US2758777A - Box or case - Google Patents

Description

A. L. DIXON BOX OR CASE Aug. 14, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 21,' 1951 INVENTOR.

ALBERT Lef DvxoN 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENToR.

A. L. DIXON BOX OR CASE ALBERT LEE DlxoN Altar/7e3( Aug. 14, 1956 Filed March 21, 1951 A. L. DIXON BOX OR CASE Aug. 14., 1956 5 Sheets-$heet 5 Filed March 2l. 1951 n INVENTOR. vALBERT 5E D/xoN BY Ate-arej BOX R CASE Albert Lee Dixon, Cheviot, Ohio Application March 2'1, 1951, Serial No. 216,720

14 Claims. (Cl. 229-27) This invention relates to improvements in boxes or cases and particularly to multicellular and sectional boxes or cases.

Packaged goods are put up in boxes or cases of definite quantities for resale purposes in either the case ylot or a definite division of the case lot such as a half case or quarter case. In the past, it has been customary to utilize an exterior case or container in which would be placed four cartons each containing one-fourth of a full case of packaged goods. Subsequent purchasers may desire the full case or one or more of the carton-s from a case, in which latter event the seller could break 'open the case and extract the desired number of cartons. It will readily be appreciated that utilizing live cartons and cases or boxes with the usual attendant printing requires a considerable amount of paper or cardboard and can be quite expensive due to the setting up of the individual cartons or boxes and the individual printing thereof.

The present invention contemplates the provision yof a ca-se or box which will answer the purpose of full case sales or partial case sales without the seller breaking open a full case and dispensing piecemeal packages and at the same time the present invention contemplates the said part case being duly and appropriately packaged for carrying away by the purchaser.

It is therefore the principal object Iof the present invention to provide a unitary box or case that may be divided for -subsequent sales as part cases.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a box or case that will accomplish the foregoing 'object and in which the part case is appropriately packaged and sealed for transportation and without any additional sealing or wrapping or packaging thereof by the dispenser.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a box or case formed from a single blank for accomplishing the foregoing yobjects and that is set up and ready for use without further erection by the filler and after sealed may be dispensed as a unit or as a fractional part of the unit without breaking the seal or providing additional seals.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a box or case for accomplishing the foregoing objects that is economical to produce, acquire, and use.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and it is to be understood that any modifications may be made in the exact structural details there shown and described, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from or exceeding the spirit of the invention.

ln the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an erected box `or case embodying the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the erected box or case of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal transverse sectional view through the erected case as seen from line 3 3 on Fig. l.

nted States Patent O 2,758,777 Patented Aug. 14, 1956 rqfice Fig. l is an enlarged vlongitudinal sectional view through the erected box or case as seen from line 4 4 on Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional View through the box or case as seen from line 5-5 on Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is an extended plan View of a blank from which the box or case of Fig. l is formed.

Fig. 7 i-s a view showing the case or box partially erected and partially knocked down for clearly illustrating the erection steps from the blank of Fig. 6 to the erected box yor case of Fig. l.

Fig. 8 is an extended plan View of a portion of a blank showing modifications therein over the blank of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary View of a partially erected box or case from the modified blank of Fig. 8.

Fig. l0 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View through the modified box as seen from line 10-10 yon Fig. 9.

Fig. 1l is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View through the modified box or case as seen from line 111 on Fig. 9.

Throughout the -several views of the drawings similar reference characters are employed to denote the same `or similar parts.

As was noted above, the box or case of the present invention is for use in those instances where packaged goods are sold either in case lots or in partial case lots. One instance of such use would be bottled goods, such as, soft drinks, beer, and the like, generally packaged twenty-four bottles to -a case and frequently purchased by the full case, `one-half case or quarter case; the quarter case meaning six bottles while the half case would include a dozen bottles.

The multicellular box or case in its fully set up condition is illustrated in Fig. l and indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 15 and comprises the four quarter cases or cells indicated by the reference numerals 16, 17, 18 and 19. It should be noted that the box or case 15 is fully and completely set up from a single blank, such as 2t) in Fig. 6, and which will now be described in detail.

The blank 20 is symmetrical and may be said to embody four substantially identical quadrants or portions 16', 17', 18 and 19 with each quadrant or p-ortion joined to its adjacent quadrant or portion in such manner that after erection of the blank into a single box for case the individual cells may be readily separated. For example, blank quadrant 16 is connected with its adjacent blank quadrants 17 and 19 through, respectively, attaching strips which have, respectively, weakened lines 21 and 22 which may conveniently be lines of perforations or slits; the blank quadrant 17 being joined with its adjacent blank quadrant 16' through the aforementioned attaching strip and being further connected with its adjacent quadrant 13 through `an attaching strip which has therein the weakcned line or perforations 23; the blank quadrant 1S is likewise connected with its adjacent quadrants 17 and 19 through the aforementioned attaching strip having the weakened line or perforations 2? and the additional attaching strip has the weakened line or perforatious 24, and the remaining blank quadrant 19 is joined to its adjacent blank quadrants 16' and 18' through the attaching strips which, respectively, have the aforementioned weakened lines or perforations 22 and 24. Since each of the several blank quadrants are substantially identical it is deemed suicient if but one of the said quadrants be described in detail.

Accordingly, the blank quadrant 16 is provided with a panel 25 which forms the base or bottom of the cell 16 and has its edges defined by score or fold lines 26, 27, 28 and 29. The score or fold lines 27 and 29 may be termed the sides of the base panel 25, since they are longer than the score or fold lines 26 and 2S, and the said Score or fold lines 27 and 29 integrally, hingedly connect, respectively, with the bottom or base panel the panels or cell side walls 3i) and The cell side wall 31 has integrally, hingedly connected with it through the score or fold line 32 a panel 3d, which, in the erected box or case forms the cover for the cell 16.

The base panel 25 has integrally, hingedly connected therewith through the end edges score or fold lines 26 and 2S, respectively, panels 35 and 36 which form the cell end walls. The cell end walls 35 and 36, respectively, have their vertical edges defined by score or fold lines 37 and 38 and 39 and iti whereby the cell end wall 35 has integrally, hingedly connected with its respective vertical side edges glue flaps il and 42, while the cell end wall 36 has likewise integrally, hingedly connected with its vertical edges glue flaps 43 and 44. The cell end wall 3S in addition has integrally, hingedly connected therewith through a score or fold line i5 a iiap or panel 46 which in the erected box or case forms a part of the cover for the cell 16 as will be subsequently rnade clear.

As noted above, the several quadrants are joined to one another by connecting strips, that between the blank quadrant 16 and 17 extending between cells side walls and being embraced between the score or fold line 47, dening the upper end of the side wall 311i of the cell 16, and the score or fold line 57' defining the upper end of the corresponding side wall 3) of the cell 17. The said strip between the score or fold lines 47 and 47', identied by the reference character 43, is provided with the weakened line or perforations 21 at substantially the midpoint and is provided between itself and the score or fold line 47 with a score or fold line 49 and the said strip is further provided with a score or fold line 49 between the weakened line or perforations 21 and the score or fold line 47. An additional connecting strip connects the blank quadrant 16 with the blank quadrant 19 and is identified by reference character 5t) which extends between the score or fold line 51, defining the upper end of end wall 36 of cell 16 and a corresponding score or fold line 51 defining the upper end of corresponding end wall 36 of cell 19. The weakened line or perforations 22 are disposed substantially at the center of the strip Sti with said strip 50 having a score or fold line 52 between the score or fold line 5l and weakened line or perforations 22 and with a further score or fold line 52 between the weakened line or perforations 22 and score or fold line 51.

Each of the blank quadrants 17', 18 and 19 are similarly cut and scored with the blank quadrant 17 in addition to its connection with the blank quadrant 16 through the strip 48 connected with the blank quadrant 18 by a connecting strip 5@ and the blank quadrant 18 is further connected with the blank quadrant 19 through a connecting strip d5. From the foregoing, it will now be appreciated that each of the blank quadrants is substantially identical with said quadrants being connected with adjacent quadrants in substantially identical manner.

The blank 24D is, either, now or had been previously suitably printed, lithographed, or the like, on one side thereof, for the purpose of this description it is presumed that the said printing, lithographing, or the like, was placed on the lower side of the blank as seen in Fig. 6. The blank is now provided with adhesive on the exposed faces of the cells side walls 3) and 31 or the adhesive is applied to the lower faces of the glue ilaps d1, 42, t3 and 44, as seen in Fig. 6, whereupon the glue flaps are arranged to be at right-angles to the cells side walls and the said cell side walls successively raised to be normal to the cell bottom panel, as illustrated by cell side wall glue flaps 43 and lland cell end wall 36 of the blank quadrant 19 in Fig. 7. The glue flaps S1 and 42 are next arranged to be normal to the cell end wall 35 and said parts are now raised to be normal to the cell base or bottom 25 whereupon the cell side walls 31 and 32 are raised and the adhesive between the glue aps and said cell side walls engaged. lt will be appreciated that this setting Cri up is done automatically on suitable machinery and that prior to the engagement of the glue flaps with the cell side walls the connecting strip 48 between the said side walls is folded as will now be described The strip 48 is folded on the score or fold line i7 so that the panel 53, between the score or fold lines 47 and 49, lies inwardly of the cell and parallel with and over the cell base or bottom 25 whereupon the strip 48 is re versely folded on the score or fold line 49 so that the panels 54 and S5, respectively between the score or fold line 49 and the weakened lines or perforations 2i and between the weakened line or perforation 21 and the score or fold line 49', are parallel with the cell base or bottom 25 to extend outwardly beyond the said cell side wall 30. The strip 48 is then, again, reversely folded so that the panel 53', between the score or fold lines 45) and 47', is inwardly of and parallel with and overlies the base or bottom 25 of the adjacent cell. The said cells are now erected or set up as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 1 except that the cover aps 46 and 3ft are in the positions illustrated in phantom lines for the cell 17 in 1Fig. 7, and respectively indicated by reference numerals 34 and 46.

The connecting strip 5t) between the end walls of adjacent cells, cells 16 and 19 for example, is folded and arranged in the same manner as the above description with respect to the connecting strip 48 so that the panel 56, between score or fold lines 51 and 52, inwanly and overlies the base or bottom 25 of cell 16 and the panel 57 between score or fold lines 52 and 52 extends outwardly toward the cell 19 with the panel 5S, between the score or fold lines 52 and 51', inwardly of and overlying the bottom or base 25 of the said cell 19.

With the parts in this position each cell is provided inwardly of its end walls and inwardly of the cells side` walls that are adjacent one another with a ange, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 7. It is in this position of the parts that the box or case is supplied to the user to have inserted therein the packaged goods for subsequent shipment to a retailer for retail sale. It should be noted that the panels 55 and 57, respectively between adjacent cell side walls and adjacent cell end walls, is of such a dimension that a slight space 59 is provided between the cells and in order to prevent the cells from having their lower ends outwardly displaced from one another' a band (G is provided to encircle the erected box or case; said. band may conveniently take the form of gummed paper tape of a toughness that would not be ruptured in normal use and this band is preferably placed near the lower ends of the said box or case and its cells.

The user after lling the several cells turns onto the tops of the goods therein the several glue deps d6 and then runs the box or case through a sealing or gluing machine which applies glue or adhesive to the said glue flaps 46 or the cover flaps 34 and closes. the said cover aps 34 onto the glue tlaps with said cover aps 3ft, each, having the edges that lie inwardly of the complete case or box on the inner end and side wall inwardly projecting flange, whereupon the lled box or case is shipped to the retailer. The retailer in order to dispose of a partial case would sepH arate the necessary cells from one another by separating them along the weakened lines or perforations in the several connecting strips 48 and 50. This is possible, as seen in Fig. l, because the adjacent edges of the cells covering flaps 34 are spaced from one another to expose therebetween the portions of the connecting strips that have therein said weakened lines or perforations and which can be readily broken by any suitable instrument, keen or blunt, that would be handy and of a nature tougher than the paper board of which the box or case is formed. In other words, if a purchaser desired a half case the weakened lines or perforations 21 and 2d, or the weakened lines 22 and 23, would be broken whereupon two units would result comprising cells 16 and 19, 17 and 18, 16 and 17 or'13 and 19. In the event a quarter case was desired the weakened lines or perforations ad jacent either of the cells would be broken to separate this cell from the remaining three. It is of course understood that the band 60 would likewise be broken.

With the blank as above described a desirable and advantageous glue flange is provided which projects inwardly of each cell as clearly illustrated in Fig. 7 and to which, as set forth above, an end and side edge of the cover ap would be secured for providing a completely sealed cell and therefore a completely sealed box or case. In the event that it is not desired to have the inwardly projecting flange each quadrant of the blank may be modified as illustrated in Fig. 8 and from which blank there has been eliminated the panels 53 and 56 and in which the panels S and S7 have been materially reduced, insofar as width is concerned. In this modification the said connecting strips 48 and 50 are adapted to respectively extend directly outwardly of the cells adjacent side and end walls without irst being folded inwardly of said adjacent cells. The said connecting strips provide the space 59 between cells so that the instrument for breaking the weakened lines or perforations between the cells has space in which to operate.

It should be understood that this space 59 is very minute and may be provided simply by the inherent resistance to bending of the material of which the box or case is formed. ln the modified blank of Fig. 8 the same steps are gone through insofar as assembly or setting up of the box or case is concerned, except those necessitated by the folding of the connecting strips 48 and 50 to provide the inward projecting flange. The modified carton from the blank of Fig. 8 is effectively sealed through the edges of the cover iiaps 34 engaging the connecting strip between the several cells although this engagement is on a narrower band than would be provided by the lianges of the blank of Fig. 6, and requires more accuracy in cutting the blank and in positioning the cover flaps on the cells.

it is customary to provide means for carrying the case through a hand or finger grip and this can be readily accomplished by providing the case or carton end walls with linger apertures. As shown in the drawings, each cell has its outer end wall or panel provided with a pair of apertures 6i and 62 properly spaced to receive a persons lingers. By judiciously positioning said apertures an aperture of of each cell may be employed for carrying a full case while for carrying a half case the apertures in one cell only would be employed, these conditions are clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 wherein the holes or apertures 62 in cells 18 and 19 are spaced from one another substantially the same distance as said holes or apertures 62 are respectively spaced from its companion aperture 6l in its cell, wherefore it is obvious to carry a full case the holes or apertures 62 of each of two adjacent cells would be employed while to carry a quarter case or a half case the holes or apertures 61 and 62 in either cell would be employed.

From the foregoing, it is believed now obvious that there has been provided a box or case composed of a plurality of separable cells or units which can be employed together as a single unit or may be separated into parts and each part be a unit in itself. It is further believed obvious that the objects initially set forth have been otherwise accomplished.

What is claimed is:

l. In a box or case of the class described comprising a plurality of unit cells each unit cell including a bottom, side and end walls upstanding from said bottom, and a top flap from at least one of said side and end walls of each cell foldable onto the upper edges of the remaining walls of each said cell and sealed in said folded position, said cells being arranged adjacent one another and with a wall of each cell adjacent a wall of the next cell, and a severable connecting strip integral with and joining an end of each said adjacent cell wall, said severable strip being below the sealed top ap of each cell for joining the cells to one another, and said strip being severable to separate the sealed cells from one another.

2. In a box or case of the class described comprising a plurality of unit cells each unit cell including a bottom, side and end walls upstanding from said bottom, and a top ap from at least one of said side and end walls of each cell foldable onto the upper edges of the remaining walls of each said cell and sealed in said folded position, said cells being arranged adjacent one another and with a wall of each cell adjacent a wall of the next cell, and a severable connecting strip integral with and joining an end of each said adjacent cell wall, said severable strip being below the sealed top ilap of each cell for joining the cells to one another, said strip having a weakened line of demarcation therein severable to separate the sealed cells from one another.

3. In a box or case of the class described comprising a plurality of unit cells each unit cell including a bottom, side and end walls upstanding from said bottom, and a top ap from at least one of said side and end walls of each cell foldable onto the upper edges of the remaining walls of each said cell and sealed in said folded position, said cells being arranged adjacent one another and with a wall of each cell adjacent a wall of the next cell, a severable strip integral with and joining a similar end of each said adjacent cell wall, said severable strip being below the sealed top flap of each cell for joining said cells to one another, and means at the other ends of the cells for retaining them in adjacent positions, said strip and retaining means being severable to separate the sealed cells from one another.

4. In a box or case of the class described comprising a plurality of unit cells each unit cell including a bottom, side and end walls upstanding from said bottom, and a top flap from at least one of said side and end walls of each cell foldable onto the upper edges of the remaining walls of each said cell and sealed in said folded position, said cells being arranged adjacent one another and with a wall of each cell adjacent a wall of the next cell, a severable strip integral with and joining a similar end of each said adjacent cell wall, said severable strip being below the sealed top flap of each cell for joining said cells to one another, and means at the other ends of the cells for retaining them in adjacent positions, said strip having a weakened line of demarcation therein severable to separate one end of the sealed cells from one another, and said retaining means being severable to separate the other ends of the cells from one another.

5. In a box or case of the class described comprising a plurality of adjacent unit cells set up from a single blank with each cell including a substantially rectangular bottom, side walls integral with and upstanding from opposite edges of the bottom, end walls integral with and upstanding from the remaining opposite edges of the bottom, a cover flap from the upper edge of one side Wall of each cell foldable onto the upper ends of its side and end walls, a connecting strip integral with and between the upper edges of the remaining side wall of adjacent cells and spacing the adjacent edges of adjacent cells cover flaps from one another, and means associated with said side and end walls for securing the said side and end walls in upstanding position with the connecting strip therebetween, said strip having a weakened line of demarcation substantially medially thereof and between the said adjacent edges of each cell cover flap so that said strip may be severed and the cells separated from one another after being set up.

6. In a box or case of the class described comprising a plurality of adjacent unit cells set up from a single blank with each cell including a substantially rectangular bottom, side walls integral with and upstanding from opposite edges of the bottom, end walls integral with and upstanding from the remaining opposite edges of the bottom, a cover flap from the upper edge of one side wall of each cell foldable onto the upper ends of its side and avisar-7e end walls, a connecting strip integral with andV between the upper edges of the remainingside wall of adjacent cells and spacing thel adjacent edges of adjacent, cells cover aps from one another,` and means; associated, with. said side and end walls. for securing the said side and end walls in upstanding position with the connecting strip therebetween, said strip having a. weakened line of demarcation substantially medially thereof and between the said adjacent edges of each cell'` cover iiapA so that said strip may be severed and the cells, separated: from one another after being set up, said means for securing the cells side and end walls in erected position comprising glue flaps carried by one. of saidv side and end: walls for permanent attachment to the other.,

7. In a box or case of the class described comprising a plurality of adjacent unit cells set up from a single blank with each cell including a substantially rectangular bottom, side walls integral with and upstanding from opposite edges of the bottom, end walls integral with and upstanding from the remaining opposite edges of the bottom, a cover flap from the upper edge of one side walll of each cell foldable onto the upper ends of its side, and: end walls, a connecting strip integral with and between the upper edges of the remaining side wall of adjacent cells and spacing the adjacent edges of adjacent cells cover flaps from one another, and means associated with said side and end walls for securing the said side and end walls in upstanding position with the connecting strip therebetween, said strip having a weakened line of demarcation substantially medially thereof and between the said adjacent edges of each cell cover flap so that said strip may be severed andthe cel-ls separated from one another after being set up, said connecting strip being of a length to be folded on itself and provide a flange at the upper ends of said second mentioned side walls to be inwardly of the cells.

8. ln a box or case of the class described comprising a plurality of adjacent unit cells formed from a single blank, said blank being symmetrical and divided substantially into quadrants with each blank quadrant connected to its adjacent blank quadrants through integral connecting strips and with each connecting strip having a weakened line substantially medially thereof, each blank quadrant comprising panels integrally, hingedly connected to one another and to its connecting strips to form from each blank quadrant a cell having a bottomand upstanding sidey and end walls secured in said upstanding position, means integral with each blank quadrant for closing its cell, and each of the connecting strips connecting the cells to one another being of a lengthI equal only to the length of the walls integral therewith, and severable on its weakened line for separating the cells after being set up.

9. ln a box or case of the class described comprising a plurality of adjacent unit cells formed from a single L blank, said blank being symmetrical and divided substantially into quadrants with each blank quadrant connected to its adjacent blank quadrants through, integral connecting strips and with each connecting strip having a weakened line substantially medially thereof, each blank quadrant comprising panels integrally, hingedly connected to one anotherv and to its connecting strips to form from each blank quadrant a cell having a bottomA and upstanding side and end walls secured in said upstanding positions, a iiap integral with the upper'end,y of, a panel of each blank quadrant that formsl a cell wally of each cell opposite a wall of its cell carrying the. connecting strip and forming a closure for its cell, and' each of the connecting strips connecting the cells to one another being of a length equal only to the length of the walls. integral therewith and severable on its weakened line for separating the cells after being set up.

l0. In a box or case of the class described' comprising a plurality of adjacent unit cells formed from a single blank, said blank being' symmetrical and dividedl substantially into quadrants with each blank quadrant connected toits adjacent blank quadrants through integral connecting strips and with each connecting strip having a weakenedt line,y substantially medially thereof, each blank quadrant comprising panels integrally, hingedly connected to one' another and to its connecting strips to form from each blank quadrant a cell having a bottom and upstanding. Side and` end walls secured in said upstanding posit-ions, aps integral with the upper ends of the panels of each blank quadrant that forms the walls of each cell opposite to the walls of its cell carrying the connecting strips and forming a closure for its cell, and each of the connecting strips connecting the cells to one another being of a length equal onlyv to the length of the walls integral therewith and severable on its weakened line for separating; the cells after being set up.

l1. In ay box or case of the class described comprising a plurality of adjacent unit cells formed from a single blank, said blank being symmetrical and divided substantially into quadrants with each blank quadrant connected to its adjacent blank quadrants through integral connecting strips and with each connecting strip having a weakened line substantially medially thereof, each blank quadrant comprising panels integrally, hingedly connected to one, another' and to its connecting strips to forrn from each blank quadrant a cell having a bottom and upstanding side and end wallsy secured in said upstanding position: and each of the connecting strips connecting the cells to one another being of a length equal only to. the lengthy of the walls integral therewith and severable on its weakened line for separating the cells after being set up,` at least one of said connecting strips of each blank quadrant and an adjacent quadrant being provided with panels' between its medial weakened line and its hinge connection with the blank quadrant foldable on themf selves to provide a iiange projecting inwardly of its cell, and means for closing each cell.

l2. In a boX orA case of the class described comprising a plurality of adjacent unit cells formed from a single blank, said blank being symmetrical and divided substantially into quadrants` with each blank quadrant connected to its adjacent blank quadrants through integral connecting strips and with each connecting strip having a weakened line substantially medially thereof, each blank quadrant comprising panels integrally, hingedly connected1 to one another and to its connecting strips to form from each blank quadrant a cell having a bottom and upstanding side and end walls secured in said upstanding position and each of the connecting strips connecting the cells to one another being of a length equal only to the length of the walls integral therewith and severable on its weakened line for separating the cells after being set up, at least one of said connecting strips of eac-l1 blank quadrant and an adjacent quadrant being provided. with panels between its medial weakened line and its hinge connection with the blank quadrant foldable on themselves to provide a flange projecting inwardly of its cell, and means for closing each cell, com prising a cover flap integrally, hingedly connected with the cell wall opposite the cell wall having the inwardly projecting ange for engagement with said flange.

13. In. a box or case of the class described comprising a plurality of adjacent unit cells formed from a single blank, said blank being symmetrical and divided substantially into, quadrants with each blank quadrant connected toits adjacent blank quadrants through integral connecting: strips and with each connecting' strip having a weakened line substantially medially thereof, each blank quadrant comprising panels integrally, hingedly connected to one another and to its connecting strips to form from each blank quadrant cell having a bot tom and upstanding side and end walls secured in said upstanding position. and each of the connecting strips connecting the cells to one another being of a length equal only toy they length of the walls. integral therewith and severable on its weakened line for separating the cells after being set up, each of said connecting strips having panels integrally, hingedly connected with one another between its weakened line and its hinge connections with the adjacent blank quadrants foldable upon themselves to provide a ange projecting inwardly of said adjacent cells, and means for closing each cell.

14. In a box or case of the class described comprising a plurality of adjacent unit cells formed from a single blank, said blank being symmetrical and divided substantially into quadrants with each blank quadrant connected to its adjacent blank quadrants through integral connecting strips and with each connecting strip having a weakened line substantially medially thereof, each blank quadrant comprising panels integrally, hingedly connected to one another and to its connecting strips to form from each quadrant a cell having a bottom and upstanding side and end walls secured in said upstanding position and each of the connecting strips connecting the cells to one another being of a length equal only to the length of the walls integral therewith and severable on its weakened line for separating the cells after being set up, each of said connecting strips having panels integrally, hingedly connected with one' another between its weakened line and its hinge connections with the blank quadrants foldable upon themselves to provide a flange projecting inwardly of said adjacent cells, and means for closing each cell, comprising aps at the upper ends of the cell walls opposite the cell walls connected With the connecting strips and foldable to overlie their cell bottom with one of said flaps in engagement with its cells inwardly projecting flanges.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,318,124 Wright Oct. 7, 1919 1,576,088 Bunz Mar. 9, 1926 2,098,508 Moore Nov. 9, 1937 2,138,241 Koch Nov. 29, 1938 2,214,525 Murguiondo Sept. 10, 1940 2,322,239 Kramer June 22, 1943 2,551,679 Johnson May 8, 1951 2,582,655 Schenk Jan. 15, 1952 OTHER REFERENCES May

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