US2881968A - Collapsible carton - Google Patents

Description

April 14, 1959 w. H. INMAN COLLAPSIBLE CARTON Filed June e, 195e 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HIS ATTDRNEY April 14, 1959 w. H. INMAN QOLLAPSIBLE CARTON 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 6, 1956 INVENTOR. WILL/AM H. /NMAN HIS TTORNEY United States Patent O COLLAPSIBLE CARTON William H. Inman, Newark, N.Y., assignor to Bloomer gros;i Company, Newark, N.Y., a corporation of New Application June 6, 1956, Serial No. 589,786

3 Claims. (Cl. 229-41) This invention relates to collapsible cartons made of fibrous material, such as cardboard, for packaging ice cream and other frozen comestibles, and the like. As the result of a recent invention, such cartons have been provided with bottom aps so constructed as to be automatically unfolded and extended by manipulation of the side walls. This automatic bottom construction has been combined with a side opening pull ap and has resulted in a practical and useful carton, which has been widely used in the field. However, these cartons were so constructed that when the side opening ap was pulled and the closure wall opened, the bottom aps were moved out of engagement and the carton became partially unfolded and unfit for further use.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved carton of the general character described, so constructed as to be kept substantially intact when opened for the partial removal of the contents, and thus, kept in condition for being reclosed for further preservation of the remaining contents.

Another object is to provide a carton having the above advantages which, in addition to the bottom closure aps, is also provided with a structural connection extending between the front and rear walls of the carton for holding the walls and bottom flaps erect when the carton is opened by opening the closure wall.

Another object is to provide a carton of the above nature which requires no more material than cartons described above in which the bottom aps are moved out of engagement when the side opening flap is pulled. Another object is to provide a carton having the above advantages and is so constructed as to be readily manufactured, conveniently erected for filling and conveniently opened by the consumer, as described above.

A further object is to afford a carton having the above advantages in a form capable of being manufactured in quantity lots, by known-machines and at relatively low cost.

' To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinationsof parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In-the drawings:`

Fig; 1 is a plan view of a one-piece blank, cut and scored ready for folding to form a carton embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the bottom ap portions folded' overy and glue applied;

Fig. 3 is an edge view of the blank as seen from the right in Fig. 2, but with` the outer wall portions partly folded over toward glued position;

j Fig; 4 is similar to Fig. 3, but with the parts glued together and the" carton in collapsed condition;

-Figs`.:5"`:a1id 6 are top plan views of the inside of the .cart-odin progressivepositions of erection for filling; i] Figs.. 'l and 8 are bottom plan views from the outside of the carton in progressive positions of erection for fill- Patented Apr. 14, 1959 ice 2 ing substantially corresponding to Figs. 5 and 6, respectively;

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the carton in fully erected position;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the carton showing the same erected, filled and closed, and

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the carton as viewed in Fig. 10 showing the carton after being opened for removal of a portion of the contents.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention, herein disclosed by way of illustration, is preferably made of a one-piece blank such as shown in Fig. 1, cut and scored to form front, intermediate, rear and closure walls 20, 22, 24 and 26, respectively, separated byA parallel scored fold lines 28, 30 and 32, as shown. A securing strip 34 is foldably connected with closure wall 26 along a fold line 36 which is parallel to fold lines 28, 30 and 32, as shown in Fig. 1. Securing strip 34 is adapted to be detachably glued to the free edge portion of the opposite or front wall 20 when the walls are folded over as hereafter described. Closure wall 26 is preferably provided adjacent the bottom of the carton with a line of weakening which may comprise singly or in combination, a line of perforations 38, a single slit 40 extending partially through the material forming the closure wall, or any known means whereby the material forming the closure wall is weakened for controlling the direction and extent of the tearing action of the closure wall. Line of perforations 38 preferably comprises a series of spaced Ashort slits which may extend partially or completely through the material forming the closure wall, as shown in Fig. 1, and this line of perforations 38 preferably starts at a point rearward from the front edge of closure wall 26, as for example, at a point substantially adjacent the intersection of the edge of the closure Wall and the bottom ap attached thereto, as shown in Fig. 1, and extends transversely across the closure wall to the rear edge thereof at a point upwardly from the bottom edge of the closure wall. This gives the line of perforations a slight tapering effect, as can be seen in Fig. 1. Slit 40 which is partially cut through the closure wall on the under surface thereof (upper surface as viewed in Fig. 1) extends substantially transversely across the closure wall from the front to the rear edge thereof, and is spaced slightly upwardly from the line of perforations, as shown in Fig. l, and forl a purpose hereafter described.

Front wall 20 has an undulating slit 42 extending thereacross adjacent the upper free edge thereof, -as shown in Figs. 1 and 11. Slit 42 extends only partially through the structure forming front wall 20 and provides a weakened surface area 44 to aid in the opening of the carton and to prevent peeling of front wall 20 when the carton is opened. Securing strip 34 is also preferably provided with a slit 46, adjacent score line 36, to prevent an extension of surface peeling of strip 34 into the closure wall when the carton s opened.

Side walls 20, 22, 24 and 26 are provided with top closure aps 48, 50, 52 and 54, respectively, which are foldably connected therewith along a score line 56. Flap 48 is formed with a slit 58 to receive a tongue or hook 60 on ap 52 for securing these top flaps in position for closing the top of the carton. The carton is erected and lled through the top, after which the top ilaps are folded over and locked in position for closing the carton. When the carton is opened, as hereafter described, the top flaps preferably remain in :locked position for holding the top of the carton erect.

My carton is also preferably provided with bottom `closure aps which are so constructed that the carton may be completely folded and glued by the manufacturer and then shipped in collapsed, at position to the user who is attached tol the weakened area 44 of front wall 20 thus completing the folding and gluing of the carton in may erect it -by merely applying pressure to the opposite corners of the collapsed carton, 'as hereafter described. The bottom flaps are so constructed that they will fold inwardly inside thecarton when the carton side walls are collapsed and will'automatically yr'nove outwardly into their erected positions normal to the side walls of the carton when the eartori is erected.

To ythis end, I preferably provide four bottom closure members or iiaps which are foldably connected with carton walls 20, 22, 24 and 26 `along a score line 62 (Fig. l). Front andvrear walls and 24 preferably carry inwardly folding Haps 64 and 66, respectively. These flaps are provided with score lines 658 and- 70,'respectively, extending diagonally across yand separating each of them into two portions, as at 72 andv 74 V(Fig.Y 1') so that each may be oldeduv over itselfand over the side'wallto which it is connected, ashereafterdescribed.

Theouter free edges of-Viiaps 6:4 and'-have the irregular' shape' shown in 'the'drawinga including notch'esf76 and 78,' respectively, for engagement with each other in the erected position of the carton. Intermediate wall 22 has a substantially rectangular inner bottom flap 80 foldably connected therewith'along sore line 62 between flaps 64 and 66. `Closure wall 26 has an inner bottom flap 82 foldably connected therewith along line 62. Flap 82 1s cut away at the end opposite ap 66, as shown in Fig. 1 for a purpose hereafter described.

A member or finger shown generally at 84 is folda-bly connected with the upper or free edge of front wall 2t) adjacent the bottom end thereof along a fold line 86, for a purpose hereafter described. Finger 84 is formed with a fold line 88 which is essentially parallel with fold line 62 of the carton,'as shown in Fig. 1, and which is at substantially right angles to fold line 86. Fold line 88 divides finger 84 into an outer portion 90 and an inner portion 92, as shown in Fig. 1.

In the folding and gluing of the blank, as shown in Fig. 2, the bottom flap 64 is folded on itself along score line 68 and folded inwardly over front wall 20 as shown. Flap 6.6 is similarly folded on itself and folded over rear wall 24. Flap 80 is folded over intermediate wall 22 and flap 82 is folded lover closure wall 26, as shown. Finger 84 is folded about score line 88 with outer portion 90 uppermost, as shown in Fig. 2. In this position of the parts, glue or other suitable adhesive is applied to a restricted area 94 of flap 64, to a similar restricted area 96 of flap 66, to a restricted area 98 of ap 82, and to a restricted area 100` on the inner surface of closure wall 2.6.

Glue is likewise applied in a narrow band 102 on securing strip 34 adjacent its line of fold leavingan unglued outer i portion 104 to provide a free pull tab. Outer portion 104 is preferably formed with a diagonally extending fold line 106 for forming an extension 108 which may be readily grasped for initiating the opening of the carton.

In the further folding and gluing of the blank, front wall 20 together with inwardly folded ap 64 and finger 84 is folded `over intermediate wall 22 and its inwardly folded ap 80. Thereafter, closure wall 26 and flap 82 are folded over rear wall 24 and ap 66. During the irst part of this operation, flap 64 becomes attached to inner bottornfiap 80 while in the latter portion of the operation, flap 66 becomes attached to flap 82. As a result, the bottom closure of the carton is formed in two sections, each section comprising an inner and an outer flap. Also during the latter part of the above folding action, inner portion 92 of finger 84 becomes attached to glue area 100 of closure wall 26 while the outer portion 90 of nger ,8 4 becomes attached to glue portion 98 ofiiiap 82. Thus,

inner portion 92is attached tol the inside of closure wall.

26 while the outer portion 90 is attached to the outside of bottom iap 8,2, At the same time, securing strip 34 the compact, collapsed, fiat position shown in Fig,4 4,

4: ready for storage and shipment to ice cream dispensers and the like.

When it is desired to erect the carton for filling, this is quickly accomplished by inward pressure against the opposite edges 110 and 112 (Fig. 4) which serves to separate and distend the side walls in the progressive manner shown in Figs. 5` andy 6, as viewed through the open top of the container, and asshown in Figs. 7 and 8, as viewed from the bottom of the container. The separation of front wall 20 from intermediate wall 22 tends to pull inwardly folded ap 64 and bottom iiap 80 to erected position, while the lseparation of closure wall 26 from rear wall 24` pulls inwardly folded' Hap y66 and inner bottom flap 82 to erected position. A projection 11.4 (Fig. l) on ap 6,4rides along the outer surface of flap 82 and guides ap 64 over flap 82, as shown in Fig. 8, thereby initiating proper movement of the flaps towards erected position. As the carton continuesv towards, lerected position, the inner portion of: flap 66 rides along vthe outer'slrfa'ce of flap"80 and passes be.- neath the outer portion ofoppositefla'p 64, as can be seen in Fig. 8. Similarly, the 'inner portion of tlap 64 passes beneaththe outer 'portion of flap As a result, the opposing edges of aps 64 and `66-slide along the outer surfaces ofthe opposite inner bottom tiaps until aps 64 and 66 come into interenga'gement with notches 76 and 78 interengaged'as shown "in Fig. 9. Such engagement of the'notches tends to limit the erecting movement of aps'-64 Iand 66 with these ilaps in a position normal to the walls of the carton. The erecting movement of the flaps is also preferably limited by the engagement of inner bottom liap 80 with the inside of flaps 64 and 66 along the ibottomcorners of the carton.

With the bottom flaps in erected' position, as shown in Fig. 8, rthe outer portion of flap 64 overlies the free end of score line 70 in ap 66 while the outer portion of flap 66 overlies the free end of score line 68 in liap 64. Inner flap 82 overlies the intersection of notches 76 and 78. Inner flap 80- is preferably substantially the same size as the bottom of. the carton andoverlies flap 82 and diagonal score lines 68 and770 for substantially the full length thereof, thereby providing a strong, substantially leakproof construction'and. also@ providing a smooth interior for the bottoni end ofithe carton. It is to be noted that with the carton bottom in. its fully erected position as shown in Figs. v9, `10 and 11, the bottom flaps are not in'interlockedrelationship, but rather they are merely in 4frict'ional interengagement with. one another thereby releasably holding theA bottom. closure and the lower end of-the cartonin erected position. Since each bottom'closure section comprises. an inner and outer flap, the bottom'closure sections frictionally engage each other.

Flaps 64 and 8 0, andaps 66 and-82, when secured. together as above, form two. interengaging. bottom closure sections, each comprising an inner and outer bottom ap. The bottom closure sections are quickly snapped to their erected positions by merelyr'pressing. onr the opposite corners of. the'carton 110 and 112, leaving the top closure aps in open position to receive thecontents. The carton, resting on its bottom, is then filled and the-top closed by folding flaps y and54 down across the iilling opening, in order, after which ap 48isj folded downfollowed by flap 52, the tongue of which is engaged in slit 58 of tiap 48 to secure the closure.of-the top or iilling opening. It will be notedfthat tongue., 60. is on. the ap of the rear wall tov which. the closure wall islattached.v and is pointed inthedirection of the. closure. wall so that an opening pull o f tlieinlatter serves to keepthe tongue engaged` in slit 58 and to -maintainthat end of the carton closed. Theicarton is now` in the`,condition shown in Fig. 10 and is 'ready'for 'delivery to theV consumen T0 013611. the Carton, itis onlynecessaryfto graspr` and pull the were@ f rgege.. ede 104e.- xeniqrmsof, se

, in Fig. 1l.

curing strip 34. For this purpose, tab or extension 108 may be bent relative to securing strip 34 along diagonal fold line 106. The opening of closure wall 26 is made easier by the provision of weakened area 44 on the upper free edge of front wall 20. This weakened area which is defined by slit 42, not only makes it easier to break the detachable connection between securing liap 34 and front wall 20, but it also prevents undesired surface peeling of either the front wall or securing stn'p. The surface peeling of closure wall 26 is also prevented `by slit 46.

vas shown in Fig. 11, and separated from bottom liap 82 by merely exerting suicient force in the opening direction, as by means of an upward pull on securing strip 34.

However, I have found that closure wall 26 may be more readily separated from bottom liap 82 if the closure wall is provided with a suitable line of weakening along which the tearing action may readily take place in a predetermined manner and direction. To this end, closure wall 26 is preferably provided with line of perforations 38 or slit 40, or both, extendingsubstantially transversely thereacross adjacent the lower end of the carton. I have also found that While the tearing action can be controlled by means of a line of perforations, the tearing action is easily and more readily controlled if slit 40 is provided on the under surface of the closure wall, in addition to perforations 38.

v'Line of perforations 38 preferably starts at the lower edgey ofI closure wall 26 at a point substantially adjacent the intersection of the edge of the closure wall and bottom'ap 82, and extends somewhat upwardly towards the rear edge of closure wall 26, as can be best seen in Fig. l. Slit 40 may extend parallel to line of perforations 38, but preferably extends more nearly transversely ofthe closure wall and is spaced upwardly from the bottom of the carton as shown in Fig. 1.. Slit 40 not only limits any upward tearing of the closure wall at an angle to the line of perforations, but slit 40 also prevents any 'undesired peeling of the closure wall which might result from the opening action. In addition, slit 40 may serve as either a supplemental line of weakening for the closure Wall or as a substitute line of weakening. That is, the

closure wall may separate along slit 40 instead of perforations 38 or it may separate partially along the line of perforations and partially along slit 40.

Regardless of the exact line of separation of closure wall 26 from bottom iiap 82, both ends of the carton re main erect when the carton is in open position, as shown The upper end ofthe carton remains erect because ap S4 which is foldably connected with closure wall 26 may move independently of top locking flaps 48 and 52, and flap 50, and therefore, the opening of the closure wall does not disturb the position and locking action of liaps 48 and 52. That is, although top iiap 54 is held in closed position by flaps 48 and 52 when the carton is in closed position, as shown in Fig. 10, ap 54 is at the same time held out of contact with the contents of the carton by ap 50. Thus, when the closure wall is raised, liap 54 readily moves upwardly with the closure wall to its position shown in Fig. 11, While the remaining top flaps are maintained in closed position, thereby holding the upper end of the carton in shape as shown in Fig. 1l.

The lower end of the carton remains erect because of a positive connection between the front and rear walls of the carton adjacent the lower end. This connection is independent of closure wall 26 and is unaffected by the opening of closure wall 26, and comprises bottom aps 66 and 82, and linger 84. That is, inner bottom ap 82 has a glued connection with bottom flap 66 which in turn is foldably connected to the rear wall of the carton, and with linger 84 which is foldably connected to the front wall of the carton. Thus, it will be seen that when closure wall 26 is opened and separated from ap 82, there remains a positive structural connection extending from the front to the rear wall of the carton and including bottom aps 82 and 66.

More specifically, the outer portion of linger 84 is attached to the outer surface of iiap 82 adjacent the front of the carton, as by adhesive 98. Flap 82 is cut away as at 116 (Fig. 1) adjacent the end opposite ap 66 to receive finger inner portion 92 and to allow outer portion 90 to move into position to be secured to the outer surface of iiap 82. While I also preferably secure linger inner portion 92 to the inner surface of closure wall 26, as by adhesive 100, this is not necessary, and indeed, this connection between the closure wall and finger portion 92 is broken when the closure Wall is opened, as can be seen in Fig. 11.

As a result of the above construction, the carton may be readily opened to its position shown in Fig. l1 to expose the carton contents for removal by dipping to the desired extent. The top and bottom ends of the carton remain erect and in closed position so that the carton may be readily reclosed for replacing under refrigeration to preserve the residue of the contents for further consumption. This is done by merely guiding flap 54 into position outside of top flap 50 and inside of locking flaps 52 and 48 and then swinging closure wall 26 downwardly to its closed position. It will be understood that if desired, the upper end of the carton may also be opened by merely disengaging locking tongue 60 and slit 58.

Thus it will be seen from the above description that my invention provides a carton which may be readily and economically manufactured with the usual materials and by known methods and standard machines in compact, collapsed condition for storage or shipment to food dispensers. The latter may erect the carton by merely pressing on its opposite corners to erect the automatic bottom construction. Thereafter, the carton may be easily illed at the top and closed in the usual manner until ready for delivery to the consumer. The consumer can readily open the carton to remove a portion of the contents by pulling on tab 34 so as to swing the closure wall into open position in which the contents are exposed for dipping out to the extent desired. Thereafter, the cartons may be reclosed to preserve the remaining contents. In addition, it will be seen that cartons having the above advantages may be readily manufactured with a minimum of wastage of cardboard stock material.

The invention, as herein disclosed, comprises related embodiments of the invention disclosed in my copending patent applications, Serial Nos. 514,957, now Patent No. 2,804,256, granted Aug. 27, 1957, and 589,698, tiled June 13 1955 and June 6, 1956, respectively, and certain features disclosed but not claimed herein are claimed in my said copending applications.

It will thus be seen that the invention accomplishes its objects and while it has been herein disclosed by 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.

Iclaim:

1. A collapsible carton having a self-erecting bottom comprising a blank cut, scored and folded to form foldably connected front, side, rear and closure walls, a detachable connection betweenA said closure wall and said frontI wall for securing said closure wall in closed position, each of said walls having top and bottom closure ilaps foldably connected thereto at the opposite ends thereof, said bottom ilaps being arranged in pairs of opposed inner and outer flaps, each of said outer flaps being xedly secured to the adjacent innerfap for forming the bottom of the carton in sections, said sections being located on opposite sides of said detachable connection and on opposite sides of a hinge connection between said side and said rear walls each of said outer flaps being formed with a substantially diagonal fold Aline and being adapted to fold inwardly at said fold line between said walls together with the respective inner iiap whenl said walls are collapsed, said. bottom 'closure `sections 'being moved to erected closed position normal to saidrwalls and into frictional and detachableengagement by erecting movement of said walls,and a member integrally and follably connected to the free edge of Ysaid front wall adjacent the bottom end thereof, said last named member having a lateral extension lfoldably connected thereto, said extension being xedly secured to the outer surface of the bottom ap connected with said closure wall, said closure wall being divisable adjacent the bottom of the carton into two portions, one of said portions being connected to said closure wall bottom ap the other of said portions being detachable from said front wall and separable from said first mentioned portion for movement to open position to expose the carton contents, said member and said rst mentioned portion of said closure wall together with the bottom ap connected thereto maintainA ing a fixed connection between said front and rear walls for holding "said bottom sections in erected closed position.

2. A collapsible carton having a self-erecting bottom comprising a blank cut, scored and folded to form foldably'connected front, side, rear and closure walls, a detachable connection between said closure wall and said front wall for securing said closure Wall in closed position, each of said walls having top and bottom closure flaps foldably `connected thereto at the opposite ends thereof, said bottom iiaps being arranged in pairs of opposed inner and outer flaps, each of said outer aps being xally secured to the adjacent inner flap for forming the bottom of the carton in sections, said sections being located on opposite sides of said detachable connection and on oppositesides of a hinge connection between said side and said rear walls, each of said outer flaps being formed with a substantially diagonal fold line and being adapted to fold inwardly at' said fold line between said walls together with the respective inner ilap 'when said wallsare collapsed, said bottom closure sections being moved to erected closed position normal to said walls and into frictional and detachable engagement by erecting movement of said walls, and a member integrally and foldably connected to the free edge of said front wall adjacent the bottom end thereof, said last named memberhaving a lateralextension foldably connected thereto, said extension being fxedly secured to the outer surface of the bottom flap connected with said closure wall, said closurewall having a line` of weakening extending thereacross adjacent the bottom of the carton forrdividing said closure wall into two portions, one of, said portions being connected to said closure wallvbottom Aiap, the other of said portions being detachable from'said front'wall and separable along said line of weakening from said rst mentioned portion fory movement to open position to expose the carton contents, said member and said rst mentioned portion of said closure wall together with the bottom flap connected thereto maintaining a iixed connection between said front and rear walls for holding said bottom sections in erected closed position.

3. A collapsible carton having a self-erecting bottom comprising a blank cut, scored and folded to form foldably connected front, side, rear and closure walls, a detachable connection between saidv closure wall and said front wall for securing said closure wall'in closed position, each of saidwails having top and bottom closure iiaps foldably connected` thereto at the opposite ends thereof, said bottom aps being arranged in pairs of opposed inner and outer ilaps, each of said .outer flaps being xedly secured to the adjacent inner Hap for forming the bottom of the carton in sections, said sections being locatedV on opposite sides of 'said detachable connection and on opposite "sides ot a hinge connection between said side walls and said rear wall, each of said outer flaps being formed with a substantially diagonal fold line and being adapted to fold inwardly at said fold line between said walls together with the respective inner flap when said walls` are collapsed, said bottom closure sections being moved to erected closed position normal to said walls and into frictional and detachable engagement by erecting movement of said walls, said closure wall being divisible adjacent the bottom of the carton into two portions, one of said portions being connected to said closure wall bottom ap, the other of said portions being detachable from said front wall and separable from said rst mentioned portion for movement to open position to expose the carton contents, and a member integrally and foldably connected to the free edge of said front wall adjacent the bottom end thereof, said last named member having a fold line extending thereacross at substantially right angles to the line of connection of said member with said front wall for dividing said member into inner and outer portions, said inner portion being ixedly secured to the inner surface of said-closure wall, said outer portion being xedly secured to the outer surface of the bottomap connected to said closure walLsaid last mentioned member and said rst mentioned portion of said closure wall together with the bottom ap connected thereto maintaining a fixed connectionvbetween said front and yrear walls for holding said bottom sections in erected closed position.

Inman et al Oct. 13, 1953 Inman Aug. 17, 1954

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