US2901873A

US2901873A - Cartons and method of carton formation

Info

Publication number: US2901873A
Application number: US631678A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Joseph Enos
Original assignee: CALIFORNIA WHEELING MACHINE PR
Current assignee: CALIFORNIA WHEELING MACHINE PR; CALIFORNIA WHEELING MACHINE PRODUCTS Co
Priority date: 1956-12-31
Filing date: 1956-12-31
Publication date: 1959-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 1976-09-01

Description

Sept. 1, 1959 .1. ENOS, JR 2,901,373

CARTONS AND METHOD OF CARTON FORMATION Filed Dec. 31, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 T75515 .Efvos (IQ.

INVENTOR.

z w 9 HUEBNER BEEHLER "M/ 'aw/ WORREL & HERZIG 56 L ATTORNEYS mm M Sept. 1, 1959 J. ENos, JR 2,

CARTONS AND METHOD OF CARTON FORMATION Filed Dec. 31, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 9 7 Q ZJW a2 I mag '99 z 1615- /a7- il JOSEPH E205, J2.

INVENTOR. HUEBNER, BEEHLER, WORREL & HERZIG TTOR EYS United States Patent CARTONS AND METHOD OF CARTON FORMATION Joseph Enos, In, Woodlake, Calif, assignor to California Wheeling Machine Products Co, Woodlake, Calif.

Application December 31, 1956, Serial No. 631,678

11 Claims. (Cl. 53-29) The present invention relates to cartons and methods of carton formation and more particularly to a simple, economical, easily formed package readily fabricated from simple and inexpensive material and readily adapted to accommodate a variety of sizes and shapes of contents.

In the practical packaging art, savings in time, material and labor are prime considerations. The frequency with which bulk articles, or previously packaged articles, must be repackaged, seriously aggravates the waste incurred in packaging operations. For example, pipe fittings are normally shipped by the manufacturer in bulk to the wholesaler. The wholesaler usually packs the fittings in smaller containers for his dealers who in turn repack the fittings for the ultimate purchaser.

Disposable fiberboard cartons have become especially popular for packing purposes but are subject to certain diificulties which have interfered with their full utility. Such containers are usually pre-cut by means of a die which also scores various fold lines. The actual formation of the carton, however, is frequently tedious and more expensive than desired. The required folding operations are usually time consuming, portions require gluing, and automatic machinery is frequently utilized which is too expensive for the small user. If the containers are for-med by the manufacturer, they are too bulky to ship and to store. If they are shipped in flat blanks and require consumer formation, the operation is frequently inexpertly performed, time Wasted, and excessive labor involved.

Further, many containers must be formed before their contents are placed therein and yet after formation are inconvenient to fill. Finally, conventional containers are made up in predetermined sizes. It is found that an excessive inventory of containers in a wide range of sizes is necessary if efficiently matching of desired contents with container capacity is to be achieved. Conventional containers are not readily modified in accordance with size requirements.

An object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a more economical container, carton or package.

Another object is to provide an improved method of carton formation which minimizes wasted time, labor and expense.

Another object is to provide an improved carton which is adaptable to various sizes and shapes of contents.

Another object is to provide cartons adapted to receive their contents prior to complete formation.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the subsequent description in the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a pair of blanks or sheets of fiberboard or other substantially rigid, foldable material employed in making the carton of the present invention and showing fold lines thereon.

Fig. 2 illustrates the sheets of Fig. 1 in crossed relation as assumed during a step in forming the carton.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of a jig employed in the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the sheets of Fig. 1 folded Patented Sept. 1, 1959 into compartment forming relation and held in such relation by the jig of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the carton of the present invention filled with pipe nipples with portions of the carton left open to enable observation of the nipples.

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of a completed package of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a section taken on line 77 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a top plan View of a pair of sheets of substantially rigid, bendable material, such a fiberboard, overlapped in a symmetrical cross demonstrating one of the steps of forming a package in accordance with the second form of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the sheets of Fig. 8 folded into compartment forming relation with pipe nipples filling the compartment, and with the sheets held in compartment forming relation by a jig.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a completed carton formed in accordance with the second form of the present mvention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a pair of elongated, substantially rectangular sheets or

blanks

10 and 11 of substantially rigid, foldable material, preferably fiberboard, is shown in Fig. l. The sheet 10 is designated as the first sheet and provides a pair of

longitudinal side edges

12 and 13, opposite

transverse end edges

14 and 15, a single outer fold line 16 in adjacent spaced relation to the end edge 14, a single inner fold line 17 in adjacent spaced relation to the outer fold line 16, a plurality of transverse outer fold lines 18 in adjacent spaced relation to the end edge 15, and a plurality of inner fold lines 19 in adjacent spaced relation to the plurality of outer fold lines. The fold lines may be formed in the sheet by stamping or scoring. Such lines may also be perforated, if preferred, but this generally leads to weakness. Stillfurther, the sheet may consist of inner and outer plies having transverse corrugations therebetween easily conducive to folding. Stated otherwise, the fold lines-are merely weakened lines transversely of the sheet'along which the sheet is easily folded. The sheet is thus divided-into five panels, namely, end panels 25 and '26,

intermediate panels

27 and 28, and a center panel 29.

The second sheet 11 is identical to the first sheet and thus provides

longitudinal side edges

35 and 36,

end edges

37 and 38, a'single outer fold line 39, a single inner fold line 49, va plurality of outer fold lines 41, a plurality of inner fold lines 42,

end panels

46 and 57, intermediate panels 48 and 4-9, and a center panel 50.

The

sheets

10 and 11 may be cut from a large piece'of fiberboard, or like material, and the fold lines provided thereon in a single operation. However accomplished, the provision of the sheets in the manner described is the first step in making the package of the subject invention.

The second step is best described by reference'to Fig. 2. The first and

second sheets

10 and 11 are crossedin substantially right angular, asymmetrical relation with the

intermediate panels

27 and 48 in overlapped relation and constituting overlapped portions generally indicated by the numeral 55. The overlappedportions may be stapled, glued, or otherwise secured together but in the preferred manner of carrying out the method of the-present invention, they are merely overlapped. In addition, the

end panels

29 and 46 constitute a pair of short or minor end portions when the sheets are in the described overlapping relation. Further, the panels29, 28, and 26 of the sheet 10, and the

panels

50, 49, and 47 of the sheet 11 constitute long or major end portions of the overlapped sheet. For convenience of reference the short end portions are given the numeral 56 and the long end portions the numeral 57.

Next, the overlapped sheets10 andll are foldedalong lapped portions 55, to bring the short end portions 56 and the long end portions 57 into substantially rectangular relation surrounding an open compartment 60 having the overlapped portions as a bottom. It is significant to note .that the compartment isopen from beyond the

edges

14 and 37 of the short end portions along two sides of the compartment. Of course, when the sheets are folded in this manner, the longitudinal edges of the long and the short end portions are brought into meeting engagement.

The folded sheets are then placed in a jig indicated by the numeral 65. The jig may take any suitable form but, as illustrated, includes a back plate 66 of rectangular shape having four corners. Dowel pins 67 are extended outwardly from the back plate at three corners thereof. A slide 68 is also extended outwardly from the back plate at the fourth corner. A V-bar 69 provides an apex longitudinally. slidably fitted .on the slide for movement toward and away from the back plate. The folded sheets and 11 are placed in the chuck with the overlapped portions 55 against the back plate and with the dowel pins extended outwardly along the meeting edges of the long and

short end portions

56 and 57. In this manner the dowel pins temporarily hold the sheets in folded compartment forming relation. The long end portions are positioned against the V-bar which may be adjusted to accommodate long end portions of various lengths.

The next step of the present invention involves filling of the compartment 60 with articles, such as pipe nipples 61. The nipples are placed in the compartment longitudinally of the

sheets

10 and 11 in compact, stacked relation. As a whole, the nipples form a substantially cubical pack 62 having an end 63 against the overlapped portions 55 and an outwardly extended end 64. Further, the pack provides a longitudinal dimension and a pair of transverse dimensions, the latter being determined by the length and width of the overlapped portions.

After the compartment 60 is filled, the long end portion 57 of the sheet 10 is folded along one of the inner fold lines 19 to bring the panel 28 against the extended end 64 of the pack 62 in substantially parallel relation to the overlapped portions of the sheets. For this purpose, a plurality of fold lines 19 have been provided so that the sheet may be broken or folded along a transverse line which is spaced from the overlapped portions 55 a dis tance substantially equal to the longitudinal dimension of the pack. Thereafter, the sheet 10 is further folded along one of the outer fold lines 18 to bring the end panel 26 against the pack and the edge into meeting or overlapping engagement with the edge 14 or merely adjacent to each other. Again, the plurality of fold lines 18 enable breaking the sheet along a line spaced from the fold line 19 a distance substantially equal to the transverse dimension of the pack. The sheet 11 is folded in like manner to wrap the long end portion 57 thereof around the pack 62 with the intermediate panel 49- overlaying the intermediate panel 28 and with the

edges

38 and 37 into meeting or overlapping engagement or adjacent to each other. The package is completed by extending a strip of tape 75 around the

sheets

10 and 11 in marginally overlapping relation to the meeting edges 15, 16, and 37, 38.

Second form The second form of the present invention provides a pair of elongated, substantially

rectangular sheets

79 and 80 of substantially rigid, foldable material. The first sheet 79 provides longitudinal side edges 81 and 82, end edges 83 and 84, single

inner fold lines

85 and 86, a plurality of

outer fold lines

87 and 88,

end panels

89, 90,

intermediate panels

91 and 92, and a center panel 93.

The second sheet'80 provides longitudinal side edges 96 and 97, end edges 98 and 99,

inner fold lines

100 and 101, groups of

outer fold lines

102 and 103,

end panels

104 and 105,

intermediate panels

106 and 107, and a center panel 108. The first and second sheets may be formed in the manner. described in connection with the first form of the invention and the fold lines may be scored or weakened areas provided by using a corrugated sheet, as previously explained.

The first and second sheets 79 and are symmetrically crossed with the

center panels

93 and 108 in overlapping relation so as to provide four outwardly extended end portions comprising the intermediate and end panels of each of the sheets. Preferably, the overlapped center panels are not secured although they may be, if desired.

Next, the

intermediate panels

91, 92, 106, and 107 are folded along the

lines

85, 86, 100, and 101 into substantially rectangular relation to form a compartment 115. it is to be noted that the longitudinal edges of the adjacent intermediate and end panels are brought into meeting engagement and that the folded sheets provide an opening for the compartment.

As with the first form of the invention, a jig is provided including a back plate 121 and a plurality of dowel pins 122 extended upwardly from the plate at the four corners thereof. The next step in the formation of the package of the second form of the invention is to place the folded sheets, as above described, into the jig with the overlapped

center panels

93 and 103 against the back plate and so that the dowel pins extend upwardly along the meeting edges of the

intermediate panels

91, 92, 106, and 107. The chuck thus holds the sheets in compartment forming relation. Articles 61, such as pipe nipples, are then placed in the compartment in stacked relation therein. The articles form a pack 125 having a longitudinal dimension longitudinally aligned with the intermediate panels of the sheets and transverse dimensions extended transversely of the intermediate panels of the sheets. The pack has an inner end 126 against the overlapped center panels and an outer end 127 adjacent to the opening for the compartment.

After the compartment is filled, the

end panels

89 and 90 are folded downwardly over the outer end 127 of the pack 125. For this purpose the sheet 79 is folded along selected

outer fold lines

87 and 88 so that the distance between such fold lines and the overlapped center panels is substantially equal to the longitudinal dimension of the pack. This brings the end edges 83 and 84 of the sheet 79 into meeting engagement. The

end panels

104 and 105 are likewise folded over the outer end 127 of the pack and in overlapped relation to the

end panels

89 and 90.

The package is completed by extending a strip of tape 130 along the meeting edges of the

end panels

104 and 105 to secure these panels together. It is to be noted, that, depending on the length of the pack 125, the end edges 83 and 84, and 98 and 99 may meet or overlap. The important feature is that the plurality of

outer fold lines

87, 88, 102, and 193 permit the end panels to fit against the outer end 127 of the pack so the pack is completely held within the container.

From the foregoing it will be evident that improvements have been made in the packaging of articles which greatly simplifies, speeds, and renders more economical such packaging. Particularly with the first form of the invention, the partial formation of packages immediately prior to filling thereof provides convenient access to the interior of the package for proper and rapid placement of articles therein. The packages are economical since they may be formed of blanks which may be sent to the users in fiat condition and since they can be formed in a minimum of time and with a minimum of materials and training.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred methods and embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent methods. a

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

1. A method of packaging elongated substantially cylindrical rigid articles of substantially uniform length with a pair of elongated substantially rectangular sheets of substantially longitudinally and transversely rigid foldable material having longitudinal side edges and op- :posite ends comprising overlapping the sheets in sub stantially right angular relation to provide releasably overlapped portions and four outwardly extended end portions; folding the sheets along first transverse fold lines bordering the overlapped portions to extend the end portions in a common direction and into compart ment forming relation bounding the overlapped portions, the side edges of the sheets being in releasable edgewardly adjacent meeting relation in said compartment forming relation; placing the folded sheets temporarily in a jig having dowels arranged in substantially rectangular [relation corresponding to the sides of the overlapped portions with the dowels extended along the meeting edgewardly adjacent side edges of the end portions to hold such side edges together; filling the compartment formed by the end portions of the sheets with a plurality of such articles, the articles forming a substantially longitudinally rigid pack having a predetermined longitudinal dimension, transverse dimensions equal to the transverse spacing of the end portions, an end against the overlapped portions, and an extended end, the ex tended end of the pack having substantially rigid end edges individually adjacent to said end portions of'the sheets; folding the end portions of the sheets along their respectively adjacent end edges of the pack to provide secondtransverse fold lines spaced from the overlapped portionsby a distance substantially equal to the longitudinal dimension of the pack to overlap said end portions in overlying relation to the extended end of the pack and. to bring the opposite ends of each sheet together, the longitudinal rigidity of the pack facilitating the folding of the sheets along said second transverse fold lines; and securing the ends of the sheets together.

2. In, a method of packaging employing a pair of elongated substantially rectangular sheets of substantially rigid foldable material having longitudinal side edges and opposite ends, the steps ofoverlapping the sheets in adjacent spaced relation to the ends and in the form of an asymmetrical cross to provide overlapped portions, a pair of long end, portions and a pair of short end portions;'folding-the long and short end portions along lines constituting the bordering edges of the overlapped portions. to form an open compartment bounded by the long and. short portions with the short portions being in adjacent angular relation to each other andwith the long portions being in adjacent angular relation to each other, said compartment being thus adapted to receive material to be packaged; folding the long portions over the compartment in overlapping relation to each other so as to bring the ends of each sheet into engagement thereby to enclose the compartment; and, securing the ends of the sheets together.

'3. A method of packaging articles with a pair of elongated-substantially rectangular sheets of substantially rigidgfbldable material each having opposite ends and longitudinal side edges comprising overlaying one of the sheets by the other With the sheets crossed adjacent to their ends, folding the sheets about the overlaid portions to'form an open compartment bounded by. a pair of angularly adjacent short end portions and a pair of anigularly adjacent long end portions and adapted to be upwardly disposed for filling purposes, placing such articles in the open compartment, folding one of the long end portions along fold lines transversely of its respective sheet over the compartment to bring the end of such long portion into engagement with the end edge of the short end portion associated therewith, folding the other long portion Ealong 'fold lines transversely of its respec tivesheet over the compartment in overlaying relation to the long portion first folded to bring the end edge of its respectively associated sheet into engagement with the end edge of its associated short portion whereby the compartment is enclosed, and securing the ajacent end edges of such portions together.

4. A method of packaging elongated articles of predetel-mined length with a pair of elongated substantially rectangular sheets of substantially rigid, foldable material having longitudinal side edges: and opposite ends comprising overlapping the sheets in adjacent spaced relation to the ends thereof and in the form of an asymmetrical cross to provide a pair of angularly adjacent long end portions, overlapped intermediate portions, and a pair of angularly adjacent short end portions; folding the long and short end portions along lines constituting the bordering edges of the overlapped portions to form an open compartment bounded by the long and the short end portions; filling the compartment with the elongated articles arranged longitudinally of the sheets so as to have ends tested against the overlapped portions and oppositely extended ends; Wrapping the long end portions around the articles in the compartment and in overlapping relation to each other to bring the ends of the sheets into adjacent relationship; and securing the long and short end portions of each sheet together to enclose the articles in the compartment.

5. A method of packaging elongated articles of sub stantially uniform length employing a pair of elongated substantially rectangular sheets of substantially rigid foldable material having longitudinal side edges and opposite endscomprising overlapping the sheets in adjacent spaced relation to the ends so as to be in the form of an asymmetrical cross providing overlapping portions, a pair of long end portions, and a pair of short end portions; fold ing the long and short end portions along lines bordering the, overlapping portions of the sheets to form an open substantially rectangular compartment surrounded by the long and short portions and with the long and short portions being respectively in angularly adjacent relation to each other; filling the compartment with elongated articles so that the articles form a pack having a longi tudinal dimension and substantially equal transverse dimensions; folding the long portions along inner and outer fold lines, the inner fold lines being spaced from the overlapping portion by a distance substantially equal to the longitudinal dimension of the pack of articles and the inner and outer fold lines being spaced from each other by a distance substantially equal to the transverse dimensions of the pack; wrapping the long portions around the pack of articles with panels defined between the inner and outer fold lines being in overlapping relation and substantially parallel to said overlapping portions. and being against the pack of articles; bringing the opposite ends of the sheets into edgewardly adjacent relation; and taping the long and short portions of the sheets together to enclose the articles in the compartment.

6. In a method of forming a package from first and second, substantially identical, elongated, substantially rectangular sheets of substantially rigid, bendable material each having longitudinal side edges, transverse end edges, transverse outer fold lines in spaced relation to the end edges, and spaced transverse inner fold lines in spaced relation to the outer fold lines to define a center panel between the inner fold lines, first and second intermediate panels between adjacent inner and outer fold lines, and first and second end panels between adjacent outer fold and end edges, the steps of overlapping the first intermediate panels of the sheets with the sheets in substantially right angular relation; folding the sheets along the first inner and outer fold lines bordering the overlapped panels to form an open compartment surrounded by the first end panels forming angularly adjacent short walls and the center, second intermediate and second end panels forming angularly adjacent long walls; folding the long Wall of one of the sheets along its second intermediate and outer fold lines so that the panels of such sheet circumscribe the compartment with the end edges in engagement; folding the long Wall of the other sheet along its second inner and outer fold lines so that the panels of such sheet circumscribe the compart- 'ment with their end edges in engagement and with the second intermediate panels in overlapping substantially parallel relation to the first intermeditae panels; and securing the adjacent end edges of the panels together.

7. A method of packaging elongated substantially cylindrical articles of uniform length employing a pair of elongated substantially rectangular sheets of fiberboard material having longitudinal side edges and opposite ends comprising providing a plurality of closely adjacent transverse outer fold lines in adjacent spaced relation to one end of each of the sheets; providing a plurality of closely adjacent transverse inner fold lines in spaced relation to the outer fold lines and being closer to said ends of the sheets to which the outer fold lines are adjacent than to the opposite ends of the sheets, the inner and outer fold lines defining intermediate panels therebetween; overlapping the sheets in adjacent spaced relation to the ends opposite to the ends adjacent to which the fold lines are located and in the form of an asymmetrical cross to provide overlapped portions, first and second short end portions, and first and second long end portions containing the fold lines; bending the long and short end portions along the bordering edges of the overlapped portions to form an open compartment bounded by the long and short portions; placing the folded sheets in such compartment forming relation in a jig temporarily to maintain the sheets in such relation; filling the compartment withelongated articles arranged longitudinally of the sheets so as to have ends rested against the overlapped portions and oppositely extended ends and so that the articles form a pack having a longitudinal dimension and substantially equal transverse dimensions; folding said first long end portion along an inner fold line spaced from the overlapped portions a distance substantially equal to the longitudinal dimension of the pack; placing the intermediate panel of said first long end portion against the extended ends of the articles; folding said first long end portion along an outer fold line spaced from its respective inner fold line a distance equal to the transverse dimension of the pack so as to bring the op posite ends of its respective sheet into closely adjacent relation; folding said second long end portion along an inner fold line spaced from the overlapped portions a distance substantially equal to the longitudinal dimension of the pack; placing the intermediate panel of said second long end portion in overlapping relation to the intermediate panel of said first long end portion; folding said second long end portion along an outer fold line spaced from its respective inner fold line by a distance equal to the transverse dimension of the pack so as to bring the opposite ends of its respective sheet into closely adjacent relation; and taping the opposite ends of the sheets together to enclose the articles in the compartment.

8. A' method of packaging elongated substantially cylindrical rigid articles of substantially uniform length with a pair of elongated sheets of substantially rigid foldable material having opposite longitudinal side edges and opposite transversely extended end edges comprising overlapping the sheets in substantially right-angular relation to provide releasable overlapped portions and four outwardly extended end portions; folding the sheets along first transverse fold lines bordering the overlapped portions to extend the end portions in a common direction and into compartment forming relation bounding the overlapped portions, the end edges of the sheets being in releasable edgewardly adjacent meeting relation in said compartment forming relation; placing the folded sheets temporarily in a jig to hold the sheets in said compartment forming relation with the meeting side edges of the sheets held together; filling the compartment formed by the end portions of the sheets with a plurality of such articles, the articles forming a substantially longitudinally rigid pack having a predetermined longitudinal dimension, transverse dimensions equal to the spacing of the end portions forming the compartment, an end against the overlapped portions, and an extended end, the extended end of the pack having substantially rigid end edges individually adjacent to said end portions of the sheets; folding the end portions of the sheets along their respectively adjacent end edges of the pack to provide second transverse fold lines spaced from the overlapped portions by a distance substantially equal to the longitudinal dimension of the pack to overlap said end portions in overlying relation to the extended end of the pack and to bring the opposite end edges of each sheet together, the longitudinal rigidity of the pack facilitating the folding of the sheets along said second transverse fold lines; and securing the end edges of the sheets together.

9. In a method of forming a carton from a pair of elongated substantially rectangular sheets of substantially rigid foldable material having longitudinal side edges and opposite ends comprising overlapping the sheets in adjacent spaced relation to the ends and in the form of an asymmetrical cross to provide overlapped portions having bordering edges substantially defining a rectangle, a pair of major end portions of predetermined length and a pair of minor end portions shorter than said major end portions; folding the major and minor end portions along first and second transverse lines coinciding with the bordering edges of the overlapped portions to extend the major and minor end portions in a common direction to form an open material receiving compartment circumscribed by the major and minor portions and with adjacent side edges thereof in contact; folding the major portions along third transverse lines into overlapping relation to each other to provide overlapped panels substantially parallel to said overlapped portion; folding the major portions along fourth transverse lines to bring opposite ends of the sheet together; and securing the ends of the sheets together.

10. A method of packaging elongated rigid articles of substantially uniform predetermined length with a pair of elongated substantially rectangular sheets of substantially rigid foldable material having longitudinal side edges and transversely extended opposite end edges comprising overlapping the sheets in adjacent spaced relation to the end edges and in the form of an asymmetrical cross to provide overlapped portions having bordering edges substantially defining a rectangle, a pair of major end portions of predetermined length and a pair of minor end portions shorter than the major end portions, all of said end portions being outwardly extended from the overlapped portions; folding the major and minor end portions along first and second lines transversely of the sheets and coincident With the bordering edges of the overlapped portions to extend the major and minor end portions in a common direction so as to form an open compartment circumscribed by the major and minor end portions and with adjacent side edges thereof in contact; filling the compartment with suificient elongated articles so that the articles form a pack having predetermined longitudinal and transverse dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of said rectangular overlapped portions and so that the articles extend longitudinally of the major and minor end portions a distance greater than the length of the minor end portions but less than the length of the major end portions, the articles having inner ends against the overlapped portions and outer ends; folding the major end portions along third transverse fold lines spaced from the overlapped portions substantially the same distance as the length of articles into overlapping relation overlying the outer ends of the articles; folding the major end portions along fourth transverse fold lines spaced from the third fold lines by amounts equal to said predetermined transverse dimensions of the pack to bring the opposite end edges of the sheets together; and circumsen'bing the folded sheets with tape in marginally overlapping relation to the adjacent end edges thereof transversely of the sheets to secure the end edges together and for holding the articles within the sheets.

11. A method of packaging elongated substantially cylindrical rigid articles of uniform length with a pair of elongated rectangular sheets of uniform size and shape and of substantially rigid foldable material having longitudinal side edges and opposite ends comprising overlapping the sheets in substantially perpendicular asymmetrical relation to provide releasable overlapped portions of substantially equal length and four outwardly extended end portions; folding the sheets along lines bordering the overlapped portions to extend the end portions in a common direction and into compartment forming relation bounding the overlapped portions, the end edges of the sheets being in releasable edgewardly adjacent relation in said compartment forming relation; placing the folded sheets temporarily in a jig having dowels arranged in substantially rectangular relation corresponding to the sides of the overlapped portions with the dowels extended along the meeting edgewardly adjacent side edges of the end .portions to hold such side edges together; filling the compartment formed by the end portions of the sheets with a plurality of such articles, the articles forming a pack having a predetermined longitudinal dimension, transverse dimensions equal to the transverse spacing of the end portions; an end against the overlapped portions, an extended end providing end edges respectively adjacent to the end portions of the sheets, and having substantial longitudinal rigidity; folding each of the end portions along transverse lines defined by the extended end edges of the pack and spaced from the overlapped portions by amounts substantially equal to the longitudinal dimension of the pack into substantially parallel relation to said overlapped portions in overlying relation to the extended end of the pack and bringing the opposite ends of each sheet together at the extended end of the pack; circumscribing the folded sheets with tape extended longitudinally of each sheet and marginally overlapping the adjacent ends of the sheets at the extended end of the pack; and removing the filled and taped sheets from the jig.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,096,278 Huebsch et a1. Oct. 19, 1937 2,214,997 Guyer Sept. 17, 1940 2,233,945 Gurwick Mar. 4, 1941 2,246,097 Illges June 17, 1941 2,376,256 Karlson May 15, 1945 2,757,851 Moore Aug. 7, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 25,916 Great Britain Nov. 12, 1913 129,411 Australia Oct. 12, 1948 135,510 Australia Nov. 29, 1949