US2867370A - Multi-cellular carton - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 6, 1959 J. A. O'REILLY MULTI-CELLULAR CARTON Filed Jan. 25, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet l lNV'NTOR. jbsz H/ OPE/Lu BY /gor V p vrJ flTT E/YEYS Jan. "6, 1959 J. A. O'REILLY MULTI-CELLULAR CARTON Filed Jan. 23, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 uvmyrox. fosfprl fl .O/QE/LLY BY Jan. 6, 1959 J. A. O'REILLY 2,867,370

MULTI-CELLULAR CARTON 3 SheetsSheet 3 Filed Jan. 23, 1956 mmvmk' ICZUIBEILLY BY 9 d I JOSEPH ino/em? Y6 2,867,370 MULTI-CELLULAR CARTON Joseph A. OReilly, San Francisco, Calif. Application January 23, 1956, Serial No. 560,724 I 3 Claims. (Cl. 229-28) This invention relates to cartons of the multi-cellular types such as those used for the packaging of eggs, and which are made from cardboard blanks that are cut, scored, folded and glued in such manner as to form cartons that can be flatly collapsedfor conservation of space and convenience in storage and which can'be readily and easily set up, either by mechanical means or by hand, for the reception of eggs in the individual cells thereof.

The present invention is an improvement upon or modification of the egg carton of my United States patent, No. 2,588,936, issued on March 11, 1952.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a carton of the above stated character, from a single rectangular strip of cardboard, which provides therein all the desirable elements and advantages of the carton of my above mentioned patent, but is cut, scored and joined in such manner to provide additional advantages both in its mode of manufacture and in its erection.

Further objects of the invention reside in the details of construction and combination of parts embodied in the carton, and in their functional relationship in the erected carton.

In accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view of the cardboard blank from which the present carton is formed, as scored, cut and glue spotted preparatory to being folded and joined.

Fig. 2 is a view showing the prepared blank as initially folded in the forming of a carton therefrom.

Fig. 3 is a section of thefolded blank taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view showing the second folding operation of the blank in forming the carton therefrom.

Fig. 5 is a section of the folded blank taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 4, showing the relationship of folded parts.

Fig. 6 is a view of the blank showing the final folding operation.

Fig. 7 is a section taken on line 77 in Fig. 6 and showing partialerection of the carton to better illustrate the relationship of its parts.

Fig. 8 is a similar section taken on line 8-8 in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the present carton as -formed is cut, scored and folded in such a way as to provide all partitioning and cell defining walls as well as the egg supporting cushions, and it is not required, as in the carton of my above mentioned patent, that a separate division strip be applied thereto to separate the rows of cells. The strip of material, which I refer to as the blank, is designated in Fig. 1 in its entirety by United States Patent 0 ice .2 numeral 10. The various parts thereof, as defined by cuts and scoring, will now be described.

The blank 10 is cut andscored in a novel and specific manner and is spotted with glue at specific, places, so that it can be folded fiat and stacked with others until time for its use. To prepare it for use, it is set up" to form the carton as shown in Fig. 7. When set up, the carton comprises opposite sidewalls 11 and .12, a flat bottom 13, and a coverforming portion 14that is formed along its outer edge with a locking flap 15, and the cell forming elements later to be described in detail.

Referring now more particularly to the carton forming blank 10 as shown in Fig. 1. It is therein observed that the blank is of elongated rectangular form and is transversely scored from edge to edge along uninterrupted lines that are perpendicular to its parallel, opposite edges and indicated by the dash lines 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20.

his also transversely scored along intermittent lines designated at 21, 22 and 23. I

The panel at the left of the line 16 sets off the looking flap 15 previously mentioned, and this flap is here shown to be formed at its edge with a series ofhooks 15x for the cover locking operation later described. The panel that is set off betweenlines 16 and 17 comprises the top or cover portion 14.

The panel set off between the lines 17 and 18 comprises the back wall 11. The panel that is set oif between lines 18 and19 comprises the carton bottom 13. The panel between lines 19 and 21 comprises the front wall 10 and that part of the blank at the right of line 21 in Fig. l is so cut and scored as to adapt its parts to be folded and joined to provide the transverse partitions between cells, the longitudinal division member and the cushions on which the eggs rest when placed properly in the carton cells.

To provide for the making of these various cell defining or partitioning elements, that portion of the blank which in Fig. 1 is immediately at the right of the transverse intermittent line of scoring 21, is slit in the longitudinal direction of the blank to about half the distance to its right-hand end along paired lines 24 and 25, which are coextensive and are paired in order to setofi' independent strips of material 26 between them, which are attached only at their ends. These strips terminate at their left hand endsin reference to their showing in Fig. 1, even with the intermittent line of scoring 21 and their right hand ends are defined by lines of scoring 27; these lines of scoring 27 being in alignment transverse across the blank. All strips 26 are of the same length and substantially of the'same form.

Each strip of material 26 as defined between paired cuts or slits 24 and 25 is transversely scored as at 28 and 29 to set off an egg cushion-forming element of the strip between them; these scored lines 28 and 29 each being located a distance from the adjacent end of the strip that is approximately'equal to one-fourth the length of the strip. The medial, cushion forming portion of each strip 26 is somewhat enlarged by proper directing of the paired cuts from each other to provide a diamond shaped medial portion, and these medial portions' are centrally longitudinally divided by irregular, zi'g-z 'ag cuts 30, to provide for a spreading and bending of'the parts at opposite sides of the cuts as presently explained.

The material of the blank that lies between the coextensive strips 26, and also at the outside of the outside strips 26, is also partially detached from the blank.- It is shown best in Fig. 1 that each of the longitudinal cuts 24 is rounded at its left hand end into an upwardly directed cut 35 directed along the line of intermittent scoring 21. These cuts terminate short of the panel edge or' next adjacent cut 25. Also,'ileading' from and directed away from each of the cuts 24, at about mid-way of its opposite ends, is a short transversely directed cut 36. These latter cuts terminate even with the corresponding cuts 35, thus coacting therewith to define partially detached tabs or panels 37 between them. Also, as shown in Fig. 1, two short cuts 38-38 are directed downwardly in convergence from each of the cuts 25 and blank edges toward the partially detached tabs 37. These spaced, converging cuts terminate in alignment with the ends of cuts 35 and 36, and lines of scoring 40 are formed between the ends of adjacent cuts 35' and 38, in alignment thus to provide for bending the tabs 37 along the scored lines 40 at a right angle to the plane of this blank for a purpose presently apparent.

That portion of the blank which is defined between the transverse lines of scoring and 23 is cut in a direction lengthwise of the blank along paired lines 42 and 43 to set off coextensive, partially detached strips of material 44 between them. These particular strips are equally in number and are aligned with the strips 2 6 which are set off between the previously mentioned paired cuts 24 and 25. The opposite end limits of each strip 44 are defined respectively by lines of scoring 45', which are quite close to the scored line 2!), and the intermittent line of scoring 23. Each strip 44 also has a line of scoring 47 across its medial portion, and these scorings set off at the left hand sides thereof as seen in Fig. 1 the somewhat diamond shaped cushion forming elements, corresponding to those comprised in the strips 26, which elements are longitudinally slit by zig-zag cuts x.

That part of the blank which is within the end limits of strips 44 as seen in Fig. 1, also is formed with short cuts and 36 which join with the longitudinal cuts 42 to set off the tabs 37' corresponding to the tabs 37 previously described. Also, there are converging cuts 38'38' and lines of scoring 40 in the same relationship to thestrips 44 as the cuts 38--38 and scores 40 previously described in association with the strips 26.

Preparatory to folding the blank, glue spots are applied to opposite end portions of the several strips 26 at the areas designated at 50 and 51.

With the blank so cut, scored and glued, it is folded and collapsed in the following manner: Starting with the blank in fiat position of Fig. l, the right hand end portion thereof is folded upwardly, and back upon itself, along the line of scoring 22, and in this folding operation the several strips 26, as defined between the paired, longitudinal cuts 24 and 26, are caused to be folded upon themselves as shown in Fig. 3; in this folding of the individual strips 26 they fold at the scored lines 21, 28, and 27 so that the left hand end of each strip between scores 21 and 28 will fold back on line 21 to lie flatly against the wall panel 12 and the part between the scoring 27 and 28 will lie flatly against the under face of the back-turned end portion of the blank. This results in the left hand end portion of each strip being adhesively affixed flatly to the wall panel 12 and the right hand end portion being adhesively attached flatly to the blank adjacent the transverse score 20. With the first folding operation completed, the parts of the blank will then be as seen. in Figs. 2 and 3. For better understanding, the location of the score lines have been designated in Fig. 3 by reference numerals corresponding to the score lines. Prior to the second folding operation, the back-turned right hand end portion of the blank is glue spotted as at the marked areas 53 in Fig. 2; this being accomplished in any suitable manner and by any suitable means.

The second folding operation starts with the folded blank as seen in Figs. 2 and 3. The back-turned right hand end portion thereof, this being the top layer shown in Fig. 3, is then folded back upon itself along the transverse line of scoring 20. In this folding operation, those portions of the material which in Fig. 3 are immediately at the right hand side of the cuts 36 will be laid against 4 the glue spots 53 and thereby adhesively attached flatly to the underlying portion of the blank. When this folding operation has been completed, the parts are in the relationship shown in Fig. 5.

Prior to the third folding operation, a glue strip 55 is applied transversely across the blank just at the right of the score line 17 in Fig. 4. Then the previously folded right hand end portion of the blank, in reference to its showing in Fig. 4, is folded up and to the left on the score line 19, thus to bring the right hand end portion of the blank flatly against the glue, strip 55 so that the various parts of the folded blank will then be in the relationship shown in Fig. 6. Blanks, so folded, may be stacked flat and kept in that position until ready for use.

To erect the carton, starting with the folded blank as it is seen in Fig. 6, the flat cover portion 14 is pushed towards the right while pressure toward the left is applied against the right band edge of the folded blank. This causes the folded and joined parts to buckle upward relative to the flat bottom panel through the position of Figs. 7 and 8 to the position of Fig. 9. It will be understood that the wall panels 11 and 12 will fold at the score lines 18 and 22 and move into vertical parallel planes and that the reversely folded portion, comprised between the transverse lines of the slits 36 and 36 will swing to vertical position to provide the central longitudinal partitioning means between the walls 11 and 12.

Also, in this carton erecting operation, the strip portions 26 located one side of the partition, and strip portions 44 located at the other side, willbe drawn to the same horizontal level of the top edge of wall 12 as shown in Fig. 9, while those parts which, in the flat blank are located between the several strips 26 and those which are similarly located between the strips 44, will be buckled downwardly to provide the egg cushioning supports. The parts then will assume the positions shown in Fig. 9.

In filling the carton with eggs, it is most desirable to start at that end of the carton where the first two partially detached tabs 37 and 37 point toward each other; that being the end of the left in Fig. 9. Thus, when an egg is placed in the position of the dotted line showing of an egg in Fig. 9, and then pushed downwardly, it causes both tabs to fold downwardly, each bending at the lines of scoring 40, thus to provide the opposite end members of the egg receiving cell. Then, as the eggs are successively applied in like manner to the cells of each row, the tabs 37-37' will be successively swung downwardly to vertical positions. When the eggs are thus applied to their cells, each is caused to engage at its lower end with the longitudinally slit diamond shaped portion of the corresponding cushioning strip and in so doing, the point of the egg will push the parts at opposite sides of the slit apart and tend to enter between them, as has been illustrated in Fig. 10. Thus, the eggs will be individually confined in the cells of the carton, and each cushioned against shock, jar or rough handling.

When the cover portion 14 is folded over the carton and locked in the usual way by means of the flap that is 15, each egg is supported free of all outer walls of the carton as seen in Fig. 11.

It will be understood that the present carton differs from the carton of my prior patent in the specific manner of cutting, scoring and folding the blank to provide not only the transverse partitions between cells, but also to provide the longitudinal partition member.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A rectangular multi-cellular carton blank having opposite end edges and opposite side edges connecting corresponding ends of said end edges, a plurality of score lines defining therebetween a top wall, a back wall, a bottom wall and a front wall, one of said score lines defin ing an edge of the front wall being spaced from one end edge of the blank and defining a panel portion therebetween, said panel portion having a first plurality of substantially longitudinally extending and co-extensive cuts formed therethrough defining a first plurality of independent strips of material therebetween which are attached only at their ends, said panel portion also having a second plurality of substantially longitudinally extending and co-extensive cuts formed therethrough spaced longitudinally from said first plurality of cuts and defining a second plurality of independent strips of 'materiai therebetween which are attached only their ends, alter-- nate strips of each of said first plurality and second plurality of strips having first, second and third score lines formed therein extending transversely to said side edges of the blank, said first score lines being disposed at one end of the alternate strips, said second score lines being disposed at the opposite ends of the alternate strips, said third score lines being disposed at an intermediate portion of said alternate strips between said first and second score lines, the alternate strips of said first plurality of strips having fourth score lines formed therein extending transversely to the side edges of the blank, each of said fourth score lines being disposed between the first and third score lines of the associated alternate strip, each of the strips between said alternate strips of said first and second plurality of strips having cuts formed therethrough extending transversely to said side edges of the blank and having score lines formed therein intersecting said last mentioned cuts and extending substantially parallel to the side edges of the blank, each of said last mentioned strips having fifth and sixth score lines formed therein extending transversely to said side edges of the blank, the last mentioned strips of said first plurality of strips also having seventh score lines formed therein between said sixth score lines and one end of the associated strips and extending transversely to said side edges of the blank, said panel portion having a score line extending transversely to said side edges of the blank and disposed between and spaced from said first and second plurality of strips. 7

2. A multi-cellular carton blank as defined in claim 1, wherein alternate ones of said first and second plurality of longitudinally extending cuts are rounded at one end thereof and extend transversely to said side edges of the blank and terminate short of the next adjacent longitudinal cut. I

3. A multi-cellular carton blank as defined in claim 2, including short transversely extending cuts, intersecting each of said alternate ones of the longitudinally extending cuts to define with said last mentioned transversely extending portion of alternate ones of the longitudinally extending cuts partially detached tabs therebetween.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,588,936 OReilly Mar. 11, 1952 FOREIGN EATENTS 59,184 Norway Dec. 17, 1936

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