US2840233A

US2840233A - Holder for cups, cans, and similar articles

Info

Publication number: US2840233A
Application number: US471553A
Authority: US
Inventors: Grinspoon Harold
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-11-29
Filing date: 1954-11-29
Publication date: 1958-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 1975-06-24

Description

June 24, 1958 Filed Nov. 29, 1954 H. GRINSPOON 2,840,233

HOLDER FOR CUPS, CANS, AND SIMILAR ARTICLES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 32/ alfa.

i a; M Haruldflrin p l j Q Q 75% June 24, 1958 H. GRINSPOON HOLDER FOR CUPS, CANS.- AND SIMILAR ARTICLES Filed NOV. 29, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 2 6 a a 8 Tl l 5 3 6 i A n 3 I. \II\ a M 1 ufi a M/ 4 a 3 2 3 l/.q. |ullh u 9 3.1L C \u a 7 l 2 P n m V n Harald Erinspnnn fly dz 9m HHI'IIE June 24, 1958 H. GRINSPOON HOLDER FOR CUPS. CANS, AND SIMILAR ARTICLES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 29. 1954 UUTI m M .TQII/E n.m n ErnUF V n .n nl B E 2 v m5. l K I K. m

June 1958 H. GRINSPOON HOLDER FOR CUPS, CANS, AND SIMILAR ARTICLES Eiled Nov. 29, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Harald [fr IIISPUHII HOLDER FOR CUPS, CANS, AND SIMILAR ARTICLES H arold Grinspoon, Springfield, Mass. Application November 29 1954, Serial No. 471,553

9 Claims. (Cl. 206-65) This invention relates to a holder for articles such as filled paper food containers of the cup type, and small cans of food or other materials, and pertains more particularly to the type of folding holder made of paperboard or similar material, which can be set up to hold a group of stacked or aligned cups or cans so that they can be handled as a unit.

The ordinary type of cup in which ice-cream and similar foods are packed is of generally circular shape and has a recessed bottom and top cover,leaving projecting rims around the top and bottom. The toprim, and sometimes the bottom rim, is finishedwith a rolled edge or bead, which overhangs the outside of the container wall.

In large self-service markets, there would be a con nited States Patent clients of a particular dish, for example, a package for a spaghetti dinner would consist of a can of sauce and,

packages or bags of the dry ingredients, such as uncooked spaghetti and cheese, which are to be combined when the meal is prepared. v I

The general object of this invention is to provide an inexpensive holder, suitable for the purposes discussed above, having a locking device which engages the rim of a cup or can to lock the article securely in place. Other objects are to produce a holder which, in partly assembled condition, may be folded flat for shipment and storage, and which can be readily set up and packed by hand, so that it is suitable for use by dairies and small food packing concerns which may or may not be equipped with automatic packaging machinery. Other advantagesof the holder will. be apparent from the description which follows: Inthe drawings illustrating the invention:v Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a holder constructed according to the invention;

Fig.2 is a longitudinal cross-section, .somewhat enr Fig. 3 is a plan view of the empty holder partly aso larged, of the holder of Fig. 1;

s'embled;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the blank from which the holder 7 form of holder,

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal cross-section of a modified formof holder; s

Fig. 7a is a perspect ve view of the holder of, Fig. 7

shown empty;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another modification of the holder;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal cross-section, somewhat enlarged, of'the holder of Fig. 8;

Fig.-10 isa plan view of the empty in partly assembled form;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of another modification of the holder, in partly assembled form;

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal cross-section, partly broken away, of the holder of Fig. 11 as it would appear when filled;

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal cross-section, partly broken away, of another modification of the holder;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the empty holder of Fig. 13 in partly assembled condition; and

holder of Fig. 8

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the blank from which the ,holder of Fig. 13 is made.

The form of holder shown in Figs. 1 through 4 is intended for two stacks of paper cups 20 of the usual type having recessed ends and projecting top and

bottom rims

21 and 22. The blank for making the holder is in the form of a strip preferably divided by scored fold lines into a top wall 23,

side walls

24 and 25, a bottom wall 26 and a joining tab 27. As the first step is assem bling the holder, the joining tab, which may be covered with adhesive, is pasted to the free end of side wall 25 to form a'continuous band. The holder when thus assembled appears as in Fig. 3.

A pair of

flaps

33 and 34 are cut out of the top wall leaving a central strip 35'.

Slots

36 and 37 may also be'cut out of the top wall in the region between the flaps and the edges of the holder. A similar pair of

flaps

38 and 39 are cut in thebottom wall 26 leaving an opening 40.

As the holder is intended for tapered articles the top wall 23 is wider than the bottom wall 26. It is therefore apparent that the dimension designated A between

foldlines

30 and 28 will be longer than the sum of the dimensions B and C and that the holder will not fold fiat when assembled as in Fig. 3 if only the usual corner fold lines are used. For this reason an extra fold line 32 is provided which is spaced from line 30 by one-half the difference between the widths of the top and bottom walls. When the blank is assembled into a band, line 32 will be equidistant from line 28 in either direction along the band. The band will therefore fold flat on

lines

32 and 28. V

When the cups are inserted into the holder, the central strap 35 is pressed downward and engages'under the outside of the beads 21a of the upper cups, as shown in Fig. 2. The

flaps

33 and 34 are also compressed down and engage inside the upper rims 21 'of the two uppermost cups. The flaps, if' scored, will tend to be self-locki as they tend to drop inside the cup rim.

The

flaps

38 and 39 are similarly pressed upward inside the bottom rims 22 of'the lowermost cups. The cups are thus locked firmly in the holder against movement in either direction. One or morepackages ofspoons 41 may be inserted through the

slots

36 and 37. Preferably, the side walls are slit part way down from the edges ofstrap 35, to provide a little extra length for" the strap, and scored along lines 35a and-35b to facilitate bending the strap down. The strap may also have several central score lines 350 to facilitate the downward 0 ward against the top rims, of the lower cups, giving the unit a smoother, more symmetrical appearance. The

strap, while providing a tight lock for thecups also Patented June 24, 1958 a i a separates them, giving the enclosed product an appearance of greater bulk. The whole group is thus held together as a unit which can be conveniently and economically handled and sold as a single package, and the units can be stacked firmly one on top of the other. The form of holder shown in Figs. '5; and 6 is very similar to that shown in Figs l through 4 except that the flaps 42 and 43 of the top: wall 44 are cut with projecting tabs or

teeth

45 and 46, respectively. The central strap\47 will have notches corresponding to the

teeth

45 and 46 and intervening tab portions 43 in the spaces between the teeth. When the flaps are inserted the tabs 45 and .46 are jammed against the inside of the cup. rim and tend to bend upward, as shown in Fig. 6 Figs.; andY6 alsoillustrate an important feature which may be employed to equal advantage in connection with plain flaps such as

flaps

38 and 39 of Figs; 1-4. Flap 43 has a hinge line 49 along its base and a second hinge line 50 spaced further outward along the flap, leaving an intermediate'portion 51. When the flap is inserted in the. cup rim the flap is bent downward along line 49 andoutward along line 50 so that the intermediate portion Slextends downward toward the top of the cupand the remaining part of the flap lies substantially flat against the top. Furthermore, theside margins 51a and 51b are cut on a radius greater than that of the inside of the cup rim, so that the intermediate portion .51 is wider, in

the direction transverse to the fiap than the inside of a down. If the cup; is pulled toward the open end of the holder, the intermediate portion of the flap is driven into an increasingly narrow space inside the cup rim, and this wedging action tends to jam the intermediate: portion more tightly inside the rim and hold the remainder of flaps will drop down more readily inside the rims of the uppermost cups. If the curved side edges of the flaps fit fairly tight inside the rims, and the areas of contact between the flaps and the rims extend inward beyond the center of the cups, it is apparent that the flaps will lock the cups against removal in outward direction even though the tips of the flaps are cut off.

The modification shown in Fig. 7 is intended for a combination package, for example, for combining a single can of sauce with the dry ingredients for making a spaghetti dish; The can 53 which has recessed ends surrounded by the

usual beads

54 and 55 is placed across 1 the open end of a box-like carton 56. This carton is The can is thus securely held in place across the open the flap more tightly against the cup cover; Flap .42.is

constructed in the samemanner as. flap 43, and theholder has a similar pair of flaps; on the bottom which, engage" inside the bottom rim of the, cups.

The holder shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 is suitable for packaging two stacks of paper cups. This holder consists of a continuous band divided by fold lines into a top wall 65,

side walls

66 and 67, and a bottom wall 68.

A pair of flaps- 69 and 70 are connected to the ends of the top wall. The top wall also has openings 71 and 72 with curved edges suitable for clearing the ends .of the flaps when the latter are bent inward. Between these openings is a central strap portion, 73. To till the holder,

as shown in Fig. 9, the strap portion 73 is pushed down the top of the holder and have, their ends tucked under the margins of thetop strap to either side of'the openings 71 and 72. The spoons which may be inserted before or after the cups, are thus securely held and assist in locking down the

flaps

69 and 70 so that the whole assembly is tightly held together.

Due to inaccuracies or manufacturing tolerances the diameter of .the

flaps

69 and 70 may turn out to be slightly greater than the inside diameter of the openings 71 and: 72. If these flaps are cut off short enough so end of the box and serves as a closure for the box so that the remainder of the box may be used to contain dry ingredient packages, for example, in a bag 63.

The holder shown in Figs. 11 and 12 is designed for holding two stacks of tapered cups in slightly tilted arrangement. This holder also consists of a continuous band having a top wall 78,.

side walls

79 and 80, and a bottom wall v81. A pair of

flaps

82 and 83 are cut out of the top wall, leaving a central strap portion 88. Flap 82 has two

score lines

84 and 85, and, between these score lines the flap is. cut to a larger radius than that of the cup rim, so that the margins 82a of this area tend to jam inside the rim,..as shown in Fig. 12; Flap 83, similarly, has

scorelines

86 and 87 and margins 83a which tend to jam inside of the cup rim.

As the cups are tilted, when placed in this holder, the bottom edges of the two stacks touch each'other, so that the bottoms are held against inward displacement. The middle strap 88 locks under the upper rims of the cups and holds the upper part of the top cups tightly locked in the inward direction. In this holder, as well as in other modifications, adjacent pairs of flaps 100'and 101 and 105 and 106, on either side of a slit, may be cut in: one of the side walls to allow for insertion of spoons. After the spoons are inserted,tthese flaps spring back and close the opening so that the spoons cannot drop out.

A second pairof flaps 107 and 108, similar to

flaps

69 and 70 in Fig. l0; for example, but somewhat shorter may be provided along the free edges of top wall 78 and maybe bent downins'ide the top rims of the cups to block the

space underflaps

82 and 83, and thus prevent anyone from reaching under the band with his fingers to loosen

portions

82a or 83a by pushing those portions up.

Another feature 'of this modification, which may be applied to other versions of the holder, is that the side that when they are forcedupward during insertion of e the cups they do not interfere with strap 73, particularly at slits 73, this enables the strap to fit more readily under the outside rims of the uppermost cups and the wall 79 is cut away near its upper edge along the dotted line 7%, so that the slits 82b go through only one thickness of paper at this point. The overlapping tab 104 may be cut on the same contour, so as to minimize waste of paper in cutting successive blanks. This tab may also serve as a thumb grip for opening the holder.

The holder of Figs. 13, 14 and 15 is very similar to that shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10' except that the bottom flaps 89 and 90 are cut with a number of

serrated tabs

91 and 92, respectively, around their margins. The

openings

93 and 94 are cut with'notches 95 and 96, respectively, disposed to'adrnit the tabs on fiaps 89'and 90 when the latter are folded in. The

flaps

89 and 90 lock in place inside the top rims of the uppermost cups and the central strap portion 97 lies between the two top cups and engagesunder the beads in the manner previously described.

In all of the holders here described the top and bottom walls are slitted substantially to their edges at the corners of the cuts defining the openings. The slits part way down the side walls so as to free the central strap portion and allow it to be bent down to seal 'all around under the head of the cups. For example, the

openings

93 and 94 in the holder just described communicate with slit-s )8 and 99 which extend substantially to the edges of the top wall and part way down the side walls. Any of the holders which are intended for tapered articles may also have an extra fold line similar to fold line 32 in Fig. 4 so that the partly assembled holder may be folded flat for storage.

What is claimed is:

1. A holder, of resilient paperboard or similar material, for packaging a group of articles including an article having a recessed end surrounding by a projecting rim, comprising: a body having top, bottom, and side walls; one of said walls overlying said end; a flap connected to the wall overlying said end, seated against the inside of a portion of said rim and locking the article against displacement in one direction; an opening in said overlying Wall adapted to admit said portion of said rim, the holder having slits extending from said opening transversely across said overlying wall and part way down the adjacent walls; and a marginal portion of said overlying wall adjacent said opening seating edgewise against the outside of said portion of said rim and locking the article against displacement in the opposite direction.

2. A holder, of resilient paperboard or similar material, for packaging a row of articles having recessed tops surrounded by projecting rims comprising: a continuous band passing around the row, having a top wall overlying the tops of said articles; a pair of .flaps connected to said top wall, each of said flaps being seated against a portion of the inside of the rims of one of the end articles in the row and locking said end articles against outward displacement in the holder; a pair of openings in said top wall adapted to admit a portion of the rims of the end articles; marginal portions of said top wall adjacent said openings seating against the outside of a portion of the rims of said end articles and locking the latter against inward displacement in the holder; and a pair of slots in the regions of the top wall overlying said end articles for receiving a substantially flat member which, when it is in place, tends to hold said flaps and said marginal portions in their respective seated positions.

3. A holder as described in claim 1, said flap and open-. ing being both formed by a single cut in the wall overlying said end.

4. A holder as described in claim 1, said flap comprising an extension of said wall and being folded inwardly toward the same.

5. A holder, of resilient paperboard or similar material, for packaging a group of articles, including an article having a recessed end surrounded by a projecting rim, comprising: a body having top, bottom and side walls; an opening in said top Wall receiving, a portion of said rim, said top Wall having a marginal portion engaging the outside of said rim to hold the article against displacement in one direction, said holder having a pair of slits communicating with said opening and extending across said top wall, each slit extending part way down one of said side walls; and a flap connected to said top wall, having a first hinge line along its base and a second hinge line spaced from the first, the two hinge lines v 6 defining an intermediate portion, said flap being folded toward said end along said first hinge .line, and toward said marginal portion along said second hinge line and engaging the inside of said rim to lock said article against displacement in the opposite direction, and said intermediate portion'being wider than the article at its point of engagement with the rim, so as to jam inside the rim.

6. A holder as described in claim 1, the flap having tabs around its free end, and the margin having notches to permit passage of the tabs through the opening.

7. A holder of resilient paperboard or similar material, for packaging a row of generally circular articles having recessed tops surrounded by projecting rims, comprising: a continuous band passing around the row, hav ing a top Wall overlying sald tops and side walls connected to said top wall; and a pair of substantially semiwall, said cuts and slits defining a central strap having marginal portions engaging a portion of the outside of the rims of the end articles and locking the same against inward displacement in the holder.

8. A holder, of resilient paperboard or similar material, for packing a group of articles including an article having a recessed top and bottom surrounded, respectively, by projecting top and bottom beads, comprising: a box having a top wall, a bottom wall, side Walls, an end wall an open end, the circular article being disposed in said open end; a flap attached to said top Wall engaging a region of the inside of said top bead and locking the article against outward displacement in the holder; an opening in said wall admitting a portion of said top bead; and a margin around said opening engaging a portion of said top bead and locking the article against inward displacement in the holder, said bottom wall having a. flap, and a margin similarly engaging said bottom head.

9. A holder, of resilient paperboard or similar material, for packaging a group of articles including a. circular article having a recessed top surrounded by a projecting rim, comprising: a continuousband havingia top wall overlying said top, a flap attached to said top wall and extending therefrom, said flap being folded inward. and engaging a region of the inside of said rim and locking the article against outward displacement in the holder; and an opening in said top wall having a straight margin overlying said top, and a curved margin seated against the outside of a portion of said rim, and locking the article against inward displacement in the holder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,379,240 Bashwiner May 24, 1921 1,457,361 Gilbert June 5, 1923 1,687,678 Mallory Oct. 16, 1928 2,015,222 Hinson Sept. 24, 1935 2,274,253 Howell Feb. 24, 1942 2,326,683 Ross Aug. 10, 1943 2,359,298 Brogden Oct. 3, 1944' 2,678,767 Toensmeier May 18, 1954 2,687,248 Freeman Aug. 24, 1954 2,738,055 Shanahan Mar. 13, 1956