs each having a projection disposed at a corner thereof, and a locking tip in spaced relationship with respect to said projection at a second corner thereof; said gusset portions being inwardly foldable toward said base to elevate said end wall; said locking tabs being downwardly foldable in lapped inter relation, the projections being insertible into said opening, and the locking tips being insertible into said elon gated orifices.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,591,500 Bloomer Apr. 1, 1952 2,643,813 Vines June 30, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 468,706 Canada Oct. 10, 1950

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