US2889102A - Corner gusset lock for containers of flexible material - Google Patents

Description

June 2, 1959 M. WAGAMAN 2,839,102

CORNER GUSSET LOCK FOR CONTAINERS OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL Filed April 29, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 INVENTOR.

MERLE L. WAGAMAN 7' TORWEVS June 2, 1959 M. WAGAMAN 2,889,102

CORNER GUSSET LOCK FOR coummsas OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL Filed April 29, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. MERLE L. WAGAMA/V BY 7 W Z TOP/VEVS 2,889,102 Patented June 2, 1959 CORNER GUSSET LOCK FOR CONTAINERS OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL Merle L. Wagaman, Lynwood, Califi, assignor to Fibreboard Paper Products Corporation, San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application April 29, 1957, Serial No. 655,860

9 Claims. (Cl. 229-31) This invention relates to collapsible containers and more particularly to multi-cornered paperboard boxes or cartons formed from a single sheet of flexible material, desirably paperboard, which is provided with an improved full gusset corner lock. Boxes of the type to be described have become very popular and are widely used by 'laundries to package various articles of clothing, as Well as by bakeries for covering and packaging cakes and other similar perishable foods. The box of the present invention also is equally well adapted for wide use in other fields where paperboard boxes generally are employed.

Summarizing this invention, it has as its objects, among others, the provision of a paperboard box having reinforced corner portions which are strongly and securely retained against accidental separation after the box has been set up. Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved corner gusset flap which will securely hold the box in a set up position.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a box structure which may be used not only for the lower half of the box but which is also adaptable for use as a telescoping cover of a box.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a corner flap for a box which has formed therein a marginal cut plus a score or fold line which impart increased flexibility and mobility to the corner flap to facilitate setting up of the box.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of box corner flaps having a double thickness of material which provides the corner of the box with added strength.

Further objects of this invention will become readily apparent from the following description:

Generally, a box embodying this invention is of the common rectangular shape with upright side walls extending from a longitudinal cover panel which may be either the bottom of a box or the top on a closure for the box. It should be understood, however, that the shape of the box may be varied as desired and the box may be provided with any number of corners which would adapt the box for any particular use. Each of the corners, however, preferably, but not necessarily, is of identical structure and the purpose of this invention is to provide a secure lock for each of the corners which comprise the box.

The corner lock of this invention is substantially gusset or wedge shaped, that is, in the form of a substantially triangular flap which traverses the corner area lying between adjacent side walls of the box. Each of the gusset flaps is folded along a diagonal or oblique hinge or fold line which divides the gusset flap into two similar sections. By folding along this diagonal or oblique hinge line, the gusset flap is formed into a two-ply corner locking flap which is intended to overlie and contact one of the adjacent side walls of the box. At the outer extremity of each gusset flap are positioned a pair of locking tabs, preferably identical in shape, which are intended to be lockingly received in a slit formed in one of the side walls.

Boxes of the general character described have been known in the art previously but, in setting up all such boxes, it was often diflicult to secure properly the locking tabs in the receiving locking slit without tearing or enlarging the slit opening or deforming the locking tabs. The box of my device has been provided with additional means, which take the form of a marginal cut and a fold line, which fold line and cut impart added mobility and flexibility to the gusset flap to facilitate insertion of the locking tabs into the locking slit as the box is being set up without danger of enlarging the slit or deforming the tabs.

It should be understood that preferably each of the corner sections of the box are identical and therefore only one corner has been illustrated in the drawings. Reference is now made to the drawings for a more detailed description of the box and the improved corner gusset flap which is provided thereon.

Fig. l is a plan view of an outer corner portion of a paperboard blank for setting up a box which embodies the preferred form of corner gusset type lock;

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the blank corner portion of Fig. 1 in set up condition with the locking tabs of the gusset flap securely retained in the locking slit formed in one of the side walls;

Fig. 3 is a side view of one corner of the box in set up position showing the locking tabs extending through the slit in the box side wall;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section of a set up corner of a box taken in a plane indicated by line 44 in Fig. 3. This view shows the construction of the box when the gusset flap overlies the side wall with the locking tabs inserted in the locking slit;

Fig. 5 is a top view of an intermediate step in setting up the box which illustrates the added flexibility and mobility imparted to the gusset flap by means of the marginal cut and additional fold line formed therein;

Big. 6 is a vertical longitudinal section through a corner of the box taken in a plane indicated by line 66 in Fig. 5. The box is shown in an intermediate position while it is being set up. The flexibility and mobility imparted to the gusset flaps by the marginal cut and additional fold line are clearly illustrated;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a fragmentary corner section of a blank illustrating a somewhat modified form of the improved gusset type corner lock embodied in my invention;

Fig. 8 is a side view of the blank of Fig. 7 showing the modified corner of the box in the set up condition;

Fig. 9 is a partial horizontal section of a modified set up box corner embodying the features of Fig. 7 taken in a plane shown by line 9-9 in Fig. 8. The corner of the box is shown in set up position;

Fig. 10 is a partial vertical section showing the inside of the modified box corner in set up position taken in a plane shown by line 1010 in Fig. 9. The engagement of the locking tabs with the locking slit and the inner face of the side wall is clearly shown.

In all embodiments shown, cuts are shown as solid lines, conventional crease lines are shown as dot-dash lines, while cut-score lines are shown as dashed lines. The relative lengths of the cuts in the cut-score lines are indicated by the length of dashes shown.

Referring to Fig. 1, a portion of a box blank is shown which embodies features of this invention. The outer portion of the blank is illustrated. In a typical laundry box or bakery box of the type mentioned previously four corner portions integrally connected would be utilized,

3 each of which desirably embodies the structure shown in Fig. 1.

However, depending on the use for which the box is intended, the number of corners formed thereon may be varied as desired to meet a particular need. It should be understood that the exact shape and size of the box is relatively immaterial.

In Fig. l is shown a portion of a flat blank from which a box embodying this invention is intended to be set up. The blank portion shown in Fig. 1 is intended to produce a conventional rectangular box, but it should be understood that the corner structure would vary slightly depending upon the desired shape of the finished box.

Each corner portion of the blank comprises a cover panel 2 having side Walls 3 and 4 hingedly secured to intersecting margins thereof. Intersecting crease lines L are positioned between each of side walls 3 and 4 and the adjacent margins of the cover panel 2 to which the side Walls are secured to facilitate folding of the box into its set up position. It should be noted that extensions of crease lines L run along adjacent end margins of the side walls 3 and 4.

A full gusset or corner panel, generally designated 6, is interposed between and traverses the space lying between adjacent end margins of side walls 3 and 4. This gusset or corner panel 6 consists of two similar sections 7 and 8. A diagonal or oblique fold or crease line 9 divides the gusset corner flap 6 into the two similar sections 7 and 8 just mentioned. This diagonal or oblique fold line 9 extends from adjacent the point of intersection P of the two crease lines L toward the outer extremity of the gusset panel which lies diagonally opposite such intersection point P.

Corner gusset panel 6, it should be noted, is of substantially wedge or roughly triangular shape in that a portion 11 thereof has been cut away adjacent the end of the diagonal fold line 9. The cut out portion 11 forms two locking tabs 12 and 13 which lie on opposite sides of said fold line 9. On opposite sides of tabs 12 and 13 are cut out portions, 18 and 19, of substantial V- shape, which are continuations of, and communicate with, enlarged cut away portion 11.

When side walls 3 and 4 of the blank are folded upright with respect to cover panel 2, corner panel 6 is automatically folded along crease line 9, thereby forming a gusset locking panel comprising two similar sections 7 and 8 arranged in overlapping face to face relationship. The purpose and function of the folded sections of the corner gusset panel will be more fully set out hereinafter.

In side wall 3 is formed a substantially L-shaped cut or locking slit 14 which is located adjacent the end margin of side wall 3. L-shaped slit 14 has oppositely directed cut portions which meet at an elbow portion 15.

Extending inwardly from an outer margin of the cover gusset panel 6 is another L-shaped cut 16. It should be noted that cut 16 extends for a portion of its length as a continuation of the crease line L which separates corner flap 6 from side wall 3. At a location spaced from the outer margin of the blank, however, the cut 16 has portion 16a which veers inwardly into section 8 of gusset panel 6 to produce the L-shaped configuration described previously.

Extending from the inner end of cut portion 16a and preferably communicating therewith is an additional or auxiliary fold line 17 which also is formed in section 8 of corner flap 6. Fold line 17 extends obliquely to a point adjacent the point of intersection P of the crease lines L but desirably, though not necessarily, stops short thereof. The purpose of cut 16 and additional crease or fold line 17 will be made clear as this specification continues.

Desirably, although not necessarily, both crease or fold lines 9 and 17 take the form of cut-score lines. The

relative lengths of the cuts formed in the cut-score lines may be varied slightly to meet particular needs. As illustrated in Fig. l, the outer portion of cut-score line 9 has cuts formed therein which are substantially longer than the cuts formed in the inner portion of cut-score line 9. In addition, the extension of crease line L which lies between side wall 3 and corner panel 6 similarly may be formed as a cut-score line although this is not necessary in all embodiments of this invention. For many uses, a conventional crease line will be adequate to facilitate folding of corner panel 6 relative to side wall 3. The purpose of such cut-score lines is to facilitate proper folding of the blank into the finished box at the desired locations with a minimum of effort and without danger of deforming the blank at a location other than along the cut-score lines.

As mentioned previously, the corner panel 6 is roughly of wedge or triangular shape due to the cut out portion 11 which has been removed from the outer margin of the corner panel. However, pointed portions 21 and 22 of corner panel 6 are retained in the panel so that the corner gusset panel 6 will have portions lying flush with the upper edge of side wall 3 when the box is set up. See Fig. 2. It is evident, therefore, that point P of the intersecting crease lines L forms the apex of such triangular corner panel 6. The fold line 9, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1, extends from such point P diagonally across corner panel 6 to an outer margin thereof. Locking tabs 12 and 13 are positioned at a location adjacent the outer end of fold line 9 and are hingedly connected to each other along such fold line.

After the side walls 3 and 4 have been folded into an upright position extending from cover panel 2, the corner gusset panel 6 automatically is folded into two sections 7 and 8, each of which has face to face overlapping engagement with the other. In such folded position, locking tabs 12 and 13 also are in abutting face to face relationship. This intermediate position of the folded corner panel 6 is clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings.

Referring to Fig. 5, a corner of the box is shown with the side walls 3 and 4 in substantially upright position with the folded corner panel 6 ready for bending against side wall 3 for subsequent sliding insertion into the L-shaped cut or locking slit 14.

It is at this stage of the setting up operation that th: lock construction of. this invention overcomes the prob lems encountered with full flap corner gusset locks in boxes heretofore employed. In such other boxes it is often necessary to deform the ends of the locking tabs or to inadvertently tear or otherwise enlarge the locking slit formed in the side wall so that the locking tabs may be inserted therein. In this invention, however, any tearing or deformation of the locking slit, as well as any deformation of the locking tabs, is completely eliminated.

Such deformation of the locking slit 14 or locking tabs 12 and 13 is precluded because of the provision in the corner flap 6 of the cut 16 and additional fold line 17. Such cut and fold line impart the needed mobility and flexibility to the folded corner flap 6 so that the face to face locking tabs 12 and 13 may be easily inserted into receiving locking slit 14. The mobility imparted to corner flap 6 by cut 16 and fold line 17 is clearly illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6.

As shown in Fig. 5, the fold line 17 which extends into section 3 of the corner flap 6 permits the folded corner flap to be additionally bent along such fold line 17 so that the folded corner flap may be urged slightly outwardly away from the side wall 3 so that the locking tabs 2 and 13 readily may be manipulated into engagement with the locking slit 14. However to allow the folded corner panel 6 preliminarily to be urged away from the side wall 3 it also is necessary to form cut 16 along the connecting fold line extension between the corner flap 6 and side wall 3 and inwardly into section 8 of corner flap 6 as indicated at 16a.

The L-shaped cut 16 allows side wall 4 to remain slightly inclined relative to the cover panel 2 and spaced from adjacent side Wall 3 while the locking tabs 12 and 13 of corner panel 6 are held substantially flat against cooperating side wall 3. When in such position, the locking tabs then readily may be slid along side wall 3 until they are engaged with and securely held within locking slit 14 in the position shown in Figs. 2 through 4.

In this respect it is never necessary to bend or twist the locking tabs 12 and 13 or to otherwise destructively deform either the tabs or the slit 14 while the tabs are being inserted therein. To allow insertion of the tabs it only is necessary .to press the L-shaped portion of side wall 3 formed by slit 14 slightly out of the plane of the wall to allow the tabs to he slid through the slit.

As shown in phantom lines in both Figs. 2 and 3, the locking tabs, after insertion into locking slit 14, have their edges securely engaged with an edge of locking slit 14 with the outer extremities of the tabs positioned against the inner surface of side Wall 3. Figs. 2 and 3 also show that the V-shaped cut out portions 18 and 19, adjacent locking tabs 12 and 13 respectively, are securely and tightly engaged with the elbow portion 15 of the L-shaped slit 14 formed in side wall 3. In this manner the tabs are securely retained in the locking slit 14- and the box is retained with each of its corners in set up position. The dimensions of tabs 12 and 13 relative to slit 14 are such that the tabs are readily slidable into slit 14 and produce a tight fit therein without permitting unwanted excess shifting movement of the tabs in the slit.

Fig. 2 also clearly illustrates the reinforced corner portions produced in a box embodying the present invention. As can be seen, the similar sections 7 and 8 of the corner flap 6 are folded into overlapping and contacting engagement with a portion of the side wall 3. The box, therefore, at its corners has substantially a three-ply thickness which greatly increases the strength of the box due to the strut-like reinforcing action produced by such three-ply thickness. The increased corner strength allows a plurality of boxes to be stacked one on the other without danger of collapsing the lower boxes in the stack.

It should be understood, however, that the new and useful corner gusset lock described herein is not limited solely to the bottom portion of a paperboard box. The invention described is equally applicable in forming the top or cover of a box member which is intended to be telescopically received over a similarly formed bottom portion of a box.

The particular shape of the gusset corner lock de scribed herein is such that a box embodying this invention is especially adaptable to be set up by hand, especially when the gusset lock is utilized on boxes of sub stantial size, such as laundry boxes or large bakery boxes.

However, under certain situations, a box embodying this gusset lock more desirably may be set up mechanically in a suitable setting up machine.

It should also be pointed out that the flexibility and mobility imparted to the gusset panel of this invention is of particular importance when the box is formed from relatively heavy gauge paperboard. Such heavy paperboard does not possess the inherent resiliency and flexibility necessary to allow interengagernent of tab and slit means in the absence of gusset panel flexing means. The flexing means disclosed herein becomes necessary to allow such interengagenment to be accomplished in such a case without danger of tearing the slit or deforming the locking tabs.

Referring now to the modification of this device which is shown in Fig. 7, it should be understood that the component parts of the blank shown are substantially similar to the parts previously enumerated in discussing Fig. 1.

6 t t t Similar reference numerals have been used for each of the parts and only a prime has been added to each of the reference numerals to distinguish the pants of Fig. 7 from the parts of Fig. 1.

As readily can be seen, the basic blank shown in Fig. 7 is substantially identical to the blank previously discussed with reference to Fig. 1. The only distinction in Fig. 7 over Fig. 1 lies in the fact that the locking tabs 12' and 13 are not hingedly connected along diagonal fold line 9'. As is shown in Fig. 7, tabs 12' and 13 are separated by a cut out portion 23 which is part of the enlarged cut out portion 11'. This cut out portion has been designated 23 and extends between locking tabs 12' and 13' to a point adjacent the end of the diagonal fold line 9 which extends inwardly to the point P, the point of intersection of the crease lines L.

The blank of Fig. 7 is similarly provided with an L-shaped cut 16 which extends from an outer margin of the blank along the extension of crease line L between side wall 3 and corner gusset flap 6'. From the inner end of cut 16' an additional fold line 17 extends to a point adjacent the point P.

The setting up operation for the blank of Fig. 7 is identical with the operation previously disclosed with reference to setting up the blank of Fig. 1. The necessary flexibility and mobility are imparted to the gusset panel of the blank of Fig. 7 by cut 16' and additional fold line 17.

In certain situations it is more desirable to have the locking tabs of the improved gusset corner panel slightly spaced from each other, rather than integrally connected along a diagonal fold line, and for this purpose the modification of Fig. 7 has been devised, The lock produced by using the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 is no less secure than the one illustrated in Fig. 1, however.

Although duplicate locking tabs have been illustrated on both embodiments of the gusset flap shown in the drawings, it should be understood that under certain circumstances a single locking tab would be sufiicient. However, double tabs, folded in face to face relationship as illustrated, increase the strength of the box corner and more securely retain the box in set up condition. Double locking tabs, therefore, are more desirable on most boxes which incorporate a gusset flap of the type herein disclosed.

It should be understood that modifications of the invention disclosed herein may be made without departing from the general scope of the invention. Having now made a full disclosure, what I claim as my invention is:

1. A blank adapted to form a multi-cornered container wherein a comer-forming section of said blank comprises a cover panel, side wall panels hingedly secured along intersecting crease lines to adjacent intersecting margins of said cover panel, a gusset panel traversing the space between said side wall panels and hingedly connected thereto along extensions of said intersecting crease lines, an oblique fold line formed in said gusset panel and extending toward the point of intersection of said crease lines, lock tab means formed on said gusset panel adjacent the outer end of said oblique fold line, another fold line in said gusset panel extending outwardly from adjacent said point of intersection and positioned between said oblique fold line and one of said crease line extensions, and a locking slit formed in the side wall panel to which said gusset panel is connected along said last mentioned crease line extension for receiving said lock tab means whereby said blank when set up has the section of said gusset panel which includes said other fold line in face to face engagement with said last mentioned side wall panel and said lock tab means interengaged with said slit.

2. A paperboard blank, adapted to form a multieornered box, having a plurality of corner portions, a corner portion comprising a cover panel having intersecting margins, a side wall panel secured to one margin of said cover panel, another side wall panel secured to an adjacent margin of said cover panel, a gusset panel interposed between adjacent end margins of said side wall panels, intersecting fold lines extending between connected margins of said cover panel and said side wall panels, extensions of said fold lines extending between said gusset panel and the end margins of said side wall panels, lock tab means formed on said gusset panel, an oblique fold line provided in said gusset panel extending between the point of intersection of said first mentioned fold lines and said lock tab means, another fold line provided in said gusset panel between said oblique fold line and one of said fold line extensions and extending outwardly from adjacent said point of intersection to a point spaced from one side of said lock tab means, a cut extending inwardly from an outer margin of said gusset panel and operatively communicating with said another fold line, said cut and said another fold line imparting flexibility and mobility to said gusset panel during setting up of said box, and a locking slit formed in one of said side wall panels adjacent said gusset panel for receiving said lock tab means when said box is in set up condition.

3. A multi-cornered box, formed from a flat blank, wherein a corner portion comprises a cover panel, two side walls extending upright from said cover panel, a corner flap connected to the end margin of each of said side walls, said corner flap being doubled into similar sections along an oblique fold line extending outwardly from the corner of said cover panel, locking means on said corner flap adjacent the outer end of said oblique fold line, a cut extending inwardly into said corner flap from the outer margin thereof, another fold line provided in said corner flap between said oblique fold line and the connection between said corner flap and one of said side walls, said another fold line extending from adjacent the end of said cut to a point adjacent said corner of said cover flap, said cut and last mentioned fold line allowing flexing of said corner flap while precluding damage thereto during setting up of said box, and a locking slit formed. in said one of said side walls in which said locking means is securely retained after said corner flap has been bent to overlie a portion of said one side wall.

4. A multi-cornered paperboard box wherein a corner is formed by a bottom panel, a pair of adjacent side walls extending upwardly from said bottom panel, one of which has a locking slit therein, and a gusset type corner fiap connected to each of said side walls and overlying part of said one side Wall, said corner flap comprising similar sections folded face to face along an oblique hinge line which traverses said corner flap, lock tabs positioned face to face adjacent the outer end of Said oblique hinge line, a marginal cut extending into one section of said corner flap, another hinge line provided in said corner flap between said oblique hinge line and the connection between said corner flap and said one side wall, said another hinge line extending from adjacent the inner end of said marginal out toward said oblique hinge line, said corner flap being folded against said one side wall so that the section of said corner flap which contains said cut and said another hinge line contacts said one side wall with said lock tabs securely retained in said side wall locking slit.

5. A multi-cornered box wherein one of the corners consists of a bottom panel, two adjacent and angularly related side walls extending from said bottom panel with a locking slit cut in one of said side walls, and a corner flap connected along crease lines to said side walls and overlying said one side wall; said corner flap comprising two similar flap sections folded face to face along an outwardly directed hinge line which obliquely traverses said corner flap, locking means formed on said corner flap adjacent the outer end of said outwardly directed hinge line, and a narrow elongated cut extending into one of said flap sections from an outer margin of said corner flap, thereby partially severing said corner flap from said one side wall, said out including a portion which extends angularly into said one flap section relative to and from the crease line connecting said corner flap to said one side wall in the general direction of said outwardly directed hinge line, said cut imparting mobility to said one flap section to facilitate setting up said box so that said folded corner flap may be positioned away from said one side wall along the length of said cut preliminary to positioning said corner flap in engagement with said one side wall so that said locking means may be inserted in said locking slit without damaging either; and said locking means extending into and being securely retained in said locking slit to maintain said box in set up condition with said one flap section in face to face contacting engagement with said one side wall.

6. In a corner lock on a container having a cover panel, a pair of adjacent side walls hingedly connected to said cover panel, a full gusset lock flap hingedly connected to the adjacent ends of said side walls along crease lines and having an oblique fold line enabling sections of said gusset flap to be folded in overlapping relationship when said side walls are set up, locking means on said flap, one of said side walls having cooperable locking means for engagement with the locking means on said flap; and means to enable flexing of said gusset flap to facilitate inter-engagement of said locking means without damaging the same comprising an auxiliary fold line on one of said flap sections extending between said oblique fold line and the crease line connecting said gusset fiap with the side wall having the cooperable locking means, and a narrow elongated marginal cut having a first portion forming a substantial continuation of said latter mentioned crease line and a second portion extending from said first portion toward said auxiliary fold line on said one fiap section, said gusset flap being partially severed by said out from said last mentioned side wall whereby during setting up said container said gusset flap when folded along said oblique fold line may be positioned away from such side wall along the length of said second cut portion and said one flap section may be folded along said auxiliary fold line so that said gusset panel and the locking means thereon may be brought into engagement with the locking means on such side wall without damaging either of said locking means.

7. A blank adapted to form a multi-cornered container wherein a corner forming section thereof comprises a cover panel, a pair of side wall panels hingedly connected along intersecting crease lines to intersecting margins of said cover panel, and a gusset panel traversing the space between said side wall panels and hingedly connected thereto along extensions of said intersecting crease lines, an oblique fold line provided in said gusset panel extending from adjacent the point of intersection of said crease lines toward an outer extremity of said gusset panel, lock means on said gusset panel, and cooperable means provided on one of said side wall panels for engagement with said gusset panel lock means when said container is set up, an auxiliary fold line in said gusset panel extending outwardly from adjacent said point of intersection and positioned between said oblique fold line and one of said crease line extensions, and an L-shaped marginal cut extending inwardly from an edge of said blank and having a first portion thereof forming a substantial continuation of said one crease line extension and a second portion thereof extending into said gusset panel from the inner end of said first cut portion and terminating adjacent the outer end of said auxiliary fold line, said auxiliary fold line and L-shaped cut imparting mobility and flexibility to said gusset panel whereby upon said gusset panel being folded along said oblique fold line and positioned in contact with said one side wall said gusset panel lock means readily may be engaged with said cooperable means without deforming or tearing either said lock means or said cooperable means.

8. A corner lock for a set-up container comprising a cover panel, a pair of adjacent side walls hingedly connected to said cover panel and extending substantially upright therefrom, a gusset panel hingedly connected to adjacent ends of said side walls along intersecting crease lines and having an oblique fold line extending from adjacent the point of intersection of said crease lines toward an outer extremity of said gusset panel, said gusset panel being folded along said oblique fold line to provide similar gusset panel sections positioned in face to face engagement, lock means on said gusset panel and cooperable means on one of said side walls with which said gusset panel lock means is interengaged to maintain said container corner in set up condition; and means imparting mobility and flexibility to said gusset panel to facilitate interengagement of said lock means and cooperable means without distortion or destructive tearing of either of said means comprising an auxiliary fold line on one of said gusset panel sections between said oblique fold line and the crease line connecting said gusset panel with said one side wall, and an L-shaped cut having a first portion thereof extending inwardly from an outer margin of said container as a substantial continuation of said last mentioned crease line, a second portion of said cut extending from the inner end of said first cut portion into said one gusset panel section and terminating adjacent the outer end of said auxiliary fold line whereby said out and auxiliary fold line are cooperable to impart said mobility and flexibility to said gusset panel; said gusset panel being folded so that said one gusset panel section including said second cut portion and said auxiliary fold line overlies and contacts said one side wall and is maintained in such overlying relation by said interengaged means.

9. A blank adapted to form a multi-cornered container wherein a corner forming section thereof comprises a cover panel, a pair of side wall panels hingedly connected along intersecting crease lines to intersecting margins of said cover panel, a gusset panel traversing the space between said side Wall panels and hingedly connected thereto along extensions of said intersecting crease lines, gusset panel lock means defined by generally V-shaped cut outs in said gusset panel and cooperable means on one of said side wall panels interengageable with said lock means for maintaining said container set up, and a narrow elongated cut independent of said V-shaped cut outs extending inwardly from an edge of said blank, a first portion of said cut forming a substantial continuation of one of said crease line extensions and a second portion thereof extending angularly relative to said one crease line into said gusset panel from the inner end of said first cut portion, said elongated out imparting flexibility and mobility to said gusset panel so that the same may be positioned away from said one side wall panel along the length of said second cut portion as said lock means on said gusset flap is engaged with said cooperable means on said one side wall whereby setting up of said container without resultant distortion or damage to said lock means or said cooperable means during interengagement thereof may be effected.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 459,543 Clark et al. Sept. 15, 1891 1,111,552 Allers Sept. 22, 1914 1,190,797 Powell July 11, 1916 1,567,594 Hitzert Dec. 29, 1925 1,947,199 Goodnow Feb. 13, 1934 2,443,431 Ringler June 15, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 80,563 Sweden May 29, 1934

Images